San Francisco – The complaint flooded in-boxes and clogged phone lines.
More than repeated losses, fans have despised the Rockies’ revolving-door roster. As they eclipsed the San Francisco Giants 2-1 on Monday night behind a pitching gem by Byung-Hyun Kim, the Rockies promised what most teams committed to a youth movement can: stability.
Look at the lineup Monday. Plug in Clint Barmes at shortstop and Brad Hawpe in right field, and it’s a sneak peak into 2006 opening day. Well, almost. Kim’s future is uncertain, though he’s piquing more interest after allowing just one run in his past 13 2/3 innings, Moises Alou’s solo homer Monday that didn’t prevent the Rockies from moving within one victory of winning their fifth consecutive road series.
“That’s the best I have felt all year,” Kim said. “I continue to get stronger.”
The Rockies, who spoiled the debut of Giants top prospect Matt Cain, will focus their off- season on finding a center fielder and an everyday catcher, while using September to evaluate starting pitchers Kim, Sunny Kim and Zach Day.
“I can’t tell you how important it is that we leave this year with core players in place,” general manager Dan O’Dowd said. “It leaves us in a position where we don’t have to address 60 percent of the roster.”
For center field, the Rockies have begun in-house auditions. Larry Bigbie was considered a favorite to emerge as a starter until suffering an Achilles injury. He’s slowly recovering but has yet to begin a rehab assignment. Until he rejoins the team in a couple of weeks, Cory Sullivan and Choo Freeman will be given long looks. Matt Holliday, who homered Monday, and Hawpe are penciled in at the corner sports.
“I hope they see what I am capable of doing, but I can’t change how I go about my job,” Sullivan said.
Freeman, spending his third season at Triple-A, is out of minor-league options. Translation: If not his last chance, it’s his best chance to change opinions. Manager Clint Hurdle pointed out that he also hasn’t conceded Dustan Mohr’s exit.
“I don’t know, we might have some combination of (Mohr, Bigbie, Sullivan and Freeman),” Hurdle said. “With Dustan, I can’t guarantee him a starting position, so whether he comes back depends on what’s out there for him in (free agency).”
The Rockies will have $21 million committed to Todd Helton and Jason Jennings, leaving approximately $24 million for the remaining roster. That will allow the team to dip into the free-agent market and explore trades in center field.
Same goes for catcher. Hurdle went out of his way to praise Danny Ardoin. His terrific glove work has reserved the No. 1 spot for the remainder of the season. Hurdle likes the idea of Ardoin on the roster next year, perhaps as a starter, definitely as a backup.
“If you watched the games, you know why he’s playing,” Hurdle said.
If Ardoin hits, his role will expand.
Ideally, the Rockies would like more power from that position, especially if they don’t get it from center field. Those available in a deal – or for bidding – include Jason LaRue, Rod Barajas, Yorvit Torrealba and pricey longshot Ramon Hernandez.
Helton has made it clear that he wants a few veterans. With the team 5-2 on this road trip, the first baseman nonetheless remains encouraged by the progress around him.
“The biggest thing for this team and our organization is to develop a winning attitude,” said Helton, whose 0-for-3 night was punctuated by a 14-pitch at-bat against Cain before flying out in the fifth inning. “It’s getting better.”
Staff writer Troy E. Renck can be reached at 303-820-5447 or trenck@denverpost.com.
