Who closes in Colorado?

I’m incline to say Corpas will get his old job back and Street will be traded mid season for some prospects.

Closer by the whim of Hurdle (heaven help us all). Street was injured for part of last season and got Wally Pipped, his velocity was better in August/September than what it was for the early part of the season, but still off at least a mile per hour from what he had at his peak a few years ago. If he’s around the 90.5 range or higher, the Rockies will be fine.

Right now I’m thinking Smith will start in LF against RHP’s with Stewart getting some starts at second and third and then getting LHP starts in left. 20 HR’s for Smith? That’s more likely than 20 SB’s, but right now I have him projected for 18/12. Spilly I have cranking 20 HR’s because I see him getting a lot PA’s as our leadoff hitter, and I think 20 SB’s may be possible as well, but I only am figuring on 15. I’m not counting on Fowler emerging for the Rockies, until late in the year again, but if he does, then the rest of the division should be nervous, as it would mean that he’s ready to have an impact.

Helton’s been progressing in his recovery, I think you should expect something in between what he did last season and what he did in 2007. A year like 2006 (.302/.404/.476) seems possible.

And we’ve beaten this all to the ground (but it can’t hurt to give it another swipe) but this all really hinges on Todd Helton’s back.

If Helton is healthy, then we trade Garrett Atkins for (whoever) and suddenly the rest of the team falls into relatively regular starting positions.

C. Iannetta (isn’t affected)
1B. Todd Helton
2B. Clint Barmes
SS. Tulowitzki (isn’t affected)
3B. Stewart
LF. Smith
CF. Spilborghs
RF. Hawpe

And when Helton is down, we have

C. Iannetta
1B. Baker/Hawpe
2B. Barmes
SS. Tulowitzki
3B. Stewart
LF. Spilborghs
CF. Gonzalez
RF. Hawpe/Smith

However, because Helton isn’t healthy and might not BE completely healthy, the Rockies aren’t trading Atkins for that exact reason

C. Iannetta
1B. Atkins/Helton
2B. Barmes/Stewart
SS. Tulowitzki
3B. Atkins/Stewart
LF. Smith/Stewart
CF. Spilborghs
RF Hawpe

It makes for the defensively inferior outfield, and Stewart might end up losing defensive prowess by being forced to readjust to 3 different positions.

Hawpe is more or less in RF no matter what with our current alignment. Moving Atkins simply frees up 3B for Stewart full time.

Again, this argument leads into “defense is more important than anyone gives credit for”.

because I don’t think he’s going to be healthy enough to help for a while.

needs to atleast go into spring as the closer. Manny needs to come in wanting to close, and push himself to the closer we saw in 07. If you just flat out give it to him, im worried that he’ll be de juvu of last. And street by the way is still a good possilby great closer. Its good to have this problem