Why the Colorado Rockies will be over the .500 mark in 2020

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SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 25: Ryan McMahon #24 of the Colorado Rockies reacts after he was called out on strike against the San Francisco Giants in the top of the six inning at Oracle Park on September 25, 2019 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

I have saved an article from MLB.com for a few days now, waiting until the dust from the end of the regular season settled and well after the Colorado Rockies held their much-discussed end of the season press gathering.

That article, which you can see by clicking here, picked five teams which the author felt “seem the most poised to take a step forward in 2020 — the ones you feel like are building toward something better.” That list did not include the Colorado Rockies.

Rather than the Rockies, the author picked the Cincinnati Reds, Chicago White Sox, San Diego Padres, Texas Rangers and Los Angeles Angels as the five teams who finished below .500 in 2019 but could also make that “step forward” in 2020.

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The author did start his article with an interesting point, pointing out that only three teams (the Minnesota Twins, New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies) finished the 2018 season under .500 but rebounded in 2019 to finish at .500 (we’re looking at you, Philly) or better.

Additionally, the author points out that, since the start of the 2015 season, nine teams have finished the previous season below .500 and bounced back to make the postseason the following season. That includes the 2017 Rockies as well as the Arizona Diamondbacks, who topped Colorado in the National League Wild Card Game that season).

After reading the article, I began looking at the possibilities of the Rockies improving by at least 10 games over this year’s final 71-91 record in 2020 to finish at least at the 81-81 mark. I also remembered the words of Colorado owner Dick Monfort, who said during the end-of-the-season press conference that, ““I don’t think we have a lot of flexibility next year of making some great big splash. Now that doesn’t mean that we can’t get creative and do some things that will help if the right deal comes along.”

Can the Rockies improve by 10 games next season without “making some great big splash?” It’s possible if these three things happen.

Note: Later this week, we’ll pull a counterpoint and discuss the three reasons why the Rockies won’t reach .500 again in 2020.

DENVER, COLORADO – SEPTEMBER 10: Pitcher Jairo Diaz #37 of the Colorado Rockies throws in the eighth inning against the St Louis Cardinals at Coors Field on September 10, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

1. Colorado stays healthy

Toward the end of the 2019 campaign, the entire Colorado Opening Week pitching rotation was on the injured list. Kyle Freeland returned at the end of the season to make two appearances, totaling five innings and allowing just one run along with six hits, one walk and one strikeout.

To lose Freeland, Jon Gray and German Marquez was a huge blow to the Rockies, but so was losing arguably their most reliable reliever (Scott Oberg) after August 16 as well as their All-Star outfielder (David Dahl) after August 2. Yes, injuries are a part of the game and the Rockies have admitted they hurt the team while insisting that’s not an excuse for the disappointing season.

Injuries are going to happen during a season, but the Rockies can only hope that they can avoid them in 2020 in big chunks, a fate that was dealt to Colorado in 2019.

2. These relievers keep improving

While Oberg was on the sidelines with a blood clot in his right arm, Jairo Diaz and Carlos Estevez showed that they have the potential to be big players in the 2020 bullpen.

The 28-year-old Diaz became one of manager Bud Black‘s go-to relievers as the season wound to its conclusion, picking up five saves in the month of September. The 26-year-old Estevez, meanwhile, finished the season by allowing just two hits in 10.2 innings of September work, striking out 11 while opponents hit just .061 against him.

If Diaz and Estevez can maintain their upward trajectory and become solid set-up men for Oberg, who will likely keep the closer role in 2020, Colorado’s late-game bullpen could be much improved.

3. The kids keep playing and getting better

Garrett Hampson and Ryan McMahon. Give them the right side of the infield at second and first, respectively. Sam Hilliard, give him a starting outfield spot alongside two All-Stars in Dahl and Charlie Blackmon.

The effects of the Rockies moving Daniel Murphy's contract. dark. Next

Let the kids play and play regularly. They flashed plenty of potential in 2019. If they get the majority of playing time in 2020, it gives the Rockies a chance to improve at two different positions (first and left field) while a resurgent Hampson can hopefully produce for a full year on the same pace as he did in September hit .318 and stole nine bases.

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I have saved an article from MLB.com for a few days now, waiting until the dust from the end of the regular season settled and well after the Colorado Rockies held their much-discussed end of the season press gathering.

1. Colorado stays healthy

2. These relievers keep improving

3. The kids keep playing and getting better

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