You're the GM -- Colorado Rockies

[Cowboy Joe]

Rockies are a mid-market team meaning they can't reload annually with huge financial sums. Instead, they play a cyclical game where they draft talent, nurture it as it rises, enjoy a few fruitful years, then dismantle and repeat the cycle. Given that they are in the fruitful stage for many of their key players, I would "go for it" this season by doing the following:



1. Hold onto Holliday for his final year. Holliday is at the peak of his game; reap the rewards for one more year. The Rox have never had success in trading for an established starter. Also, Boras has made it clear that they will test the market next year, so any potential acquisition of Holliday by another team would only be for one year thereby diminishing Holliday's trade value.



2. Sign Atkins for his 2 remaining years of arbitration eligibility (like they did with Holliday last seasson)and make him the starting 1st basemen. I love Helton, but I keep seeing another Don Mattingly injury scenario happening here. Ian Stewart takes over at 3rd.



3. Use Seth Smith, Spilborghs, and/or Jeff Baker as trade bait to acquire a #4 starter. These guys are productive & cheap and could attract some attention from cost sensitive teams. With Cook, Francis, & Ubaldo; the Rox have three #3 caliber starters which is about as good as Colorado can expect given that pitchers don't voluntarily come to the high altitude. De la Rosa & Jason Hirsch are candidates for the #5 spot.



4. Sign Tavares for 1 year to play center and hope that he performs like the '07 version. Fowler should be ready to take over next year.



5. Say bye to Fuentes and look for relief hope on the market or thru a trade.



Bottom line - this team is in its prime and only one year removed from the playoffs. The time is now.