Rotation:
The rotation has depth and could be the best in team history. Joe Kennedy, Jason Jennings, Shawn Chacon, Jeff Francis, Jamey Wright and Aaron Cook will compete for the five spots. Cook, who survived blood clots in both lungs and underwent surgery to remove his upper right rib, likely will open the season on the disabled list and join the Rockies in May. Chacon returns to the rotation where he was successful after a disastrous attempt to become a closer. Francis, selected as the 2004 Minor League Player of the Year by Baseball America and USA Today, showed poise in seven starts and has outstanding fastball command. Jennings topped 200 innings for the first time, and he and Pedro Astacio are the only pitchers in franchise history to win at least 10 games in three consecutive seasons. Kennedy adapted well to Coors Field and got his career back on track in his first season widi Colorado.
Bullpen:
After setting single-season records for blown saves (34) and relief losses (39), the Rockies have added power arms that were lacking in last year's woeful bullpen. Newcomers include Aaron Taylor (acquired from Seattle), David Cortes and a pair of Rule 5 draftees, Matt Merricks and Marcos Carvajal. Holdovers Chin-hui Tsao, Allan Simpson and Scott Dohmann all throw hard. The only finesse pitcher in the bullpen is lefthander Javy Lopez, and he provides a contrast to lefthander Brian Fuentes, who has averaged 10.3 strikeouts per nine innings in three seasons with the Rockies. Because he throws strikes and has above-average stuff, Tsao seems destined to close, although the Rockies would prefer he not begin the season in that role.
Middle Infield:
After
spending nine years in the minors, second baseman Aaron Miles took advantage of his opportunity with the Rockies last year and led all NL rookies with a .293 average. The switch-hitting Miles does not walk much — his on-base percentage was just .329 — and isn't a prototypical leadoff hitter, but he keeps the ball out of the air and makes consistent contact. The Rockies believe Glint Barmes, who will start his first full season in the majors, is ready to be their regular short-stop. A solid defender, Barmes is coming off a second season at Class AAA, where adjustments at die plate enabled him to use the entire field and thrive offensively.
Corners:
In addition to being one of die game's elite hitters, first baseman Todd Helton won his third Gold Glove last season. He is die cornerstone of the Rockies, a marquee player on a franchise that, to some degree, begs for identity. At 31, Helton, who is signed through 2011, is still very much in his prime and is being counted on to be a veteran presence as the Rockies break in younger players. After spending die winter working on his agility, Garrett Atkins must show that his defense at third base has improved to claim the job. Desi Relaford and Luis Gonzalez can spell Atkins. Other alternatives are Andy Tracy or Greg Norton, who are both fighting for roster spots.
Outfield:
Left fielder Matt Holliday was a pleasant surprise last year, considering he had never dominated in the minors. He worked hard to improve his defense, which is now average, and has developed a short, quick batting stroke. Knee troubles limited center fielder and cleanup hitter Preston Wilson to 58 games last year. If he's fully recovered, Wilson will return to that position, where he excelled in 2003. Given Wilson's $12 million salary this season — in the final year of his contract — a trade is possible, assuming no questions exist about his health. Seeking a veteran outfielder, the Rockies signed Dustan Mohr, 28, who figures to start in right field. Mohr is a good defender who can jjlay all three outfield positions and has a little power.
Catching:
J.D. Closser, 25, is one of the
centerpieces of Colorado's youth movement. The switch-hitter has limited power but makes steady contact. His throwing can be erratic, but dosser's catching skills are solid and he has a good feel for calling a game. He will get help climbing the learning curve from veteran Todd Greene. Greene doesn't throw well, but he is adept at the odier phases of the position and is a decent hitter with power.
Bench:
Both Gonzalez, a pleasant surprise last year after being selected in the Rule 5 draft, and Relaford are very versatile. Relaford can play second, short, third and all three outfield positions. Gonzalez can play left, right and all four positions in the infield. Gonzalez's decent power — 12 homers in 322 at-bats last year — is complemented by Relaford's ability to run. Greene also provides power off the bench, as will either Tracy or Norton. Right fielder Brad Hawpe has greatly improved his defense and possesses tremendous natural power. He'll have a chance to make the team in spring training, as will center fielder Choo Freeman, who needs to be more consistent on offense.
Management:
General manager Dan O'Dowd has done a decent job bottom-fishing for inexpensive free agents like Darren Oliver, Shawn Estes, Royce Clayton, Jeromy Burnitz and Vinny Castilla, all of whom proved to be capable short-term fill-ins. They were never signed to be part of the long-term fix and wisely were allowed to leave when their salary requests stretched die club's budget. O'Dowd and manager Glint Hurdle, bodi signed through 2006, have taken heat from restless fans. But owner Charlie Monfort has absolved them and taken responsibility for the expensive contracts given to Denny Neagle and Mike Hampton in December 2000 and die subsequent payroll cuts that have resulted in a series of nondescript seasons.
