CarGo thinks playoffs at crossroads of career
Now is not the time for Carlos Gonzalez to start singing a sentimental swan song.
Of course the Rockies’ veteran right fielder knows he’s nearing the end of a oneyear contract and will soon be a free agent again. But with just five games remaining in the regular season, his team chasing down a wildcard playoff berth, and possibly the first National League West division title in franchise history, he has too much present to worry about the future.
“I knew this could be a special year, but we still have some unfinished business,” Gonzalez said Wednesday before the Rockies hosted Philadelphia at Coors Field. “We still have to work to do, to try to win the division. After than, continue to win series and then win the World Series.”
Gonzalez’s September swoon — .143 average (7for49), .192 onbase percentage, zero home runs entering Wednesday — as well as strong performances from David Dahl and Gerardo Parra, has led to limited playing time. Gonzalez was in the starting lineup Wednesday for just the 12th time this month.
Tuesday night, after Gonzalez smashed a tworun, pinchhit double in the Colorado’s 103 win over the Phillies, manager Bud Black said the Rockies “need Gonzalez to get where we want to be.”
Black expanded on that prior to Wednesday’s game.
“With CarGo, there is the extrabase hit in there, there is a home run in there,” Black said. “There is an element he brings, when he’s in the batter’s box, that is fearful to the opposition. Not unlike Matt (Holliday). When Matt steps in the box. There is a presence.”
Black is keenly aware of Gonzalez’s recent struggles, but has hopes Gonzalez will produce down the stretch.
“The last month or so, CarGo has been down, but in any given moment — hopefully tonight — he can find his stroke and do what he did last night — rip a double to leftcenter. Or get the ball over the fence. He’s very capable of that.”
Gonzalez, who was a free agent last winter before signing a oneyear, $8 million deal with the Rockies in March, said that being in career limbo again doesn’t concern him.
“A lot of people (were) counting me out six years ago,” he said with a laugh. “I’m still showing up. I never think about it. I always think about the opportunity I have in front of me. Just being here is a tremendous opportunity for me.
“I try to take advantage every night. I try make my family proud. My fans, everybody who supports me every day and this franchise. I’ve been here for so long. I do it for everybody. That’s all I think about.”
Anderson update.
Lefthanded starter Tyler Anderson, who’s making progress coming back from a sore throwing shoulder, is still in the Rockies’ 2018 plans — perhaps as a relief pitcher. There is no timeline for his return after he was scratched from his start Monday, but he could be back on the mound soon.
“Tyler is doing better. Much better,” Black said. “He played an aggressive game of catch today. He lengthened it out and got some distance between him and his throwing partner. He came out of it OK. We are encouraged about where Tyler is.”
Regarding Anderson working out of the bullpen, Black said: “He can pop out there and get an inning or two, like he has before. He has the aptitude, the wherewithal and the mental capability to come out of the bullpen and handle it fine.”