2008 Preview: Colorado Rockies

The Colorado Rockies used an incredible stretch drive to stun the baseball world in 2007. They won 14 of 15 games to tie San Diego on the season's final day, then beat the Padres in a one-game playoff to gain a wild-card berth. Then they swept Philadelphia and Arizona in the NL playoffs before being swept themselves in the World Series by Boston. Can the young club have a similar ride in 2008?

Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd is reliving his baseball youth, rebuilding a franchise that was on the rocks by creating strong scouting and player development departments. Now he is working to sign players before they reach arbitration eligibility.
It's like the process O'Dowd was a part of in Cleveland, where he worked with then-GM John Hart to construct a team that made six postseason appearances, including two World Series, in a seven-year stretch (1995-2001).
Rockies management and ownership are now committed to keeping the nucleus of the 2007 NL champions together. A year ago, they signed Jeff Francis long-term. Since the end of last season, they have added contracts for Aaron Cook, Troy Tulowitzki and Manny Corpas. Decisions remain with Matt Holliday, Brad Hawpe and Garrett Atkins.
NOTES, QUOTES
The Rockies need a second baseman. Jayson Nix gets the first shot. He’ll be challenged by Clint Barmes and Omar Quintanilla as well as Ian Stewart and Jeff Baker, third basemen who have worked out at second this offseason, and Marcus Giles, released by San Diego. Two rotation spots are open. RHP Jason Hirsh is leading candidate for one of the jobs. Other candidates include LHPs Franklin Morales and Mark Redman, and RHP Kip Wells.
Vinny Castilla, a special assistant to O'Dowd, was invited to coach the Mexican National Team in its Olympic qualifying tournament in Taiwan this month, but declined because he would have missed the first month of spring training. If the team advances to the Olympics, however, Castilla will manage.
The Rockies have reason to take the fifth spot in their rotation seriously. Beginning with Jason Jennings' Rookie of the Year effort in 2002, the pitcher who has opened the season as the Rockies' fifth starter has led the staff in victories three times -- Jennings with 16 in 2002, Oliver with 13 in 2003 and Estes with 15 in 2004 -- and finished second on the staff in wins twice -- Fogg with 11 in 2006 and 10 in 2007. Candidates for the job this year include RHPs Kip Wells and Josh Towers and LHPs Franklin Morales and Mark Redman.
ARRIVALS: RHP Luis Vizcaino (free agent from Yankees), RHP Jose Capellan (trade with Tigers), RHP Kip Wells (free agent from Cardinals), 2B Marcus Giles (free agent from Padres), OF Scott Podsednik (free agent from White Sox), LHP Chris George (free agent from Rangers), LHP Micah Bowie (free agent from Nationals), RHP Josh Towers (free agent from Blue Jays).
DEPARTURES: RHP LaTroy Hawkins (free agent to Yankees), 2B Kaz Matsui (free agent to Astros), LHP Jeremy Affeldt and RHP Josh Fogg (free agents, to Reds), 2B Jamey Carroll (traded to Indians), RHP Denny Bautista (traded to Tigers), RHP Elmer Dessens (free agent to Pirates), RHP Jorge Julio (free Agent to Indians), RHP Rodrigo Lopez (free agent, unsigned).
PROJECTED ROTATION:
1. LHP Jeff Francis
2. RHP Aaron Cook
3. RHP Ubaldo Jimenez
4. RHP Jason Hirsh
5. RHP Kip Wells
Francis, Cook and Jimenez are set. Francis equaled a franchise record with 17 wins last season. Cook signed a multiyear deal through 2011 in the offseason. Jimenez was the midseason addition who filled a major void in the Rockies' pennant drive. Hirsh is the leading candidate for one of the two open spots, having shown potential last year before suffering a fractured right fibula. Wells will compete with LHPs Mark Redman and Franklin Morales, all of whom would wind up in the bullpen if they don't make the rotation.
PROJECTED BULLPEN:
RHP Manny Corpas (closer)
LHP Brian Fuentes
RHP Luis Vizcaino
RHP Matt Herges
RHP Ryan Speier
RHP Ramon Ramirez
LHP Franklin Morales
Fuentes will be watched closely this spring. He has been an All-Star selection as a closer the past three seasons, but he lost his job to Corpas last season. Fuentes had struggled and then wound up on the disabled list, and Corpas moved into the ninth-inning job and dominated hitters. The Rockies would like a third lefty, and they will look at Redman, John Koronka, Micah Bowie and Chris George to fill that role. Ramirez was effective against lefties two years ago but last year was bothered with shoulder soreness.
PROJECTED LINEUP:
1. CF Willy Taveras
2. SS Troy Tulowitzki
3. LF Matt Holliday
4. 1B Todd Helton
5. 3B Garrett Atkins
6. RF Brad Hawpe
7. C Yorvit Torrealba
8. 2B Jayson Nix
Tulowitzki moves into the No. 2 slot in lineup, replacing Kaz Matsui, who signed with Houston. Tulowitzki hit second last year when Matsui was hurt or when Matsui batted leadoff in place of Taveras. Nix takes over at the bottom of the lineup.Taveras is team's only stolen base threat. The Rockies can, however, score quickly. Their Nos. 2 through 6 hitters are all 25-plus-homer candidates.
PROJECTED RESERVES:
C Edwin Bellorin
INF Clint Barmes
INF Jeff Baker
OF Cory Sullivan
OF Ryan Spilborghs
Sullivan is a left-handed-hitting alternative to Taveras in center field. He is defensively superior but doesn't have the stolen base threat. Spilborghs provides bench power and an ability to play all three outfield positions. Non-roster invitee Scott Podsednik also will battle for an outfield job. Baker is the versatility key. He can play first, third, left and right, and he is a home run threat. Barmes can play any infield position and also center field. He was the Opening Day shortstop in 2005 and 2006. Bellorin gets his first big-league opportunity, as the Rockies want C Chris Iannetta to catch every day at Class AAA so he can develop.
TOP ROOKIES:
LHP Franklin Morales was on the big-league roster the last two months last season, and in the postseason. He is a power arm who eventually could become a No. 1 or 2 starter, but he also has dominant enough stuff that he could be a late-inning reliever. … 2B Jayson Nix will get every chance to win the job. He is coming off an MVP run for Team USA at the World Cup last November.
MEDICAL WATCH: RHP Jason Hirsh (fractured right fibula) missed the final two months of the regular season and the postseason, but he is on schedule to be ready by Opening Day.