Rockies Update – 2014 All-Star Break
The Colorado Rockies were a playoff team in 2013, winning the 2nd wildcard slot. Going into this season, they had high expectations and high hopes of returning to the playoffs as the NL West Champions. Those hopes were dashed almost immediately in spring training as #1 starting pitcher, Kris Medlen, went down with an injury that would keep him out of the line until late June. By then, the team was well below .500 and holding up the rest of the NL West. In May, the Rockies were ranked #30, dead last, in the power rankings. Having hit rock bottom so early in the season, GM Stamey decided that it was time to shake up the team in hopes of strengthening it for the 2015 season. The team as of today looks very different than it did on opening day but things seem to be looking up for the Rockies.
The team looks dramatically different from the team that entered this season with playoff hopes. Gone is #1 starter Kris Medlen who now pitches for the KC Royals Gone is catcher of the future, Wilin Rosario, now playing for the Baltimore Orioles. Gone is SS Troy Tulowitzki who was reacquired from the Detroit Tigers only to be traded again to the Cincinnati Reds. Gone is 3B Nolan Arenado, also reacquired from the New York Mets only to be traded again to the same Cincinnati Reds. Gone is closer Rex Brothers who now pitches for the St. Louis Cardinals. Gone is SP Jhoulys Chacin, now pitching for the division rivals San Diego Padres.
Now playing for the Colorado Rockies? C Matt Wieters, 1B Eric Hosmer, 3B Lonnie Chisenhall, SS Didi Gregarious, SP Mat Latos, SP Clayton Richard, SP Mark Buehrle, CL Joba Chamberlain, and many others. This team has managed to turn the team around from being the #30 team in the league team rankings to currently sitting in the #12 slot and riding a 5 game winning streak.
There is a lot of excitement in the Rocky Mountain region for a team that looks like they are playing the type of baseball the fans expected when the season started. Not only is the team much more talented now, the team is much stronger financially, having given up almost all of the high salary contracts that they were stuck with prior the numerous trades that altered the look of the team. The team is also younger and can prove to the league that a small market team can be a contender without bankrupting itself.
The current Colorado Rockies looked primed to make their mark in 2015 but could make some noise before this season is over. They are 15 games out in the NL West pennant race but if they can put together an extended winning streak, they could make some noise in the wildcard race. But for now, the fans and the front office are excited with the turnaround that has taken place and the plan is to be a true contender in 2015.
