It’s official… Colorado Rockies baseball has finally returned to Denver.
Who could forget about the Rockies magical run to the World Series, which really did turn the month of October to “ROCKTOBER” in the state of Colorado. The success was brought about by the entire 25-man roster of the Rockies as they were able to scratch and claw their way to the biggest stage in all of baseball: the World Series. (Where, as everyone remembers, the Rockies were swept in convincing fashion by a red hot Boston Red Sox team. Who won its second world series in four years.)
The Rockies should be contending this year again, as they basically return their nucleus of young players including Matt Holliday, Brad Hawpe, Jeff Francis, and Troy Tulowitzki, as well as some savvy veterans such as Todd Helton, Yorvit Torrealba, and Willy Taveras. The Rockies did, however, lose a few key contributors this off-season in starting second baseman Kazuo Matsui, relief pitcher Latroy Hawkins, and “The Dragon Slayer”, pitcher Josh Fogg, who received the nickname because of his ability to go head to head with the opponents’ ace pitcher and lead the Rockies to victory. The Rockies did manage to replace this talent with the signings of reliever Luis Vizcaino and starting pitcher Kip Wells. They have internal options at second base including Jeff Baker and star prospect Jason Nix. It appears that it is Nix’s job to lose at second.
The biggest acquisition of the Rockies has to be right-handed relief pitcher Luis Vizcaino, who was inked to a two-year, 7.5 million dollar deal this winter. What Vizcaino brings to this team is a consistent pitcher out of the bullpen who can help the Rockies in either the 7th or the 8th inning, depending on where Manager Clint Hurdle elects to use him. Vizcaino also helps balance out the pitching tandem of Brian Fuentes and young closer Manny Corpas (who just signed a 4 year, 8 million dollar deal on Thursday, February 28), as both Corpas and Fuentes are lefties, and Vizcaino is a right- handed pitcher. Vizcaino pitched for the New York Yankees last year and went 8-2 with a 4.30 ERA, not to mention 62 strikeouts in 75 innings.
Kip Wells, the other pitcher signed, is in contention for the Rockies’ last spot in the pitching rotation, but most likely will come out of the bullpen in long relief.
The loss of Kaz Matsui and Josh Fogg will hurt the Rockies, as both played integral roles in the Rockies magical run to the World Series. Fogg did not have overpowering pitches, but always seemed to pitch up to his competition and keep the Rockies in almost every ballgame. Fogg was also the starting pitcher in the National League tie-breaker game, was decided on a controversial slide by Matt Holliday that sent shock waves around the league.
As far as Matsui was concerned, Kaz was always a threat to steal a base, compiling 32 swipes last season. Matsui hit for a career high .288 including a grand slam in the National League Divisional Playoff Round, when the Rockies played the Philadelphia Phillies. Rockies’ faithful will miss both Kaz and Fogg, as both were fan favorites.
Kaz Matsui went to Houston on a three-year 17 million dollar deal, and Fogg went to Cincinnati on a one-year deal worth one million dollars. The only problem for Fogg was that the Rockies had offered him a one-year five million dollar deal, but he elected to decline the offer, and opted to test the free agent market. Fogg will struggle in Cincinnati as Bank One Ball Park is one of the most hitter-friendly fields in the National League, and Fogg was primarily a fly ball pitcher. As for Matsui, I don’t see him having another brilliant year like he did last year, although he will still produce.
The Rockies will have a tough time making the playoffs this year, as each team in the division has improved. The front runner to compete with the Rockies will be the Los Angeles Dodgers, who pack quite a punch now that hey have signed perennial All-Star Andruw Jones to a two-year contract. The Dodgers have one of the most balanced teams in the entire National League, combining both new and old players to form quite a baseball club. The San Diego Padres are also on the rise as they return one of baseballs’ best 1-2 punch in pitchers with last years Cy-Young winner Jake Peavy as well as 6’10’’ slinger Chris Young. The Padres also helped their chances when they acquired eight-time Gold Glove winner Jim Edmonds in a deal this winter. What Edmonds brings to the Padres is a great glove in center field, as well as a steady bat. If healthy, Edmonds can be counted on for 20-30 homeruns as well as 90 or so RBI’s, depending on where he bats in the Padres’ lineup.
The Arizona Diamondback should also contribute to the N.L. West’s four horse race with quite a pitching twosome, as well. The Diamondbacks will once again return 2006 Cy-Young winner Brad Webb, who will be paired with newly acquired former Oakland Athletic ace Dan Harren, who went 13-9 last year with a 3.07 ERA, and 192 strikeouts in 222 innings pitched. Harren was the American League’s starting pitcher in the All Star game last year and he has been a dominating force for a few years now. Needless to say, the Arizona Diamondbacks got quite a steal with this pitcher.
The projected standings for this year is as follows:
1 Colorado Rockies
2 Los Angeles Dodgers
3 San Diego Padres
4 Arizona Diamondbacks
5 San Francisco Giants
In my opinion, the Colorado Rockies are the team to beat right now in the National League, as they are the reigning National League Champions. The Rockies starting lineup should go as follows:
1 Taveras CF
2 Tulowitzki SS
3 Holliday LF
4 Helton 1B
5 Atkins 3B
6 Hawpe RF
7 Torrealba C
8 Nix 2B
9 Pitcher spot P
However, Manager Clint Hurdle has spoken of moving first baseman Todd Helton back into the 3rd spot, and placing MVP runner up Holliday into the cleanup spot.
This lineup will pack a punch, as spots 2-6 are threats to go deep each and every at bat. Catcher Yorvit Torealba also provided the Rockies with clutch hits all last year, and should continue to do so this year. Jayson Nix is very unproven with the bat, and that is why he is batting 8th in the order, behind the catcher. If Nix struggles with the bat, then backups Jeff Baker and Clint Barmes could get the opportunity to prove their worth in the starting lineup.
The Rockies have a good team and should contend for another National League Pennant in the wide-open National League. Look for them to win between 90 and 105 games and take first in the west. Buckle up, and this year should be a fun ride.
