Los Angeles – Sometimes the truth is simple. The Rockies wake up today buried in the National League West because they aren’t good enough.
They haven’t been devastated by injuries, like last season when they were better versed in HMOs than RBIs. They haven’t broken in more kids than a kindergarten teacher, with Troy Tulowitzki and Chris Iannetta the only rookie position players. They haven’t pitched as if they were trying to knock over pins at a carnival, their rotation among the league’s finest until the current two-week hiccup. They haven’t been ignored – attendance is up 10 percent at Coors Light Field.
The truth is there’s a reason they need a telescope to see .500. They don’t have enough talent yet. And that is the operable word as they plow through September and shift their focus toward the future.
The truth is they need better players. They have proven in two years of a youth movement that they can develop major leaguers. Now, they need winning players. There is a difference.
A major leaguer can fill out a uniform and put up statistics that command the attention of a fantasy league owner. A winning player delivers when it matters most – knocking in a critical run or firing a double-play grounder when the alarms are blaring. The Rockies have a lot of good guys. But in case you haven’t noticed, these good guys are likely to finish last again.
Professional sports aren’t Boy Scout troops. Character is admirable, but ability is imperative. This isn’t to suggest they open the checkbook for Milton Bradley in the offseason. But when the clubhouse has a strong fiber, a few loose cannons and effervescent personalities wouldn’t hurt. Those guys eventually fall in line. Remember, White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski, a noted distraction, has been to the playoffs with two teams and owns a World Series ring.
The Rockies, well, they haven’t reached the postseason in 10 years and counting.
“The guys know what’s at stake. They know we’re not going to be sitting around together in the clubhouse for the next five years if we keep losing,” Rockies manager Clint Hurdle said. “Players change, managers change. People lose jobs.”
Right now, the Rockies are merely losing too many games. But they need to spend money or be willing to sacrifice a top prospect to address the center-field vacancy. Multiple Rockies sources have said they won’t spend big on the position, ruling out guys like Torii Hunter. And they won’t trade one of their top three starting pitchers.
OK, fine. Then ownership has to be willing to part with a top minor leaguer to go after Coco Crisp or Eric Byrnes. Or they have to aggressively pursue Dave Roberts, which they plan to do, as a short-term fix if he hits the open market. That makes more sense than signing Juan Pierre or Gary Matthews to the four-year deals they likely will command in a ridiculously thin free-agent market.
Even with reinforcements, the truth is they need more from their best players. Matt Holliday has to become a force late in games. Brad Hawpe must hit left-handers or fall into a platoon with Jeff Baker. Todd Helton, at the very least, must reach 65 extra-base hits next year, becoming a Brian Giles-type with 20 home runs and 100 RBIs.
Truth is they need Tulowizkid, er, Tulowitzki and Iannetta to grow up fast, showing power and legitimate run-producing skills. Truth is, there have been pockets of success this season, but fans deserve more.
They deserve a better team, one that can contend from the opening bell to the final week, if not final out, of the season.
Footnotes
General manager Ned Colletti, credited for vaulting the Dodgers back into first place, learned more than shrewd maneuvers from his mentor, Brian Sabean of the Giants. Like Sabean, Colletti isn’t afraid to give up a prospect. He traded blue-chip infielder-outfielder Joel Guzman for Julio Lugo, who rarely plays and isn’t expected to re-sign as a free agent. He also apparently offered first baseman James Loney for David Wells. … Tony La Russa is going to have to do something unnerving to keep the Cardinals rolling toward the postseason: trust a young player. With Mark Mulder done for the season – horrible timing for the future free agent – Anthony Reyes will be counted on to fill a critical role. … The Boston Red Sox have suffered through a bizarre mix of injuries and ineffectiveness. Jon Lester’s health sent shockwaves through the clubhouse as he was diagnosed with a treatable form of lymphoma. … The arms race for the NL Cy Young Award is intriguing. You say Zambrano, I say tomato. Anyway, the Cubs’ Carlos Zambrano is the slight favorite because he ranks near the top of all statistical categories and dominates with strikeouts. But Chris Carpenter, Brandon Webb and even slumping Brad Penny can’t be ruled out. … Jermaine Dye is going to have to call Home Depot to build a mantel for trophies. Just months after winning World Series MVP honors, Dye is emerging as the favorite to claim the American League MVP trophy. In a lineup with Jim Thome and Paul Konerko, Dye has emerged as the White Sox’s most indispensable player. … It will be a shock if Dusty Baker returns to manage the Cubs. At this point, it would better if both sides got a fresh start. Lou Piniella is lurking as a prime candidate in Chicago and, strangely, Seattle, where there have been discussions to bring him
back. … One baseball man, after seeing what Jose Reyes has done this season: “(Mets GM) Omar Minaya committed robbery in getting him for just $23 million.” Reyes said his legs feel better than ever because he’s no longer trying to adjust his running mechanics. The club forced that on him a few years ago, leading to endless hamstring problems. … John Smoltz drew attention for calling Braves GM John Schuerholz the “homeboy” upstairs, regarding his frustration over the silence about his contract. Smoltz and Schuerholz met and doused the fire. Left unsaid from their meeting: It’s a given Atlanta will pick up Smoltz’s club option next season.
