Covering new battleground

Hurdle assessing the jobs up for grabs

Tracy Ringolsby, Rocky Mountain News

Published February 12, 2007 at midnight

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The Rockies begin reporting to spring training this week with a possible remake of half their Opening Day lineup from a year ago.

Kaz Matsui already has taken over at second base. Troy Tulowitzki, at shortstop, Chris Iannetta, at catcher, and Willy Taveras, in center field, are considered to have the edge to claim the starting spots at their positions coming to camp, but they will have to win the jobs.

And to claim a starting role, each of the three is going to have to beat out last year's starter - Clint Barmes at shortstop, Yorvit Torrealba at catcher and Cory Sullivan in center field.

It's what competition is all about. The Rockies aren't merely bringing in new faces, but they are making changes with the idea that they will upgrade because last year's regulars are still a part of things.

In addition to the battles for the four spots in the lineup, the Rockies will use spring training to decide whether they keep a left-handed pinch-hitting specialist or a second utility infielder. They have to sort out six candidates for the final two spots in the rotation. And they most likely will have to sort through an assortment of arms in the spring to decide on the sixth and final member of the bullpen.

Health issues are minimal. Contract matters have been taken care of, right-hander Josh Fogg agreeing to terms this month, eliminating the possibility of the Rockies facing an arbitration case for only the third time in franchise history.

An area-by-area look at the Rockies' spring challenges. with the assessment of manager Clint Hurdle:

Rotation

Set

Pitcher Comment

RHP Aaron Cook Victim of seven blown saves by relievers in 2006, most in National League

LHP Jeff Francis 18-8 in 32 career starts at Coors Field

RHP Rodrigo Lopez Won 15 games twice and 14 games once in five years

Making a bid

Pitcher Comment

RHP Josh Fogg At least 10 wins in four of five big league seasons

RHP Byung-Hyun Kim 5.57 ERA in '06 second highest for pitcher with 25 starts

RHP Jason Hirsh Pitcher of year at Double-A and Triple-A in 2005-06

RHP Taylor Buchholz Could wind up as a late-inning reliever

LHP Oscar Rivera Top left-hander in Mexico gets spring audition

RHP Brian Lawrence Candidate to open on DL rehabbing from 2006 surgery

RHP Ubaldo Jimenez Opened 2006 at Double-A and finished in big leagues

On tap

Pitcher Comment

LHP Franklin Morales Power arm; 179 SO in 154 innings at Single-A Modesto

Hurdle's view

We have a good understanding of what Kim and Fogg bring to the table. For the others, we need to see fastball command and consistency.

We need to be able to project that they will pitch better than Fogg and/or Kim.

You'd always like to have another left-hander, but there has to be depth. (Rivera) has shown he can be successful in the Mexican League, but how does that translate there?

Hirsh has had tremendous seasons at Double-A and Triple-A, but this is another step up. Buchholz has life with his fastball and a strong breaking ball.

We know what Lawrence can do if he is healthy. We know he can pitch in our park and the other parks in the National League. This isn't like the past, though. We don't have to hope he is healthy. We have enough depth to give him a chance to prove he's healthy or we can bring him along.

Jimenez got everyone's attention at the end of last year. He showed command. He showed confidence. We don't want to rush him, but you do feel good with that kind of an arm coming out of your system.

Bottom line

Either Kim or Fogg figure to be dealt by the end of spring training, and the other will be in the rotation. That leaves one spot for a starter.

Hirsh, the key player in the Jason Jennings deal with Houston, has the inside track. Buchholz has been mentioned as a possible late-inning reliever.

Bullpen

Set

Pitcher Comment

LHP Brian Fuentes All-Star selection in both seasons as a closer

RHP LaTroy Hawkins Has appeared in 60-plus games each of past seven seasons

LHP Jeremy Affeldt Allowed .230 average in 45 relief appearances in 2006

LHP Tom Martin Team-low 33 percent of inherited runners scored

Inside track

Pitcher Comment

RHP Manny Corpas Never had pitched above Single-A level until 2006

RHP Ramon Ramirez 61 appearances in 2006 third most for a Rockies rookie

Taking a shot

Pitcher Comment

RHP Dave Veres Hasn't played in big leagues in past three seasons

RHP Ryan Speier Spent 2006 rehabilitating from torn right labrum

LHP Mike Gallo Left-handers have hit .279 with seven HR in 222 at-bats

LHP Eric DuBose 52 appearances with Orioles during past five seasons

RHP Danny Graves All-Star as closer for Reds in 2000 and 2004

On tap

Pitcher Comment

RHP Juan Morillo Allowed .248 average at Double-A Tulsa in 2006

RHP Denny Bautista Being converted to full-time relief role

Hurdle's view

We're going to give Corpas and Ramirez every opportunity to handle the seventh and, if they show growth, they could help in the eighth.

Corpas has that electric arm. Ramirez set the bar so high in the first half last year, it wasn't fair to judge the second half. Tom Martin is going to get a more situational look. We are not going to push him for multiple innings too much. Once we got a good medical on Veres, there was no reason to not give him a chance. We're looking for someone to plug in late in the bullpen. He's done it and he's pitched in our park. Graves knows what the late innings are like, too. Speier showed us signs at the end of '05, but after last year (shoulder surgery), we are going to be patient with him. He did show in the Fall League he was able to pitch and had velocity from a number of arm angles.

