2011 Record: 73-89
Key Additions: Marco Scutaro (2B), Jeremy Guthrie (P), Zach Putnam (P), Jamie Moyer (P), Guillermo Moscoso (P), Josh Outman (P), Michael Cuddyer (OF), Casey Blake (3B), Ramon Hernandez (C), Kevin Slowey (P), Tyler Colvin (OF)
Subtractions: Jason Hammel (P), Matt Lindstrom (P), Kevin Slowey (P), Seth Smith (OF), Huston Street (P), Chris Iannetta (C), Ian Stewart (3B), Kevin Millwood (P), Mark Ellis (2B), Ubaldo Jimenez (P)
2012 Outlook: The Rockies had arguably one of the busiest offseasons in all of the MLB and after a down year in 2011, the moves look like they will pay off. One of the most underrated moves of the offseason was likely one of the biggest steals when Dan O’Dowd was able to get Marco Scutaro, the former Jays shortstop, from the Red Sox for Clayton Mortensen. While the Rockies were able to acquire their new starting second basemen in Marco Scutaro, the Red Sox only really obtained $6 million in salary relief and a former supplementary first round pick (2007) pitcher who has a 5.12 ERA, a 4.7 K/9 rate and a 3.7 BB/9 rate in 24 Major League games (13 of them starts) with the Rockies, A's and Cardinals. As well, Dan O’Dowd was able to sign Michael Cuddyer to a three-year $31.5 Million contract, which is the first big free agent signing for Colorado since 2000 and will expect big things from the former Twin.
However, the Rockies biggest improvement is with all of their new arms. Since the end of the World Series in 2011, the Rockies have added 6 new pitchers (Kevin Slowey was added and then traded away, so 5 total) and have a depth chart as far as the starting rotation and bullpen go, that is loaded with potential. Unfortunately, Jorge De La Rosa is out of action until at least May, and they play half of their games in a very hitter friendly ballpark, that has been notoriously unkind to pitchers, which may have been key to their disappointing season last year.
Within their division last year, they had the best team average, scored the most runs, hit the second most home runs, but had the worst ERA (second worst in all of the NL). So despite an impressive offense last year, lead by the likes of Troy Tulowitzki, Carlos Gonzalez, and Todd Helton, they just didn’t have the pitching to support them and stumbled to a fourth place finish, but with the overall Dan O’Dowd has completed, the pitching looks to improve, and hopefully carry this team closer to the post-season once more. In order to do so, Colorado’s key players will need to continue to deliver outstanding performances, their veteran’s will need to continue to lead by example, and their young up-and-coming prospects will need to perform in a consistent fashion, otherwise it will be another busy offseason for Dan O’Dowd.
The Final Count: 85-77, Third in NL West.
With the addition of a second Wild Card in each league, the Rockies may find themselves in a post-season run in the heat of the summer, but they are lacking the necessary pieces to really make a strong push to get back to the postseason, despite being in one of the weakest divisions in the MLB. There is no doubt this team has improved, but they still have a little more to go. A strong showing at the trade deadline could help this team’s fortunes a great deal.
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