Major League Baseball

Rockies hold first spring workouts in Arizona

Published Feb. 16, 2011 1:34 a.m. ET

share

facebookxredditlink

foxsports

Spread out across their sprawling new training facility, Colorado Rockies pitchers threw bullpen sessions, worked on pickoff moves and dropped a few bunts as the sun beat down on the backs of their necks.

The picturesque McDowell Mountains hovering in the background, the Rockies couldn't help but notice the beauty surrounding them inside the fences as well, from the deep shade of green in the grass to the facilities that rival any, anywhere.

''This is just an incredible place,'' manager Jim Tracy said Tuesday, the first day of spring workouts for pitchers and catchers. ''I really don't have words to describe it.''

Colorado starts the spring with expectations to match.

The Rockies crumbled at the end of last season, losing 13 of their final 14 games and missing the playoffs.

An offseason like no other in the franchise's relatively short history has the Rockies ready to make another run.

Known for being a frugal spender, Colorado went on a shopping spree during the winter, dumping truckloads of money on long-term deals with Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez.

Tulowitzki, an All-Star shortstop, got the bigger deal, pulling in $157.75 million over the next decade. Gonzalez won a Gold Glove, a Silver Slugger and a batting title at 25, and Colorado rewarded him with an $80 million, seven-year contract.

CarGo probably could have gotten more in a bigger market, but that's a lot of money for just two players on a team that typically keeps the vault locked.

Colorado wasn't done, either.

The Rockies surprised just about everyone by re-signing left-hander Jorge De La Rosa, managed to land free-agent infielder Ty Wigginton and traded for second baseman Jose Lopez.

The grand total? $273 million.

So, yeah, expectations are a Mile High heading into this season.

''Obviously, every team comes into spring training going, we're going to win a world championship,'' right-hander Jason Hammel said. ''It's our job to make that a reality now. Obviously, we've re-signed some very, very big pieces and some new additions I think are going to help out. I can't speak for everybody else, but I think it's playoffs or bust.''

The seeds were laid in the offseason and the nurturing will take place at Salt River Fields, the new $130 million facility the Rockies share with the Arizona Diamondbacks after spending their previous springs at Hi Corbett Field in Tucson.

The goal early is to start off slow, ingrain the little things that make teams win while trying not to get anyone hurt. The Rockies couldn't do that last year, limping out of spring training with a series of key injuries. They needed to rally later in the season just to have a shot at making the playoffs.

This season, Tracy has done little things like institute pitch counts instead of having pitchers throw in timed sessions and gave a pre-camp speech that emphasized easing into spring training instead of trying to go full bore right off the bat.

''One of the things I emphasized this season and came right out and told them, especially the young kids, is you're not going to make the team on Feb. 15,'' he said. ''So don't do anything or make any type of attempt to make the team today because you're not going to.''

Now that they know what to expect, they can work on trying to live up to those expectations.

share

Get more from Major League Baseball Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

in this topic

Major League Baseball