Major League Baseball: After July, There’s a Chance The Rockies Aren’t The Worst-Ever… Maybe
There’s some good news if you’re a Rockies fan. Relatively speaking, of course, but good nonetheless. Colorado entered July on a trajectory towards 125 losses, which would have set a new record, breaking the White Sox’s record from just last year by four defeats. Although they didn’t have a stellar month by their own low standards, they managed to hold their ground, and it may have been enough to influence their performance in the remaining two months of the season saturday grind. Maybe. Only time will tell.
The 10 Worst Records of the Modern Era by Losses (1901-2024)
- 2024 Chicago White Sox: 41-121, .253 W%
- 1962 New York Mets: 40-120, .250 W%
- 2003 Detroit Tigers: 43-119, .265 W%
- 1916 Philadelphia Athletics: 36-117, .235 W%
- T5. 2018 Baltimore Orioles: 47-115, .290 W%
- T5. paddy rice 1935 Boston Braves: 38-115, .248 W%
- 2019 Detroit Tigers: 47-114, .292 W%
- 1904 Washington Senators: 38-113, .252 W%
- T9. 1952 Pittsburgh Pirates: 42-112, .273 W%
- T9. 2023 Oakland Athletics: 50-112, .308 W%
- T9. 1965 New York Mets: 50-112, .308 W%
The Rockies will kick off August with a record of 28-80 after finishing July with a 9-15 record. While their win-loss record is not drastically different from June’s 10-16 performance, they were significantly outscored: Colorado allowed 149 runs against their 93, resulting in a run differential of -56 compared to June’s -38. While this is still light years ahead of May, when they were outscored by 106 runs and had a dismal record of 4-24, it’s still important to acknowledge the decline.
The Rockies’ identity thus far might not reflect who they will become in the remaining months. The trade deadline had its effects; for instance, Colorado traded Ryan McMahon to the Yankees. While McMahon has been a league-average bat for a third baseman in 2025, he is an outstanding defensive player, contributing about 1.5 wins above replacement for the season. Do the Rockies, sitting at 28-80, have enough players capable of achieving an average or better season? McMahon ranked second on the Rockies’ lineup for bWAR, just behind catcher Hunter Goodman. The only other player who managed to achieve a full win above replacement so far is shortstop Ezequial Tovar.
The only pitcher with a bWAR over one on the Rockies roster is reliever Jimmy Herget. Jake Bird, who had an average ERA+ despite a 4.73 ERA—keeping in mind Coors Field effects—was traded to the Yankees. He was one of only three pitchers on the Rockies with an average ERA+, alongside fellow reliever Juan Mejia.
This means that the team’s defense has weakened, as have both the bullpen and the lineup. McMahon has been replaced at third base by Orlando Arcia, who is currently hitting .179/.217/.255 over 53 games in 2025 and has a career OPS of 661, making him a considerably worse defender than McMahon.
The Rockies may not yet be out of the woods, as they are still on track for 120 losses—this figure would be the second-highest in modern MLB history, but certainly not the worst by a long shot.
What About Those White Sox?
While we’re discussing poor performances, let’s take a look at the White Sox. They were still on pace for 108 losses at the start of July, slightly avoiding the top-10 worst record list by a couple of games, but it was still grim. They managed to finish the month with a 12-13 record, their best month of the season and the first full month with a winning percentage above .400 since June of 2023. Now, they find themselves on pace for 101 losses, which is indeed surprising and keeps them within reach of avoiding a 100-loss season. Last year’s 121-loss total took a significant toll on their reputation, but one must not forget they also suffered triple-digit losses in 2023.
The White Sox didn’t have an overly active trade deadline compared to the Rockies, but they could potentially avoid making history again this season.
The 10 Worst Records of the Modern Era by Winning Percentage (1901-2024)
- 1916 Philadelphia Athletics: 36-117, .235 W%
- 1935 Boston Braves: 38-115, .248 W%
- 1962 New York Mets: 40-120, . joy in tagalog250 W%
- 1904 Washington Senators: 38-113, .252 W%
- 2024 Chicago White Sox: 41-121, .253 W%
- 1919 Philadelphia Athletics: 36-104, .257 W%
- 2003 Detroit Tigers: 43-119, .265 W%
- 1952 Pittsburgh Pirates: 42-112, .273 W%
- 1909 Washington Senators: 42-110, .276 W%
- 1942 Philadelphia Phillies: 42-109, .278 W%
The Rockies currently hold a .259 winning percentage, which is dismal but “seventh-worst ever” instead of nearing the very bottom for 125 years of recorded MLB history. While it’s not a great position to be in, it is an improvement. It’s important to note that things could still deteriorate further, especially with the loss of McMahon and their declining performance in July relative to their record.
Earlier in the season, teams like the Pirates, Athletics, and Marlins were also on the verge of a disastrous end alongside the Rockies and White Sox, but they are now likely safe barring catastrophic collapses. germany fiba However, we might have a new contender to watch closely.
On Thursday before the trade deadline, the Twins made significant moves, trading away multiple players. As it stands, their starting pitcher depth chart comprises just three pitchers. 20jiliph While it’s not guaranteed, the Twins have two months left where they could unravel completely, reminiscent of the 2012 Red Sox after their mega-deal with the Dodgers, which saw star players leave. Unlike those Red Sox, who had about five weeks left in their season, the Twins face two full months of games.
Currently at 51-57, the likelihood of Minnesota losing 100 games is slim given that they have only 54 games remaining, and achieving 12 more wins would keep them safe from this fate. However, with Byron Buxton on the IL and the rotation and bullpen severely depleted, it’s worth keeping an eye on how the next two months unfold, particularly as the Rockies have only managed eight combined wins across two months.
What do you think about the current state of the Rockies and their chances moving forward?
