Rockies' decisions being based on winning now

By Tracy Ringolsby, Rocky Mountain News

Originally published 07:00 p.m., March 28, 2008
Updated 11:23 p.m., March 28, 2008

Two events during spring training underscored the change in the Rockies' mindset.

The team never entertained a trade offer for left-handed reliever Brian Fuentes, and they were willing to send outfielder Cory Sullivan to Triple-A Colorado Springs.

The Rockies have reached a point where decisions are made about how to win now, not in an effort to try to pare the payroll with an eye on the future.

Fuentes has been displaced as the closer by Manny Corpas, but Fuentes is making $5.05 million, a sizable sum for a setup man. Fuentes, though, is a quality left-hander, and his presence enhances the Rockies' chances to defend the National League pennant, a franchise first, they won in 2007.

Sullivan, meanwhile, has a $1 million contract - the Rockies could have gotten out of it for $250,000 if they had released him Tuesday - and they believe he could become a factor as the season progresses because of what he brings defensively.

So, in weighing the decision to keep either Sullivan or Scott Podsednik, who would have opted out of his deal and become a free agent if he hadn't made the team, the Rockies received ownership approval to pay Sullivan a seven-figure sum to play in the minor leagues.

And with that flexibility, the Rockies finalized their roster Friday night, keeping Podsednik and Bowie, and sending Sullivan and right-handed reliever Ryan Speier to Colorado Springs.

With those moves, the Rockies put the final touches on spring training and began looking ahead to the season opener Monday in St. Louis, ready to let what happened in Arizona the past six weeks stay in Arizona.

• March 29, 2008

  8:46 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  monty90321 writes:

  Good I hope Sullivan never gets called up... Maybe in Sept.

• March 29, 2008

  10:39 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  tulorockies writes:

  Do the Rockies write these articles and submit them to the paper for publication? If their decisions were based on winning, they would have spent the money and acquired another starting pitcher which is what they desperately need. Instead, they let the Diamondbacks trade prospects for Dan Haren. If the decisions were based on winning, they would have spent the money and signed Holliday and Atkins to long-term deals.

• March 29, 2008

  1:10 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Blind_Pete writes:

  I beg to differ tulo. By definition, a "long term" contract is about the future. The contracts for Holliday and Atkins ARE about winning today, and next year. As for Dan Haren for prospects, the Rocks are well versed in the risks of giving up too much (money or prospects) for a starting pitcher. Their kids have outperformed every effort they ever made to sign marquee pitchers. So, not going for Haren hardly makes them negligent in trying to win today, especially given all the other contracts they've gotten signed by the key core lineup.

• March 29, 2008

  9:30 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Hazardous_T writes:

  I think the rest of the division plays for the wildcard this year. The only mistake the Rox made was letting Kaz go. However Nix did a good job this spring and Podsednik brings the speed to the basepaths that was lost.

  Make mine 96-66 and another 98 years until Boston wins their next series.

• March 30, 2008

  8:22 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  warrengfunk7 writes:

  The Rockies don't need a starting pitcher! They now have one of the most talented starting rotations in the NL. Sure, the latter end of that rotation is young, but it is also the most talented.

  -Francis and Cook will match the production of Webb and Haren
  -Ubaldo and Morles are a better #3, #4 starter combo than any NL team except the Mets and Giants.

  NL West Projections:

  1.) Colorado Rockies -- 104-58 (W-L)
  2.) LA Dodgers -- 90-72 (W-L)
  3.) San Diego Padres -- 84-78 (W-L)
  4.) Arizona Diamondbacks -- 82-80 (W-L)
  5.) San Fransisco Giants -- 62-100 (W-L)