Who are the Colorado Rockies?

The Rockies are not going to contend in 2016. 

FanGraphs projects them to go 74-88 next year and be worth 26 WAR, making them among the five worst teams in the Major Leagues. It would take a lot for Colorado to contend next year, but in all reality, it won't happen. 

But are the Rockies truly "rebuilding?"

One word that has been thrown around baseball far too much is the word "tanking." Analysts have pointed fingers at the Phillies, Braves, Reds, Brewers, and Rockies for purposely losing in order to get better draft picks.

Whether tanking truly exists in the Majors is a separate issue. I'm not sure, however, that the Rockies are even in a rebuilding stage. This is even considering that the team has not been to the playoffs since 2009 and has not been over .500 since 2010. 

The Rockies traded star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki to the Blue Jays at the trade deadline, but have been reluctant to do anything significant since. 

Pricey veterans such as Carlos Gonzalez and cheaper up-and-comers such as Charlie Blackmon are still on the roster. The team just signed Gerardo Parra to a three-year deal. Now, with Corey Dickerson in the fold too, they have four starting caliber outfielders.

Today, a rumor circulated that the Rockies were interested in dealing Dickerson to the Rays. Back-end relief pitcher Jake McGee was mentioned as a possible target for them. That makes me wonder why the Rockies would even want a good closer, even though it is considered a premium for a team likely out of contention. 

The Phillies understood this. They dealt Ken Giles to the Astros this offseason for a good package that included former No. 1 overall pick Mark Appel. 

It is hard for me to comprehend what the Rockies are trying to do. Their rotation is shaky and their lineup has holes. Yet, they want something that lots of teams that have good, contending teams want. So do they really view themselves as rebuilders? 

The Colorado Rockies are not contenders. The Colorado Rockies are not rebuilders. Who are the Colorado Rockies?

--Devan Fink

---