A Rock-Solid Foundation

GMs around the league should take notice of what Executive V.P. and GM Dan O’Dowd is quickly accomplishing with the youth in his Colorado ball club. Look around the diamond at their imposing lineup, and you will see a potent group with a ton of power from both sides of the plate and not a whole lot of age. The oldest starting position player on the team at 34, is 1B Todd Helton, who is under contract through the 2011 season with an option for 2012. A good investment since Helton’s durability over the past decade has never wavered. He has played in a minimum of 144 games each season over that stretch and appeared in at least 153 games in seven of those years, collecting a lifetime batting average of .332. Better yet, Helton has never in his career hit below .302 over the course of a full season. His second worst full year batting average came in 1998 when Helton hit .315. Not too shabby. Also, as a baseball fanatic, I am obligated to brag for the quiet Helton. To do so, I am providing the following stats: In 2000, Helton set career bests in several major offensive categories. Appearing in 160 games, he batted a Willy Mays-like .372, both career highs. He walked 103 times versus only 61 strikeouts. That year, Helton drove in 146 runs, while collecting a career best 59 doubles, 42 homers, over 200 hits for the first time in his career.

I digress. Jayson Nix, the Rockies' prime prospect at second base is only 25 with no years of Major League experience, meaning the Rockies control him for the next six years at the least. He will compete for playing time with the slick fielding Omar Quintanilla and Ian Stewart, who turns 23 during the 2008 season’s first week. This trio, along with injury plagued veterans in decline, Clint Barmes and Macus Giles, give the Rockies a number of infield options and a series of tough decisions to make before spring training breaks. More importantly, they give the organization options for many years to come.

At third base, Garrett Atkins is a true MVP contender after posting an average of over .300 with 25+ HR and over 110 RBI in each of the past two seasons. Also, Atkins has not yet struck out 100 times in a season, and at 28, he only promises to get better. The third baseman is under the Rockies’ control for the next three seasons, thanks to arbitration years, and the Rockies are exploring a possible longer term deal. With Atkins at third, Ian Stewart is blocked at his primary position. If Stewart fails to win the second base job, either he or Atkins, if moved, will net the Rockies some great value in another area that could be strengthened (i.e. center field or the pitching staff that is already growing in strength).

This past winter, the Rockies inked top prospect Troy Tulowitzki to a $31 million deal to hold down shortstop at Coors Field for the next six years. The Rockies also agreed to terms to buy out 28 year old left fielder Matt Holliday’s final two arbitration years (2008 and 2009) with a $23 million contract. Holliday, who established himself as a legitimate Triple Crown threat (.340/36/137) has also improved a previously lackadaisical defensive approach to turn himself into a fine all-around ballplayer.

Joining these players in Colorado for the next three years and $17.25 million is RF Brad Hawpe, 28, who is also guaranteed either a $10 million salary in 2011 or a $500,000 buyout, allowing him to cash in elsewhere. Hawpe is certainly deserving of this hefty pay increase, after batting .291, with 29 homers, and 116 RBI in 2007, his second consecutive season of 150+ games played, 20+ HR, and .290+ batting average.

The Rockies front office also signed a veteran pitcher in his prime, Aaron Cook, to a four year, $34 million extension this winter, and staff ace Jeff Francis has three years remaining on the four year, $13.25 million deal he inked last winter. Another member of the pitching staff, closer Manny Corpas, recently signed a four year, $8 million contract to nail down games for Colorado. The Rockies also boast the catching tandem of 29 year old Yorvit Torrealba, whom the Rockies just signed for two years, and the young Chris Iannetta who turns 25 on April 8.

The Rockies also retain the rights to the speedy Willy Tavares, who just completed his third full big league season, although injuries limited him to just 97 appearances (85 starts in the outfield). Tavares agreed to a one year contract with the Rockies this year, avoiding arbitration. The contract is valued at just under $2 million. The 26 year old center fielder is not eligible to become a free agent until 2011, so he also could be a fixture atop the Colorado lineup and where he can score 110+ runs for years to come.

The future is bright Colorado, make no mistake about it. This year’s World Series run was certainly no fluke, and more people should be picking them to top the suddenly competitive NL West in 2008 instead of the Dodgers and Padres who have been the favorites to compete for the pennant in recent years.