In odd numbered years the Rockies seem to make a habit of making a push towards the playoffs. They won 14 of their last 15 games to reach the 2007 post season, and 72 of their final110 to reach the wild card in 2010. They will return almost their entire roster in 2010, and will get a full year of Manager Jim Tracy, maybe it is that time for Rockies to make a strong post season push in an even numbered year.
In terms of questions about this team, we have to start with what can they reasonably expect from Pitcher Jeff Francis. Francis missed the entire 2009 season after shoulder surgery. The good news is the Rockies don’t necessarily need Francis; it would just be nice to have him. Ubaldo Jimenez steps in as the ace, and the Rockies are looking for Francis to be a solid back of the rotation guy.
Now we have to consider how much carryover the 2009 Rockies will have to the 2010 version. This team blitzed its way to the playoffs. On June third they were nine games better than any other team in the NL west. The fact here is they set a good mindset in 2009, and now the challenge will be to maintain that mindset.
The last big question facing this team is just how good can the Carlos Gonzales-Dexter Fowler combination be. These two will play left and center field respectively, and the answer for the question is scary good. Both enter 2010 as former highly touted prospects, and key parts of the success of the 2009 Rockies. The only concern is they are both prone to slumps. If Tracy can get inside their heads, look for the Rockies to run away with their division.
Related Links:
• Colorado Rockies news and notes • The Business of Major League Baseball •MTR Baseball.com
