Can an off-season of changes see the Rockies return to the post-season?

Despite a 17-8 start to the season, and some terrific individual performances, the Rockies just couldn’t get it together as a team last season and slumped to a disappointing 73-89 record. Proof, if it were needed, that the baseball season is most definitely a marathon and not a sprint.

While the likes of perennial All-Star calibre performers Troy Tulowitzki, Todd Helton and Carlos Gonzalez impressed yet again, elsewhere successful performances were few and far between and has resulted in a mass clear out and numerous trades in an effort for GM Dan O’Dowd and manager Jim Tracy to revitalise the Denver outfit. Ubaldo Jimenez was traded during the season and the likes of veterans Huston Street, Aaron Cook and Ty Wiggington have been replaced.

With 24 players leaving and 16 others coming in, including Kevin Slowey who was signed from Minnesota only to be traded a matter of weeks later, it seems there will be a new look Rockies team in 2012, but will it be a good one?

IN : Casey Blake (INF – L.A. Dodgers), Tyler Chatwood (SP – L.A. Angels), Tyler Colvin (OF – Chicago Cubs), Michael Cuddyer (OF – Minnesota), Mike Ekstrom (RP – Tampa Bay), Jeremy Guthrie (SP – Baltimore), Ramon Hernandez (C – Cincinnati), Steve Holm (C – Minnesota), DJ LeMahieu (INF – Chicago Cubs), Guillermo Moscoso (SP – Oakland), Wil Nieves (C – Atlanta), Josh Outman (SP – Oakland), Zach Putnam (RP – Cleveland), Marco Scutaro (INF – Boston), Kevin Slowey (SP – Minnesota), Brandon Wood (INF – Pittsburgh)

OUT : Jorge Cantu (INF – L.A. Angels), Aaron Cook (SP – Boston), Matt Daley (RP – N.Y. Yankees), Mark Ellis (INF – L.A. Dodgers), Cole Garner (OF – N.Y. Yankees), Edgar Gonzalez (SP – Oakland), Jason Hammel (SP – Baltimore), Chris Iannetta (C – L.A. Angels), Alan Johnson (SP), Kevin Kouzmanoff (INF – Kansas City), Matt Lindstrom (RP – Baltimore), Joe Mather (OF – Chicago Cubs), Jim Miller (RP – Oakland), Kevin Millwood (SP – Seattle), Jose Morales (C – Pittsburgh), Clayton Mortensen (SP – Boston), J.C. Romero (RP – St.Louis), Kevin Slowey (SP – Cleveland), Seth Smith (OF – Oakland), Ryan Spilborghs (OF – Cleveland), Ian Stewart (INF – Chicago Cubs), Huston Street (RP – San Diego), Eric Stults (RP – Chicago White Sox), Casey Weathers (RP – Chicago Cubs), Ty Wigginton (INF – Philadelphia)

Catchers : Ramon Hernandez arrives from Cincinnati and the 35 year old instantly becomes the starter. A .262 career hitter, Hernandez was last the starter in 2008 at the Orioles, but his 1457 career games dwarfs both Jordan Pacheco and Wilin Rosario who are the other two catchers currently on the roster. The duo combined for 37 games last season, in what was the rookie year for both catchers. Wil Nieves is a veteran option who could earn a spot during Spring Training.

Infielders : The infield seems to be a blend of the old and declining and the young and improving with 38 year old veterans Todd Helton and Casey Blake due to man the corners. Helton is entering his 16^th season in Denver and is three HRs shy of 350 in a Rockie uniform. Blake was used mainly as a back-up last season in Dodger Town but had hit 15+ homers in each of the prior seven seasons. In Troy Tulowitzki, the Rockies have arguably the finest shortstop in the NL, coming off his first ever 30 and .300 season. Completing an impressive and veteran starting infield will be new acquisition from the Red Sox, Marco Scutaro. The 36 year old Venezuelan hit a career high .299 last year in Boston. The back-ups, however, are significantly less experienced, with 41 year old Jason Giambi being the obvious exception to that rule. Now a bit part player, he currently stands 52 hits away from reaching 2,000. Jonathan Herrera leads the young brigade, at 27, he has slightly over 200 games experience. Chris Nelson, DJ LeMahieu and Tommy Field are next in line, yet all may need an outstanding Spring Training to be considered for serious game time in the Majors. Brendan Harris and Brandon Wood lead the non-roster invitee charge and could offer Tracy a veteran alternative.

Outfielders : As with the infield, there is experience in the starters and not much in the back up slots. Carlos Gonzalez clearly is the star, having hit 25 or more homers, stolen 20 or more bases and hit above .290 in each of the past two years. At just 26, he could yet get even better. Veteran Michael Cuddyer arrives after eleven season in Minnesota where his versatility and leadership skills became recognised throughout the league. Dexter Fowler provides even more speed and defence alongside CarGo. Tyler Colvin, Eric Young, who can also play infield, and Charlie Blackmon provide depth and left-handed options off the bench. Young stole 27 bases in just 77 games last year, while Blackmon broke his foot in July after impressing during his rookie campaign. Jamie Hoffman is also in the mix for the back-up spots.

Starting Pitchers : With pitching being such a problem last year, GM Dan O’Dowd went out and replenished his stock, both in starters and relievers, but the emergence of Jhoulys Chacin was one of few positives last year. The 23 year old went 11-14 with a team leading 3.62 ERA in 31 starts, cementing his role as a top prospect. Along with Jorge De La Rosa, the Rockies have a decent 1-2 partnership although De La Rosa is returning from Tommy John surgery. Drew Pomeranz and Alex White are both rookies that struggled last year but have a fair shot at making the starting rotation, while Jeremy Guthrie was the big acquisition from Baltimore for whom the Rockies traded away Hammels and Lindstrom. It will be the first time Guthrie pitches in the NL and no doubt he will benefit from not having to face the lethal Yankee and Red Sox line-ups on a regular basis. Juan Nicasio is due to return from a scary looking line-drive to the head that he suffered last season although how quickly he can get to full strength is merely a guess right now. Tyler Chatwood, Guillermo Moscoso and Josh Outman are a trio of young new arrivals who will be looking to force their way into the rotation, but the most intriguing Spring Training storyline is the return of 49 year old Jamie Moyer following a year out with injury. He made his debut before half the roster were even born.

Relief Pitchers : Another massive clearout in personnel with the departures of the likes of veterans Street and Lindstrom not fully being replaced, but Rafeal Betancourt is expected to take over the closer role having gone 2-0 with a 2.89 ERA last season and recording 8 saves. Rex Brothers leads the way of the other relievers, coming off a 2.88 ERA year while Matt Belisle is the elder statesman at 31 years old. Josh Roenicke and Edgmer Escalona impressed in small sample sizes last season, but do give hope for a decent year again, while tall lefty Matt Reynolds returns following an inconsistent but at times promising first full season in the Majors. Esmil Rogers recorded an ERA above 7.00 last year put will get a look at in Spring Training as a long relief option while those that fail to break into the rotation are also likely to be given the first shot at a place in the bullpen. Mike Ekstrom is a non-roster invitee that certainly has shown glimpses of potential during several brief stints in the Majors throughout his career.

PREDICTION : Anybody that thinks the Rockies are in anything but a rebuilding mode are very much mistaken, and as such, there is a mixture of over the hill players with little more to give, and youngsters that are trying to make a name for themselves. Their pitching rotation is pretty poor, but Chacin and De la Rosa are a potent duo. There line-up will score some runs, but the pitchers are just as likely to give even more up. Fifth place.