A combination of poor offensive output and surging young Rockies outfielders staking claims to playing time has led to an unusual “platoon” situation for Carlos Gonzalez, as Kyle Newman of the Denver Post writes. CarGo is hitting just .236/.278/.427 on the season with three homers, while David Dahl and Noel Cuevas both boast wRC+ figures above 100 (though each has a BABIP above .420). Gerrardo Parra has also seen a reduction in playing time thanks to the young duo’s hot streaks. Newman notes that manager Bud Black is making his lineup card each day with many factors each day, including rest, pitching matchups and the hot hand. Gonzalez signed a one-year, $8MM deal with the Rockies this past season after struggling for much of 2017.
A pair of other items out of the West…
- Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle writes that the Athletics could start running more often following the promotion of speedy outfielder Dustin Fowler to the big league club. Enter Thursday’s game, Slusser notes that the A’s were just 7-for-14 in steal attempts on the season; those steals and steals attempts totals both rank second to last in the majors. In the meantime, Fowler was 8-for-10 during his time in Triple-A this year. Manager Bob Melvin describes Fowler as a “true base stealer”. Said Fowler on the subject: “That’s something I’ve worked on my whole career, so I’d like to step it up and see how I can do at the big-league level as much as I can.”
- Giants outfielder Hunter Pence has reportedly resumed his rehab assignment (h/t Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports). Pence, who has been on the DL since April 20th after suffering a thumb injury, was originally expected to miss no more than the ten-day minimum. However, Pence began feeling some recurring thumb soreness during his initial rehab assignment, necessitating a retreat from playing in games for a bit. That was only five days ago, so it appears the setback wasn’t viewed as particularly serious. With Mac Williamson still being held out of games following concussion symptoms, the Giants will hope they can get Pence back into their depleted outfield mix sooner than later.
An electrical box will slow the A’s running game.
A sunny gray day will slow any yank win streak.
How’s your team doing Richard?
If you’re gonna troll learn how to spell a guys name.
Boooooo
I like that Dahl and Cuevas have forced themselves into starting positions in the COL outfield. Black’s lineup conundrum only magnifies the inexplicable signing of CarGo last winter. The FO should be sizing up trade possibilities shortly as Gonzalez just doesn’t fit in this team any longer.
What’s his trade value? None. They’d have to swap him for another bad one year deal like Harvey for Mesoraco.
Its not like his deal was that bad, I believe it’s only for one year.
MLB Players who need to Retire
Hunter Pence
Albert Pujols
???
Pujols has Averaged 30.5 HR & 102 RBI over the last 4 seasons.
Go look at pujols numbers dude. Hes a top player on half the mlb rosters
Casey’s comment is just to bait people. But what team is Pujols a top player on? Marlins? He’s a very expensive Ryon Healy at this point. The numbers don’t lie.
Given that over half the teams can’t afford Pujols I’m going to have to disagree with him being a top player on half the teams
MLB Trade Rumors commenters who need to retire…
CaseysPartner
Ha!
Pujols shouldn’t retire. He is owed a lot of money over the next few years, and while slowing down, still is serviceable. He has a realistic chance at 700 home runs, only being 80 away.
Overachieving Giants 0-5 since getting the lucky sweep.
Lmao why are you still so hurt? Move on.
We get it that the Braves will win the WS this year. We don’t have to be told for the 11th time
I had thought the exact same thing about CarGo and Parra. I like them, but the young outfielders are better hitters, faster and ready to go.
Just as he’s done his entire career in Col, Cargo is predictably hitting at home, .333/.379/.815 , 1.194 OPS, and struggling badly away from Coors, .194/.235/.258, .493 OPS.
Forget Pence…eat the contract and move on and bring up Slater….keep Blanco…his speed and defense besides being the only left handed bat off of the bench besides Pablo is superior to Gorky