2009 Colorado Rockies Predictions

Written by Jason Lowry

Rockies Baseball It was quite the disappointing season for the Colorado Rockies, as they had high expectations for 2008 after making that improbable run to the World Series in 2007. The Rockies finished 3rd in the NL West at 74-88, but had no shot at making the playoffs. Manager Clint Hurdle is still the guy in charge, but 5 new assistant coaches are on board for the 2009 season, including former Rockies manager Don Baylor. The Rockies have made a few big moves, and the most noteworthy was trading their top hitter, Matt Holliday to Oakland for outfielder Carolos Gonzalez, starter Greg Smith, and closer Houston Street. Another big blow to the Rockies chances in 2009 is starting pitcher Jeff Francis, who is likely out for the season thanks to shoulder surgery. The team did pick up Jason Marquis, who went 11-9 with the Cubs last season, to help the starting rotation. Here is a closer look at the upcoming Rockies season, and my prediction on where they will finish in the NL West.

Offense:

With Holliday gone, and Todd Helton unsure if he will even be healthy enough to play every day, the Rockies will need players to step up their game on the offensive side of the ball. The team really needs SS Troy Tulowitzki to play the entire season if they want any chance, as he played just 81 games last season. Garret Atkins will likely hold down the job at third base, while the team hopes to get another strong season out of second basemen Clint Barnes, who hit .290 with 11 home runs. Ian Stewart will likely get more playing time if Helton can’t go, but will get pleny of at bats this season, filling in at various positions. The outfield is full young faces, Gonzalez is expected to take over in left field, with Ryan Spillborgh moving from right to center. Brad Hawpe also was bitten by the injury bug last year, as he was bothered by a hamstring injury, and the Rockies are hoping he can drive in a lot of runs for this team in 2009. The Rockies really lack big bats, as Hawpe has the most home runs coming back from 2008, with just 25. The team also lost a lot of speed in letting CF Willy Taveras go, as he led the majors with 68 stolen bases. The expected roster of the 2009 season had just 32 stolen bases combined a year ago.

Pitching:

The loss of Francis is huge for this team, and they are going to now need an even bigger season out of guys like Aaron Cook and Ubaldo Jimenez. Cook is now the ace of this team, and after going 16-9 last year, he could flirt with 20 wins this season. Jimenez went just 12-12 last season, but was 8-3 after the all-star break, and Colorado is hoping that success will carry on into the 2009 season. Marquis has been a stable double-digit winner over the last few years, winning 10 or more games in 5 straight seasons. Jorge de La Rosa has the edge at the No. 4 starter, with newly acquired Greg Smith close behind in the No. 5 spot. Guys like Jason Hirsh and the highly anticipated prospect Franklin Morales could win over one of the final two spots if they pitch well enough in spring training. The Rockies have a good problem with their bullpen, as they have two closers in Houston Street and Manuel Corpas, so whoever doesn’t win the job will likely be the lead set-up man. That will give the Rockies two quality set-up men, as the Rockies also have Taylor Buchholz to pitch either the 7th or 8th. How good this team likely depends on just how well this pitching staff can come together and keep this team in games all season long.

Prediction: 3rd NL West

If this team played anywhere besides the very hitter-friendly Coors Field, I would not have picked them to finish 3rd in this division, but even with the loss of Holliday, the offensive production should be pretty consistent. The pitching is the key for this team, as it could cause them to rise to the top of the division like it did in 2007, or it could send them to the bottom with the Giants and Padres.

Archived Season Previews:

2010
2008

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