The Traders Arena Blog

Last year the Rockies came off of their 2007 postseason run by going 74-88 finishing 3rd in the NL West. They were still in the playoff hunt into September but then the Dodgers and DBacks pulled away from them ever so slightly. They couldn’t repeat their magic and made some moves because of it. They moved Matt Holliday to the A’s because they knew they were not going to be able to sign him when he becomes a free agent next year. In return, they recieved closer Huston Street, OF Carlos Gonzalez, and P Greg Smith. This trade filled the clubs needs immediately. They knew they would lose Fuentes to free agency and found his successor in Street. Gonzalez will fill right into CF to replace Holliday’s OF spot. Greg Smith probably will step into the rotation. The Rockies recently traded Luis Vizcaino away to the Cubs for Jason Marquis, whol fills another void in thier rotation. 

Here is their projected position players for this year:

C: Chris Ianetta / Yorvit Torrealba: I am not sure which one will get the nod. They would be paying Yorvit a lot of money to be sitting the bench so they might play him. Although, Ianetta is probably the better option, and also younger and can develop into a nice catcher.

1B: Todd Helton:  Todd Helton continues to be a great 1B option, although he is way past his prime. He was injured last year so he only played in half the games. I would be surprised if he goes uninjured this year. They do have lots of options to back him up just in case.

2B: Clint Barmes: Clint Barmes had a nice year for a 2nd basemen, hitting .290 with 11 HR and 44 RBI. He has Ian Stewart behind him, a top prospect, so he better perform or else Stewart will get the nod. Stewart looked amazing in the field last year in his limited time.

SS: Troy Tulowitzki: Another Rockie who was injured last year, Tulo had a great rookie year causing him to sign a nice long term deal. He should boounce back just fine this year and be an elite SS option.

3B: Garrett Atkins: One of the most underrated and unknown players in the game, Atkins hit .286 with 21 HR and was just 1 RBI shy of 100.  They deemed him as untouchable although his name came up in many trade talks.

OF: Carlos Gonzalez, Brad Hawpe, Ryan Spilborgs: This combination may become an above average outfield. Hawpe did not repeat his great 2007 performance, but still performed well. Not to mention, he has an absolute cannon for an arm. Gonzalez, who was part of the Holliday trade, was one of Oakland’s top prospects and should start this year. Spilborgs is now going to be the regular CF and if he repeats last yera on a 162 game scale, he should hit over 15 HR with a .300+ average. 

Here is the projected rotation and closer:

SP: Aaron Cook, Jeff Francis, Ubaldo Jimenez, Jason Marquis, Greg Smith: This decent group of pitchers have the absolute luxury of pitching in Coors Field. Aaron Cook had an amazing year last year, and almost saved the NL in the All Star game pitching 3 shutout innings in a complete disaster situation of having the bases loaded and no outs TWICE. Jeff Francis had an awful year after a nice 2007 so hopefully he can bounce back. Same goes for Jimenez, but he is still raw and young, so hopefully he can progress. Jason Marquis is their new addition, but he is nothing special, just a large contract.

CL: Huston Street: Street fills in for Brian Fuentes who they lost to free agency. Street is a capable closer, who has also been in trade talks since they got him. He may be moved, seeing that they have Manny Corpas to back him up.

My expecations for this team: I think if this team can collectively combine to have  a season like thier 2007 season, they can be a force in the dismal NL West. No one is running away with that division so it is anyones guess. They could definitely finish over .500.

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