Well one thing that jumps out at you is the $16.6 M that goes to one player. Helton is obviously a fan favorite who has played on some mediocre teams at best. Awesome numbers, off year last year, will Todd ever get a chance to play for a playoff team? This is supposed to be the year the Rockies make strides in that direction. We've put up with the GenR logo for long enough...it is time for these youngsters to start making a run for the division. All the pundits don't give the Roxs too much of a chance with an average of a 4th or 5th place finish in the division. Throw in that Vegas only expects a 73 win season and well what does a long time Rockie fan have to smile about?
Well I for one think the Roxs will make strides this year (assuming our coach doesn't bunt our way out of anything!). Realistically the division isn't all that great...no real powerhouses. The Giants are old, LA's offensive is hit or miss, San Diego is consistent, and Arizona has touted young players (wait minute, why do they get headlines for their young players, what about ours?). Pitching is always an issue but alot of NL West teams are banking on some old arms (Maddux and Johnson come to mind). It is a long season...I like youth.
The Roxs lineup could be potent with Taveras and Matsui as table setters for the big bats of Atkins, Helton, Holliday, and Hawpe. Not the Blake Street Bombers but maybe the "20 Somethings". Hopefully Atkins, Holliday, and Hawpe continue to mature and add to their HR totals. The bottom of the order has some questions but who worries about the 7 - 9 hitters?
Pitching will continue to win divisions. Last year the Roxs had a break out season (they didn't finish last or next to last in pitching stats!). They will miss their ace but hopefully Hirsch will be something. Cook and Francis are a good 1 - 2 punch with some hope that Lopez will be glad to be out of the AL East. The relief corps is decent. I like the Roxs to finish better than 4th or 5th. I predict they will win 83 games. Maybe be a outside player for the Wild Card.
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