YOUR Colorado Rockies, Part I

As of today, here's my projected Rockies starting lineup for Opening Day (WWCD = What Will Clint Do):

1. CF - Willy Taveras
   Chances are Willy will get traded before Opening Day. He has not consistently produced the way the Rockies would have liked, which is a trend for center fielders at Coors. Rumor has it the Rockies have Ryan Spilborghs practicing the position in winter ball.
   WWCD: Taveras


2. SS - Troy Tulowitzki
   Take two for Tulo. the guy had a rough season in 2008, but with his tough-as-nails demeanor, look for Tulo to bounce back in 2009. While I don't expect him to meet or exceed his 2007 totals, I think we'll see him back above the .275 mark.
   WWCD: Tulowitzki


3. 3B - Garrett Atkins
   With Holliday gone, Atkins is now the best pure hitter on the team. Like most of the team in 2008, Atkins didn't produce like he did in the past, especially down the stretch (.259/7/45 after the all-star break). Fans should expect to see him back above the .300 mark and, provided Willy and Tulo are doing their jobs, driving in over 100 runs.
   WWCD: Todd Helton


4. RF - Brad Hawpe
   Hawpe had decent power numbers last year and is the biggest long-ball threat on the team without Holliday. Clint Hurdle will never bat Hawpe in the clean-up spot. Make me a liar, Clint.
   WWCD: Atkins


5. LF - Ryan Spilborghs
   The time has come to free Spilly. He's not only proven to be a reliable hitter in the clutch, but he's also put in his time giving off days to everyone in the outfield. He would start for many teams in baseball and with Holliday gone there's no reason he shouldn't start for the Rockies. He's become a fan favorite in Denver; it would make a lot of people happy to see Spilly in the starting lineup. Best facial hair, best walk-up music, best 5-hole hitter.
   WWCD: Hawpe


6. C - Chris Iannetta
   Where's Helton? Ianmetta hit .391 with a .506 OBP with RISP and 2 outs last year. Conversation over.
   WWCD: Spilborghs


7. 1B - Todd Helton
   No, I don't think Helton will play more than 100 games. The problems with this guy are many. Yes, he's been the emotionless face of this franchise for years, but he's pulling in $16.6M next year. He plays a good first base, but he hasn't gone over 20 homers since 2004 (steroids are not out of the question in my mind) or over 100 RBI since 2003. Not to mention he had his worst year ever in 2007. All that says: "Sorry Mr. Helton, you have to go out there and prove yourself like everyone else."
   WWCD: Iannetta


8. 2B - Clint Barmes
   Barmes played the most games at second last year and probably deserves the starting slot in 2009. I can't believe I just wrote that. The competition for the two-bagger spot will be fun to keep track of in Spring Training as Barmes, Jeff Baker, and "God I Hope He Gets The Job" Ian Stewart will all be vying for the spot. Personally, I would love to see Stewart win this job. Assuming Helton, Atkins, Baker, Stewart, and new guy Carlos Gonzalez all make it through spring training healthy and on the roster, the Rockies are going to have a log jam at the 1B/3B slot.
   WWCD: Barmes

Starting Rotation:

1. Aaron Cook
   No argument here. Dick Cook was one of the only Rockies to consistently show up last year, fully ousting Jeff Francis as the team's number one starter. His stuff bordered on ace material at times.
   WWCD: Cook


2. Jeff Francis
   Again, Francis is clearly the number two guy in the rotation. He's solid if unspectacular.
   WWCD: Francis


3. Ubaldo Jimenez
   Baldy need to get his shit on lockdown. He finished last season with a solid 5 starts, but he can be really erratic. He's still young (25 at the start of next season) and he's got some major upside. I think a lot of teams would love to have Jimenez as their number three starter.
   WWCD: Jimenez


4. Greg Smith
   Yes, THE Greg Smith. Whereas the Rockies 1-3 starting slots are not really up for discussion, the 4-5 spots are up for grabs. "Experts" keep talking about how "okay" Smith is and his numbers prove that (7-16, 4.16 ERA, 1.35 WHIP in '08). He'll probably start the season at the 4 spot, hoping that he doesn't choke his way below Greg Reynolds.
   WWCD: Smith


5. Greg Reynolds
   If Rockies fans had their way, the 2007 version of Franklin Morales would show up to spring training. He would push Greg Reynolds and both of them would win spots at the end of the Rockies rotation. As it stands, Hurdle will probably give Reynolds a chance to prove that his last four starts last year went the way they did for some reason other than the fact that he sucks. If Reynolds can't do that, he'll be relegated to the bullpen or Colorado Springs and the 5 spot will go to some shitty old-timer who isn't even on the roster yet.
   WWCD: Reynolds

The Bullpen:

• Lefty Specialist - None
  All of the Rockies lefty pitchers are starters or long-relievers. Dan O'Dowd, go get yourself an Arthur Rhodes.


• Setup Man - Manny Corpas
  Manny has pretty much proven that he can't close any more... which means Clint will give him another one of his infinite chances. Corpas needs to go back to basics and he was filthy as a setup man for Fuentes in 2007. I'd rather blow a lead in the 7th or 8th than in the 9th or later.


• Closer - Huston Street
  I really hope O'Dowd doesn't flip Street for more unestablished talent. His "down year" last season? 3.73 ERA, 69K, 1.21 WHIP in 70 innings. I'll take that along with his career numbers of 2.88 ERA, 271K, 1.07 WHIP and 94 saves in 269.0 innings. Let's not make the mistake of trading our best closer after trading our best hitter.