NL West Preview- Colorado Rockies
84 games into last season, the Rockies were 44-40, and looked like they were on the way up. Unfortunately, they had reached the season's mountaintop (Get it? Mountain top? Rockies?) and it was all downhill from there. They finished the season at 76-86, still good enough for Colorado's best mark since winning 82 games in 2000... which indicates things in the Mile High City haven't been all peppermints and moon pies since Y2K.
But things might just be changing. Seriously. Todd Helton is healthy, and will slide back into a lineup that features up-and-comers Brad Hawpe, Garrett Atkins (29 HRs, 120 RBI, and Matt Holliday (34/114), and young 'uns Troy Tulowitzki at short and Chris Iannetta behind the dish (in Russell Martin and Iannetta, the NL West has two of the best young catchers in baseball). Add some speed at the top of the order in former Astros outfielder Willy Tavares and Kaz Matsui, who played very well in Colorado in the last couple months of last season, and this is a bunch that can and should score plenty, and in a variety of ways.
As always, the pitching will be key for Colorado. Last season's team ERA of 4.66 was the lowest in team history. Only in Denver would finishing 23rd across baseball in that category be cause for celebration, but it was first time they had ever finished higher than second-to-last. So progress is progress, I guess. This season, it will be harder to duplicate that success, after dealing Jason Jennings (3.78 ERA) to Houston. The guy Colorado brought back in return, Jason Hirsh, is a hot prospect, but isn't yet established as a major leaguer. In terms of an ace, take your pick between Jeff Francis and Aaron Cook. Neither really fits the bill. The rest of the rotation is rounded out by FA import Rodrigo Lopez, and (probably) Josh Fogg. Not exactly intimidating. But the mound news isn't all bad. When Colorado has a lead late, there's a good chance they'll keep it, thanks to All Star closer Brian Fuentes.
Now don't get me wrong. Despite having some nice things to say about the Rockies, I don't think they'll win anything significant this season. While they have some dudes you definitely want for your fantasy team, as an actual team, they have some holes. If everything breaks just right- if Helton stays healthy, if Matsui becomes the guy everyone thought he'd be after arriving stateside from Japan, if the pitching holds up, if the pitching holds up, and if the pitching holds up- the Rockies could challenge for the Wild Card. I doubt they'll get there, but I will say this- the Rockies will win more than 76 games.
Projection: 81-81 (4th in NL West)
BK
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Seems like the Rox are turning the keys to the infield over to Matsui and Tulo-whatzitz. Does Clint Barmes still figure in the Rockies' plans at all? He seemed so promising a couple years ago until Todd Helton accidentlaly broke his mojo. Did that venison-induced fall effectively put an end to his career?
Posted by: Eric B. | March 28, 2007 at 02:08 PM
this team will be very good..... in 2009!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: bigtaxdizzle | March 28, 2007 at 08:47 PM