MLB teams
Eric Karabell, ESPN Senior Writer 8y

Ultimate Standings: Rockies rank second to last in MLB

MLB, Colorado Rockies

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Colorado Rockies

Overall: 110
Title track: 122
Ownership: 118
Coaching: 117
Players: 95
Fan relations: 117
Affordability: 60
Stadium experience: 57
Bang for the buck: 72
Change from last year: -19

This year's standings show fans don't have a lot of faith in the Rockies' title chances -- or trust in many of their stakeholders. Even worse? Voting was completed before that controversial Troy Tulowitzki trade. Rockies fans' frustrations run the gamut -- the club ranked last in all of sports in categories including "demonstrates a commitment to winning" and "showing appreciation to the fans." In the end, the Rockies were voted the second-to-last franchise in MLB (ahead of only the Phillies) and have work to do before next year's vote.


What's good

 For years the Rockies have relied on the affordability and experience of Coors Field (and the picturesque surroundings) to avoid the very bottom of the Ultimate Standings, but this year they've dropped from the top 50 in even those categories. The "good" is really just decent: They're still in the top half (barely) in affordability and stadium experience. The average ticket price is still several bucks below MLB average, and Coors Field performed relatively well in categories voted on by fans. As for the players ... well, they didn't score as poorly as upper management, but third baseman Nolan Arenado, outfielder Corey Dickerson and right-hander Jon Gray need lots of help to get fans excited again.


What's bad

Most losing franchises deal with fans feeling unappreciated or being unable to voice concerns, but the Rockies' score in "providing an avenue for fans to give feedback" is the worst in all of sports. Ownership (118th, down 10 spots from last year) is not seen as trustworthy, and the email in which owner Dick Monfort told a disgruntled fan that "maybe Denver doesn't deserve a franchise" sure didn't help (as shown by a 117th-place finish in fan relations). On the field, the Rockies are rebuilding, so attracting players capable of providing immediate results isn't likely, and it has generally been tough to lure top pitchers (Mike Hampton notwithstanding) to the thin air of Denver.


What's new

The lone category in which the Rockies have improved since a year ago is bang for the buck -- so at least prices for stadium hot dogs and parking haven't angered people. Everything else is worse, and it's hard to see improvement coming with slugging outfielder Carlos Gonzalez potentially on his way out of town too. (That Tulowitzki trade might end up aiding the Rockies in the rebuilding plan, but it can't help end a streak of five consecutive losing seasons soon enough.) Hey, at least the Rockies can't drop much further next year -- there aren't enough professional teams -- but it's going to take more than Arenado's ability to turn things around.

Next: Philadelphia Phillies | Full rankings

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