30 Teams in 30 Days: Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies
2010 Record: 83-79
770 RS, 717 RA, Pythagorean Record: 87-75
Manager: Jim Tracy
GM: Dan O’Dowd
Free Agents:
Jorge de la Rosa, SP (3, $32MM); Ty Wigginton, 3B (2O, $7.5MM; TBD Option)
Minor League FA:
Eliezer Alfonzo, C; Alfredo Amezaga, SS; Jonathan Aristil, P; Billy Buckner, P; Jesus Colome, P; Geno Espineli, C; Jason Giambi, 1B; Tug Hulett, 2B; Hernan Iribarren, 2B; Mike Jacobs, 1B; Kala Ka’aihue, 1B; Matt Marci, 3B; John Maine, P; Daniel Mayora, SS; Kaimi Mead, P; Jim Miller, P; Chad Moeller, C; Josh Muecke, P; Matt Pagnozzi, C; Ben Petralli, C; Jeff Salazar, OF; Chris Sampson, P; Willy Tavaeras, OF: Joe Torres, P; Jason Van Kooten, 2B; Claudio Vargas, P; Sean White, P; Brandon Yarbrough, C.
Rule V Pick:
None
Trades:
Received Matt Lindstrom (RP) from the Astros for Jonathan Aristil (P) and Wes Musick (P); Received Jose Lopez (2B) from the Mariners for Chaz Roe (P); Received Jose Morales (C) from the Twins for Paul Bargas (P); Received Clayton Mortensen (SP) from the Athletics for Ethan Hollingsworth (P); Received Felipe Paulino (RP) from the Astros for Clint Barmes (2B); Received a player to be named later from the Blue Jays for Miguel Olivo (C).
Waiver Claims:
None
Players Lost:
Al Alburquerque, P; Luis Ayala, P; Joe Beimel, P; Nick Bierbrodt, P; Kurt Birkins, P; Bo Bowman, 1B; Manny Corpas, P; Manny Delcarmen, P; Octavio Dotel, P; Brad Eldred, 1B; Jeff Francis, P; Ryan Harvey, P; Ching-Lung Lo, P; Chris Malone, P; Kaz Matsui, 2B; Travis Metcalf, 3B; Matt Miller, OF; Melvin Mora, 3B; Jay Payton, OF; Paul Phillips, C; Stu Pomeranz, P; Omar Quintanilla, SS; Scott Rice, P; Juan Rincon, P; Bronson Sardinha, OF; Ricky Testa, P; Eider Torres, SS; Matt Wilhite, P.
Top 15 Prospects
1. Tyler Matzek, LHP
2. Nolan Arenado, 3B
3. Wilin Rosario, C
4. Chad Bettis, RHP
5. Kyle Parker, OF
6. Christian Friedrich, LHP
7. Peter Tago, RHP
8. Rex Brothers, LHP
9. Tim Wheeler, OF
10. Charlie Blackmon, OF
11. Chris Nelson, SS
12. Albert Campos, P
13. Juan Nicasio, P
14. Corey Dickerson, OF
15. William Swanner, C
Initially, I thought the Rockies had a weak system, but once I paid attention to the individual players, I changed my mind. Tyler Matzek is a front of the rotation starter and will complement Jhoulys Chacin nicely. Nolan Arenado and Wilin Rosario both figure to be regular hitters for the team; Kyle Parker will most likely join them. Chad Bettis and Christian Freidrich will fill in the back of the rotation nicely. After that, they’ll see a few guys move up.
2010 Review:
Colorado got nice seasons out of their cornerstone players – Carlos Gonzalez, Troy Tulowitzki, and Ubaldo Jimenez.
Gonzalez was considered an MVP candidate, even with his home splits being completely out of whack with his road ones. If you looked at the them, you would wonder if he was truly one of the best players in the league. The season got CarGo a nice extension from this season.
Tulo did what he normally does – everything. He’s a solid player and probably one of the best shortstops in the game (second to Hanley Ramirez). Like Gonzalez, Tulo received a large extension (which I saw as questionable).
Jimenez started the season on fire. He was easily the best pitcher in the game for the first half. He did fall back down to earth as the season wore on.
After these 3, there was really no star. They have plenty off good players though.
2011 Preview:
I see a bit of regression this year. Letting Miguel Olivo will bite the team; he’s not the best catcher in the game, but he’s got power and showed more than Chris Iannetta has. Ty Wigginton is an upgrade over Melvin Mora, but he’s not a difference maker.
The pitching is pretty much the same, although I think they took a hit by letting Jeff Francis walk. He’s not a world blazer, but he’s an innings eater when healthy and wouldn’t have cost a ton to keep. I also think they overpaid for Jorge de la Rosa; something about him doesn’t strike me as a top of the rotation pitcher.
In the end, I see the Giants, Dodgers, and Padres all having better seasons.
Prediction:
4th Place