Rockies first baseman Justin Morneau is a finalist for a National League Gold Glove. (John Leyba, The Denver Post)
The Rockies entered the 2014 season convinced they had enough firepower to make them a playoff contender. Given the club’s lack of talent and depth in the starting rotation and bullpen, that was wishful thinking taken to the extreme.
Their daily lineup, however, looked like the real deal. But injuries to stars Carlos Gonzalez, Troy Tulowitzki, Michael Cuddyer and Nolan Arenado gutted the team.
First baseman Justin Morneau was the last man standing, and he stood tall.
It’s fair to say to that game for game and throughout the season, he was the Rockies’ best and most consistent position player. He didn’t make the National League All-Star team,
Morneau, of course, though he did it sitting on the bench in Los Angeles. Nonetheless, if you consider that just a few years ago his career looked like it would end because of severe and scary concussion issues, Morneau’s comeback has been something to celebrate.
His run production — 17 home runs and 82 RBIs — was solid, but certainly not spectacular. Though it can be argued his task would have been easier had he been surrounded by Tulo, CarGo and Cuddy.
And while the Rockies were drop-dead awful on the road, Morneau’s splits were solid:
* Home: .327 average, 11 homers, 13 doubles, 52 RBIs, .873 OPS.
* Road: .308 average, six homers, 19 doubles, 30 RBIs, .839 OPS.
Morneau is up for Gold Glove on Tuesday night, though odds are that the Dodgers’ Adrian Gonzalez will win the award. Still, Morneau impressed with a .997 fielding percentage and very savvy play around the bag. As Cuddyer said: “I’ve never seen a right-handed first baseman turn a double play as well as Justin.”
There were suitors for Morneau late last season, Milwaukee chief among them. Given Morneau’s reasonable contract and high level of play, there will be suitors again this winter. The Rockies will certainly listen and could make a trade to free up money for other positions. Plus, they were at first.
But if new GM Jeff Bridich really believes he has a winning lineup in place, Morneau will be Colorado’s starting first baseman on opening day.
2014 Salary: $5 million
2015 Salary: $6.75 million
Stat of Note: 60 Total number of strikeouts in 502 at-bats, compared to 110 strikeouts in 572 at-bats in 2013 with Minnesota and Pittsburgh.
GRADE: A
Tags: Ben Paulsen, Carlos Gonzalez, Justin Morneau, Michael Cuddyer, Troy Tulowitzki
