LAS VEGAS — The Rockies are just two months away from basic training.
When the players report for spring training in Tucson on Feb. 13, they’ll be greeted with new drills and situational training designed to improve on the club’s lackluster 2008 season.
“We are going to do some things different,” manager Clint Hurdle said today at the winter meetings. “We’ll put in play some of the things we had success with our minor league teams. … We are going back to basics.”
That includes everything from simulated games to situational hitting to sliding. Most of all, Hurdle said, the Rockies have to work better as a team.
Hurdle also said he will be a sterner leader in 2009, and said his loudest message will be made each day when he fills out the lineup card.
“It’s not personal, it’s about personnel,” Hurdle said.
Other highlights of today’s wide-ranging discussion:
* Clint Barmes enters spring training as the No. 1 second baseman, ahead of Jeff Baker, who could also see some time in the outfield.
“Barmes did a fine, fine job,” Hurdle said. “He deserves a lot of credit for bouncing back.”
* Todd Helton, recovering from back surgery, will have to accept playing fewer games than in the past. Hurdle said in the long run that will be good for Helton and good for the team.
Asked if he thought Helton would be open to that, Hurdle said: “I do. If not, then he will have to wrestle with me. But that’s OK, we’ve wrestled before.”
* The club will begin prepping third baseman Ian Stewart for a possible role as a left fielder. The club will see how that experiment works out in spring training.
Patrick Saunders: 303-954-1428 or psaunders@denverpost.com
