Change for the sake of change has always been a no no, but when you are desperate and searching for answers, a change must be made.
The first change that needs to be made is removing Carlos Gonzalez from the number 3 spot in the batting order and replacing him with Todd Helton. My lineup card would look like this:
2B EYJr (Switch)
3B Chris Nelson (RH)
1B Todd Helton (LH)
SS Troy Tulowitzki (RH)
CF Carlos Gonzalez (LH)
RF Seth Smith (LH)
C Chris Iannetta (RH)
LF Charlie Blackmon (LH)
P
I know, Blackmon is not with the team yet, but Jim Tracy is down to his last card before he starts flying commercially again. Now the next question is: If you bring up Blackmon, who gets sent down/DFA/Traded and the answer is not simple but it has to be made. The players that are tradeable are Giambi (AL Team in need of a DH), Smith/Spilly/Herrera/Wiggy (all 4 can play everyday). If the Rox are going to crash and burn, they should crash and burn with the guys that are part of the future. Smith and Spilly are the least likely to be moved but will bring the most value in a trade. Seth Smith could bring the 1B of the future as this is likely Helton's last year.
The next change may be quite obvious after this road trip: Jim Tracy out along with Carney Langsford. Again, I know it's not either one of those coaches fault but they are not producing the product that was expected. Not sure if the Rox hire from within with this one. Tommy Runnells? I'd like to see a Felipe Alou type manager brought in, who that might be is a mystery, but I'm sure Dan O'Dowd has an idea already.
The last change is the fans. Understand that this is a marathon, not a sprint. Understand that this is baseball, whether this is little league, High School, College or otherwise, it is still baseball and things tend to even out. Hard lines drives are made up for by bloop hits and Texas leaguers. Winning one run games even out with one run losses. Slumps are part of the game. Losing streaks are part of the game. Remember 20/21 wins for the Rox??? Remember Tulo's 40 RBI month last year??? Chill, relax, enjoy and cheer from your soul. The Rox are 5 1/2 games out with a 104 games left to play.
Can the DBack continue their unexplained rise to the top of the standings? No. Can the Giants win with Eli Whiteside as their catcher? No. Can Kemp/Either carry the Dodgers all year? No. The Padres are the only team living up to expectations (last place in the division) but they are 7-3 over the last 10, do they go 21-9 over the next 30? No. Do the Rox continue their slide? Pessimistic fans say yes, baseball fans say NO, they are too good to play crappy all year long.
Next Blog will be after the Padres series. Thanks for reading.
J
@2OutRBIs
