5 reasons Rockies should keep CarGo

DENVER — Rockies general manager Jeff Bridich got the attention of the baseball world in advance of the non-waiver Trade Deadline a year ago.

He dealt shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, the face of the franchise, to the Blue Jays for pitching prospects Jeff Hoffman, Jesus Tinoco and Miguel Castro and shortstop Jose Reyes.

That has created an anticipation for what Bridich might do to add some life to the Deadline party this year, and the focus has been on the possibility of moving Carlos Gonzalez.

There are no guarantees in baseball. But as of today, the odds are Gonzalez will still be in a Rockies uniform come Aug. 2.

Here are five reasons why the Rockies would keep Gonzalez instead of moving him at the Deadline:

1. On the horizon The Rockies have one of the better upper-level crops of prospects in baseball, and it is heavy on quality arms. The current rotation provides a foundation for the future with the return of Tyler Chatwood from Tommy John surgery, along with homegrown products Chad Bettis, Jon Gray and Tyler Anderson. And there is more where they came from.

The Rockies have a hand full — if not more — of legitimate candidates for the big league rotation at the Double-A and Triple-A levels. Given the inexperience and youth of the starters, the Rockies could feel the value of keeping Gonzalez and a strong offensive/defensive segment of the roster together to help the transition of the young arms to the big leagues is worth more than a player or two in a trade.

That’s not saying they will be primed to win the National League West next year, but to take a step above .500 and have the young pitchers gain the confidence of pitching at Coors Field is one of …

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