Nine games back, again: can the Colorado Rockies rekindle 2009′s magic?
Do the Rockies have another late-season run in them? (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
In 2009, the Colorado Rockies were 18-9 in September, fueling a playoff berth through the National League Wild Card.
In 2010, the incredible duo of Carlos Gonzalez and Troy Tulowitzki were knocking the cover off the ball, leading their team to wins in 20 of 26 games from August 22 to September 18th. But they couldn’t complete the late-season comeback, running out of gas to lose 13 of their final 17 games.
This time around, in 2011, when the summer and battle for playoff spots heat up, who knows what is in store. After all, the Rockies are 9 1/2 games back of San Francisco in the NL West, and their ace, Ubaldo Jimenez, is on the trade market. Even still, can they duplicate 2009′s late magic and put 2010′s painful finish behind them?
Colorado started the season strong, going 17-8 in April, but floundered in May with an 8-21 record. They have improved their play over the past couple months, but overall they have just been average. They sit at 47-52, and the trio of Gonzalez, Tulowitzki, and Jimenez haven’t been able to duplicate their 2010 statistical performances.
Gonzalez and Tulowitzki have produced, but their averages are down and they aren’t nearly on their expected pace. Jimenez has stood out of the three in the underwhelming department after his dazzling 19-8, 2.88 ERA stat-line of a year ago. He has only six victories this season–second on the team to Jhoulys Chacin, who has eight–and 4.00 ERA.
His disappointing season as well as that of the team is certainly reason why the Rockies are listening to offers. Despite his struggles, his youth, at 27 years of age, and his talent mean the team would have to be blown away to trade him. “We would have to be absolutely overwhelmed,” GM Dan O’Dowd told the Denver Post. “It would have to be a Herschel Walker deal.”
As can be imagined, the asking price is alarming. The New York Yankees know this well. The Rockies wanted four of their prized prospects in return, which isn’t a realistic way to do business. The Cincinnati Reds, Detroit Tigers, and Texas Rangers have also expressed interest.
Jimenez doesn’t necessarily have a say, but he, who has spent 11 years with the organization, doesn’t want to be moved.
“As a player, you always want to be on the same team for your whole career,” Jimenez said, as documented by The Denver Post. “I’d like to finish my career here, but that’s something you can’t control. Baseball is a really good game, but there’s a business side.
“You want to be an example when you talk to other guys about being in the organization. You always want to set a good example for guys coming from another team or the minor leagues.”
His wanting to stay means he expects something special to happen in Colorado. The players may join him in that belief, but in dangling him the front office may not.
They may have some reason to be skeptical about the team’s future, but that doesn’t mean team should be sellers at the trade deadline. They will be tempted to, considering the trade assets they have. Moving veterans Todd Helton, Mark Ellis, and Jason Giambi could equate to getting younger.
Doing this is an enticing option, but Colorado must think back to 2009. That team was nine games back on today’s date, and most of the core remains. They have to think a similar run is in them. They have no reason not to. Helton sure does, and he won’t let his Rockies give up hope.
“I am absolutely still doing this because I want to win,” said Helton, 38. “We have gone through peaks and valleys this year. We aren’t in the position we want to be in. But until it’s over, we have to keep fighting.” They will and, as history suggests, anything is possible if they keep believing.
