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Colorado Rockies enter 2017 with mountain-high morale

Rockies spend big in offseason to bolster bullpen, 1st base
Rockies spend big in offseason to bolster bullpen, 1st base

DENVER

The usually cost-conscious Colorado Rockies went on a little bit of a spending splurge in free agency.

They made big investments in an effort to give the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants a run for their money in the ultra-competitive National League West.

The Rockies signed All-Star outfielder Ian Desmond ($70 million, five years) to transition over to first base, added left-handed reliever Mike Dunn ($19 million, three years), brought in versatile infielder Alexi Amarista ($1.25 million, one year) and, in their boldest move of all, scooped up righty Greg Holland ($7 million, one year), the once-dominant closer who’s coming back from elbow reconstruction surgery.

One thing’s for sure: The moves boosted morale for a team that hasn’t been to the postseason since 2009.

“We could have went in a completely different direction, and that might have been a little disappointing for me,” reliever Adam Ottavino said. “I’ve been here a while and I really want to win as soon as possible. The fact we’re taking steps toward that end, it’s that much more exciting.”

There will be a new voice in the dugout, too, with manager Bud Black taking over for Walt Weiss. Black is the first Rockies skipper with a bona fide pitching background, which should come in handy at Coors Field.

“When I first talked to him, it felt like I’ve known him for a long time. He’s easily relatable,” right-hander Jon Gray said. “It’s easier to buy into something when your coach has been through the same spot you’re going through.”

Colorado boasts a powerful lineup led by Nolan Arenado and an up-and-coming starting rotation anchored by Chad Bettis, who was recently pronounced cancer-free after dealing with testicular cancer this offseason. What’s more, the team shored up its glaring deficiencies in the bullpen and at first base through free agency. Holland could be the lights-out closer the Rockies have been searching for – provided, of course, his arm is healthy again after missing all of last season following Tommy John surgery.

No wonder the Rockies are a trendy pick to make a run at a playoff spot.

“We don’t really pay attention to what people are saying about us,” said shortstop Trevor Story, who was having a monster rookie season before going on the DL in early August with a torn ligament in his left thumb. “We’re a pretty tight-knit group. We’re a very confident group. We have a belief we can be really good.”

Here are some things to watch for from the Rockies:

NEW LOOK: Outfielder David Dahl is primed for a big season. That is, if he can get steady playing time. The team already has a plethora of outfielders with Carlos Gonzalez, Charlie Blackmon and Gerardo Parra. Dahl hit .315 with seven home runs last season.

ROOKIES TO WATCH: Lefty Kyle Freeland has a good chance to make the roster. He grew up in Denver and was the eighth overall pick in the 2014 draft.

THEY’RE SET: Definitely infield. There’s Arenado, the four-time Gold Glover at third base who led the league with 133 RBIs. Story is healed and ready to pick up where he left off and second baseman DJ LeMahieu is fresh off winning an NL batting title. Desmond has quickly picked up first base.

THEY’RE NOT: Catcher. Tony Wolters and Tom Murphy figure to split time, while Dustin Garneau may be in the mix as well.

ON DECK: Bettis was given a clean bill of health after being diagnosed with testicular cancer, and should be ready for the start of the season. “Opening day – 100 percent, it’s my mindset,” Bettis recently said. “Just keep moving forward.”

2017 Colorado Rockies Schedule

Note: All games Mountain Daylight Time.

April 3 at Milwaukee, 12:10 p.m.

April 4 at Milwaukee, 5:40 p.m.

April 5 at Milwaukee, 6:10 p.m.

April 6 at Milwaukee, 11:40 a.m.

April 7 L.A. Dodgers, 2:10 p.m.

April 8 L.A. Dodgers, 6:10 p.m.

April 9 L.A. Dodgers, 1:10 p.m.

April 10 San Diego, 6:40 p.m.

April 11 San Diego, 6:40 p.m.

April 12 San Diego, 1:10 p.m.

April 13 at San Francisco, 8:15 p.m.

April 14 at San Francisco, 8:15 p.m.

April 15 at San Francisco, 2:05 p.m.

April 16 at San Francisco, 2:05 p.m.

April 18 at L.A. Dodgers, 8:10 p.m.

