The Case For Carlos Gonzalez, Colorado Rockies First Baseman
As the 2016 season comes to a conclusion, the Colorado Rockies will shift their focus towards competing for a playoff spot in 2017. Two issues that will need to be addressed? First base and the surplus of outfield options. Luckily, there’s a way for Colorado to fix both of those problems at the same time.
For all of the criticism lobbed at the Colorado Rockies front office over the years (much of it deserved), one thing they have consistently done well is identify and develop talented outfielders. From the early years of Dante Bichette and Larry Walker, to the “Rocktober” run led by Matt Holliday, to the current day, there’s a tradition of outstanding outfield play in Colorado.
That tradition is as strong as ever; the Rockies currently have one of deepest and most talented group of outfielders in MLB. They have a pair of young phenoms in David Dahl and Raimel Tapia, an emerging star in Charlie Blackmon, and an established star in Carlos Gonzalez.
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But that’s four players for three spots, and that’s before you even consider Jordan Patterson and Gerardo Parra, who will both probably play a role on the big league club next season as well.
If the Rockies want to get all of their best hitters in the lineup at one time (which they should, obviously), they’re going to have to get creative. Really creative.
Sep 5, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies right fielder Carlos Gonzalez (5) doubles in the eighth inning against San Francisco Giants at Coors Field. The Rockies defeated the Giants 6-0. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
The hardest part of moving Gonzalez to first base might be getting him to buy in to the idea. CarGo started playing professional baseball as a 17-year-old in 2003. In all the time since then, he has never once played an inning anywhere other than outfield. Gonzalez could flatly refuse to play first base. After all, it’s not like the Rockies will bench him if he does.
Also potentially complicating matters is Gonzalez’s impending free agency. CarGo’s contract with the Rockies is up at the end of 2017, and he may be hesitant about the idea of playing his “walk” year at a new position, particularly one that could hurt his value in the eyes of other teams.
It’s on the Rockies to sell Gonzalez on how this switch could benefit not just the team, but also him personally. Learning a new position could help increase his value on the open market. Plus, the relatively light physical demands of playing first base would increase his odds of staying healthy for the entire season.
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First base won’t be something Gonzalez picks up overnight, but it’s generally considered the easiest position on the field. CarGo is a three-time Gold Glove award winner, a tremendous all-around athlete, and he’s left-handed, which makes him a more natural fit at first base.
Gonzalez the first baseman might be hard to imagine. But try to picture this lineup on Opening Day in 2017:
If that lineup doesn’t intrigue you as a Rockies fan, I honestly don’t know what else to tell you.
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