After losing 20 of their first 50 games in 2009, the Colorado Rockies appeared headed toward another disappointing season.
They fired manager Clint Hurdle, who was 18-28 in his eighth season with the club. In last place in the NL West, the Rockies trailed the Los Angeles Dodgers by 14 1/2 games, less than two years after reaching the World Series.
But bench coach Jim Tracy replaced Hurdle and guided the club back into the playoff race - first with a 21-7 record in June, then a 15-11 mark in July, and finally, a 16-12 clip in August.
The Rockies fell just short of catching the Dodgers at three games back, but they won the wild card berth before falling 3-1 in the NL division series to the Philadelphia Phillies.
With healthy optimism, Colorado enters its final spring training in Tucson with relatively the same roster, a strong rotation, solid defense and consistent hitters such as Todd Helton, Brad Hawpe and Troy Tulowitzki.
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"We came here to be good because we like our team," Tracy said. "We like what we know how to do. We're trying to perfect some of those things. We're not going to be afraid of an expectation."
Will the Rockies contend again in the NL West?
After reaching the playoffs in two of the last three seasons, the Rockies are still seeking their first division championship.
Starting pitchers Ubaldo Jimenez, Aaron Cook, Jorge De La Rosa and Jason Hammel return. Each won at least 10 games last season, and left-hander Jeff Francis is back after missing all of 2009 because of a shoulder injury.
"We lost Jason Marquis, a great help to this team, a leader, but you replace him with Jeff Francis. (He's) very capable of getting it done," closer Huston Street said. "Hammel and De La Rosa and (Jimenez), they all got better, and Cooky is going to be Cooky. He's our ace and he's Mr. Dependable. But everyone's gotten a lot better."
As for their main competitors, the Dodgers have some question marks about their pitching, and the San Francisco Giants again may have to overcome offensive struggles.
Will Jeff Francis make a successful comeback?
Francis, a left-hander coming off shoulder surgery, entered spring training with no limitations. In the off-season, he pitched in the Dominican Republic.
Francis is tabbed as a possible No. 2 starter. If he can be the 2007 Francis - 17-9 record and 4.22 ERA - the Rockies should be in playoff contention. If he reverts to the 2008 Francis - 4-10 record and 5.01 ERA - the Rockies might have problems.
What questions must the Rockies answer during spring training?
With most of the starting positions locked up, Tracy mainly will decide on bench roles and the bullpen.
Jason Giambi, Melvin Mora, Seth Smith and Ryan Spilborghs will make up a deep bench. Miguel Olivo and Chris Iannetta will compete for the starting catcher's role.
Colorado Rockies
Manager
• Jim Tracy, second season. When Clint Hurdle was fired after an 18-28 start, Tracy was promoted to manager and led the Rockies to a 74-42 mark and the wild card, and was named NL Manager of the Year in his eighth managerial season overall. He also guided the Los Angeles Dodgers from 2001 to 2005, and the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2006 and 2007.
2009
• 92-70, second in the NL West.
Strength
• Hitting. The Rockies return their core group from the 2009 squad, and Colorado can be strong offensively again. The Rockies ranked second in the NL in RBIs and were second in home runs, first in walks drawn and seventh in batting average. Their hitting against left-handed pitching can be better, as evidenced by how they fared in the NLDS against the Philadelphia Phillies' Cliff Lee. But with Todd Helton, Troy Tulowitzki and Brad Hawpe back, Colorado can contend for the NL West again.
Weakness
• Hitting lefties. The Rockies struggled last season in hitting .253 against left-handed pitchers. They also hit .259 with runners in scoring position, second worst in team history. The Rockies also ranked second in the NL in strikeouts at 1,277, behind the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Worth watching
• Tulowitzki - after injuries dampened his 2008 season, the worst of his career, the shortstop returned strong in 2009, hitting a career-high .297 with 92 RBIs, a career-high 32 home runs and 20 stolen bases. He also finished fifth in the MVP voting. Will his performance and leadership rise to new heights in 2010?
