Is Colorado Rapids soccer overtaking Rockies in popularity?

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, you’ve written a couple of times that you think that the Rockies’ fan base is getting turned off by the losing. I agree, and I also have a question. I’m a big soccer fan and I love going to Colorado Rapids games. With so many kids playing soccer and the sport getting so popular, do you think the Rapids are getting more popular than the Rockies?

— Cindy, Centennial

Cindy, that’s an interesting question and one that I’ve never even considered. But the bottom line is no, the Rapids are not remotely as popular as the Rockies. I don’t say that simply because I love baseball and have only a passing interest in soccer.

Consider: The Rockies drew 2.6 million fans to Coors Field last season, an average of 32,467 per game. The Rapids drew 14,475 per game last season. That was, however, an increase of 1.9% from the 2019 pre-pandemic crowds.

Also, I know that The Denver Post’s online traffic is much higher for the Rockies than it is for the Rapids.

But I don’t want to shortchange the rabid Rapids fans out there. So I reached out to Brendan Ploen, who covers the Rapids for The Post. He agrees that interest in the Rockies beats the Rapids, but also said he sees pro soccer’s popularity growing in Colorado.

“And I definitely think the Rapids’ new deal with Apple TV is going to help the Rapids all over Colorado,” Ploen told me.

This is what Ploen wrote last month about the Rapids’ new TV deal: “With the 10-year, $2.5 billion blackout-free TV deal between the tech giant and Major League Soccer set to begin, Rapids fans stand to benefit as much as any MLS fanbase from the new broadcast agreement.

“The dispute between Altitude TV and Comcast and DISH Network subscribers had blacked out games for many Rapids fans dating back to August 2019. For a team that is already on the peripherals of the Denver sports landscape, losing eyeballs for three seasons was detrimental. But starting Wednesday those willing to sign up for Apple TV’s MLS package will be welcomed back into the fold.”

In the wake of the shoulder injury to second baseman Brendan Rodgers and the signing of Mike Moustakas, we have two questions about the Rockies’ infield.

What do you think Mike Moustakas’ chances are at making the opening-day roster? And do you think playing at Coors Field could reinvigorate his career?

— Danny E., Aurora

OK, so with Brendan Rodgers out for maybe the whole year, how does our infield shape out? Ryan McMahon to second base and Elehuris Montero at third? Do you think they give the keys to Ezequiel Tovar at short right away if he has a good spring? Or do they go with someone like Alan Trejo or bring back Jose Iglesias?

— Ryan, Fort Collins

Guys, good questions. I’ll start with the sure things in the infield. C.J. Cron is the starter at first base, McMahon has moved over from third to second, and Tovar is the No. 1 shortstop.

That leaves third base as the biggest question mark. First, remember that Moustakas, 34, was signed to a minor-league deal and he has to prove he’s got something left after two years of injuries that limited him to a .212/.289/.356 slash line with just 13 home runs. He’s essentially getting a three-week tryout. If he makes the big-league team, the Rockies only have to pay him the major league minimum, while the Reds still have to pick up the bulks of his $22 million salary. It was a low-risk move by Colorado.

Ideally, the Rockies would love Montero to win the starting job at third and be a backup at first. But there are still major questions about Montero’s defensive skills, and although he’s flashed power, there are holes in his swing.

That means Moustakas has a real shot to make the team and see significant playing time. As for Coors revitalizing his career, it might help a little bit (.324/.359/.405, no homers in 12 career games), but the bigger questions are whether or not he can stay healthy and how much he has left at age 34.

As for Trejo, Rodgers’ injury means his chances of making the 26-man roster improve significantly. As for Iglesias, the Rockies have no interest in re-signing him.

Has the Denver Post ever considered bringing back The Denver Post Tournament from the 1930s and ’40s? The 1936 Tournament winning team had an All-Star lineup including Satchel Page, Josh Gibson and Cool Papa Bell! Having the “World Series of Semi-Pro Baseball” back in the Mile High City would be pretty sweet!

— Winston Smith, Greeley

Winston, those days are gone for good. Still, there are some other baseball alternatives along the Front Range. Fans can check out the Northern Colorado Owlz of the independent Pioneer League, or the Boulder Collegians, who have a rich history as one of the top collegiate summer baseball programs in the country.

Hi Patrick, enjoying your insight, as always, heading into this season! If Dinelson Lamet performs well this spring, is there any thought of stretching him out so he can go back to being a starter? Given he’s only a couple of years removed from it and the lack of starting pitching depth, has this been discussed at all?

— John, Los Angeles

John, the Rockies see Lamet strictly as a relief pitcher. He hasn’t been a full-time starter since 2020 with the Padres.

The Rockies have high hopes for him at the back of the bullpen, despite his 6.12 ERA in 2022. Lamet still throws a nasty slider and his fastball averaged 95.4 mph last season, topping out at 97 mph. He struck out 33.3% of the batters he faced last season, good for 12.5 strikeouts per nine innings. He generated a 39.7% swing-and-miss rate, eighth best among all pitchers who faced at least 100 batters last season. The Rockies need that kind of strikeout power in their bullpen.

Vegas has the over-under on the Rockies at 65.5 wins. It’s a low bar, but what’s the ceiling on this year’s squad? Thanks.

— Ron, Parker

I’m not a betting man but I would bet the over. The Rockies are going to be better than they were last season when they finished 68-94. Will they play .500 baseball as owner Dick Monfort hopes? I doubt it, but I do believe they’ll be better.