Eight days from the Trade Deadline, the Rockies found themselves in an odd and uncomfortable place -- and that’s not just referring to Dodger Stadium.

Their dramatic skid -- from their 11-3 opening to needing to win Sunday afternoon to return to .500 -- screams that their prospects for contending are questionable. But just six teams in the National League entered Sunday above or at breakeven, and eight teams from each league will make the postseason this year.

Rockies general manager Jeff Bridich addressed bullpen and depth needs in 2017 and '18, when they earned NL Wild Card berths, but largely stood pat while struggling to a 20-below finish last season.

As it stands, the Rockies have three possible choices:

1. Acquire immediate help, even if it adds to the payroll and deletes from the farm system;
2. sell, either by getting rid of key veteran parts in a temporary step back, or undergoing a rebuild;
3. or stand pat, with only minor moves in the offing.

But is the answer clear this season? There’s also the added element of the prospect of no ticket revenue this year and an unknown pandemic situation going forward.

“First of all, the group we have here, we’ve got to play better,” manager Bud Black said. “That’s the first thing that I’m thinking about. I know that Jeff and his guys are working the phones to see if they can make a move that makes sense that helps the team for this year.

“The majority of teams, the players that are already here and playing for a club are the guys that are going to do it. It’s nice to add on, again, if there’s something that makes sense for us.”

During his weekly interview on Rockies All-Access before Saturday night’s 4-3 loss to the Dodgers, Bridich told KOA/Rockies Radio Network broadcaster Mike Rice, chuckling, that “it’s 2020, so nothing’s normal,” and teams’ decisions on their approach could come down to “the very last minutes, or hours.”

Bridich said in the interview that his own decision looked easier when the Rockies were playing better.

“I think we're going to prepare for both sort of scenarios,” Bridich said. “Because of our great start, we were focused very much on additions leading up to this point now. I think we have to look at everything now based on what's gone on last two weeks, so we're not 100 percent sure which way it's gonna go.”

There are plenty of options for the Rockies. A bullpen that is without Scott Oberg (blood clots) -- most likely for the season -- and has been without Wade Davis (right shoulder strain) since the first week could be one area. But with significant struggles from key offensive players, especially third baseman Nolan Arenado, an argument could be made for bolstering the daily lineup.

Black likes adding good players as much as anyone, but is deferring to Bridich rater than going public with a wish list.

“From the general manager’s chair, this is a unique year -- shortened season and having a player for one month, basically, if he’s a free agent -- trades are looked at a little bit differently this year from an organization’s standpoint,” Black said. “Anytime you can add a great player to a team, that helps.”

Well, you know what happened last time
Arenado entered Sunday hitting 7-for-14 with a home run, two doubles, four RBIs and two walks against Dodgers righty starter Ross Stripling, but due to his struggles in the last six games, he was not in the starting lineup.

Arenado has had slow starts to seasons before, but he doesn’t accept that with a shrug -- and 2020 is not the year to start slow. Black, however, looks at a different piece of history that points more positively.

Arenado sat two Sundays ago against the Mariners, then went eight for his next 12.

“It can be fixed quickly,” Black said. “He had the off-day two weeks ago in Seattle. And from that point on sort of turned around -- home runs and really stunning ball. Maybe they'll have the same effect tomorrow in Arizona.

“With Nolan, like a lot of hitters, the timing's off. He's a little jumpy in the box. More than anything, Nolan feels his role on this club is to do great things, which he's always done. But sometimes, that pressure the players put on themselves works against them. So you just got to get back to the form where he feels comfortable in the box, he’s seeing the ball well, and let his natural talent take over.”