April 19 at L.A. Dodgers, 8:10 p.m.

April 21 San Francisco, 6:40 p.m.

April 22 San Francisco, 6:10 p.m.

April 23 San Francisco, 1:10 p.m.

April 24 Washington, 6:40 p.m.

April 25 Washington, 6:40 p.m.

April 26 Washington, 6:40 p.m.

April 27 Washington, 1:10 p.m.

April 28 at Arizona, 7:40 p.m.

April 29 at Arizona, 6:10 p.m.

April 30 at Arizona, 2:10 p.m.

May 2 at San Diego, 8:10 p.m.

May 3 at San Diego, 8:10 p.m.

May 4 at San Diego, 1:40 p.m.

May 5 Arizona, 6:40 p.m.

May 6 Arizona, 6:10 p.m.

May 7 Arizona, 1:10 p.m.

May 8 Chicago Cubs, 6:40 p.m.

May 9 Chicago Cubs, 6:40 p.m.

May 10 Chicago Cubs, 1:10 p.m.

May 11 L.A. Dodgers, 6:40 p.m.

May 12 L.A. Dodgers, 6:40 p.m.

May 13 L.A. Dodgers, 6:10 p.m.

May 14 L.A. Dodgers, 1:10 p.m.

May 16 at Minnesota, 6:10 p.m.

May 17 at Minnesota, 6:10 p.m.

May 18 at Minnesota, 11:10 a.m.

May 19 at Cincinnati, 5:10 p.m.

May 20 at Cincinnati, 2:10 p.m.

May 21 at Cincinnati, 11:10 a.m.

May 22 at Philadelphia, 5:05 p.m.

May 23 at Philadelphia, 5:05 p.m.

May 24 at Philadelphia, 5:05 p.m.

May 25 at Philadelphia, 11:05 a.m.

May 26 St. Louis, 7:40 p.m.

May 27 St. Louis, 7:10 p.m.

May 28 St. Louis, 1:10 p.m.

May 29 Seattle, 1:10 p.m.

May 30 Seattle, 5:10 p.m.

May 31 at Seattle, 8:10 p.m.

June 1 at Seattle, 1:40 p.m.

June 2 at San Diego, 8:10 p.m.

June 3 at San Diego, 2:10 p.m.

June 4 at San Diego, 2:40 p.m.

June 6 Cleveland, 6:40 p.m.

June 7 Cleveland, 1:10 p.m.

June 8 at Chicago Cubs, 6:05 p.m.

June 9 at Chicago Cubs, 12:20 p.m.

June 10 at Chicago Cubs, 12:20 p.m.

June 11 at Chicago Cubs, 12:20 p.m.

June 12 at Pittsburgh, 5:05 p.m.

June 13 at Pittsburgh, 5:05 p.m.

June 14 at Pittsburgh, 5:05 p.m.

June 15 San Francisco, 6:40 p.m.

June 16 San Francisco, 6:40 p.m.

June 17 San Francisco, 12:10 p.m.

June 18 San Francisco, 1:10 p.m.

June 20 Arizona, 6:40 p.m.

June 21 Arizona, 6:40 p.m.

June 22 Arizona, 1:10 p.m.

June 23 at L.A. Dodgers, 8:10 p.m.

June 24 at L.A. Dodgers, 8:10 p.m.

June 25 at L.A. Dodgers, 2:10 p.m.

June 26 at San Francisco, 8:15 p.m.

June 27 at San Francisco, 8:15 p.m.

June 28 at San Francisco, 1:45 p.m.

June 30 at Arizona, 7:40 p.m.

July 1 at Arizona, 8:10 p.m.

July 2 at Arizona, 2:10 p.m.

July 3 Cincinnati, 6:10 p.m.

July 4 Cincinnati, 6:10 p.m.

July 5 Cincinnati, 6:40 p.m.

July 6 Cincinnati, 1:10 p.m.

July 7 Chicago White Sox, 6:40 p.m.

July 8 Chicago White Sox, 7:10 p.m.

July 9 Chicago White Sox, 2:10 p.m.

July 14 at N.Y. Mets, 5:10 p.m.

July 15 at N.Y. Mets, 5:10 p.m.

