Colorado Rockies: 3 things that must be addressed in the month of August

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DENVER, COLORADO – JULY 31: Wade Davis #71 of the Colorado Rockies throws in the ninh inning against the San Diego Padres at Coors Field on July 31, 2020 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

The Colorado Rockies are 4-2 to start the season but they must address a few things to stay in the playoff hunt after August.

The Colorado Rockies have played fairly well to start the truncated 2020 season as they are 4-2 entering the month of August. However, in the first six games and on Friday, in particular, the Rockies’ issues were apparent. They started a stretch of 33 games in 34 days that will determine the fate of their season and how those issues are addressed will be pivotal.

For note, we are not considering a possible COVID-19 outbreak, as it has happened with the Miami Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals. Obviously, an outbreak would be the biggest issue but for this, we are just considering the on-field roster issues.

Let’s dive in.

The closer situation for the Rockies

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Wade Davis is the Rockies closer at the moment but, at least at the moment, he’s the team’s least reliable reliever. He imploded on Friday against the Padres and he had a rocky (no pun intended) first appearance of the season against the Rangers.

Since the start of the 2019 season, Davis is 1-7 with an ERA of 9.13. If you cut that number in half, that’s still not a good ERA for a closer. He’s also allowing 10.7 hits per nine innings, nearly two home runs allowed per nine innings, more than six walks, a FIP of 6.14, and a WHIP of 1.897.

Once he returns from the injured list, Scott Oberg *should* be the Rockies closer since he is their best relief pitcher but, in the interim, either Jairo Diaz or Carlos Estevez should be the guys to turn to. However, Bud Black indicated to the media, including Rox Pile, after Davis’s implosion on Friday that he will still be the team’s closer.

“We’re six games into the season,” said Black. “We’ll continue to watch all our players. We’ll critique them and evaluate them on the pitching side, on their stuff and how they’re throwing.”

If Davis continues pitching poorly, the Rockies will have to make a move but how long will it take?

ARLINGTON, TEXAS – JULY 21: Chris Owings #12 of the Colorado Rockies during a MLB exhibition game at Globe Life Field on July 21, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

The Rockies have a few offensive problems too.

The bench for the Rockies

With the expanded 30-man rosters, the Rockies have a larger bench than usual. But that doesn’t mean that bench is a good bench.

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First off, the Rockies have three catchers on their 30-man roster plus another (Dom Nunez) on their three-man taxi squad. However, only Tony Wolters and Drew Butera have seen any action in the first six games and Elias Diaz hasn’t had any playing time, even as a pinch-hitter. If he isn’t going to be used, then why have him on the roster? Diaz is, arguably, the Rockies best offensive catcher, but the Rockies always have prioritized defense and leadership over offense at catcher (hence, why Wolters and Butera are the Rockies two primary catchers).

The Rockies bench is versatile but they don’t have much in the way of offensive threats on the bench. Case in point, Bud Black decides to pinch-hit for Sam Hilliard to avoid a lefty-lefty matchup against Drew Pomeranz. 2 outs, the bottom of the 9th, bases loaded. And Chris Owings is sent up to pinch-hit.

That’s the same Chris Owings who had a slash line of .180/.248/.275 in the last two seasons and an OPS+ of 38. Since Matt Kemp and Garrett Hampson were already used in the game, Bud Black had Butera, Diaz, Owings, and Josh Fuentes to use off of the bench.

Personally, I’m not sure I would have even pinch-hit for Hilliard, even with a great bench. However, those options for that situation are not great. If Kemp and Hampson weren’t used before, maybe they could have pinch-hit but, realistically, they should be in the Rockies starting lineup every day. Which leads me to the third issue…

ARLINGTON, TEXAS – JULY 25: Matt Kemp #25 of the Colorado Rockies hits a rbi single against the Texas Rangers in the fourth inning at Globe Life Field on July 25, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. The 2020 season had been postponed since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

The Rockies weren’t prepared to have to use a designated hitter in 2020.

The designated hitter for the Rockies

The Rockies have been using Raimel Tapia as the team’s primary designated hitter and, thus far, it has not been a fruitful venture. In 15 plate appearances, Tapia has two singles and he’s hitting .154/.200/.154 with an OPS+ of 2.

With the shortened season, the Rockies really don’t have a ton of time to wait to see if he can figure it out. Meanwhile, the Rockies have Matt Kemp, who rakes against left-handed pitchers and Coors Field but, right now, he’s Colorado’s best designated hitter option in general.

The other option is Daniel Murphy, who has cooled off significantly since the opening series in Texas. You can make a serious case that the Rockies should have Ryan McMahon at first base, Garrett Hampson at second base, and bench Murphy.

Assuming the season is still being played at the end of August, the Rockies could turn to the trade market to address some of their issues on the trade market.

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However, don’t expect any huge trades or, frankly, any trades at all since the Rockies (and the other 29 teams) can only trade players in their pool or for players to be named later.

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