The Colorado Rockies will have to make a decision on what to do with three-time All-Star outfielder Carlos Gonzalez sooner rather then later, and this year’s trade deadline may be the perfect opportunity to max out on Gonzalez’s value.
Rumors circulated the club last week that CarGo may be willing to part ways with the organization if it meant joining a winning team.
CarGo denied those reports, but they raise the question anyway: Where does Carlos Gonzalez fit with this organization going forward?
Right now, CarGo is under team control through the end of next season, becoming an unrestricted free agent after then, meaning the Rockies have a year and a half to win with CarGo. After that, he’s likely to take his talents elsewhere, leaving Colorado with nothing but memories.
No matter how high you are on this young pitching staff, the team is not going to win a championship in the next year and a half, so the club needs to get max value for CarGo, and right now may be that time.
CarGo is having a stellar season, owning a batting average of .318 with 19 homeruns. His first half was so successful that he participated in the Home Run Derby last night and was selected to start in left field for the National League All Stars tonight.
CarGo has always had the talent to be a top-10 player in the sport, but injuries have limited his (avail)ability. Not this year, though, as CarGo has been on the field for 85 out of the Rockies’ 88 games.
This type of durability and consistency in Gonzalez’s game is something that has not been seen a lot in his career, and the Rockies can’t be positive it’ll continue into next season.
Simply put, CarGo’s value is as high as it’s ever been, and if the Rockies ever plan on trading him, they might as well do it now.