July 16 at N.Y. Mets, 11:10 a.m.

July 17 San Diego, 6:40 p.m.

July 18 San Diego, 6:40 p.m.

July 19 San Diego, 1:10 p.m.

July 21 Pittsburgh, 6:40 p.m.

July 22 Pittsburgh, 6:10 p.m.

July 23 Pittsburgh, 1:10 p.m.

July 24 at St. Louis, 6:15 p.m.

July 25 at St. Louis, 6:15 p.m.

July 26 at St. Louis, 6:15 p.m.

July 28 at Washington, 5:05 p.m.

July 29 at Washington, 5:05 p.m.

July 30 at Washington, 11:35 a.m.

Aug. 1 at Pittsburgh, 5:05 p.m.

Aug. 2 at Pittsburgh, 5:05 p.m.

Aug. 3 at Pittsburgh, 5:05 p.m.

Aug. 4 St. Louis, 5:10 p.m.

Aug. 5 St. Louis, 5:10 p.m.

Aug. 6 St. Louis, 11:10 a.m.

Aug. 8 San Diego, 5:10 p.m.

Aug. 9 San Diego, 5:10 p.m.

Aug. 10 San Diego, 10:35 a.m.

Aug. 11 at Milwaukee, 6:10 p.m.

Aug. 12 at Milwaukee, 5:10 p.m.

Aug. 13 at Milwaukee, 12:10 p.m.

Aug. 14 at Chicago Cubs, 6:05 p.m.

Aug. 15 at Chicago Cubs, 6:05 p.m.

Aug. 16 at Chicago Cubs, 6:05 p.m.

Aug. 17 at Chicago Cubs, 12:20 p.m.

Aug. 18 at Atlanta, 5:35 p.m.

Aug. 19 at Atlanta, 5:10 p.m.

Aug. 20 at Atlanta, 11:35 a.m.

Aug. 22 Chicago Cubs, 5:10 p.m.

Aug. 23 Chicago Cubs, 5:10 p.m.

Aug. 24 Chicago Cubs, 5:10 p.m.

Aug. 25 Pittsburgh, 5:10 p.m.

Aug. 26 Pittsburgh, 5:10 p.m.

Aug. 27 Pittsburgh, 11:10 a.m.

Aug. 29 N.Y. Mets, 5:10 p.m.

Aug. 30 N.Y. Mets, 5:10 p.m.

Aug. 31 N.Y. Mets, 10:35 a.m.

Sept. 1 at Pittsburgh, 5:05 p.m.

Sept. 2 at Pittsburgh, 5:05 p.m.

Sept. 3 at Pittsburgh, 11:35 a.m.

Sept. 4 Milwaukee, 11:10 a.m.

Sept. 5 Milwaukee, 5:10 p.m.

Sept. 6 Milwaukee, 10:35 a.m.

Sept. 7 at N.Y. Mets, 5:10 p.m.

Sept. 8 at N.Y. Mets, 5:10 p.m.

Sept. 9 at N.Y. Mets, 5:10 p.m.

Sept. 10 at N.Y. Mets, 11:10 a.m.

Sept. 12 at St. Louis, 6:15 p.m.

Sept. 13 at St. Louis, 6:15 p.m.

Sept. 14 at St. Louis, 11:45 a.m.

Sept. 15 Pittsburgh, 5:10 p.m.

Sept. 16 Pittsburgh, 2:10 p.m.

Sept. 17 Pittsburgh, 11:10 a.m.

Sept. 19 St. Louis, 5:10 p.m.

Sept. 20 St. Louis, 5:10 p.m.

Sept. 21 St. Louis, 5:10 p.m.

Sept. 22 Boston, 5:10 p.m.

Sept. 23 Boston, 2:10 p.m.

Sept. 24 Boston, 11:10 a.m.

Sept. 26 at Milwaukee, 5:40 p.m.

Sept. 27 at Milwaukee, 6:10 p.m.

Sept. 28 at Milwaukee, 6:10 p.m.

Sept. 29 at Chicago Cubs, 12:20 p.m.

Sept. 30 at Chicago Cubs, 2:05 p.m.

Oct. 1 at Chicago Cubs, 1:20 p.m.



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