Chacin expected to be stronger, more consistent

--The Rockies are hoping RHP Jhoulys Chacin, 24, can be more consistent this season and come closer to reaching his potential after a 2011 season when he tailed off in mid-June after a strong start. But Chacin's offseason workouts have disappointed general manager Dan O'Dowd, who believes Chacin needs to lose weight because the excess pounds affect the balance in his delivery and cause his fastball command to suffer. Chacin spent much of the winter working out in his native Venezuela after working out in Tucson previously.

On Feb. 9, Chacin reportedly weighed 226 pounds but anticipates being close to the 218 pounds he was last spring when he reports to spring training on Feb. 19. O'Dowd said, "I would say he could have worked a little harder this winter. I am not really happy about that. I don't think it will be an issue by the time he gets to camp. But it has to be to a point where he has maturity and discipline and realizes that this is his career."

--RHP Rafael Betancourt will bring the same mindset to his new role this season. He will begin the year as the Rockies closer, the first time in his career Betancourt has ever began a season closing. He went 8-for-9 in save situations after he became the closer in August, taking over for the since-traded Huston Street when Street was on the disabled list. "Even when I started closing last year, I didn't change anything," Betancourt said. "I didn't change my routine or anything when I came to the games. I just try to get three outs or however many I need to finish the game. That's all that's in my mind. I'm not thinking about, 'Oh, I'm the closer now.' All I'm thinking about is going into the game and finishing." In the past two seasons, Betancourt has an astounding strikes to walks ratio of 10.1 to 1 -- 162 strikeouts and 16 walks in 124 2/3 innings.

--1B Todd Helton, 38, had a nice comeback season in 2011, hitting .302 with 14 homers and 69 RBI in 124 games along with a .385 on-base percentage and .466 slugging percentage. Helton is under contract for two more seasons, at which point he will be 40. Regardless of whether he plays beyond 2013, Helton, who has had lower back soreness in recent seasons, knows his days on the field are winding down. "I try to enjoy it more," he said. "When you're not hurting out there, it's fun, but when you get older and you creak a little bit more, your body hurts a little bit more, and it's a young man's game. I realize my days are numbered, but I'm enjoying every one of them."

--The Rockies acquisitions this winter include several older players, all of whom are scheduled to be regulars. The group includes 3B Casey Blake, 38, C Ramon Hernandez, 2B Marco Scutaro, 36, and RF Michael Cuddyer, 32. As a result, the Rockies could field an Opening Day lineup whose projected age will rise from 28.4 years last year to 32.4 years. "We have discussed the issue at length on how important rest and recovery will be," general manager Dan O'Dowd said. "There will be a lot of at-bats for a lot of players. We can't be afraid to play anyone." Additionally, 1B Todd Helton is 38. The Rockies will look to give SS Troy Tulowitzki, 27, and LF Carlos Gonzalez, 26, more rest, having them start 145 games with an eye to keeping them healthy. Scutaro, who has played over 100 games at shortstop each of the past three seasons, gives the Rockies an option at that position to rest Tulowitzki that they haven't had since Clint Barmes was traded after the 2010 season.

--INF Chris Nelson was a candidate to start at second base, likely the leading candidate, but that situation changed when the Rockies acquired veteran Marco Scutaro to play that position. Nelson, 26, began last season at Class AAA Colorado Springs but had three touts with the Rockies, hitting .250 with four homers and 16 RBI in 180 at-bats in 63 games. Scutaro, 36, will need rest as will third baseman Casey Blake, 38. And the Rockies would like to spell shortstop Troy Tulowitzki more often this year. Manager Jim Tracy has said he is tired of the heartbreaking conversations he had with Nelson last year when sending him back to Class AAA. Nelson, obviously, feels the same way and said, "This year, I'm going to make sure that doesn't happen."

Nelson is out of minor league options, so he would have to clear waivers to be sent down. He made 39 starts for the Rockies last year with 19 of them coming from May 31 through June 28, before Nelson lost his spot on the roster when second baseman Mark Ellis was acquired. The Rockies recalled Nelson on July 27 and kept him in the big leagues until Aug. 24. During that time, Nelson mostly played third base where his power doesn't profile to be a regular player. He returned in September but missed time with a left heel injury. Along the way, Nelson showed he was vulnerable to inside pitches. Manager Jim Tracy lauded the professional approach of Nelson, the ninth player taken overall in the 2004 draft, but said his back hip was drifting into pitches and not generating enough power to keep him from being jammed.

Jonathan Herrera, who beat out Nelson for a spot last spring, and non-roster candidates Brendan Harris and Brandon Wood, bring multiple seasons of Major League experience to the competition. In spring training, Nelson will compete for a spot on the roster with Jonathan Herrera, who beat out Nelson for a roster spot last year, along with non-roster invitees Brendan Harris and Brandon Wood, both with major league experience. Also in the mix are Jordan Pacheco, who can play first base, second base, third base and catcher and showed his versatility and ability to make hard contact in a September call-up, DJ LeMahieu, who played in 37 games for the Cubs last year, and Tommy Field and Eric Young Jr.

BY THE NUMBERS
3 straight seasons with at least 200 innings pitched for RHP Jeremy Guthrie. The Rockies last year did not have a pitcher reach 200 innings with RHP Jhoulys Chacin the team leader at 194.

QUOTE TO NOTE
"He rides his bike to the ballpark. I think he's one of those physical fitness freaks. Knock on wood, he hasn't spent a ton of time on the DL. We liked the competitive nature of how he goes about preparing to do his job. I think he's a real good get for us." -- Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd on RHP Jeremy Guthrie, who was acquired from the Orioles where he averaged 196 2/3 innings a year in five seasons and nearly 206 a year the last three seasons.

Copyright (C) 2012 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.