Posted on March 4, 2011 at 11:58 PM
Filed Under: Colorado Rockies | Playing Pepper

For such a relatively young franchise (18 years--can it really have been that long), the Rockies have made their mark on baseball history and baseball storytelling in so many different ways.  There was the high altitude, then the fact that it was tempered by the humidor.  You've had the expensive contracts of Mike Hampton and Denny Neagle, as well as Rocktober a few years back.

Now, the Rockies are no longer laughingstocks, but aren't quite runaway favorites in their division either.  I exchanged emails with David Martin, Colorado BBA Chapter president and writer at Rockies Review about the 2011 version of the team.  You can follow David's blog on Facebook, by the way.

After the jump, some thoughts about possibly the best pitcher in Colorado's history.

RR: The Colorado Rockies had a phenomenal offseason. Despite doubters from the national media, the Rockies front office shocked their fans by not only locking up Troy Tulowitzki for 10 years, but also signing Carlos Gonzalez, a Scott Boras client, to a 7-year deal that takes him three years beyond arbitration. These signings quieted a crowd of Rockies fans who insisted that the ownership was stingy and not committed to winning. In addition to those players, the Rockies also made moves to bring in Jose Lopez, who can add some right handed power to a left-handed-heavy lineup, and also signed Ty Wigginton to a 2-year deal. Wigginton is a big pickup, because he can play first or third base, giving the Rockies a better option at first if Todd Helton doesn't rebound, and a right-handed bat at third if Ian Stewart continues to struggle against lefties. 

C70: How much will Ubaldo Jimenez and Carlos Gonzalez slide back, if any? 

RR: To ask either one of those guys to have a season like they did last year really isn't fair. However, I believe that Carlos Gonzalez is a .310/25/100 guy. His home/road splits were extreme, as many Coors Field hitters are, but this kid is the real deal. He can play anywhere, and if hits just a little better on the road, he should be an MVP candidate again. Ubaldo Jimenez had a breakthrough season. I believe that he was so good early on, that he felt he had to match it down the stretch. He had 15 wins at the All-Star Break and finished the season with just 19. Jimenez is as good as you will find. His fastball sits at 97-98 MPH, and he has the ability to hit 100. In addition, his two-seamer moves 8-10 inches. He is tough to hit. I believe that he will have an ERA below 3.00 and win 15+ games, depending on how much offensive support he gets. 

RR: Todd Helton will be the starting first baseman, but the plan is for him to get about 120 games in. That means about five games per week. He is a big key to the Rockies success. If he can stay healthy and figure out a way to have an OBP around .400, the Rockies will go far. If his back flares up again, Wigginton might become the Rockies everyday guy. 

RR: Look for Wilin Rosario to make a big impact with the big league club this year. Rosario hit .285 with 19 home runs and 52 RBIs at AA Tulsa before tearing his ACL in August. His OPS was .894. The Rockies have handed the catching reins to Chris Iannetta, who has disappointed them in three-of the-past four seasons. If Iannetta doesn't show that he has taken the next step by the end of May, look for a healthy Rosario to get a chance to show what he can do. 

RR: I believe that the Rockies will win 89 games. That could be good enough for a division title, but it could leave them on the outside looking in again. If they are able to stay healthy and figure out a way to hit just a little better on the road, they should be playing meaningful games at the end of September.