Rockies Mailbag: Why doesn’t Colorado starter Jon Gray pitch deeper into games?

Denver Post sports writer Patrick Saunders with the latest installment of his Rockies Mailbag.

Pose a Rockies — or MLB — related question for the Rockies Mailbag.

Patrick, I have noticed that most Colorado starters begin looking into the dugout for help in the fifth inning. It just seems that way every time I watch a start from Jon Gray. He says he wants to be a 200-plus inning guy. To get there he needs to go deeper into games. Do you see him being that kind of guy? And will the Rox really offer him a ton of cash?

— Al, Denver

Al, perhaps Gray and some of the other pitchers look to the dugout because they are a bit gunshy about getting taken out of the game. I don’t think they are looking for help. The Rockies’ starting pitchers would much rather remain in the game.

I think Gray is the same way, although he’s had a few injuries this season that required input from the training staff. Perhaps that’s what you have seen.

But I agree with you that Gray needs to work deeper into games to become the workhorse starter he says he wants to be. I do think the Rockies should pursue re-signing Gray because he’s proven he can win at Coors Field. That’s a big factor and it makes him more valuable to Colorado than to other teams.

I don’t know for sure what Gray and his agent will ask for in terms of money and the length of a deal. I’m guessing that Gray will want five years at about $10 million a year. The Rockies will counter with a three-year deal. So the two sides might compromise with four years and $32 million with a lot of incentives. That’s my estimate.

German Marquez received a five-year, $43 million contract extension in 2019. It was a very team-friendly deal, in my opinion. Marquez, of course, is a better pitcher than Gray.

What happened to Yonathan Daza? I thought he was playing pretty well in center field.

— Bill, Denver

Bill, I don’t know if you are aware of it, but Daza missed time from Aug. 17 until Sept. 9 because of a lacerated thumb that he suffered in an accident at home. The cut required stitches and kept him out of action.

To your bigger point, I agree that he was playing excellent defense in center field. He’s got speed and terrific instincts on flyballs and line drives. He also has a strong arm.

He’s currently slashing .285/.331/.363. After a hot start — he hit .327 and made 24 starts in June — he slumped badly in July (.103) and August (.179). He had a lot of empty at-bats and he hit the wall quickly. The slump, the injury, plus inconsistent playing time, have really hurt him.

Plus, the Rockies would like their outfielders to have more power. Daza only has two homers and a .694 OPS. Lately, the Rockies have gone with their hot hands in the outfield: Connor Joe (before his injury), Garrett Hampson and Raimel Tapia. Plus, the Rockies want to see what they have in Sam Hilliard.

What is Bud Black’s record as a Rockies’ manager? What is Dick Monfort’s record as an owner? Why are they both still around?

— Lars Jobson, Durango

Lars, how is Durango? I have not been there in a couple of years. Southwest Colorado is my favorite place in the world. But I digress.

I sense the sarcasm in your question.

As I write this, Black’s record as the Rockies manager is 342-349. He’s the only manager in franchise history to lead the team to back-to-back playoff appearances (2017-18).

Monfort — along with his brother, Charlie — has been the primary owner since 2005. So, Monfort’s record is 2007-2232 (entering Wednesday’s game). His Rockies have been to the playoffs five times and the World Series once. They have never won a National League West title.

Monfort is still around because he owns the team and he and his brother helped bail the franchise out of financial trouble way back at the team’s inception. I know you want me to say that the Rockies’ lack of success means Monfort should sell the team. It doesn’t matter, that’s not happening.

After this season, Black has one year left on his contract. He’s still the manager because he’s a good communicator, knows the game, has the respect of his players and is a good ambassador for the franchise. He can only work with the tools he’s given and since 2018, the Rockies have not built a competitive team. That’s not his fault.

Hi Patrick, love your coverage. What happened with the vaunted team speed that was talked about entering the season? We’re right around the league average in stolen bases. I would’ve liked to have seen Bud Black give more green lights to the baserunners this year.

— Miles, Parker

Miles, that’s a good and fair question. It seems like every spring the Rockies talk about stealing a bunch of bases. But the reality is that until they started hitting better recently, especially on the road, they weren’t getting on base enough. And it’s on the road where the steals could help them the most.

Colorado’s .315 on-base percentage ranks 17th in the majors. Some of the players they hoped would lead the team on the bases have had down seasons and/or injuries. That list includes Trevor Story, Garrett Hampson, Raimel Tapia and Sam Hilliard. Story, for example, has a .326 on-base percentage, a drop from his career mark of .340.

As for getting the green light, Colorado’s best base stealers already have a green light, at least most of the time. I wish I had a more complete answer for you. I’ll have to ask Bud Black about this topic. You just gave me a story idea.

Patrick, what is going on with Ian Desmond? It just seems like the Rox are going to decline his option and he is going to retire with free money. I feel like Monfort and Company should pick his option up and force him to come back, and then retire so they don’t have to pay his buyout. The guy has been a bust in Colorado, and no one wants a guy who hasn’t seen live pitching in two seasons.

— Todd, Kersey

Todd, Desmond, who was just named the Rockies’ representative for the Roberto Clemente Award, is not going to return to the Rockies. It would make no sense to pick up his $15 million option for 2022 and then “force him to retire.” Desmond is not going to return just for the money. By sitting out this season, he lost $8 million. He’s a proud and ethical man. Desmond, now 35, will likely retire and pick up his $2 million buy out.

Pose a Rockies — or MLB — related question for the Rockies Mailbag.