| Christopher Reina. 28th March, 2008 - 7:21 pm
 The Rockies charged to the playoffs by going on an 11-game winning streak in late September and finally defeating the Padres in a one-game playoff. They then went on to sweep the Phillies and Rockies before being swept themselves by the Red Sox in the World Series.
It was the Rockies' first appearance in the World Series, an unexpected one to be sure that was over all too quickly. Does this team have enough pitching to get back to the World Series or even to the playoffs without that fall momentum they rode so well in 2007?
2007 Record: 90-73
2007 Pythagorean Record: 91-72
Team FIC Batting: 9.07 per game (5th overall)
Team FIC Pitching: 9.71 per game (7th overall)
Click here for more information about the Field Impact Counter and the Reina Value
What Happened Last Season
At the plate: The Rockies scored 860 runs in 2007, fifth in the entire MLB and second in the NL.
Matt Holliday led the Rockies in nearly every offensive category, finishing the season with a line of .340/.405/.607. He had the 6th best season FIC (295) and had a +264% Reina Value.
After nearly being traded in the winter, Todd Helton went on to bat .320/.435/.494. He isn't the power hitter he was back in 2000/2001, but his consistency is invaluable.
Troy Tulowitzki won the NL ROY, playing a great shortstop and hitting 24 homers.
Brad Hawpe hit .291/.387/.539 with 29 homers while Willy Tavares had a .367 OBP and stole 33 bases. Kaz Matsui finally found US-success with his .342 OBP and 32 stolen bases.
Garrett Atkins played a good third base and hit .301/.367/.486. He was especially solid, like so many Rockies, in the second half when he had a .940 OPS and a .372 BAbip.
On the mound: The Rockies were 8th in the NL in runs allowed with 758 in 2007 and were particularly strong in the second half, yielding an excellent 3.86 ERA.
The call-ups of prospects Franklin Morales and Ubaldo Jimenez helped spurn the push. Jimenez had a 4.28 ERA in 15 starts while the lefty Morales had a 3.43 ERA in his eight starts.
Jeff Francis finished ninth in Cy Young voting, finishing the season with a 17-9 record and a 4.22 ERA. He struck out 165 batters while walking just 63.
Aaron Cook was also effective, posting a 4.12 ERA over 165.7 innings.
The bullpen was a definite area of strength with their 3.85 ERA for the season. Manuel Corpas is an excellent young closer, saving 19 games with a 2.08 ERA. He was setup by Brian Fuentes (who saved 20 games himself), Jeremy Affeldt (3.51), Matt Herges (2.96), Latroy Hawkins (3.42,) and Jorge Julio (3.93).
What Happened In The Offseason
The offseason was more about players leaving Denver than actually arriving and riding the wave of the World Series appearance.
Affeldt and Josh Fogg signed with Cincinnati, Hawkins signed with the Yankees, Matsui ended in Houston, and Julio is a member of the Tribe.
Catcher Yorvit Torreabla agreed to a deal with the Mets but failed a physical and is back in Colorado.
What Could Happen This Season
At the plate: The Rockies will surely finish in the top three in runs scored in the NL. They have a powerful lineup that also features nice speed that succeeds in any ballpark.
Holliday joins David Wright on the short list of MVP candidates, and I expect Hawpe to take another step forward in 2008. Atkins is also poised for a season similar to 2006 when he had a .965 OPS.
On the mound: Francis and Cook are the number one and two starters, pitchers with less upside than the youngsters, but are dependable thin air pitchers.
Jimenez and Morales will need to prove that they can succeed for a full season while veteran Mark Redman fills out the rotation.
Their bullpen clearly took a hit in the winter with the losses of Affeldt, Julio, and Hawkins, but there are many quality arms remaining. Corpas appears to be elite, and Fuentes has done well in the setup role.
What Should Happen This Season
The Rockies clearly improved over the course of the 2007 season, but their September charge was shocking and unlikely to be repeated. In a four-team deep NL West, they will have to play consistent ball throughout the entire season, which is something I'm not sure their pitching staff can handle. The runs will surely come, but will their yield be too prohibitive?
Five biggest questions
1. How well will Morales and Jimenez perform over a full season?
2. Can Helton continue his resurgence?
3. How much will the losses in their bullpen affect their late-inning abilities?
4. Will this be the MVP season for Holliday so many people are predicting?
5. How good will the remainder of the NL West be?
Prediction: 84-78
More 2008 Season Previews
- Los Angeles Angels
- Atlanta Braves
- Washington Nationals
- Tampa Bay Rays
- Miwaukee Brewers
- Seattle Mariners
- Los Angeles Dodgers
- Cleveland Indians
- Toronto Blue Jays
- Detroit Tigers
- San Francisco Giants
- Christopher Reina is the executive editor of RealGM and the creator of the Reina Value. |
