The Rockies lost to the Pirates 7-3 on Aug 1, 2025, but the real story was trading Charlie Blackmon. See why the club is embracing a full rebuild.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
August 1, 2025, will be a day Rockies fans remember not for the 7-3 loss to the Pirates, but as the day the front office finally and fully committed to the future. In a flurry of trade deadline activity, the club said goodbye to a franchise legend and two key relievers, signaling a clear, and arguably overdue, pivot towards a deep, long-term rebuild.
The Rockies' pitching staff has now allowed 50 runs over their last 6 games.
The most significant move of the day was undeniably the trade of veteran outfielder Charlie Blackmon to the Milwaukee Brewers for infielder Tyler Black. It marks the end of an era for one of the most beloved players in franchise history. Joining him in departing were relievers Justin Lawrence (to Baltimore for outfielder Jace Bohrofen) and Jake Bird (to Kansas City for RHP Mason Barnett). While saying goodbye to familiar faces is tough, the return is what this is all about. The Rockies added three high-upside prospects, with analysts expecting Bohrofen and Black to immediately crack the organization's Top 20 list. It's a clear strategy: sacrifice the present for a chance at a competitive future.
Unfortunately, the on-field product offered a stark reminder of why these trades were necessary. The Rockies dropped their third straight game, falling 7-3 to the Pirates. The pitching struggles were once again front and center, as Antonio Senzatela was tagged for six runs in just 4.1 innings, ballooning his ERA to 6.68. The staff's collective collapse, allowing 50 runs in the last six games, puts immense pressure on an offense that can't possibly keep up. Hunter Goodman provided a spark, launching his 20th home run of the season in a 2-for-4 effort, and Brenton Doyle added a solo shot of his own, but it wasn't nearly enough to overcome the pitching deficit.
For fans looking for a silver lining, the focus now shifts to the farm system. The injection of new talent like Bohrofen, Black, and Barnett immediately improves the system's outlook. They'll join a promising group that includes top prospects like Robert Calaz and Cole Carrigg, not to mention recent high-profile draftee Charlie Condon. While the major league club struggles to find its footing with a 28-81 record, the real progress for the franchise will be measured by the development of these young players in the minor league system. The deadline moves were painful, but they were the necessary first step in building the next great Rockies team.
While the loss to the Pirates stings, the real story of the day is the franchise's definitive turn towards the future. The rest of 2025 won't be about the win-loss record, but about the growth of young players like Hunter Goodman and the progress of the newly stocked farm system. It's a tough pill to swallow now, but for the first time in a long time, there's a clear plan in place. Now, we watch and wait for it to grow.
