Colorado Rockies Pitching Staff? It May Be The Best in the West

The 2009 race for the National League West crown may be the most interesting in all of baseball.  Four of the five teams could be in the hunt come the last month of the season. 

Like the saying goes, pitching may win championships for the team that prevails in the West.

The Colorado Rockies, who play in Coors Field, a mile high above sea level, have never been known for their stellar pitching. 

There have been a few diamonds in the rough, but for the most part, the Rockies pitching staff has been the laughingstock of the league.

This year, however, the Rockies may have the pitching staff that it will take to win the division for the first time in their 17-year history.

The biggest question mark remains in 2007 ace, Jeff Francis.  Francis was shut down at the end of the '08 season due to shoulder soreness, an injury that ruined his entire season and landed him on the D.L. for six weeks.

Two weeks ago, reports surfaced the Francis' shoulder has not improved, and an MRI shows no damage.  The Rockies are going to be forced to make a decision soon that may end Francis' season with exploratory surgery.

Assuming Francis is out for the season, the team will be led by 2008 All-Star, Aaron Cook, who went 16-9 last season with a 3.96 ERA in 32 starts.  Cook is an innings-eater, throwing 211-1/3 innings in '08, averaging 6-2/3 innings per start.

The sinkerballer came into his own last season, with even better numbers until a lower back injury caused him to slow down late in the season.  In fact, Cook had four opportunities late in the year to tie the Rockies record for wins in a season at 17.  If healthy, Cook could have been an 18- or 19-game winner.

Behind Cook will be fireballer Ubaldo Jimenez, who had the opposite season of Cook.  Jimenez finished the year 12-12 with a 3.99 ERA, but that is only half the story.  Jimenez nearly won pitcher of the month in July, when he won four games.

Behind Jimenez will be newly acquired, five time 10+ game winner, Jason Marquis.  Marquis comes over from the Cubs for failed reliever Luis Vizcaino.

In what was a cost saving move for the Cubs, Marquis may turn out to be the most pivotal starter for the Rockies.  If he wins 10 or more games again this season, the Rockies could very well be in contention.

Rounding out the rotation will be Jorge De La Rosa, who seemed to find his stride at the end of '07, and one of several options including Greg Smith, acquired in the Matt Holliday deal, Franklin Morales, Greg Reynolds, Matt Belisle, Glendon Rusch, and Josh Fogg.

The Rockies bullpen looks as if it could be the best they have ever had, despite the loss of the franchise saves leader, Brian Fuentes.

Another player attained in the Holliday deal, Huston Street, looks to be the favorite for the closer role, but will battle this spring with Manny Corpas, who shined in the stretch run in 2007.

The loser for the closer's role will naturally fall to the eighth inning setup role, which can only be a good thing for the club, having two closer-type pitchers for the 8th and 9th inning.

That should leave Taylor Buchholz, who impressed in 2008, for the seventh, along with lefty specialist Alan Embree.  Embree was a free agent signee from Oakland.  He should provide veteran support for the mostly young bullpen.

Rusch could also be in the bullpen mix, but for now he is battling it out for a spot in the rotation.

There is one thing that is certain, the Rockies have never entered Spring Training with more pitching depth than they have this season.  It should provide stability in the rotation, and make it a smoother transition if someone goes down due to injury.