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Colorado Rockies: It looks like it is CarGone for good this time

By Aaron Hurt

DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 16: Carlos Gonzalez #5 of the Colorado Rockies watches the flight of a fifth inning two-run homerun against the San Diego Padres at Coors Field on September 16, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 16: Carlos Gonzalez #5 of the Colorado Rockies watches the flight of a fifth inning two-run homerun against the San Diego Padres at Coors Field on September 16, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /
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After 10 seasons, it is time to move on. Move on from the moon shots into the upper decks of right field. Move on from the slick fielding plays in the outfield. Move on from mowing down runners at the plate with his powerful left-handed throwing arm. Thanks for the memories Carlos Gonzalez, but it is time for the Colorado Rockies to move on.

CarGo has had a long and historic tenure with the Colorado Rockies and belongs on the Mount Rushmore of the club. In career offensive categories for the franchise, he is in the top 5 for practically every one. For the past 10 seasons, #5 has been a mainstay in the Rockies’ lineup and has helped propel them to three playoff appearances … but the Rockies have to let him go.

The last few seasons, the now-33-year-old has seen his production slip. The Rockies surprisingly signed him to a one-year deal in the middle of spring training last season after a brutal 2017 season. Even though he had a somewhat bounceback 2018, giving him another contract would be a mistake as his numbers have clearly dipped and his prime production days seem to be behind him.

Carlos Gonzalez Career by Season
YearTmGPAABRH2B3BHRRBISBCSBBSOBAOBPSLGOPSOPS+TB
2008OAK853163023173221426411381.242.273.361.63471109
2009COL89317278537914713291642870.284.353.525.878118146
2010COL1456365871111973493411726840135.336.376.598.974143351
2011COL12754248192142273269220548105.295.363.526.889125253
2012COL13557951889157315228520556115.303.371.510.881122264
2013COL11043639172118236267021341118.302.367.591.958144231
2014COL7028126035621511138301970.238.292.431.72388112
2015COL1536085548715025240972046133.271.325.540.864116299
2016COL15063258487174422251002246129.298.350.505.855111295
2017COL1365344707212334014573056119.262.339.423.76286199
2018COL1325044637112832416645237113.276.329.467.79699216

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table

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Not only would bringing him back for ’18 be bad for production, it would cause other problems. CarGo on the roster would once again create a roadblock for many of the touted outfield prospects from making the majors. Raimel Tapia, Mike Tauchman, Noel Cuevas, and others prospects have had their development stunted due to the lack of opportunities that was created by the logjam of veteran outfielders that were on the 2018 roster.

More importantly, going into 2019, the Rockies will be in desperate need for a right-handed corner bat. Whether it is moving Ian Desmond to the outfield and looking for a first baseman or sticking with Desmond at first and finding someone new in the outfield, they can’t make same mistake as 2018 and continue to play three lefties in the outfield.

It is difficult to cut ties with a franchise all-time great and fan favorite, but the Rockies must do so in order to give them a fighting chance in 2019 and beyond.

Next. Keeping an eye on what's happening in Arizona. dark

Thank you Carlos Gonzalez for everything you have done for the Rockies … but it is time to move on. You will be missed but not forgotten.

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