Carlos Gonzalez Is Amazing, But Colorado Rockies Must Stay The Course

Aug 16, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies right fielder C. Gonzalez (5) hits a solo home run in the fourth inning against the San Diego Padres at Coors Field. The Rockies defeated the Padres 5-0. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

There’s no doubt that their right fielder is other-worldly, but the Colorado Rockies need to remember where they are and what they’re trying to do this winter.

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There’s no doubt that Carlos Gonzalez is doing amazing things this summer for the Colorado Rockies. Even with an abysmal first two months, his numbers are something to behold, even for those of us used to seeing offensively-skewed statistics.

But please, don’t let CarGo’s incredible several months cloud your better judgment; the Colorado Rockies need to stay the course, finish the job (that they started with Troy Tulowitzki) and trade Carlos Gonzalez over the winter.

In fact, CarGo’s summer does the Colorado Rockies an obvious favor. He’s been healthy all year, he’s proven he still has value (ya think?!) and considering he isn’t owed an insane amount of money ($37 million between 2016 and 2017), a contender or contender-wanna-be wouldn’t think twice about adding him to the payroll.

His home run pace will make it tougher for Rockies fans when he

inevitably

hopefully is traded this winter, but fans vote with their hearts and not their heads. And the head is saying the smart play is for general manager Jeff Bridich to move CarGo to a contender.

The Rockies won’t contend in 2016 and they probably won’t be much closer in 2017, the final year of CarGo’s contract. Assuming they don’t bring in an incredible staple of pitchers this winter (believe me, they won’t), things aren’t going to drastically change for a “win-now” season with CarGo. This team ought to be building for long term success on a slower development plan. CarGo doesn’t fit that plan.

CarGo is leaving the Colorado Rockies in a great position for 2016 after (a) getting hot and (b) staying healthy this year. He’ll have no shortage of suitors this winter, all of whom can offer value for the right fielder as the Rockies continue to build their farm system for a strong run in two or three years’ time.

CarGo has also left Rockies fans with some incredible memories over the past few months, the goodwill of which shouldn’t be discounted. But please, don’t kid yourselves; the Colorado Rockies will not be a better team with Carlos Gonzalez in the lineup next year, because he alone doesn’t solve any of the Rockies’ most pressing problems. Trading him, however, sure could.

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