Time For The Colorado Rockies To Shake Things Up

May 26, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Colorado Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki (2) flips his helmet and bat into the air after striking out in the seventh inning of a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies won 9-0. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Let’s face it and be realistic about this, this Colorado Rockies team that we see out on the field right now will not be contending anytime soon.

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We have seen the injuries take its toll on the team’s record, referring to key players such as Nolan Arenado, Carlos Gonzalez, Brett Anderson, Tyler Chatwood, and heck, even Jordan Lyles. I know what you’re thinking, how can two position players really make that much of a difference? Well, Nolan Arenado collected a club-record 28-game hit streak earlier this season and is on-pace to be selected to his first All-Star Game. Carlos Gonzalez is an All-Star caliber player as well, but his finger issues really hampered his play.

Can’t emphasis pitching enough, especially with this team playing in the Mile High City. Two key pitchers in Brett Anderson and Tyler Chatwood have been out for quite some time. Those two were the projected to go three and four in the starting rotation that looked on paper to be the best rotation in franchise history. Jorge De La Rosa and Jhoulys Chacin have shown signs of their normal self, but haven’t pitched up to their potential thus far.

Chacin just recorded the loss Monday night against the St. Louis Cardinals after giving up five earned through six innings. He is now 1-6 on the season with an ERA sitting at 4.84. De La Rosa on the other hand has been labeled as the staffs ace by many. He has not pitched like a prototypical ace but has been dealing with a lingering back problem. The 33-year-old will take the hill Tuesday night with his 6-6 record accompanied with an ERA of 4.75.

Time to get down to business. The Rockies simply need to make a change in the front-office. I know, I know, this should have happened a long time ago, but the time is now. As a lifelong fan, I would personally like to see the whole band go — that includes the owners Dick and Charlie Monfort, vice president Bill Geivett, and general manager Dan O’Dowd.

Ever since Dan O’Dowd took over as the Colorado Rockies general manager, he has landed just one talented player in the first-round and that would be shortstop Troy Tulowitzki. The jury is still out on picks Tyler Matzek (11th overall, 2009), Kyle Parker (26th overall, 2011), and Tyler Anderson (20th overall, 2010), but the Rockies first-round history has been a complete joke. Players like Matt Harrington (7th overall, 2000), Ian Stewart (10th overall, 2003), Chris Nelson (9th overall, 2004), Greg Reynolds (2nd overall, 2006), and Casey Weathers (8th overall, 2007) made little-to-no impact on the big club.

With that being said, if there is no change in the front-office anytime soon, I will be shocked — but I shouldn’t be. We saw the San Diego Padres cut ties with their GM Josh Byrnes just two years after his was promoted to GM. He went 76-86 combined as a member of the Padres. It’s time for the Rockies to do the same.

As far as player personnel goes, I like the pieces they have moving forward. Nolan Arenado, Charlie Blackmon, Corey Dickerson, Tyler Chatwood, Eddie Butler, Tyler Matzek, Jon Gray, and Troy Tulowitzki. You may be asking, where is Carlos Gonzalez on this list? Personally, I feel like Colorado should try to gauge trade interest for the outfielder. His value may not be as high as it should right now due to the slow start, but the Rockies need to acquire a package of prospects to help add depth and talent to the team.

We are now seeing the lack of depth that the Colorado Rockies possess. I mean, c’mon, we have a utility infielder in Charlie Culberson playing third base that is hitting .194 on the season with 103 at-bats.

I would touch up on the bullpen or lack thereof, but I will piece together a column about that later on.

In conclusion, Colorado needs to shake things up in the front-office or else we will see the same ol’ same ol’ every season.

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