2008 Record: 74-88
Key Additions:
Houston Street (CL)
Alan Embree (RP)
Carlos Gonzalez (CF)
Greg Smith (SP)
Key Losses:
Brian Fuentes (CL)
Livan Hernandez (SP)
Matt Holliday (OF)
Jayson Nix (2B)
Willy Taveras (OF)
Luis Vizcaino (RP)
Projected Lineup:
1 Ryan Spilborghs (CF)
2 Troy Tulowitzki (SS)
3 Todd Helton (1B)
4 Garrett Atkins (3B)
5 Brad Hawpe (RF)
6 Chris Iannetta (C)
7 Seth Smith (LF)
8 Clint Barmes (2B)
Their lineup is OK, but losing Matt Holliday is going to hurt them. Todd Helton's best years are far behind him, and even Atkins's number have been declining. The Rockies will score some runs, because they always do, but this is not the same kind of lineup that brought them to the World Series not too long ago.
Projected Rotation:
1 Aaron Cook
2 Jeff Francis
3 Ubaldo Jimenez
4 Jason Marquis
5 Jorge De La Rosa /Greg Smith
CL - Houston Street (?)
The Rockies need Aaron Cook to be healthy this year if they have any shot at competing at all in 2009. He was slowed by shoulder inflammation last year and it showed in his 4-10 record. Losing Fuentes is really going to hurt their bullpen, because Houston Street has been terrible lately and I don't know how much Embree has left in the tank. Playing in Colorado is tough for any pitcher, but there is still a lack of talent on this staff.
Minors Watch:
1 Dexter Fowler - Has all the speed in the world, and could be a starter in the Rockies outfield before the All-Star break.
2 Jhoulys Chacin - has great control, but is still a year away. Could be the starting closer in 2010.
Other than those two their minor league system is weak.
Overall:
Going to be a tough year for the Rockies. The good news is that their division isn't all that great. Still I see them taking another step back after losing three key free agents (Holliday, Fuentes, Taveras).
Record: 65-97
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