Checking in with Aaron Cook

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Colorado Rockies love reunions. Jeff Francis, Franklin Morales, Yorvit Torrealba, Manny Corpas…the list truly does go on.

Aaron Cook returned to the Rockies in 2013 after pitching for the Boston Red Sox in 2012 and then flaming out with the Philadelphia Phillies in Spring Training. Pitching exclusively for the Colorado Springs Sky Sox, he made eight starts in 2013. He went 0-5 with an abominable 8.15 ERA. He was then shut down with arm fatigue.

Whether or not those struggles were the result of a tired arm or a sign that Cook is done, he is looking to give it another go in 2014. Nick Cafardo wrote the following in the Boston Globe on Sunday:

"The former Rockies and Red Sox pitcher, one of the fastest workers in baseball, is looking to make a comeback after he was forced to shut down after experiencing a tired arm in late July. Cook is fine now and looking for another chance. He did not pitch in the majors last season, making eight starts with Triple A Colorado Springs.”"

Even with some up and down years lately, Cook’s career groundball percentage is 57.8%. That means that a number of teams (the Rockies included?) will have to at least take a look and see how his arm looks. As far as low-cost fliers go, you can do worse than a predictable and efficient guy who is capable of keeping the ball on the ground.

Having said that, I don’t think Cook will catch on with anybody. At age 34 I think that 2013 season is too much to come back from. But given how much he meant to the Rockies and the way he handles himself, I will certainly be cheering for him to get another shot.

Maybe with another team besides the Rockies, though.