This past season did not go the way the Rockies thought it would. They learned the hard way that preseason expectations on paper mean absolutely nothing.

As the season wrapped up, it became evident what the Rockies' deficiencies were, and GM Dan O'Dowd wasted no time plugging holes and retooling for the 2012 campaign.

With the start of spring training quickly approaching and opening day seemingly around the corner, the Rockies made it a point to bring in some high-character veterans this winter. In doing so, they hope to create a championship-caliber culture in the clubhouse.

The Rockies decided to part ways with the underachieving Ian Stewart in a trade with the Cubs and signed 13-year veteran Casey Blake. Blake knows what it takes to win in this league. He has been to the postseason three times and is known for his leadership qualities.

Blake is merely keeping the hot corner warm for highly-touted prospect Nolan Arenado. Arenado will have the opportunity to pick the brain of Blake during spring training and not only learn the intricacies of playing the position, but how to conduct himself both on and off the field.

The importance of having a player like Blake to tutor such a talented young minor leaguer on the fast track to the majors can't be overstated.

Colorado has long admired and coveted longtime Twins outfielder Michael Cuddyer. When he hit the open market this offseason, O'Dowd and the Rockies came calling.

Cuddyer played 11 seasons in the Twin Cities and posted some very respectable numbers.

Depending on who you ask in Minnesota, they might tell you that even more important than the nice power numbers Cuddyer put up was the significant role he played in creating one of the game's best clubhouse environments.

Another glaring weakness was at catcher. The Rockies shipped the offensively-challenged Chris Iannetta  to Anaheim this winter and signed veteran backstop Ramon Hernandez. 

Some were a bit miffed at this move for a couple of reasons. Hernandez is 35 years old and a 13-year veteran, and the Rockies have one of the game's best catching prospects in 22-year-old Wilin Rosario. 

At this point in his career, Hernandez is no longer an everyday player. He and Rosario will likely split time. Hernandez will be asked to serve as a mentor to Rosario, a role he has been asked to embrace. Hernandez has been to the postseason six times, and he brings a veteran presence and an understanding of the importance of the bigger picture to the team.

Colorado was not finished with their subtle revamping of its culture through roster moves. 

The Rockies still had a hole at second base, which has become somewhat of a revolving door throughout the years. Management acquired Marco Scutaro from Boston in hopes of stabilizing a position of weakness.

Scutaro always has been regarded as a model teammate with a winner's demeanor.

Each of these players were acquired not only for their productivity on the field but also for the valuable and critical intangibles they posses.

A team-first mindset with a winning attitude and a sense of accountability are attributes that each of these players share.

Hopefully, that will translate into the positive, winning cultural change that O'Dowd set out to achieve.