Colorado Rockies: What makes up the team’s most wanted list

WANTED by the Colorado Rockies: A shortstop, a first baseman, and two corner outfielders who can hit and an ace pitcher who can get through five innings without giving up more than four runs.

On second thought, WANTED: Anyone besides Charlie Blackmon, Nolan Arenado, or DJ LeMahieu do something on offense? Or anyone in the starting rotation besides Chad Bettis who can have multiple quality outings?

To quote Slim Pickens in “Blazing Saddles,” “What in the wide, wide world of sports is going on here?” This Colorado Rockies team is a mess. But somehow, someway, they have found a way to play .500 baseball. So what can this team do?

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With three off days in the next 17 days, the Rockies should seriously think about going with a seven-man bullpen and adding an extra bat on the bench. It may sound crazy but carrying three catchers and calling up Tom Murphy would be a good place to start. Murphy is raking in Triple-A Albuquerque and the Rockies desperately need a useful bat off the bench.

With Gerardo Parra‘s looming suspension, it is time to call up Raimel Tapia. David Dahl‘s injury probably made the decision easy for who should be called up first. Tapia isn’t playing the greatest in minors at the moment, but a call-up might be the spark that he needs.

Ryan McMahon is a mess and needs everyday playing time in Albuquerque. First baseman Jordan Patterson showed in spring that he is capable of playing in the bigs and would be a nice replacement as McMahon figures things out in the minors.

As for the rotation, sending Jon Gray down would be useless. He has done all that he can in the minors, so what can the Rockies do? Skip his next start. Gray could use an extra day or two off to clear the demons that are running through his head. Calling up Jeff Hoffman is probably not the answer and, with his injury, he may not be ready to go anyway but the Rockies may not have a choice. The so-called “ace” of the staff has been a dumpster fire in his five starts and he could use some time away from the game.

Next: Let's talk about Colorado's lineup construction

The Rockies are a highly dysfunctional team that has luckily strung some wins together. Bud Black showed last season that he has the ability to piece together a lineup that can be competitive and make the playoffs. It looks like he is going to have to do it once again if the Rockies have aspirations on making the playoffs again this year.