Deals boost spirits; just ask Rockies
The sound of the shower water hitting the tile floor in the visiting clubhouse at Busch Stadium was deafening.
The Colorado Rockies, one of baseball’s most surprising teams with their kiddie corps rotation, still might be wearing that glass slipper, but it is now cracked, chipping with every step they take.
The Rockies, appearing destined to end an eight-year postseason drought, suddenly are looking vulnerable. Coming off a sweep at the hands of the St. Louis Cardinals, they embark on a weekend series against the Washington Nationals. They have dropped 19 of their last 30 games, winning just two road games since June 14, and their once-commanding grip on a National League wildcard berth has dwindled to 41⁄2 games.
Maybe the Rockies’ kiddiecorps rotation can’t handle the stress of a pennant race. Maybe they can’t overcome the season-long struggles of outfielder Carlos Gonzalez and their catching tandem. Maybe, they’re just not ready. Rockies general manager Jeff Bridich, sensing that their stunning performance in the first half could be washed away by their sudden struggles, knew it was time for action.
He went out and scoured the market before acquiring veteran All-Star reliever Pat Neshek
from the Philadelphia Phillies, giving up only three low-level prospects: infielder Jose Gomez and right-handed pitchers J.D. Hammer and Alejandro Requena.
Neshek, a free agent at the season’s conclusion, is a welcome addition for a bullpen that is yielding a 4.56 ERA — fourth worst in the National League entering Thursday.
“It’s good, it’s a really good pickup for us. It’s what we got to do,” Rockies All-Star third baseman Nolan Arenado said. “We are a winning team, and this is what happens when you have a chance to win. “And we need help out there.” Said first baseman Mark Reynolds, “It shows the guys upstairs are trying, trying to give us a little bump. It’s a pick-me-up for all of us.”
The Rockies’ instant reaction to the Neshek trade, before the two-time All-Star even throws a pitch, was exactly what Bridich intended with his loud and clear message from the front office:
We believe in you. Thank you for what you’ve done. Now go win a playoff berth.
“These things have a way of picking the club up, especially when a guy comes in and does what he’s capable of doing,” Rockies manager Bud Black said. “If he pitches like he has been, it picks you up for sure. It sends a great message, no doubt about it. “And I don’t think we’re done.” Clear out a locker for veteran All-Star catcher Jonathan Lucroy, who should be next to join the Rockies. Bridich has been in serious talks with the Texas Rangers about Lucroy, trying to bolster a fatigued catching corps.
And no matter how Neshek fares — or even if the Lucroy trade talks collapse — Rockies players at least know their front office is trying, giving them an adrenaline rush that could last until October.
The Chicago Cubs, this season finding themselves in a fight for the NL Central title, are repeating their strategy from 2016, when they acquired closer Aroldis Chapman. This time, they got Chicago White Sox ace Jose Quintana at the All-Star break for four prospects — including prized outfielder Eloy Jimenez and right-hander Dylan Cease.
Once again, instant gratification. Entering Thursday, the Cubs were 10-2 since the All-Star break, vaulting into sole possession of first place for the first time since May 26 and looking to have a shot at repeating as World Series champions.
“I think when the Cubs got Quintana, that was their wake-up call,” Arenado said. “They’re going for this. I think we’re trying to do the same.”
The Kansas City Royals decided to not only keep their prized free agent quintet after losing 20 of their first 30 games but bolstered their staff, acquiring veteran pitchers Trevor Cahill, Brandon Maurer and Ryan Buchter from the San Diego Padres.
The Royals have yet to lose since the deal and entered Thursday with a season-high eight-game winning streak, keeping pace with the Cleveland Indians in the American League Central.
The Minnesota Twins are fading from contention, with a sixgame deficit after being the biggest surprise of the first half. Members of the management staff might not be fully sold on their chances, but at least they rewarded the players by acquiring Jaime Garcia and Bartolo Colon, who both had been with the the Atlanta Braves.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are the best team in baseball. Yet they have no choice but to show their team and fan base they want more than just a fifth consecutive division title.
They are trying to acquire Rangers ace Yu Darvish. If they don’t get him, Dodgers President Andrew Friedman will grab a left-handed reliever to help out closer Kenley Jansen.
Yes, they have a chance to be even better.
The same can be said in Houston, where Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow is aware he has to make a move. It doesn’t matter whether it’s acquiring starter Sonny Gray from the Oakland Athletics or a left-handed reliever such as Brad Hand of the Padres.
He had better get somebody, or be prepared for a mutiny.
It’s the same sentiment with the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Indians and any other team thinking it has a chance to reach the playoffs but needs a boost.
The moves won’t always work, of course. The Royals grabbed ace Johnny Cueto in 2015, only for him to go 4-7 with a 4.76 ERA in 13 starts before getting redemption with a two-hitter in a World Series win vs. the New York Mets.
“It’s not like you want to make a trade just to make a trade,” Rockies first baseman-outfielder Ian Desmond said. “But it can really help. When I was with Texas last year, and we got Lucroy and (Carlos) Beltran, that was big. Real big. We weren’t throwing a party, but the energy just skyrocketed in there.”
It’s that euphoria the Rockies and other contenders hope to capitalize on these last two months.
“It’s now up to us,” Arenado said. “It doesn’t matter whether we got Neshek or not, if we don’t start playing better than we are, we ain’t going nowhere.”
Whether the Rockies make it or not, the difference this time is they’re in position at Monday’s non-waiver trade deadline for the front office to provide them a chance.
“This is what you work for,” said Gonzalez, the Rockies’ longest-tenured player who hasn’t been to the playoffs since 2009. “You want to get these opportunities. You don’t want to be the team that sells. You want to be the team that gets players.
“It’s great to have that kind of scenario.”
And so much better, the players will tell you, when your front office believes in you, too.