Colorado Rockies 2010 Primer

The Colorado Rockies stumbled out of the gate in 2009 after a disappointing 2008 season. The 18-28 start resulted in the termination of manager Clint Hurdle. Little did anyone know what was just around the corner. The Rockies would scorch the rest of the way -- even making the Dodgers sweat for a bit in September -- and land their second wild-card berth in the past three seasons.

Long gone are the days of being reliant on power, as the Rockies blend the right amount of slugging with speed, quality starting pitching, a strong bullpen and defense. While they aren't great at anything (yet), they aren't bad at anything either, which helped them to win with a nearly unparalleled consistency once Jim Tracy took over.

The thing is, the future for the Rockies is even brighter than the present. Most of their most important cogs are young players, and there's even more talent waiting in the wings to join the already rock-solid foundation.

John Hickey: Rockies Stress High Expectations Over Hot Streak

Coming and Going

In: Miguel Olivo, C (free agent); Melvin Mora, 3B (free agent)
Out: Yorvit Torrealba, C (free agent); Garrett Atkins, 3B (free agent); Matt Murton, OF (released); Alan Embree, RP (free agent); Jose Contreras, P (free agent)

Around the Horn

Keeping the Pace ...
The Rockies went 72-38 after June 3 last season, which is a winning percentage of .654. If they played at that pace for an entire season, that would give them a record of 106-56. Are they really that good? Probably not, but they have to have confidence they can win 100 games and cruise to the division title. Plus, there's more development to come.

Even Better? ...
Of the regulars who fueled the Rockies' spectacular second half last season, only Todd Helton and Brad Hawpe have definitely either reached or surpassed their respective primes -- and Hawpe had an awful second half. Chris Iannetta, Ian Stewart, Troy Tulowitzki, Dexter Fowler and Carlos Gonzalez are all 26 or younger. The prospect that these guys are going to get even better in the near future (and most of them haven't even had a full season of playing time yet) has to scare opposing pitching staffs. Factor in the 24-year-old Eric Young Jr. getting ready to take over second base from Clint Barmes and the youth movement is in full effect in Colorado. And this is a team that is already playoff-caliber.

Strong, Deep Rotation ...
The starting rotation was good for Colorado last year, but it should be even better -- despite losing Jason Marquis. Ubaldo Jimenez established himself as an ace-quality starter last season and he's still only 26. Jorge De La Rosa is the perfect complement atop the rotation, being a left-handed strikeout guy. Aaron Cook is a veteran who will provide a change of pace -- and he's much better served in the middle of the rotation than toward the top. Jason Hammel, 27, still has plenty of upside at the bottom of the rotation, too. The Rockies also get to add veteran Jeff Francis back to the mix. Francis won 44 games for the Rockies from 2005-2007 before having to deal with injury issues. His career ERA and WHIP show he, like Cook, is much better served later in the rotation than toward the top -- where they used to have him. Finally, if one of the five above guys falls injured or has problems, Greg Smith (4.16 ERA with Oakland in 2008) is waiting in the wings. Or they could just go with 22-year-old phenom Jhoulys Chacin, should he show enough improvement in the minors.

Disabled Street ...
Closer Huston Street is coming off the best season since his rookie year and is still only 26, but he'll open the season on the DL. The Rockies survived early September without Street last season, as Franklin Morales closed all seven of his save chances. They're gonna get the chance to find out if Morales is up to the task again, maybe even an extended chance, should Street's shoulder pain linger. Even if Morales succeeds in the role, losing a pitcher the caliber of Street badly hurts the depth of the bullpen as a whole.

Projected Opening Day Roster

Lineup
1	Carlos Gonzalez	LF
2	Dexter Fowler	CF
3	Todd Helton	1B
4	Troy Tulowitzki	SS
5	Brad Hawpe	RF
6	Ian Stewart	3B
7	Chris Iannetta	C
8	Clint Barmes	2B
9	Pitcher's Spot	P

Bench
Miguel Olivo	C
Melvin Mora	IF
Jason Giambi	1B
Seth Smith	OF
Ryan Spillborghs	OF

Rotation
1	Ubaldo Jimenez	RHP
2	Jorge De La Rosa	LHP
3	Aaron Cook	RHP
4	Jeff Francis	LHP
5	Jason Hammel	RHP

Bullpen
Franklin Morales	LHP
Manny Corpas	RHP
Rafael Betancourt	RHP
Matt Daley	RHP
Randy Flores	LHP
Tim Redding	RHP
Matt Belisle	RHP

2010 Outlook

Unlike 2007, the 2009 Rockies were not built almost entirely upon a fluky run. Sure, many things went right for them in that amazing, extended string last year, but the foundation is in place for similar success in years to come. The Rockies should expect to be a fixture in October for the next five years, so why would 2010 be any different? This season could very well yield their first-ever NL West championship.