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2014 MLB Team Previews – Colorado Rockies
The Rockies are a team that is surely making onlookers scratch their heads. The team has an odd mix of young and old talent, spending money to bring in aging veterans like Michael Cuddyer and Justin Morneau, despite appearing to be in a rebuilding stage.
The moves have also followed consecutive last-place finishes, and the team has now gone four consecutive seasons without appearing in the postseason.
The team still features one of the most potent 1-2 punches in the middle of its order in Carlos Gonzlez and Troy Tulowitzki, which makes the Rockies a tough opponent, particularly in the friendly confines of Coors Field, though that may not provide enough of an advantage in a rejuvenated N.L. West.
Bovada’s Odds to Win
NL West: +1600
National League: +4000
World Series: +7500
Key Additions
LaTroy Hawkins will be slotted into the closer role after being brought in on a one-year deal. Boone Logan was also brought in to provide added depth out of the bullpen, though the team may have been a little generous in dishing out a three-year pact at better than $5 million per year.
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Justin Morneau was also handed a generous two-year contract to be the team’s first baseman, though that could prove to be a wise move if he can regain something near his MVP form. Four key trades saw the team acquire young talent for older veterans in a pair of deals, yet do the opposite in another pair, which again has onlookers wondering what the team’s direction is.
Projected Starting Lineup
1. Corey Dickerson, CF
2. Michael Cuddyer, RF
3. Carlos Gonzalez, LF
4. Troy Tulowitzki, SS
5. Justin Morneau, 1B
6. Wilin Rosario, C
7. Nolan Arenado, 3B
8. D.J. Lemahieu, 2B
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The team’s lineup is strong up the middle, and if Morneau can take advantage of getting out of unfriendly Target Field to offer a strong third option in the middle of the order, the Rockies will be a dangerous opponent.
Michael Cuddyer is due for a serious regression after winning the batting title a year ago, though he should still hit at around .300, and has shown an ability to get on base out of the two-hole. Wilin Rosario is due for an explosion of power, and certainly has it in him to hit somewhere north of 30 home runs.
Projected Starting Rotation
1. Jhoulys Chacin
2. Jorge de la Rosa
3. Brett Anderson
4. Tyler Chatwood
5. Franklin Morales
Brett Anderson projects to be the team’s top starter if he remains healthy, which is a big if. Jorge de la Rosa was a very underrated option for the team last season. He’s lost some velocity on his fastball but has made up for it in spades with a significant uptick in command.
Those two will need to carry the rotation for a while from the sounds of it, as Jhoulys Chacin has been dealing with a shoulder injury in camp.
Bullpen
Closer: LaTroy Hawkins
Setup men: Rex Brothers, Matt Belisle
Hawkins moves into the team’s closer role upon arrival, though Brothers did enough to earn the job with his play last season, and likely earns another shot at some point this season. Still, getting Hawkins in on an affordable one-year deal is a plus-move. Matt Belisle has done just about everything he’s been asked to by the Rockies, and has been ultra-reliable for the team.
There must be some greater play for Logan give the rich contract he was handed out, though he slots in as a middle man for the time being.
2014 Colorado Rockies Prediction
The Rockies will be able to score runs this season, and will be for as long as Gonzalez and Tulowitzki are around. The team’s starting rotation leaves a lot to be desired, and there is little depth beyond the starting five, which spells trouble given Anderson’s injury history, and the fact that Chacin is already slated to miss the start of the season.
The sooner this team decides that the time has come to employ an all-out rebuild, the better off they will be, because their current strategy simply isn’t working.
