Rockies To Keep Atkins?

I'm happy either way. He's a better player than he gets credit for so I'm glad they aren't just dumping him for anything they can get.

I just hope they find room for Stewart in LF and move Taveras so Spilly can play CF.

As a Rockies fan, I'm fine with it, as long as they can shore up the rotation somehow. If Penny seems to be getting his health back, I would love for the Rockies to get him. That, along with Beimel would be a great pickup for the Rox.

Does anyone else think this could be their lineup next season:

C- Iannetta
1B- Helton
2B- Barmes/Baker
3B- Stewart
SS- Tulowitzki
LF- Atkins
CF- Gonzalez/Spilborghs
RF- Hawpe

The Rockies really need to make room for all three of Atkins, Helton and Stewart, and they do have a hole in the outfield considering that Hawpe, Taveras, Gonzalez and Spilborghs isn't exactly a great foursome.

Helton's contract really has them screwed for a few more years. They'd have a nice middle infield with Atkins at first and Stewart at 3B, but now they have to figure out another way to give Stewart playing time because Helton's still locked in. Atkins probably isn't valuable because of his awful splits, so the Rockies should keep him because he produces for them.

Tim mentioned the Reds in on Atkins at one point, would a EE for Beltre swap make sense to anyone else but me? Cincy gets MUCH improved D, with a solid middle-of-the-order bat to put in between Bruce and Votto, while Seattle gets younger/cheaper.

Scribbletone, I might be a homer, but that lineup is pretty freaking powerful. What is missing is solid leadoff and uncertainty at the 3 spot.

But regardless of who hits at the bottom of the lineup, you have to think they've easily got the most dangerous 4-8 in the NL. And then Tulo will hopefully be solid in the 2 hole.

I suppose my order would be:

1. Spilbourghs or Barmes?
2. Tulo
3. Helton?
4. Atkins
5. Hawpe
6. Stewart
7. Ianetta
8. Barmes or Spilbourghs

Either Barmes or Spilly in the 8 hole makes me laugh, but where do you put them?

I don't disagree at all. I actually think the Rockies are in a very good position long term, with that lineup and some really interesting guys still coming up like Fowler, Nelson, Gomez, etc.

Combine that with their pitching, which actually looks decent long term with Jimenez, Francis, Cook, Morales, Chacin, Reynolds, Weathers, Corpas, Street, and Friedrich.

Hawpe and Atkins are very good IMO. Maybe the 15 home games I go to every year overshadow their road performances for me. Helton's lack of power makes me want to put him closer to the 7 hole, but he still gets on base enough that I need to put him nearer to the top of the order.

Seriously, what would the Reds need to give up to get all three of...Taverez, Torreabla, and Atkins?

Bailey, Stubbs, Thompson, Malony, Freel, Dorn, Roenicke?

''A 3-4-5 of Helton, Atkins and Hawpe/Iannetta/Stewart is pretty subpar, and would be an issue considering that they don't even have great top of the lineup hitters.''

It isn't the greatest 3-4-5 from a name standpoint, but Helton, Hawpe, and Atkins put up some huge numbers (at Coors, I know). If Helton and Tulowitzki are healthy next year and Stewart could develop further, I really think the Rockies could win the West without Holliday. I love the 1-2-3 of Francis, Cook, and Jimenez. They won't win any popularity contests but I think if they are all healthy and performing at the same time, look out for them.

And as for Tim's point, I think that Colorado is looking to see if Helton will stay healthy, not as much as him producing because we know he definitely can. If Helton gets injured again, Atkins could easily play first with Stewart at third. If not, then they would have to bench an outfielder to make room for Atkins or Stewart in left. Makes sense.

Helton-Atkins-Hawpe isn't bad, and Stewart has upside and hopefully will evolve into one of his own.

Cook-Jimenez-Francis-De La Rosa/Smith/Morales/Reynolds.

Helton's a 1B, not a 3B. He has zero relevance to who plays 3B. It will be Stewart, unless he falls off the cliff.