Colorado Rockies

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Chris Fry

Chris Fry created this group on SportProjections.com.

2008 Colorado Rockies Preview and Predictions

Contributor: Tom Stephenson, mvn.com/mlb-rockies

2007 Record: 90-73

2007 Summary: The Rockies had a shaky start to the season, but rebounded and closed out the season by winning 14 of 15 to take the wild card. The 11-game winning streak from September 16-27 set a franchise record.

Matt Holliday narrowly missed out on the MVP award, and rookie shortstop Troy Tulowitzki very nearly won the Rookie of the Year award, finishing a close second behind Ryan Braun. Less publicity was given to the solid seasons enjoyed by Garrett Atkins and Brad Hawpe, but they were key cogs in the Rockies' lineup.

The Rockies overcame several injuries to pitchers during the season. Jason Hirsh, Rodrigo Lopez, and Aaron Cook were all lost for the season during a two-week stretch in late July and early August, but rookies Ubaldo Jimenez and Franklin Morales pitched well down the stretch to help the playoff push. The star of the staff was Jeff Francis, who tied a franchise record with 17 wins and also had a 4.22 ERA.

2008 Key Additions: The Rockies shored up the bullpen with the acquisitions of free agent Luis Vizcaino and Jose Capellan, obtained in a trade with Detroit. Kip Wells and Josh Towers were brought in to provide insurance for the pitching staff. For the most part, though, it was a quiet offseason for the Rockies.

2008 Key Losses: Kaz Matsui departed in free agency for the Astros. Josh Fogg, LaTroy Hawkins, and Jeremy Affeldt also departed in free agency.

2008 Starting Lineup:
1. Willy Taveras CF
2. Troy Tulowitzki SS
3. Matt Holliday LF
4. Todd Helton 1B
5. Garrett Atkins 3B
6. Brad Hawpe RF
7. Yorvit Torrealba C
8. Jayson Nix 2B

2008 Starting Rotation: Jeff Francis, Aaron Cook, Ubaldo Jimenez, Jason Hirsh, Franklin Morales

2008 Closer: Manny Corpas

2008 MVP: Jeff Francis. The Rockies' unsung hero last season, Francis rebounded from a slow start to win 12 of 13 decisions over the summer. The difference between a good season and a great season for the team will be a standout performance from Francis.

The Rockies will be successful if: The cast is almost the same one that ran to the NL pennant late last season, so the key is to build on last season and hope that the pitching can be consistent. That's asking a lot of a 24-year-old (Jimenez) and a 22-year-old (Morales), but the West is so tough that any drop-off will cause the Rockies to be sitting at home this October.

2008 Season Prediction: While the Rockies largely stayed quiet in the offseason, the Diamondbacks and Dodgers made moves to improve their teams. The West will be even tougher in 2008 than it was last year, but the Rockies should be in the race until the end. Call it a homer pick, but I think 2008 will finally be the year that the Rockies claim the division title.

Standings Prediction:
1. Colorado Rockies
2. Los Angeles Dodgers
3. Arizona Diamondbacks
4. San Diego Padres
5. San Francisco Giants

denverpost.com

Selig: all key Games will go the distance

Baseball commissioner Bud Selig announced the sport will enact a rules change stating that postseason games cannot be shortened because of bad weather.

Wakamatsu makes history with M's

Don Wakamatsu became the first Asian-American manager in major-league baseball history when he was hired Wednesday by the Mariners.

New facility a top priority

When it comes to a future spring training home, the Rockies are house hunting.

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denverpost.com

EY Jr. added to the 40-man roster

Eric Young Jr., who has a terrific Arizona Fall League showing as both a second baseman and outfielder, was among the headliners as the Rockies filled out their 40-man roster leading up to the Rule 5 draft. Among the others added: RHPs Samuel Deduno, Shane Lindsay, Ryan Mattheus, infielder Hector Gomez, infielder Chris Nelson. Edwin Bellorin, [...]

Wakamatsu to Mariners, Dempster contract info

It was eight days ago that reality intervened with vacation. I was supposed to be on vacation when Matt Holliday was traded to the Oakland Athletics. It brought to mind not Dante Bichette, but Dante from “Clerks.” It was a spectacular movie where Dante repeated throughout the flick “I am not even supposed to be [...]

Holliday deal official with A’s

Holliday season has officially started in Oakland. Matt Holliday’s trade to Oakland became official today, the three-time All-Star shipped to the Athletics for closer Huston Street, starter Greg Smith and outfielder Carlos Gonzalez. “While it is difficult to have to say goodbye to a player with the skills that Matt possesses we wish him well,” said Rockies [...]

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rockymountainnews.com

Rockies talk to Butch Wynegar about hitting coach job

Former major league catcher Butch Wynegar has been added to the list of candidates under consideration for the Rockies' hitting coach position, the one opening remaining on the team's staff.

Mussina retires without 'any regrets'

Mike Mussina took a secret to the ballpark every day this past season. He knew this would be his final season as a player. Maybe that's why he was so successful on the mound, so jovial in the clubhouse.

RINGOLSBY: Pujols changes MVP stance

Two years ago, St. Louis first baseman Albert Pujols, fresh off helping his team win the World Series, was upset that he finished runner-up in Most Valuable Player voting to Ryan Howard of Philadelphia, which finished second in the National League East. This week, Pujols did a quick reversal.

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mlb.com

Rockies Hot Stove Report

Rockies tops in holiday madness

Catch the Rockies' July 4 win Sunday

Rockies set 40-man roster

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mvn.com/mlb-rockies

Offseason needs to address

In some ways, the Rockies should not have been this bad. But the 2008 season did point out some needs that the Rockies have. Starting pitcher. Heading into 2008, it actually appeared as though the Rockies had a pretty well-set rotation, with Francis, Cook, Jimenez, Hirsh, and Morales forming a decent set. Then Hirsh got hurt [...]

The long offseason begins today

The first item of news of the day is the heart-to-heart scheduled today between Dan O’Dowd and Clint Hurdle. There’s plenty of blame for 74-88 to go around on both sides of that table, but Hurdle says he’s interested in taking responsibility and O’Dowd… well, he’s blaming the team’s “abysmal” execution, mostly. Money quote from Hurdle: [...]

Mercifully, it’s over.

74-88. The season with perhaps the highest expectations in Rockies history instead ended with the same record as the 2003 Rockies, that squad that gave 111 starts at third base to Chris Stynes, he of the .734 career OPS. This was the encore the Rockies had for 2007? As we head into the long offseason, and look [...]