Colorado Rockies: Something has to give with Jon Gray

On the outside looking in, the Colorado Rockies appear to be doing well. They’re second in the National League West and are in double-digits for wins. They had a good road trip, winning five of their seven games. This is good … but the closer you look, the more cracks you start to see. It’s far from beautiful when you see what’s really happening with this team.

First, you have to look at the problem that’s directly in your face and what prompted me to write this. Jon Gray is a part of the problem … a very large part. This man is supposed to be the ace of the rotation for the Colorado Rockies. Yet, the way he’s looking as of now shows someone who is struggling.

The series opener against the Chicago Cubs is more than enough proof. If you take a look at Gray’s line, it’s a sign of the trouble he’s had all season. He only lasted five innings and gave up seven runs, with only five of them being earned. He walked three and only struck out one. It doesn’t make it any better that the Rockies lost 16-5. Of course, this led to him getting his fourth loss of the young season. If you haven’t caught on yet, THIS IS AN ISSUE.

There are only so many chances that can be given to someone at the rate Jon Gray continues to go. It’s essentially a snowball effect. Due to him not being able to contribute in more than five innings, Colorado manager Bud Black has to look to the bullpen. The bullpen gets stretched thin if the game gets to be too taxing, thus leading to putting wear and tear on those relievers. Who knows the effect that will have on those pitchers once we get deeper into the season?

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Bud Black can’t continue to let this go on. If Jon Gray is keeps driving down the same road (and he shows no signs of stopping), it may cost the Rockies wins. With wins being put in jeopardy, I truly believe they need to pick another ace. German Marquez is proving himself right now to be a better ace. I think it’s time the Colorado Rockies move Jon Gray down the rotation until he can really show the coaching staff that he is able to perform as ace material.

If the Colorado Rockies want to continue at the pace they’re going and hopefully surpass the Arizona Diamondbacks, then they must have the team excel in all aspects of the game. Way before the season even started, I mentioned that perhaps a veteran starter would help guide the Rockies pitching-wise …  but they didn’t go that way, instead working on the bullpen. Because of that, one of those young guys is going to have to step up and be the leader of the rotation.

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Jon Gray isn’t cutting it anymore. It’s time for a change if the Colorado Rockies truly want to be a team that makes the postseason once again. I get that it’s still early and everything, but how long are the Rockies going to let this continue? Yes, Bud Black was able to turn this team around and he’ll most likely be able to keep going down the same road, but you can’t just bypass this Jon Gray situation. Something’s gotta give with the Colorado Rockies and it has to start with Jon Gray.