Seriously, Rockies are no-nonsense
“Tougher guys” in culture change
When Rockies right fielder Carlos Gonzalez surveyed the visiting team’s clubhouse at San Francisco’s AT&T Park last week, he liked what he saw.
“There is no messing around right now, not with this group,” he said. “We are here to win now. We are not here to be patient.”
Left fielder Corey Dickerson, asked about the early-season moves made by the organization, called them bold.
Star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki said, “I think there are tougher guys in this locker room.”
Bold? Tough? Those are not words generally associated with the Rockies, long known as an organization that takes its time making any decision, let alone a tough one.
Under the leadership of first-year general manager Jeff Bridich, however, there’s been a tangible change of culture. In short, there’s no tolerance for mediocrity. If someone isn’t performing, a move is made.
Huge longshots to make the playoffs, let alone post a win-
ning record, the Rockies are off to a solid start, with a 7-3 record heading into play Saturday night in Los Angeles.
“It’s very early in the season,” Bridich said. “But if that’s what the players are saying, that’s a great thing. If they believe in each other and the moves we’ve made, then that’s great.
“I think it probably says that the players are speaking with a collective mind. You don’t always get that in sports.”
Manager Walt Weiss has also been instrumental in helping give the team a newfound focus. Bridich has given him more say than he had in his first two years as a manager on issues such as the roster makeup and personnel moves. Together, Bridich and Weiss have instilled a sense of urgency. The examples are numerous.
• Veteran right-hander Jhoulys Chacin, a clubhouse favorite, was cut during spring training when it became apparent he wasn’t making the starting rotation.
• Left-handed reliever Rex Brothers was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque during spring training. A year ago, Brothers was allowed to stay with the Rockies all season, though he compiled a 5.59 ERA in 74 appearances.
• Closer LaTroy Hawkins was demoted to a setup role, and Adam Ottavino was promoted to replace him just eight games into the season.
• Weiss has shaken up his batting order, occasionally hitting the pitcher in the eighth slot.
• At Weiss’ request, and with analytics provided by the front office, the Rockies are using defensive shifts in their infield far more than they had ever done.
Asked about the change in culture, Weiss is cautious but admits things are evolving.
“People on the outside might see this as different, but it doesn’t feel that different to me,” he said. “But I guess when you look at it, yes, we have pulled the trigger on some things.”
Weiss said he and Bridich are definitely on the same page when identifying problems and making moves.
“When we feel strongly about something, we’ve done something about it, as opposed to waiting and seeing how things unfold. But it’s a collaborative effort, it’s not just Jeff and me. It’s the whole organization.”
CarGo welcomes what he sees as a new, no-nonsense approach.
“For me, I think it’s the right thing to do,” he said. “In the past, the organization has been maybe too patient with players. Maybe even too patient with me when things were not looking good for us.”
Dickerson, in his second full season in the majors, credits Bridich for the sea-shift. Dickerson was a 21-year-old playing at low Single-A Asheville in 2011 when Bridich took over as the Rockies’ farm director.
“Those of us in low-A, we noticed Jeff right away,” Dickerson said. “We noticed the way he moved up players in ways that had never happened before. … And I have already seen it in the big leagues this season. He’s got a really good feel for players, and he’s a very competitive guy. He knows which guys can play the game, and he wants to win now.”
If the Rockies can contend past the AllStar Game — and that remains a gigantic “if ” for a team coming off a 96-loss season — the organization’s new boldness will be tested.
Would the Rockies do what it takes to add missing pieces to make a playoff run? How bold would Bridich be? Would owner Dick Monfort be on board? That would be the real litmus test.
CarGo is hopeful the organization goes all out to do everything it can to produce a playoff team for the first time since 2009.
“This is a major-league club,” he said. “The coaches, the people in the front office and the players, we should all expect great things. Fans buy tickets and spend a lot of money to watch really good baseball and to see players execute. It’s only fair that we perform at our best.”
“There is no messing around right now, not with this group. We are here to win now. We are not here to be patient.” Rockies outfielder Carlos Gonzalez