The Rockies would handle Franklin similar to the pitching situation that Taylor Bucholz was put in last year. Starting him in the pen so that he can feel more comfortable at the big league level, and then moving him in the starting role as injuries and fatigue take their toll.

Franklin pitched well as a starter until the playoffs when he was thrown off his game by the two balk calls. Which showed me that he still needs a little more maturity to overcome those situations. BTW, Taylor did much better as a reliever than a starter, ERA was around 2.2 as a reliever and 5+ as a starter.

I think Morales needs to go back to the Minors and work on control. When he dominates the PCL the Rockies will have very little choice but to bring him up as a starter. This way his innings and pitch counts will be watched he won't be overworked. I think the "veteran" starter that makes the rotation will pitch like Fogg did because that is the type of pitcher the Rox are looking for.
As for Iannetta, I hope he gets a chance. With him not getting to play very much in the Majors last year the best thing for him was to go down and work. This year should be different and I hope he makes a strong case for himself and he gets significantly more playing time. I do not want to see him only on Sunday afternoons in the high heat of the summer.

anyone would have a hard time making a case for either of these pitchers based off their stats.  But Wells is a little bigger, and throws a little harder (granted that's not too hard to do when Towers rarely can hit 90mph).

Also Wells last year did ok in a few relief appearances (8) last year, which shows he still had something even while leading the league in L's

The point about Towers coming from the AL East could be valid.

Personally I hope we don't have to see either of these guys in the Rotation and Morales comes out this spring, and looks like the Little Johan he can be.

but I think we have better baseball minds here on the Row than I am

1. well, that's one of the big question now isn't it?  I think Hirsh is good, or will be.  It takes time to learn to pitch to major league hitters. Hirsch isn't overpowering, but he's almost, which I think is/was part of the problem.  In the minors he could over match a lot of hitters..in the bigs he couldn't, and he tried to pitch differently.  He's still making that adjustment.  I think he could be a solid #3 type pitcher...even a #2.  Or he will struggle with command and confidence, and be a #4/5.  Personally I think he needs confidence and innings, and he'll be just fine.  In fact he could surprise.
2. I'll let others have this...but yes his window is closing.  Is he still a "can't miss prospect?" I think you could get a nice debate going on that one.
3. Window is closing, but the fact the Rockies want him to play everyday in AAA tells me they still see him with a future as a starter.  Personally I don't see Iannetta being that good, nor that bad.  The fact that he couldn't beat out Torrealba and his hurt shoulder last year doesn't give me much hope.
4. I haven't seen but on Saturday of the Opening Weekend the give away is a mini pennant to the fans.  I'll say you will see it opening day...and they will make a big deal of it on Saturday.  On Monday the promotion is replica rings for the fans..so I'm guessing the ring ceremony will be Monday.  But those are just guesses 'cause if you use this logic Tuesday is Hebrew National $1 Hot Dog night, which would be we are celebrating our Jewish ballplayers...or our outlandish flair of play (hot dogging)