NEW YORK -- Rockies manager Walt Weiss said he feels good about his club as constructed, which says volumes.
No telling what general manager Jeff Bridich will do before Monday's non-waiver Trade Deadline at 2 p.m. MT. Anybody who predicted Bridich sending shortstop Troy Tulowitzki to the Blue Jays last year should be employed as a fortune teller.
But still, what if nothing happens? Are the Rockies good enough to push for a National League postseason spot?
"I feel we're in a good place right now," Weiss said. "I know around the Trade Deadline, everybody wants to put you in two categories. You're either a buyer or a seller. It doesn't necessarily have to be that way. We have some pieces at the Minor League level that may be coming into the picture soon, too. I feel good about where we're at."
At the All-Star break, teams were waiting for the Rockies to declare themselves sellers like two other NL West teams, the D-backs and the Padres, who began dealing to contenders. Many teams stood waiting for Colorado to join them. Instead, Bridich said he wanted to see if the team he constructed could succeed, and the Rockies began the second half 11-4.
In a podcast interview with ESPN, Bridich said he didn't envision trading outfielders Carlos González or Charlie Blackmon. Teams have called about lefty reliever Boone Logan, but even if the Rockies wanted to trade him, they would have to replace his talents and improve in other areas. Some teams have discussed right-hander Eddie Butler, who struggled in the Majors and is toiling at Triple-A Albuquerque. He might be a candidate for a change of scenery.
It's possible help will come from the system. Colorado called up outfield prospect David Dahl from Albuquerque last Sunday and has started him in every game. Righty Jeff Hoffman (part of the Tulowtizki deal) and lefty Kyle Freeland were Top 10 Draft picks in 2014, and are at Albuquerque, as is fast-rising righty reliever Matt Carasiti. Double-A Hartford outfielder Raimel Tapia, who entered Saturday leading the Eastern League in batting, is on the 40-man roster.
Rare struggles
All-Star third baseman Nolan Arenado entered Saturday 0-for-9 through two games against the Mets and 2-for-21 with a home run on the road trip. Defensively, he had committed three errors.
That gives rise to the theory that he is dealing with fatigue. Weiss gave Arenado one day off during the Rockies' last homestand, but it's possible the lack of off-time during the All-Star break and the responsibility on his shoulders could be taking its toll. Arenado looks fidgety in the batter's box, and isn't making solid contact.
Arenado played in 101 of the team's first 103 games through Friday night and was in the lineup on Saturday.
"I checked in with Nolan yesterday," Weiss said. "We had a good conversation. We're on top of it. I gave him a day coming out of the break. He's struggling and it's rare to see him struggle, so I get the concern. We're on top of it. He's going to get a day here, real soon.
"It's very rare where Nolan's not locked in. He does it for virtually six months. The fact that we're winning games at this time, where Nolan's not locked in, it's a good sign."
Matzek takes a step
Lefty Tyler Matzek, who pitched for the Rockies in 2014 and '15, but went back to the low Minors because of issues with performance anxiety, has been promoted from Class A Modesto to Double-A. Matzek was 0-3 with a 4.71 ERA in 25 relief appearances for Modesto.