Footprints in the Snow: Colorado Rockies

Footprints in the Snow is FanHouse's look at the paths to be forged by MLB teams this winter as they look ahead to 2009.

One season after the most remarkable run to a pennant ever, the Colorado Rockies learned that you can't rely on that sort of magic every season. The Rox rode the ecstasy right into the brick wall of 2008 ... otherwise known as reality. It's the same reality that forced the organization to send Matt Holliday riding off into the sunset. And unfortunately, reality also says that the sell-off isn't quite over. There has to be a way to sell and still contend for the N.L. West, right?
Who May Leave?
RP Brian Fuentes (Type A free agent)
RP Matt Herges (free agent)
SP Livan Hernandez (free agent)
C Adam Melhuse (free agent)
OF Scott Podsednik (free agent)
SP Glendon Rusch (free agent)
3B Garrett Atkins (inevitable trade)
RP Huston Street (possible trade)

What Do They Need?
With Holliday gone, and with Atkins on the way out, it's tempting to say they need some offense to replace them. The fact of the matter is that even with Holliday and Atkins, the Rockies were in the middle of the pack in the National League offensively last season, compared to near the top in '07. Injuries to Todd Helton and Troy Tulowitzki destroyed their seasons, and there were dropoffs in the performances of Atkins and Willy Taveras from '07 to '08. Instead of overhauling the offense and going after every big bat available, the Rockies will depend on Ian Stewart to take over for the departing Atkins, and the Holliday trade haul -- Carlos Gonzalez -- to blossom as either a replacement for Holliday, or an upgrade in center field for Taveras. They could also use a healthy Helton and Tulowitzki. This leaves us with the eternal need for the Rockies in Coors Field, which remains pitching (15th in the NL in ERA last season). They'll need starters, and they'll need a closer with the impending departure of Brian Fuentes.

What Should They Do?
Make sure they do better in their deals for Atkins and Street than they did for Holliday. A rumored deal floating around for Atkins would be for the Twins send Michael Cuddyer in a package for the third baseman. Fine enough, but the Rockies have to make sure that any deal for Atkins would bring back some solid starting pitching in return, preferably a major leaguer such as Nick Blackburn. And if they indeed deal Street, they should hope to bring back a starter in return for him as well. If they upgrade at center field, free agent Rocco Baldelli is an interesting name to keep an eye on, as would be Jim Edmonds if he decides not to retire. Both would cover more ground in spacious center field than a higher-priced player like say Pat Burrell would in left field. Seeing Burrell hit in Coors Field would be intriguing. Watching him play defense in Colorado would be hilarious. (Watching Manny Ramirez play left at Coors would also be pretty funny, but the Rockies should at least look at signing him for the sake of keeping him away from L.A.)

And in terms of a closer, if Bobby Jenks is indeed available out of Chicago, the Rockies would do well to investigate whether they have the prospects to grab a guy who will come cheaper than Fuentes would.

What Will They Do?
The Atkins trade will most likely bring back minor leaguers. If the Twins are involved, Philip Humber could be involved instead of Blackburn. Cuddyer would most likely be the guy who will go the other way and play left field, saving the Rockies from dipping into the free-agent waters.

The Rockies will most likely stand relatively pat with their offense and add a back-end starter or two to round out the rotation. I wouldn't be surprised if the Rockies brought back 2007's "dragonslayer" Josh Fogg, or trade Street to the Mets for Aaron Heilman and turn him into a starter. Reclamation projects with a little upside such as Mark Prior and Carl Pavano are also possibilities. The fact of the matter is that the Rockies will most likely do nothing more than tinker after shedding the expensive names. They probably feel that in the NL West, they could shed payroll and actually contend ... especially if Manny Ramirez somehow leaves L.A. I'm not sure that's a legitimate line of thinking, but that's the thinking Rockies fans will most likely be fed by management in the weeks and months to come.