Kyle Kendrick still linked to Rockies in free agency rumors

Best fits for top 10 remaining MLB free agents - ESPN
We missed this a few days ago, but Jim Bowden claims the Rockies are the most likely team to sign free-agent starter Kyle Kendrick. The Pirates and Padres could also be interested, notes Bowden, but not to Colorado's extent:

" ... given how badly the Rockies need starting pitching, they're probably the one team that would outbid the rest for Kendrick. At this point in his career, Kendrick should take the most money and most years, and I say Colorado is the most likely team to give him that. "

Kendrick, 30, is a below-average pitcher (111 ERA-) over the course of his career but has put together some solid seasons, though none of those have come since 2012. His xFIP is right in line with his ERA for his career, suggesting the guy we've seen is the guy we're going to get.

The Rockies seem comfortable going into the season with Jorge De La Rosa, Jhoulys Chacin, Tyler Matzek and Jordan Lyles as their top four starters, although general manager Jeff Bridich was the slightest bit hesitant about Chacin's health when I spoke with him Tuesday afternoon. That still leaves the fifth spot open for the likes of Christian Bergman, Eddie Butler and Jon Gray -- as well as Chad Bettis and Chris Rusin, both of whom Bridich specifically talked about at length.

Bringing in Kendrick or sticking Rusin in the fifth spot would allow the other players the development time they need, I'm not so sure I'm opposed to that idea rather than throwing one of the four young hurlers into the fire, though Bettis and Bergman would be my first choices if that end up being the case.

I hope to have more on this later today.

Prospect Watch: Top 10 third basemen | MLB.com
Rockies prospect Ryan McMahon nearly cracked the list after a powerful full-season debut. Another season like that in Modesto would almost surely see him rise to the middle part of the list -- and would likely force the Rockies to seriously start thinking about the rather nice problem they could have in a few years.

First full year in the books, Blackmon out to be better | rockies.com
Blackmon wore down as the season progressed in 2014, but he hopes to be more consistent next season. That might not be a possibility considering he could wind up platooning with Drew Stubbs, but Blackmon has adjusted his swing in hopes of accomplishing that consistency anyway.

The All-Unemployed Team - Jayson Stark Blog - ESPN
Much-maligned (around these parts) left-hander Franklin Morales is part of Stark's not-quite-All-Star team, though that rotation and bullpen would probably be playoff caliber if it played half of its games in Seattle, San Francisco, Oakland or San Diego.