Looking back and ahead

Holliday, Tulowitzki and Corpas came to the fore, while injuries riddled the starting rotation, which again will be the Rockies' biggest concern in 2008

Rocky Mountain News

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

What went right

Tulowitzki steps up

Rookie shortstop Troy Tulowitzki was all the Rockies had hoped for, and then some. He provided offense, setting a National League record for rookie shortstops in home runs and matching Nomar Garciaparra's major league record for RBI for a rookie shortstop. What's more, he led the majors in fielding and emerged as a critical voice in the clubhouse despite his inexperience.

Field day for Holliday

Left fielder Matt Holliday put himself in the MVP class. The respect from his peers was obvious. He was the leading vote-getter among players, coaches and managers among NL outfielders for the All-Star Game. He led the league in hitting (.340) and RBI (137).

Hawpe in the swing

Right fielder Brad Hawpe took the step in the final month of the season to move alongside Holliday and third baseman Garrett Atkins as legitimate middle-of- the-lineup bats. In addition to hitting 29 home runs and driving in 116 runs, he delivered two key home runs and two key doubles off left-handed pitchers in the final 10 games of the regular season.

Corpas closes deal

The emergence of Manny Corpas in the closer's role, which opened when Brian Fuentes blew four consecutive saves in the final week of June and a week later went on the disabled list for a month because of a pulled muscle in his side. That allowed Corpas to be eased into the role, and he responded, converting 19 of 20 saves and compiling a 1.54 ERA.

Stability at the top

Manager Clint Hurdle and general manager Dan O'Dowd were given two-year extensions on Opening Day. The move was designed to keep the focus on the field and not have a season filled with questions about the status of those two if things didn't go well. It worked because the Rockies struggled early (18-27), but debate about management was limited.

What went wrong

Rotation injuries

During the first two weeks of August, the Rockies lost Opening Day starter Aaron Cook (pulled side muscle), No. 3 starter Rodrigo Lopez (right elbow surgery) and No. 4 starter Jason Hirsh (fractured right fibula) to season-ending injuries. Lopez also had missed the month of May with right elbow inflammation and Hirsh suffered the fracture in his second start back after missing a month with a sprained ankle.

Taveras' troubles

Willy Taveras' nagging quadriceps injury limited his availability in the final three months. He finally went on the disabled list Aug. 15, and after his Sept. 1 return, played only six games before being injured again. He still led the majors in bunt hits (37) and infield hits (54).

Finley failure

Signed on the Saturday camp opened to provide a veteran presence, outfielder Steve Finley never accepted a backup role, struggled to hit .181 in 94 at-bats during 43 games and was released June 5, opening a roster spot for Cory Sullivan.

Mabry, too

He was expected to provide a veteran left-handed bat off the bench - along the lines of John Vander Wal, Lenny Harris or Mark Sweeney - but John Mabry hit only .118 in 34 at-bats in 28 games. He was released May 19 to make room for Ryan Spilborghs.

Iannetta saga

Given the Opening Day start behind the plate, rookie Chris Iannetta struggled offensively. That led to a limited playing role and finally a demotion to the minors Aug. 6. He did get back in sync with regular playing time in the minors, though, returned to the majors Aug. 26 and hit .348 in 16 games.

What's ahead

Let's make a deal?

The Rockies have depth if they want to make a major deal with three-time All-Star closer Brian Fuentes and third baseman Garrett Atkins as possible trade bait. Ownership has a projected budget that would allow the Rockies to keep both, so unless they get overpaid - and a package would have to start with a legitimate No. 2 starter and a top prospect - there will be no deal.

Spot for Stewart

Third-base prospect Ian Stewart received a quick look at second base during the Arizona Instructional League. That would give the Rockies another option for Stewart along with a possible trade of Atkins to open up third base or returning Stewart to Triple-A Colorado Springs for a second season.

Testing the market

The list of potential free agents includes second baseman Kazuo Matsui; catcher Yorvit Torrealba; left-handed pitchers Jeremy Affeldt, Dan Serafini and Mark Redman; and right-handed pitchers Josh Fogg, Matt Herges, Elmer Dessens, LaTroy Hawkins, Jorge Julio, Rodrigo Lopez and Ramon Ortiz. The Rockies could re-sign several with special interest in Matsui, Torrealba, Herges, Fogg, Julio and Dessens, but there won't be bidding wars. Several, in fact, would have to take minor-league deals to open roster space.

Debating value

Potential arbitration cases include Atkins, Fuentes, right fielder Brad Hawpe, left fielder Matt Holliday and center fielders Cory Sullivan and Willy Taveras. Right-hander Aaron Cook also has the necessary service time, but the Rockies will exercise their option at $4.5 million in his contract and attempt to sign him to a multiyear extension.

Never enough pitching

The Rockies will look to add starting pitching candidates who could move into a projected rotation and create the possibility of rookie left-hander Franklin Morales opening the season at Colorado Springs along with right-handers Brandon Hynick and Greg Reynolds, the next expected rotation help from the system. As well as keeping Fogg, the Rockies figure to see if right-hander Jason Jennings would like to return for a year to re-establish his value for a full-fledged free-agent foray after next season.

Soon to be free

• Potential Rockies free agents:

Player 2007 salary* Potential Rockies offer Overview

2B Kazuo Matsui $1.54 million About $3 million Have depth with Clint Barmes, Jamey Carroll, Omar Quintanilla and Jayson Nix

C Yorvit Torrealba $1,075,000 Two years, Chris Iannetta expected to develop into No. 1; about $5 million little veteran help on market

LHP Jeremy Affeldt $1.25 million Multiyear deal Josh Newman is best in-house candidate; Rockies will look at veterans to invite to camp

RHP Elmer Dessens $1.7 million Minor-league deal with Could be long-relief candidate, providing depth spring training invitation if needs arise in rotation

RHP Josh Fogg $3,625,000 One year, no raise Rockies have hit on castoffs before

RHP LaTroy Hawkins $3.5 million Headed to free agency Ryan Speier, Juan Morillo are in-house options

RHP Matt Herges $500,000 Minor-league deal with Would like him in middle role but won't overpay spring training invitation

RHP Jorge Julio $3.6 million Less than $2 million Experienced, but will go to youth if price too high

RHP Rodrigo Lopez $4,325,000 Minor-league deal Coming off surgery, he won't have market value with option for 2008 to make demands

RHP Ramon Ortiz $3.1 million Headed to free agency Will look for nontendered pitchers to fill long-relief role

LHP Mark Redman $750,000 Minor-league deal with Had success; decision will come down to if he spring training invitation wants to continue to pitch* Contract Signed Last Offseason, Although Rockies Assumed Prorated Portions For Players Acquired During The Season. Includes Buyouts And Incentiv ...