In Rockies' minds, splashy roster moves are best avoided

By Tracy Ringolsby, Rocky Mountain News

Published January 9, 2008 at 12:45 a.m.

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Success did not throw the Rockies off track in their long-range vision.

Having put together the strongest late-season surge in major league history, and winning the first National League pennant in franchise history, the Rockies ignored the temptation to try to do something splashy in the offseason.

"The last time we had one of those winters, you know the result," manager Clint Hurdle said, referring to the December 2000 signings of Mike Hampton and Denny Neagle. "One thing we have done well the last four years is honestly evaluate our organization and stay focused on what we feel we need to do to get better."

So while Arizona dealt five of its top 12 prospects to Oakland for Dan Haren, the Rockies resumed looking for bargains, signing promising but disappointing Kip Wells and Josh Towers to battle Franklin Morales and Mark Redman for the fifth spot in the rotation.

While the Dodgers signed free-agent center fielder Andruw Jones and Japanese right-hander Hiroki Kuroda, the Rockies looked for a late-rising left-hander with the signings of Chris George, John Koronoka and Micah Bowie as possible middle relievers.

While the Giants gave free-agent outfielder Aaron Rowand a five-year, $60 million deal, the Rockies looked to make up for the loss of right- handed reliever LaTroy Hawkins by signing Luis Vizcaino, who will be with his fifth team in five years.

And while the Padres took oft-injured center fielder Jim Edmonds off St. Louis' hands and signed second baseman Tadahito Iguchi, the Rockies brought in fading veteran Marcus Giles as protection for Jayson Nix in his bid to replace Kazuo Matsui at second base.

"We feel the additions we made from outside our organization are guys that will fit in well," Hurdle said. "We feel we addressed the needs we prioritized after the season was over. We feel we are ready to move forward."

The Rockies took a major step last year, advancing to the World Series only to be swept by Boston. The feeling is it's something to build on, but it will be done with tinkering, not rebuilding, again.

ringolsbyt@RockyMountainNews.com

Adios

The Rockies re-signed right-hander Matt Herges ($2.5 million), catcher Yorvit Torrealba (two years, $7.25 million) and left-hander Mark Redman ($1 million). Nine other players who finished the season with the Rockies filed for free agency and did not re-sign. The Rockies expressed interest in one- or two-year deals to re-sign left-hander Jeremy Affeldt (looking for four years) and right-hander Josh Fogg (looking for three years). There have been no indications Affeldt or Fogg have had serious negotiations with any team. The nine who have departed:

Player, position Action

Jeremy Affeldt, LHP Unsigned

Elmer Dessens, RHP Signed with Pittsburgh, minor-league deal

Josh Fogg, RHP Unsigned

LaTroy Hawkins, RHP Signed with Yankees, $3.75 million

Jorge Julio, RHP Unsigned

Rodrigo Lopez, RHP Unsigned

Kazuo Matsui, 2B Signed with Houston, three years, $16.5 million

Ramon Ortiz, RHP Unsigned

*Dan Serafini, LHP Unsigned

* Will be suspended first 50 days of 2008 season because of violation of baseball's substance-abuse regulations.

Winter additions

The Rockies have added seven players this offseason - one in a trade, one as a major league free-agent signing and five signed to minor league contracts with invitations to spring training. They also traded second baseman Jamey Carroll to Cleveland for a player to be named.

Player, position Deal

Luis Vizcaino, RHP Two-year, $7.5 million deal to be setup man.

Jose Capellan, RHP From Detroit for RHP Denny Bautista to fill bullpen role.

Josh Towers, RHP Minor league deal. Provides rotation depth.

Chris George, LHP Minor league deal. Candidate for bullpen role.

Micah Bowie, LHP Minor league deal. Candidate for bullpen role.

John Koronka, LHP Minor league deal. Candidate for bullpen.

Matt Kata, INF Minor league deal. Depth at Triple-A Colorado Springs.

Mike Rose, C Minor league deal. Depth at Triple-A Colorado Springs.

Arbitrarily

The Rockies have five arbitration-eligible players (more than three years worth of big-league service but fewer than six years). Their major league salary in 2007 and projected arbitration figure for 2008:

Second thoughts

The Rockies are set in their lineup, except at second base, where prospect Jayson Nix, MVP of the World Cup in Taiwan during November, is the leading candidate for the job.

"The opportunity is set up for him," manager Clint Hurdle said.

The benefit for Nix is he would be the only rookie in the lineup, which would allow for him to be protected if he struggles.

"That is what you'd like to do, bring in a young position player and a bullpen guy every year, let them get their feet on the ground," Hurdle said. "The road is paved for him."

Nix's competition will come from veteran Marcus Giles, released by Atlanta and San Diego the past two years, and in-house candidates Clint Barmes and Omar Quintanilla. Jeff Baker and Ian Stewart also worked out at second this winter but would be long shots.

Lining up

With the loss of second baseman Kazuo Matsui, who hit second in 2007, the Rockies figure to move shortstop Troy Tulowitzki into the No. 2 spot on a regular basis this season. Tulowitzki hit .297 in the second spot last year. Projected lineup:

CF Willy Taveras

SS Troy Tulowitzki

LF Matt Holliday

1B Todd Helton

3B Garrett Atkins

RF Brad Hawpe

C Yorvit Torrealba

2B Jayson Nix

For starters

The Rockies are pretty well set in the first four spots in the rotation. Left-hander Jeff Francis and Aaron Cook are definite. If right-handers Jason Hirsh and Ubaldo Jimenez aren't in the rotation, it would be a major surprise. The fifth spot will be a focal point of spring training. Rookie left-hander Franklin Morales will be challenged by left-hander Mark Redman and right-hander Kip Wells. The losers figure to wind up in relief roles, although Morales could return to Colorado Springs so he could pitch regularly in the rotation. Morales was with Colorado Springs for three starts last year before being promoted.

In relief

Right-hander Manny Corpas has taken over as the closer. Left-hander Brian Fuentes and right-hander Luis Vizcaino will fill the left-right setup roles. Right- hander Matt Herges will fill a long-relief role. The three other bullpen spots are wide open.

* Right-handed candidates: Ryan Speier, Ramon Ramirez, Kip Wells (if he does not win a role as a starter), Juan Morillo, Taylor Buchholz.

* Left-handed candidates: John Koronka, Chris George, Micah Bowie, Mark Redman (if he does not win a role as a starter), Franklin Morales (if he does not win a role as a starter), Josh Newman.

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