The Great Pause is coming next week to Major League Baseball, probably, with owners ready to lock out players on Dec. 2 in their argument over the game’s collective bargaining agreement. If it happens, the Rockies will adjourn along with the rest, riding out the winter in silence.
When the CBA’s dam eventually breaks, though, so will the inhibition. There may be a frenzy of signings and trades and player movement right before the season. At some point, Colorado general manager Bill Schmidt will have to field a team, any team, to play next season. And right now, if a ball is hit toward shortstop, it will keep rolling, because nobody is there to stop it. There’s work to be done.
As the Rockies huddle up for the winter waiting for business to open again, they can take stock of what they have and what they need to contend again in the National League West. It would be wise to play the ant, not the grasshopper.
In the spirit of giving thanks, let’s recognize what the Rockies have going for them this winter, the positions from which they can work with strength, their leverage. And to satisfy our need for reality, even if it bites, let’s also look at their points of weakness. Here is how the Rockies are standing this winter:
Positions of strength
1. Pitching. Sorta. Starting pitching, at least. Their bullpen needs some attention. But the Rockies’ rotation is in strong hands with Germán Márquez,
