Rockies' winter forecast
How the Rockies are approaching the offseason in regard to:
• Rotation. Use ink for the names of Aaron Cook, Jeff Francis and Ubaldo Jimenez. Give an edge to Jason Hirsh and Franklin Morales for the two other spots. RHP Josh Fogg is gone if he gets an expected three-year, $21 million offer. The Rockies have interest in re-signing Jason Jennings if a medical check eases concerns about a recent operation. They also would like to bring back Elmer Dessens and Mark Redman on minor league deals.
• Bullpen. Corpas and Fuentes give the Rockies quality in late innings. Ryan Speier has shown the ability to handle middle work, and Taylor Buchholz is a quality arm in a long role. The Rockies hope to re-sign Matt Herges and have interest in LaTroy Hawkins, but at a major reduction from the $3.5 million of last season. Darren Clarke, Juan Morillo, Pedro Stroop and Casey Weathers could rise from the minors at some point in 2008. And Shawn Chacon has expressed interest in returning.
• Catcher. Chris Iannetta is the long-range hope, but the Rockies want a veteran presence, which is why they would like to re-sign Yorvit Torrealba or pursue Jason Kendall and Paul Lo Duca on the free-agent market.
• Infield. 1B Todd Helton, 3B Garrett Atkins and SS Troy Tulowitzki are set. 2B Kazuo Matsui will be offered a contract, but the Rockies also have internal options with Jamey Carroll, Clint Barmes, Omar Quintanilla and Jayson Nix. They figure into a utility role, too.
• Outfield. LF Matt Holliday, CF Willy Taveras and RF Brad Hawpe are back along with fourth outfielder Ryan Spilborghs. Cory Sullivan provides a left-handed backup to Taveras but could become an expensive extra man because of arbitration. Seth Smith showed promise in September and in the postseason but won't be kept in the big leagues if he doesn't get at-bats.