What’s gone wrong with the Rockies?
That’s the No. 1 question I get from friends, family and fans who know what I do for a living.
Running a close second: What’s the mood of the team? In other words, they want to know about the level of anger and/or frustration from the players.
I’m not going to pretend that I know everything that goes on in the players’ private baseball world. But I’ve done some digging to get a better sense of the team. Though I’m not going to quote players here, I can share some of their sentiments.
— Finger-pointing? I haven’t seen it and I’ve been told that if there is any, it’s been minimal. As manager Bud Black pointedly told me: “If we did see it, myself, the players and the coaches would put a stop to it.”
That doesn’t mean the frustration level isn’t high, especially as highly-paid relievers continue to implode and give away games.
View of front office — There is always going to be a gulf between the players and the front office and ownership. Big-league baseball is a cutthroat business and all parties involved know it.
Still, I don’t sense any growing animosity between the players and general manager Jeff Bridich and owner Dick Monfort. There is, however, plenty of frustration. That dates back to last summer when the Rockies had an excellent chance to unseat the Dodgers in the National League West but did very little at the trade deadline, other than trading for reliever Seunghwan Oh.
Colorado’s relative inactivity during the past offseason also left some players frustrated. As did the club’s decision not to try and retain second baseman DJ LeMahieu and reliever Adam Ottavino when they became free agents.
Rockies players, past and present, have told me that they wish the front office would veer from its organizational blueprint and make a bold move or two to enhance the team’s chances to get beyond the first round of the playoffs when they are in contention.
Clubhouse camaraderie — Much has been made about the departures of outfielders Carlos Gonzalez and Gerardo Parra, two players who kept things fun and light. Parra, though an intense competitor, is also a natural clubhouse clown.
While I do think the Rockies missed CarGo and Parra early on, I think that young players such as Tony Wolters, David Dahl, Ryan McMahon and Raimel Tapia are beginning to influence the whole team.
The tightest Rockies team I’ve ever seen was the 2007 club that went to the World Series. Winning catalyzed that camaraderie, but because so many players came up through the minors together, the closeness of that team was organic and real.
Work ethic — Through all of the ugly losses and late-game meltdowns, one thing that’s never wavered with the Rockies is their professionalism. With only a few exceptions, the players put in the time and effort on a daily basis. The work ethic of Nolan Arenado, Charlie Blackmon and Trevor Story colors the entire team.
That kind of leadership is a very good thing and it bodes well for the future.
Now if only the Rockies could fix a pitching staff that ranks as the most disappointing in franchise history.