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(AP Photo of Rockies Manager Jim Tracy)
In the fall of 2007, we knew what we were seeing from the Colorado Rockies and what it really meant. The amazing run close the regular season meant a trip to the playoffs and eventually the World Series. A similar – if far less noticed – run in June of 2009 does not bring with it a dramatic climax to this season. Rather, it means that a season that most had already given up on suddenly DOES matter again. But what have we learned and what should we expect from this point forward?
First, we’ve learned that those of us who had high expectations for this team in the spring were right to expect the Rockies to be contenders for the postseason. The talent is there to be in contention and be playing those meaningful September games we all long for. They’re starting to hit in the clutch, and the starting pitching has finally stepped up. While most feel that they still lack all the parts to be a pennant winner again, they are playing a lot closer to their potential now. The latest hot streak has been constructed by beating the teams they should beat (Seattle, Pittsburgh, Milwaukee) while going toe-to-toe and holding their own against the better teams (St. Louis, Tampa, Anaheim) on the slate. It’s the same formula that served the Denver Nuggets so well this past season.
Second, we learned that sometimes a change in managers, simply for the sake of change, can have a very positive effect. New skipper Jim Tracy has settled things down by electing to field a set lineup every night and bring a calmer, quieter approach to the clubhouse and the dugout. As is so often the case, when a change is made in managers, the new guy brings with him a contrasting style. It’s worked. When he took over in 2002, Clint Hurdle brought a much needed enthusiasm with him, injecting life into a listless ball club. Over time, however, the louder, “rah rah” approach that was so badly needed seven years ago grew stale. Insiders say that the players had grown weary of Hurdle’s “loud” presence. While they won’t blame Hurdle for the terrible start to the season, several players have mentioned that the change in management styles and the pressure that’s been relieved by the change has been a positive factor.
So where do we go from here? On the plus side, sitting a few games over .500 now, the Rockies are back in playoff contention. You can’t win a pennant in June, but you can lose one. Now the Rockies are firmly in the hunt. On the down side, even with this amazing run, they’ve picked up very little ground on the first-place LA Dodgers, so it’s looking like the wild card race is all they’ll be entered in down the stretch. Still, the approach needs to be the same. A spot in the playoffs is a spot in the playoffs. Many teams, the Rockies included, have made the World Series as a wild card entry.
To stay in the race, Colorado of course needs to continue to get solid starting pitching and hope that the current five guys stay healthy. There does not appear to be a lot of depth in the farm system as far as starting pitching goes. Perhaps lefty Greg Smith, when he returns from a rehab assignment, could help if needed. Other than that, it looks slim. The bullpen depth has already been maxed out, after enduring a couple of key losses already. You’d think that any more health problems there could be a disaster.
The everyday lineup looks fine. You’ve got a set group of starters and role players in place now. They’re back to playing championship-caliber defense. Things are so solid now that the Rockies can include Garrett Atkins in any possible trades with Ian Stewart entrenched as the starter at third base. The Rockies can and should be buyers before the trade deadline, and not sellers as most had expected. Even though he’s currently on the disabled list, the pursuit of Toronto right hander Roy Halladay should not only continue now, but be ramped up. Halladay remains the missing piece to the championship equation. The true “ace” the Rockies badly need, Halladay would also bring with him a bonus at the box office. The local product from Arvada West would fill every seat in Coors Field the nights he pitched.
This latest hot streak does not have the drama that the run to “Rocktober” had, but it could have just as much meaning if the Rockies can sustain a pace that would have them winning two of three games in most of their remaining series.
At the very least, we now have meaningful games during the summer months to sink our teeth into.
Comments
It's all well and good to speculate, but Doc isn't available. Toronto is tied for the AL Wild Card lead with a better w/l record than the Rockies. Plus, he's not just the face of the team, he's arguably the best homegrown player the Jays have developed, maybe the best player to wear a Jays jersey ever, and a potential future HOFer. They won't win without him and they know it.
You are an idiot if you think Roy Halladay is going to play for the Colorado Rockies.
I love comments from brillant people who have all that front office experience to back up their emotions.
Those who thought Chauncey Billups would play for the Nuggets again were also thought to be "idiots." Listen folks, I know how this stuff works a lot better than you do...unless of course either Scott or Tara have been working in a baseball fronbt office. The Blue Jays have ZERO shot at the post season and they know it. They need to dump salary, they need to get younger. A trade with the Rockies could help them do both. Doc WILL BE available in mid July. They won't win without him, true. But they won't win a damn thing with him, either. So called "Faces" of franchise that are losing money get traded all the time. Roy will not be a Jay when this season ends. I just hope he's can come home and be a Rockie to end his stellar career.
LOL...if Halladay was ever dealt this season (which he wouldn't be, because the GM has already said he'll attempt to re-sign him in the offseason), he certainly wouldn't be going to the Colorado Rockies of all teams. What a joke of a franchise.
And since when do the Jays need to dump salary and get younger? It's not like Rogers is losing money.
Just more ignorant American nonsense about the team to the north that they know absolutely nothing about.
So, how exactly do the Jays have zero shot at the post-season and the Rockies are somehow going to win the Wild Card? Last I checked, five games back in the division [which the Jays are] is better than ten games back in the division [which the Rockies are], and leading the wild card [which the Jays are] is better than being fourth in the wild card [which the Rockies are].
You also talk as if the Jays have to cut payroll when the GM is publicly stating that he would add it if they're still in a similar position they are now. Not to mention numerous well-respected sites and sources have said Halladay is not available - INCLUDING the team's GM.
When ted rogers son takes control of the team the payroll will go back up so I don't think many jay fans are worried, & Toronto doesn't need to get younger playoffs this season without a doubt.
Fowler, Stewart, Gonzalez, Weathers and Helton would probably be the best package the Rockies could offer Toronto. THAT STILL WOULD BE NOWHERE WHAT HALLADAY IS WORTH!
Absolutely ridiculous post. You sir should be ashamed of yourself.
The end.
If you can't even put together a possible trade with real player names why would you write this article? you should realize that the package coming back for Halladay would be the biggest ever. He still has a year left on his contract.
I know why you didn't put any names (other than atkins, an average hitter who would be riding the pine in Toronto behind Scott Rolen) ... The rockies have far less to offer than almost any other team. And that's why even in the unlikely event of a Halladay trade, Colorado is the last place he'd end up.
Colorado has a baseball team?
Good for them. They need something to root for.
Lets also keep in mind where this is. Its not a daily newspaper, its a blog on some random website, that probably does not pay to much. The Fact that the author does not write for ESPN, FOX, or even a daily in Denver probably speaks to his qualifications, so keep that in mind here.
In response to Knudson’s response to my first post. This will NEVER happen. Halladay likes Toronto. He enjoys the city and the life he and his family have there. He’s expressed it on numerous occasions. His wife runs a successful charity organization and is featured frequently in Blue Jays broadcasts. He is not trying to leave that city or organization. BUT, he’s a gamer. A perfectionist. A serious professional athlete who plays the game for all the right reasons. Winning being the most important, especially at this point in his career.
That being said, the only reason he would leave the Jays is to win a world series. We all know what that means. Anytime any player over 30 wants to achieve something like that there is a very short list of places they are going to go. The significant part in this case is ALL of those teams would swim through a pool of your beard clippings to have Halladay in their rotation. If he’s available it’s going to be pandemonium come trade time. And when all
As the other person said, keep in mind this is not ESPN, where they all say Halloday is going no where. I'm not a Jays fan, but if I was I would not be to worried about want some low tier blogger writes.
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