Chicago – For those whose attention might have wandered to pucks and pigskins, the Rockies provided a Cliffs Notes version of their season Sunday.
There was intrigue laced with disappointment. Rookie Ubaldo Jimenez, once on the same career path as Jeff Francis, showed poise and, more important, command in his first start. And like so many Rockies pitchers, he walked away winless, undermined by a flawed offense.
Colorado dimmed the lights on their eighth losing season in nine years, falling 8-5 to the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field.
The Rockies failed to achieve mediocrity – a .500 record eluding them since the day after the all-star break. Even with a nine-win improvement to 76, they finished in last place for the second straight year. That makes next season’s stated goal of reaching the playoffs daunting.
“Guys were talking about it today, that we were only seven games from being in it until the end,” said third baseman Garrett Atkins, who put a bow on a terrific season with his 29th home run. “It’s easy to look back and find that many games we should have won.”
That Colorado was auditioning a prospect and not watching the scoreboard was demonstrated in full on a sun-bleached afternoon. The Rockies pummeled Cubs starter Wade Miller for four runs, a lead that evaporated as they finished 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position. They left the bases loaded in the fourth, a lost opportunity exposed when the bullpen continued a two-week slide.
“Ubaldo looked very good. He used all of his pitches,” said general manager Dan O’Dowd after the right-hander surrendered three hits and three earned runs in 6 2/3 innings.
Jimenez will get a look in spring training for a rotation spot vacated by either Byung- Hyun Kim or Josh Fogg. Adding another starter is among Colorado’s priorities, though addressing center field and eighth-inning relief are more pressing concerns.
Cory Sullivan (103 hits, 100 strikeouts), Ryan Spilborghs and Choo Freeman – the club’s primary center fielders – batted a combined .264 with eight home runs. The club is expected to pursue Coco Crisp or Aaron Rowand through trade, with Dave Roberts among several potential free-agent possibilities. Manager Clint Hurdle is seeking more speed, which is why Colorado wants to re-sign second baseman Kaz Matsui.
Finding a bridge to closer Brian Fuentes, who will pitch in Japan in November, is critical. There are several free agents the Rockies have had interest in, among them Justin Speier and Guillermo Mota.
“We are looking in to fill (the eighth inning), definitely,” Hurdle said. “(Ramon) Ramirez and (Manny) Corpas can pitch the seventh, but to designate one of those guys for the eighth makes no sense.”
Next season brings added urgency. The youth movement is over, making 2007, the last on Hurdle’s contract, more about wins than development.
“If I do the job I need to do, everything is going to work out one way or another. I am not saying that’s going to lead to an extension or me getting fired,” Hurdle said. “I just know things are going to work out the way they are meant to work out.”
Rockies’ future
National baseball writer Troy E. Renck takes a look at the questions facing the Rockies this winter:
1. How will they address holes in center field and eighth-inning relief? With a tight budget, center-field possibilities include Coco Crisp, Dave Roberts, Aaron Rowand and possibly Jay Payton. Some of the relievers available they have had previous interest in include Julian Tavarez, Rudy Seanez, Guillermo Mota and Justin Speier.
2. Will Todd Helton bounce back? The team is not even considering trading him, and Helton believes he can hit 30 home runs again. It will be interesting to see if they ask him to restructure his contract.
3. Which young players have the most to prove next season? The Rockies need offensive production and stability from Troy Tulowitzki and Chris Iannetta. Jeff Baker could prove invaluable as a versatile slugger.
Staff writer Troy E. Renck can be reached at 303-954-1301 or trenck@denverpost.com.
