There Is Help, If The Rockies Want It

This is not to blame any one member of the Rockies for their recent offensive struggles. This is not to overreact to today’s loss against Adam Wainwright and the Cardinals or the fact that the offense was shut out again in a 3-0 loss. This is not to panic because the offense, supposedly among the best in the National League, has scored 5 total runs in the last 5 games. So bear all of that in mind when I say: the Rockies need to shake this roster up.

In a way I am getting my wish, because they have finally recalled Charlie Blackmon from the Colorado Springs Sky Sox. Unfortunately it is not for a great reason, as the team placed Michael Cuddyer on the disabled list with his locked up neck. Still the team will add a hot bat by bringing up Blackmon and his .336 average.

Brignac. Image: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

The Rockies should have recalled Blackmon before this because he would have been an upgrade to a roster with a suddenly sputtering offense. As such they are forced to make a decision they should have already made. They can show that they have learned their lesson by bringing up other upgrades from the Sky Sox. We heard more than once that the decision to trade Chris Nelson and bring up Nolan Arenado signaled the fact that this team wants to win now.

As the team faces potential disaster in St. Louis and beyond this month, now is the time to follow through on that promise. They need to promote DJ LeMahieu and get rid of Reid Brignac. They need to find at-bats for Tyler Colvin in the right field/first base swing spot. And then they need to de-emphasize Eric Young Jr. and keep Charlie Blackmon involved in the outfield when Cuddyer returns. There is flexibility available so that the Rockies can truly put the best product on the field. They just need to show that they are willing to make tough decisions and take advantage of that flexibility.

For now it will be up to an already ailing lineup to replace Cuddyer’s production and get things back on track.