If only this was the 1990s. The Rockies would still have their AA team near my hometown in New Haven, CT. Todd Helton came through, most notably. Ben Petrick had a promising career before injuries came through. Nonetheless, the Rockies have a lot of work that's needed. The humidor theoretically should have helped the pitching staff by keeping balls in the park, but last year's mess might have been the worst pitching staff I've ever seen. They even tried having 4 starters with a few former starters being 'piggy back' relievers who pitched multiple times a week. It's a mess just trying to explain it. Manager Walt Weiss has some work to do. Let's take a look:
Starting Lineup
CF Dexter Fowler
2B Josh Rutledge
LF Carlos Gonzalez
SS Troy Tulowitzki
RF Michael Cuddyer
1B Todd Helton
C Wilin Rosario
3B Chris Nelson
The Rockies have a talented lineup. Fowler finally put together the season at the plate people expected. Rutledge played well for Tulo. While DJ LeMahieu is talented enough to play second base, Rutledge should end up playing second (and breaks the L/R split). CarGo and Tulo are extremely talented, but Tulo can't stay healthy lately. Cuddyer and Helton are solid vets but Tyler Colvin, in my prediction, will spell one of them full time by the end of the year. Rosario put together a fine rookie season: at 23, he has plenty of great success ahead. Nelson put together a solid 2012 to hold down 3B until Nolan Arenado is up in 2014. This is a talented albeit difficult lineup to consistently stay productive.
Starting Rotation
SP Jhoulys Chacin
SP Jorge de la Rosa
SP Juan Nicasio
SP Jeff Francis
SP Drew Pomeranz
Yikes. The Rockies' rotation had an ERA over 5 last year. A mess, indeed. There are positives: Chacin and Nicasio will be around for full seasons, as will de la Rosa. Chacin is definitely their best pitcher and Nicasio is very solid. De la Rosa needs to show some resemblance to his old form. Francis is finished as a solid pitcher. Pomeranz and Christian Friedrich have some upside still, but must adjust to Colorado. Too many things have to happen for this rotation to succeed, but it CANNOT be worse than last year's disaster.
Bullpen
CL Rafael Betancourt
SU Matt Belisle
SU Rex Brothers
SU Wilton Lopez
SU Adam Ottavino
SU Josh Outman
At least the bullpen's back end was relatively decent. This is still a weaker bullpen in not only the NL West but in baseball. Belisle, Brothers and Lopez are better collectively than Betancourt, but Betancourt held his own in the closers role. Adding Lopez was a nice move. Ottavino and Outman are still weak spots.
I have the Rockies finishing last in 5th, slightly behind the Padres. I have a difficult time believing the rotation will be successful. If they pull through, at least things are looking up.
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