Colorado Rockies Plan For The Future

Todd Helton enters his fourteenth season in 2011 and is 37 years old. With his contract up at the end of the year, Helton could be in his final season. If so, the Colorado Rockies have ensured that they have their nucleus for winning signed for years to come. This past winter, the team signed short stop Troy Tulowitzki and outfielder Carlos Gonzalez to new contract extensions.

Helton has been the face of the Colorado team for 13 seasons. At age 37, Helton is in the final year of his contract and it is unknown if he will be back in 2012 for season fifteen. He hit . 325 in 2009 but in 2010 the average was down to . 256 and he hit just eight home runs with 37 runs batted in, all below average for big league first basemen. The last time Helton hit over 20 home runs was in 2004, but he does play solid defense and provides veteran leadership in the clubhouse.

While Tulowitzki and Gonzalez lead the offensive fire power, they do have capable assistance in the batting order. Helton could still be productive, though his power is long gone. Helton last hit more than 20 home runs in 2004. Dexter Fowler provides range in center field which is important in spacious Coors Field. Fowler is also capable of stealing bases and scoring runs from the top of the lineup. Ryan Spillborghs and Seth Smith will platoon in right field. Both could possibly play full time for other teams.

While former short stop and second baseman Clint Barmes left to sign with the Houston Astros, the Rockies signed free agent infielder Ty Wigginton, formerly of the Baltimore Orioles. Wigginton is capable of playing third, short, and second base while providing some pop. Jose Lopez was brought over from the Seattle Mariners to play second base. Ian Stewart will play third and is capable of hitting 30 home runs.

In 2010, Gonzalez lived up to the promise that many saw in him. He hit . 336 with 34 home runs, 117 RBIs, and 26 stolen bases. A true five tool player, Gonzalez is just 25 and most players are said to hit their prime at age 27, so the numbers that Gonzalez could put up is staggering.

Colorado closer Huston Street saved 35 games in 2009, but he has battled injuries throughout his career, first with the Athletics and now with the Rockies. Street has averaged just 59 innings over the past three seasons, with an average of 24 saves. It is because of Streets uncertain health that the team brought in Matt Lindstrom from Houston. Last year with the Astros, Lindstrom was asked to close for much of the season as Brandon Lyon also battled injuries. Lindstrom responded with 23 saves in 53 innings, though his ERA was a bit high at 4.39.

While Jimenez became the ace of the staff and will likely be the Rockies opening day starter, Jorge DeLaRosa, a lefty, is also solid and still capable of a big season. He battled injuries in 2010, finishing the season 8-7 with a 4.22 ERA in just 121.2 innings. In 2009, DelaRosa looked like he was on the verge of becoming a 20 game winner. He finished that season with a 16-9 record, a 4.38 ERA in 185 innings with 193 strikeouts. If he returns to that form, he will give the Rockies quite a one-two punch at the top of the rotation. DeLaRosa is joined in the rotation by Jason Hammel, Jhoulys Chacin and veteran Aaron Cook.

With a solid starting rotation and a hard throwing bullpen, the Rockies pitching staff should be capable of winning games and holding late inning leads in 2011. With a good blend of speed and ample power, the team should also score plenty of runs, giving them a chance to compete with the Los Angeles Dodgers and the defending World Champion San Francisco Giants this season.