Morning Links: Rockies News 7/30

Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

After a borderline devastating loss to the Atlanta Braves last night, the Colorado Rockies sit at 51-56, 6.5 games out of first place in the National League West. Here’s what else is happening with the Rockies and around the rest of baseball:

From Thomas Harding: Colorado Rockies weighing their approach to Trade Deadline (MLB.com)

"The club has had difficulty finding relievers to get the ball to Belisle and lefty Rex Brothers — the acting closer — in Betancourt’s absence. A stalwart reliever could be an important piece of the puzzle. Because starters are held at around 100 pitches, the Rockies need to be dependable in middle relief.“The Rockies aren’t likely to address what they believe is a strong set of regular position players. They are confident that the group will produce, even though they turned inexplicably cold after the break, after sending their Nos. 3-5 hitters — left fielder Carlos Gonzalez, Tulowitzki and Cuddyer — to the All-Star Game.”"

From Terry Frei: Rockies are better than their record, but need to play like it (Denver Post)

"Another sign of progress will be when the Rockies don’t have to portray every victory as some salvaging exercise and nobody around them feels the need to declare that the corner has been turned — at least, until the next loss.They really are better than that.”"

From Jonah Keri: Forget PEDs, Baseball Is Fun As Hell Right Now (Grantland)

"There’s a lot more to love than to hate this season, as there is every season. For every player likely to be suspended this year, there are 10 more doing extraordinary things. For every team that could see its pennant chances affected by the Biogenesis case’s undertow, there are five more with amazing stories to tell. In short, baseball is fun as hell right now."