Trying to figure out pitching problems

Saunders: Wow, a Rockies fan from across the pond! Thanks for reading.

As to your first question, I have to shrug my shoulders a bit, because I’m not sure how to fix it. I don’t know if Black or Bridich do either — at least not right now. They are going to have to get creative and hope that Kyle Freeland bounces back and others make a quantum leap. I’m not optimistic, as I noted in a recent journal.

Firing Black is not the answer. He can only work with the talent he’s been given. He’s not a miracle worker and I don’t think another manager could have handled this mess any better.

It would not shock me if pitching coach Steve Foster or bullpen coach Darren Holmes were fired, but it’s not likely.

I would not count on free agency to improve the Rockies’ pitching. High-end starters have no interest in coming to Colorado to pitch at Coors Field, especially considering the way the ball has jumped out of the park this season.

A trade is possible, but Bridich and Co. are not likely to give up prospects to acquire a starter, although they did acquire German Marquez in 2016 as part of a four-player trade with Tampa Bay that included outfielder Corey Dickerson.

Finally, having spent $106 million for the relief trio of Wade Davis, Bryan Shaw and Jake McGee prior to the 2018 season, it’s difficult seeing the Rockies spending big money on another reliever.

As to your second question about Triple-A batters being overmatched, I’m not buying that. You have to remember that Nolan Arenado, Trevor Story, Charlie Blackmon and David Dahl all came up through the system.

Sam Hilliard has flashed some talent in his short stint in the majors.

As Ryan Spilborghs reminds me constantly, hitting a baseball is really hard. It takes time to develop that skill at the major-league level.