Mark Knudson’s Three Strikes Blog: Strike Two:
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Is Cargo Car-gone? For good? Maybe not.
STRIKE ONE: Getting Charlie Blackmon signed to a multi-year contract before last season, and then inking Nolan Arenado to a mega-deal this February has made for terrific, feel-good headlines for the Colorado Rockies. But something is still missing this spring in Scottsdale.
Carlos Gonzalez.
About this time last year, after Blackmon was in the fold, the Rox signed their aging free agent stalwart right fielder to another one year contract, bringing him back for a 10th season in purple pinstripes. During the play-off run of 2018, Cargo played a bit role, sharing time in the outfield, pinch hitting, and having his least productive (non injury) season as Rockie.
Immensely popular with his teammates, Cargo’s presence in the clubhouse remained a key component in the club’s success. But that can only keep an old vet employed for so long. This winter, with Cargo once again in free agent limbo, it appears to be…so long.
The Rockies have shuffled things around in the outfield this spring, with Blackmon moving over to Cargo’s old spot in right field, young David Dahl taking over in left, and Ian Desmond – who’s been less than hoped for as a prized free agent signing – moving back to his old position in centerfield. Raimel Tapia figures into the equation somehow, too.
For a team whose success has been due in no small part to their stellar defense, the entire outfield is a question mark at this point. Can Blackmon make the transition? Can Dahl improve on a shaky defensive season…and can Desmond return to All-Star form in center?
Cargo, even at age 32, would be the best defender among this group by a wide margin. He’s won three Gold Gloves and could have more. He’d be a defensive upgrade at all three spots.
But the Rockies are in need of improvement offensively, and Cargo, at 32 years old, can’t promise them that. So now he’s now a former Rockie. At least for the moment.
Never say never, right? Funny things happen in baseball. At this time a year ago, no one thought that another former Rockie, Matt Holiday, would ever return to purple pinstripes. But in August of last year, the 39 year-old did just that.
Could the same thing happen this season with Cargo? He’s still got something in the tank, and while it’s more likely he will hook on with some other team as injuries hit in spring training, the idea can’t be ruled out. Gonzalez has done too much in Denver for too long to be totally dismissed.
Cargo came to Colorado the first time before the 2009 season in a trade that sent Holiday to Oakland. Almost a decade later, Holiday returned. Maybe Cargo will too?
Wanna argue? Hit me up on Twitter @MarkKnudson41. Coming Friday: A new Bowl game for the Mountain West conference…