Impact player
• Center fielder Dexter Fowler. In his first full major-league season at 23, hit .266 with 29 doubles, 10 triples, four home runs and 27 stolen bases in 135 games. He finished tied for eighth in Rookie of the Year voting. He also provided a highlight reel when he stole five bases against the San Diego Padres in April. Continuing to supply the Rockies with speed, he is expected to start in center field.
Who's back
• Catcher Chris Iannetta - hit .228 with 16 home runs and 52 RBIs in 93 games.
• Francis - a shoulder injury forced the left-hander to miss all of last season. He went 4-10 with a 5.01 ERA in 2008.
• First baseman Jason Giambi - former American League MVP hit .292 with two home runs and 11 RBIs in 19 games for the Rockies last season.
• Morales - posted a 4.50 ERA in 40 innings. Will be used as a left-handed specialist but can also be a candidate for the rotation.
• Outfielder Seth Smith - the fourth outfielder hit .293 with 15 home runs and 55 RBIs last season.
• Reliever Manuel Corpas - while dealing with elbow troubles, he posted a 5.88 ERA in 33 2/3 innings.
• Reliever Rafael Betancourt - right-handed setup man went 3-1 with a 1.78 ERA in 32 games after arriving in a deal from the Cleveland Indians.
• Outfielder Ryan Spilborghs - hit .241 with eight home runs and 48 RBIs and will contend for a reserve role.
• Infielder Clint Barmes - tabbed to be the second baseman, he hit .245 in 154 games last season.
• Outfielder Carlos Gonzalez - hit .284 with 13 home runs in 89 games and will likely play left field. He could also see time in center to spell Fowler.
• Right-hander Taylor Buchholz - missed the 2009 season and is expected to be back around midseason after undergoing elbow surgery.
• Outfielder Eric Young - batted .246 in 30 games and can play center field and second base. He can get more experience at third and in left and right field.
• Jason Hammel - right-hander went 10-8 with a 4.33 ERA in 34 games, including 30 starts.
Who's new
• Catcher Miguel Olivo - batted .249 in 114 games with the Kansas City Royals last season. He will compete with Iannetta for playing time.
• Infielder Melvin Mora - two-time All-Star hit .260 with eight home runs and 48 RBIs for the Orioles last season. He could see time at third and shortstop.
Sarah Trotto
SCHEDULE
March
4 Rockies at D-backs, 1:05 p.m.
5 Rockies at Giants, 1:05 p.m. (ss); Rockies at Angels, 1:05 p.m. (ss)
6 Brewers at Rockies, 1:10 p.m.
7 D-backs at Rockies, 1:10 p.m. (ss); Rockies at D-backs, 1:05 p.m. (ss)
8 Rockies at Padres, 1:05 p.m.
9 Rockies at Dodgers, 1:05 p.m.
10 Royals at Rockies, 1:10 p.m.
11 Rangers at Rockies, 1:10 p.m.
12 Giants at Rockies, 1:10 p.m.
13 Rockies at Brewers, 1:05 p.m.
14 Rockies vs. D-backs in Hermosillo, 1:05 p.m. (ss); Mariners at Rockies, 1:10 p.m. (ss)
15 Cubs at Rockies, 1:10 p.m.
16 Rockies at White Sox, 1:05 p.m.
17 Indians at Rockies, 1:10 p.m.
18 Rockies at Mariners, 1:05 p.m.
19 Athletics at Rockies, 1:10 p.m.
20 Angels at Rockies, 1:10 p.m.
21 Rockies at Royals, 1:05 p.m.
22 Rockies at Reds, 1:05 p.m.
23 Padres at Rockies, 1:10 p.m.
25 Reds at Rockies, 1:10 p.m.
26 Rockies at Indians, 1:05 p.m.
27 White Sox at Rockies, 1:10 p.m.
28 Rockies at Athletics, 1:05 p.m.
29 Rockies at Rangers, 1:05 p.m.
30 Dodgers at Rockies, 1:10 p.m.
31 D-backs at Rockies, 1:10 p.m.