Bottom line

Graves and Veres, both of whom were once closers and both of whom are trying to resurrect their careers, have the inside track for the final bullpen spot. If either is healthy, he has the mentality to help Hawkins deal with the eighth-inning demands.

Catchers

Three for two

Player Comment

Chris Iannetta Spent slightly more than two years in minors

Yorvit Torrealba Spent 81 days on DL in 2006 because of right shoulder strain

Javy Lopez Three-time National League All-Star with Atlanta

On tap

Player Comment

Alvin Colina Made major league debut with two games in September

Hurdle's view

We acquired Lopez to give us an opportunity to be a little more patient with Chris if we feel it is in his best interest. Remember, he didn't catch every day at Double-A, sharing time with Colina. He only had a glimpse at Triple-A. He made the climb quickly, and this is an area where you want to take caution with development. We will use the spring to evaluate the work he has done over the year. We know when he is healthy what Torrealba (pictured) brings, but we need to see that his right shoulder is healthy. It was a concern last year. We need to see if Javy Lopez can resurrect his offensive power of the past. Obviously, he showed in Atlanta he can handle a staff. This is the most depth we've had in a long time.

Bottom line

Lopez is insurance as much for Torrealba as he is for Iannetta. Torrealba was going to be given his first legit shot to be an everyday catcher last year, but he showed up in spring training with a strained right shoulder. He wound up spending two extensive stints on the disabled list. Iannetta gets the first shot at the No. 1 job, but he has to be more relaxed defensively, which is considered his strength.

Infield

Set

Pos. Player Comment

1B Todd Helton .302 average and 15 HRs were career lows

2B Kaz Matsui 30-for-35 in career stolen-base attempts

3B Garrett Atkins 94 RBI beginning June 1 ranked second in majors

UTL Jamey Carroll Led NL 2B with .995 fielding percentage in 2006

Battle is on

Pos. Player Comment

SS Clint Barmes Has hit .232 since June 1, 2005

SS Troy Tulowitzki Played 126 games in minor leagues

On tap

Pos. Player Comment

3B Ian Stewart Injuries slowed him for second season in a row

1B Joe Koshansky Led Rockies minor leagues in HR past two seasons

SS Omar Quintanilla Began playing 2B as well as SS in 2006

Hurdle's view

The shortstop job is wide open. Barmes' challenge is to get his offense back in order. He hasn't shown signs of that first two months of 2005 since he broke his collarbone. He has shown, defensively, he can handle the job. Tulowitzki is obviously coming in a hurry. If he is ready for the next step, we will find out. That's our decision this spring. Carroll is going to get games at second, third and short, and we'll get him in the outfield. If Barmes shows he can swing the bat, he could stay in a utility role, even if we decide to go with Tulowitzki. Helton's ready to get back on his career track after injuries slowed him down the last two years.

Matsui really provided a spark to the top of the lineup once he joined us, and looked comfortable at second base.

Atkins has put himself among the game's elite hitters and shown he can handle the job defensively.

Bottom line

It all boils down to Barmes' bat. If he hits, he will be on the team, either as the shortstop or sharing utility chores with Carroll. If that's the case, he figures to cost John Mabry a spot, because the Rockies wouldn't have room for two utility infielders and a left-handed pinch-hit specialist. Jeff Baker's ability to provide right-handed backup at first, and also play third in addition to the outfield, adds to flexibility the Rockies have in decision-making.

Outfield

Set

Player Comment

LF Matt Holliday 176 RBI since All-Star break in 2005

RF Brad Hawpe Leads major league OFs with 26 assists in 2005-06

OF Jeff Baker 21 RBI in September was tops for NL rookie

Battle is on

Player Comment

CF Willy Taveras 68-for-88 in stolen bases in big league career

CF Cory Sullivan Only position player on active roster all of 2005-06

CF Ryan Spilborghs Has started at all three outfield spots in big leagues

OF John Mabry Career .298 hitter at Coors Field

On tap

Player Comment

LF Seth Smith Showed he can play center, if necessary

LF Matt Miller 87 RBI at A, AA and AAA levels in 2006

RF Sean Barker Bat is starting to open eyes

CF Jeff Salazar Slowed in 2006 by partial ligament tear in left elbow

Hurdle's view

Taveras gives us something we needed with his speed, and he is a quality defensive center fielder with a plus arm. If Cory can re-create his offense, we know there is not a better defensive center fielder. Holliday is an All-Star, and he has earned that.

Right field is not wide open, either. Brad has done some good things, and we can't lose sight of what he is able to do. He gives us a power left-handed bat to go with Helton. He is always going to be an offensive player who will have spikes, but he can change a game. He has worked hard defensively and hasn't gotten enough attention for that. He has a wonderful arm. Baker gives us a corner bat who gives us a lot of versatility in making sure we have rested regulars. I don't put a lot into September, except when you have the month he had, you have to pay attention. Mabry could give us that left-handed bat off the bench we didn't have last year.

Bottom line

Taveras has the inside track, but Sullivan could force at least a time share in center field. Sullivan's defense is solid, but the offense has been inconsistent. Taveras provides a speed factor in the lineup to go with second baseman Kaz Matsui. Mabry's status hinges on whether the Rockies keep one or two utility infielders. Spilborghs becomes the safety net, having shown the ability to play all three outfield positions but not showing the power bat of Baker, whose ability to play first base and third base, in addition to left field and right field, gives him the edge.

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