Rockies’ story lines may include first division title
Broncos training camp opens in two weeks. That means wall-to-wall coverage of the battle of backup tight end, red-hot quarterback controversies (real or imagined) and in-depth analysis of pulled groins and ankle sprains.
I get it. I used to be a Broncos beat writer. I used to feed that beast. I understand the Rocky Mountain region’s infatuation with the National Football League. Why, by the way, do NFL coaches always say “National Football League” instead of simply NFL?
But I digress.
My mission here is to remind local sport fans that the local baseball team has some compelling story lines waiting to unfold as it nears the all-star break:
Hunt for Rocktober. In their first 25 years of existence, the Rockies have never won a division title, but the West can be won this season. All-world third baseman Nolan Arenado believes it, as does manager Bud Black. Of course, if the high-rolling Dodgers get hot or add a marquee player or two, or three, all bets are off.
Arenado for MVP. As I write this, Arenado is on his way to his sixth consecutive Gold Glove and is a favorite to be the NL MVP, Coors Field bias notwithstanding. He’s tied for second in the NL with 23 home runs and ranks seventh with a .311 batting average, third with 66 RBIS and second with a .987 OPS.
Arenado’s future. He has made it crystal clear that he’ll leave Colorado if the Rockies don’t emerge as a consistent and legitimate postseason contender. Arenado’s contract ends after next season, but the next 2K months could cement his decision. My prediction? He’s probably going, going, gone.
Sellers? The Rockies entered the weekend 48-45 and trailing the Dodgers by three games. General manager Jeff Bridich has been telling inquiring teams that the Rockies still have postseason aspirations. That could change over the next 11 games, as the Rockies play the Mariners, Diamondbacks, Astros and A’s — all teams with better records than Colorado’s.
If the Rockies slide, which current players might be on the trading block? The Red Sox have already inquired about lategame reliever Adam Ottavino, and there is bound to be strong interest in second baseman DJ Lemahieu, with less-fervent interest in veteran outfielders Gerardo Parra and Carlos Gonzalez. All of those players are in the final years of their contracts.
Buyers? If the Rockies stay in contention, it makes sense that they would seek help for a bullpen that continues to be their Achilles’ heel — unless Bryan Shaw rebounds. I would not expect the Rockies to break into their bank of prospects to add a reliever, but Miami’s Brad Ziegler might make sense. Or how about Zach Duke of the Twins?
Freeland watch. Right-hander Kyle Freeland, the Denver product who got snubbed in the all-star voting, is having a terrific season, one that could establish him as the staff ace for the foreseeable future. The left-hander is 8-6 with a 3.11 ERA and 92 strikeouts vs. 38 walks. Opponents are batting just .238 against him. Freeland faded in the second half last season, admitting that fatigue set in by late August.
But he’s a better, more mature pitcher now. He’s not going to equal Ubaldo Jimenez’s 2010 season when Jimenez won 19 games and notched a 2.88 ERA, but Freeland is on pace to have one of the best seasons by a starter in Rockies history.