Colorado Rockies Lock Up All Stars

Colorado Rockies Lock Up All Stars

Colorado Rockies Lock Up All Stars

Just as they did in the past when they signed first baseman Todd Helton to a long term contract, the Colorado Rockies have locked up outfielder Carlos Gonzalez and short stop Troy Tulowitzki. The team signed both to multi million dollar contract extension in the off season, ensuring that Rockies fans will get to see the cornerstones of the franchise for years to come.

At 37, Helton may be on the down side of his career. He still plays solid defense at first base, but his power is dwindling and his batting average slipped to . 256 last year. Helton has battled back problems in the past and may need to be spelled at first from time to time by Jason Giambi.

There are few players in baseball at the short stop position that can even come close to Tulowtzkis combination of batting average and power production. Tulowitzki hit . 322 in 2010, with 27 long balls and 95 runs knocked in. The young short stop had a scorching month of September last season when he hit for a . 322 average, raking 15 homers while also netting 40 RBIs. The finish to last season have fans wondering what 2011 could bring.

While former short stop and second baseman Clint Barmes left to sign with the Houston Astros, the Rockies signed free agent infielder Ty Wigginton, formerly of the Baltimore Orioles. Wigginton is capable of playing third, short, and second base while providing some pop. Jose Lopez was brought over from the Seattle Mariners to play second base. Ian Stewart will play third and is capable of hitting 30 home runs.

In 2010, Gonzalez lived up to the promise that many saw in him. He hit . 336 with 34 home runs, 117 RBIs, and 26 stolen bases. A true five tool player, Gonzalez is just 25 and most players are said to hit their prime at age 27, so the numbers that Gonzalez could put up is staggering.

The next young player the Rockies might have to sign to a long term contract is pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez. Last year Jimenez helped the Rockies contend for the National Leagues Western Division by winning 19 games while losing just 8. At age 27, Jimenez threw 221.2 innings finishing with a superlative 2.88 earned run average and 214 strikeouts.

The starting rotation is anchored by Ubaldo Jimenez who really came into his own last season at age 27. Jimenez threw 221.2 innings, going 19-8 with a 2.88 earned run average and 214 strike outs. Jimenez has averaged 15 wins, 194 strike outs and a 3.43 ERA over the past three years. In 2011, he is likely to again contend for the Cy Young Award.

With a solid starting rotation and a hard throwing bullpen, the Rockies pitching staff should be capable of winning games and holding late inning leads in 2011. With a good blend of speed and ample power, the team should also score plenty of runs, giving them a chance to compete with the Los Angeles Dodgers and the defending World Champion San Francisco Giants this season.

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