Let’s look at facts and be a stupid optimist
*- Written by Bard
There are a number of baseball franchises that have struggled to win despite having owners who make large profits. Some of these teams include the Washington Nationals, the Miami Marlins, the Oakland Athletics, the Tampa Bay Rays, and the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The Washington Nationals have not won a World Series since they joined the league in 2005. The team is owned by Ted Lerner, who is worth an estimated $6.1 billion. The Nationals have had some success in recent years, making the playoffs in 2012, 2014, and 2016. However, they have not been able to win a World Series.
The Miami Marlins have not won a World Series since 2003. The team is owned by Bruce Sherman, who is worth an estimated $4.2 billion. The Marlins have had some success in recent years, making the playoffs in 2012 and 2013. However, they have not been able to win a World Series.
The Oakland Athletics have not won a World Series since 1989. The team is owned by John Fisher, who is worth an estimated $2.3 billion. The Athletics have had some success in recent years, making the playoffs in 2012 and 2013. However, they have not been able to win a World Series.
The Tampa Bay Rays have not won a World Series since they joined the league in 1998. The team is owned by Stuart Sternberg, who is worth an estimated $1.5 billion. The Rays have had some success in recent years, making the playoffs in 2008, 2010, 2011, 2013, and 2019. However, they have not been able to win a World Series.
The Arizona Diamondbacks have not won a World Series since 2001. The team is owned by Ken Kendrick, who is worth an estimated $2.2 billion. The Diamondbacks have had some success in recent years, making the playoffs in 2011, 2013, and 2017. However, they have not been able to win a World Series.
But WHY? Is this what we mean by eat the rich?
There are a number of reasons why these teams have struggled to win despite having owners who make large profits. Some of these reasons include:
- Poor management: These teams have often had poor management, which has led to poor decisions on the field and in the front office.
- Lack of star players: These teams have often lacked star players, which has made it difficult to compete with the best teams in the league.
- Unlucky breaks: These teams have often had bad luck, which has cost them games and playoff opportunities.
What about my favorite team? Should they be?
The Colorado Rockies are another team that has struggled to win despite having an owner who makes a large profit. The Rockies are owned by Dick Monfort, who is worth an estimated $2.9 billion. The Rockies have never won a World Series and have only made the playoffs six times in their 26-year history.
There are a number of reasons why the Rockies have struggled to win. Some of these reasons include:
- Playing in a tough division: The Rockies play in the National League West, which is one of the toughest divisions in baseball. The Dodgers, Padres, and Giants are all perennial contenders, and the Rockies have often had to battle for a playoff spot with these teams.
- Playing in a high-altitude environment: The Rockies play their home games at Coors Field, which is located at an elevation of 5,280 feet. The thin air at Coors Field makes it difficult for pitchers to get their pitches over the plate, and it also makes it easier for hitters to hit home runs.
- Poor management: The Rockies have had a number of different managers over the years, and none of them have been able to consistently build a winning team.
- Lack of star players: The Rockies have never had a true superstar player, and they have often had to rely on a group of role players to carry the team.
Is there a reason to hope?
Despite these challenges, the Rockies have shown flashes of potential in recent years. They made the playoffs in 2017 and 2018, and they have a young core of talented players that could lead them to more success in the future.
The Colorado Rockies have a number of talented young players who could be the key to the team’s success in the future. Some of these players include:
- Brendan Rodgers: Rodgers is a 25-year-old shortstop who was the Rockies’ first-round pick in the 2015 MLB draft. He made his major league debut in 2019 and has been a mainstay in the Rockies’ lineup since then. Rodgers is a switch-hitter who has power to all fields. He is also a good defender at shortstop.
- Ryan McMahon: McMahon is a 27-year-old third baseman who was the Rockies’ second-round pick in the 2013 MLB draft. He made his major league debut in 2017 and has been a regular in the Rockies’ lineup since then. McMahon is a left-handed hitter who has power to all fields. He is also a good defender at third base.
- C.J. Cron: Cron is a 31-year-old first baseman who signed with the Rockies as a free agent in 2021. He is a left-handed hitter who has power to all fields. He is also a good defender at first base.
- Charlie Blackmon: Blackmon is a 35-year-old outfielder who has been with the Rockies since 2011. He is a right-handed hitter who has power to all fields. He is also a good defender in the outfield.
- Raimel Tapia: Tapia is a 28-year-old outfielder who has been with the Rockies since 2016. He is a left-handed hitter who has speed and the ability to hit for average. He is also a good defender in the outfield.
- Jon Gray: Gray is a 29-year-old right-handed pitcher who has been with the Rockies since 2013. He is a power pitcher who can strike out a lot of batters. He is also a good fielder and has a good pickoff move.
- German Marquez: Marquez is a 27-year-old right-handed pitcher who has been with the Rockies since 2016. He is a power pitcher who can strike out a lot of batters. He is also a good fielder and has a good pickoff move.
- Kyle Freeland: Freeland is a 29-year-old left-handed pitcher who has been with the Rockies since 2016. He is a control pitcher who can keep the ball in the park. He is also a good fielder and has a good pickoff move.
These players are all under the age of 30 and have the potential to be All-Stars. If they can stay healthy and continue to develop, they could be the core of a championship team for the Rockies.
In addition to these players, the Rockies have a number of other young prospects who could contribute to the team in the future. Some of these prospects include:
- Elehuris Montero: Montero is a 22-year-old shortstop who was the Rockies’ first-round pick in the 2018 MLB draft. He is a switch-hitter who has power to all fields. He is also a good defender at shortstop.
- Robert Stephenson: Stephenson is a 24-year-old right-handed pitcher who was the Rockies’ first-round pick in the 2011 MLB draft. He has been in the minor leagues since then, but he has the potential to be a top-of-the-rotation starter.
- Ryan Rolison: Rolison is a 23-year-old left-handed pitcher who was the Rockies’ first-round pick in the 2018 MLB draft. He has been in the minor leagues since then, but he has the potential to be a middle-of-the-rotation starter.
- Peter Lambert: Lambert is a 24-year-old right-handed pitcher who was the Rockies’ second-round pick in the 2015 MLB draft. He has been in the minor leagues since then, but he has the potential to be a middle-of-the-rotation starter.
- Brent Tolar: Tolar is a 23-year-old catcher who was the Rockies’ third-round pick in the 2019 MLB draft. He is a switch-hitter who has power to all fields. He is also a good defender behind the plate.
These prospects are all under the age of 25 and have the potential to be major league contributors. If they can develop as expected, they could be the key to the Rockies’ success in the future.