When Jim Tracy took over the Rockies they were 18-28 (39.1%). He then whipped them into shape to the tune of a 74-42 (63.8%) record after taking over driving them to the playoffs. For Tracy’s efforts he won the Manager of the Year Award in the National League. The Rockies then rewarded Tracy will a new three year contract which was money well spent.

The Rockies have re-signed 32-year old righty swinging catcher Paul Phillips to a minor league deal. Phillips played in 17 games for the Rockies last season and he was 14 for 45 (.311 avg, .818 OPS) with 5 runs scored, 1 homer and 9 RBIs. He has now played in 79 games in his major league career and he is 53 for 198 (.268 avg, .674 OPS) with 23 runs scored, 3 homers and 25 RBIs. It will be interesting to see if the Rockies bring in another catcher to back up Chris Iannetta or if they will give Phillips a legit shot at the job in spring training. Personally, I think the Rockies ought to go with Phillips as the back up catcher and use the money they save in the bullpen.

23-year old switch hitting CF Dexter Fowler has finished in a tie for 8th place for the National League Rookie of the Year Award. He played in 135 games for the Rockies last season and he was 115 for 433 (.266 avg, .770 OPS) with 73 runs scored, 4 homers, 34 RBIs and 27 stolen bases. Look for Fowler to really improve as he gets more adjusted to the major leagues.

The Rockies have lost 28-year old righty swinging 2B/SS Mike McCoy on waivers to the Blue Jays. McCoy played in 12 games for the Rockies last season and he was 0 for 5 (.000 avg) with 1 run scored and 2 stolen bases. He also played in 132 games in AAA-ball for the Rockies and he was 142 for 462 (.307 avg, .805 OPS) with 102 runs scored, 2 homers, 52 RBIs and 40 stolen bases. The Rockies won’t miss McCoy as they are well set up in the middle infield for next season.

The Rockies have re-signed 29-year old righty reliever Matt Belisle and 34-year old lefty reliever Randy Flores. Belisle pitched in 24 games (0 starts) for the Rockies last season and he was 3-1 with a 5.52 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP. He will be a long man in the bullpen next season for the Rockies. Randy Flores pitched in 27 games (0 starts) last season for the Rockies and he was 0-1 with a 5.25 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP. He will likely serve as a lefty specialist if he makes the pitching staff out of spring training. These were both cheap one year deals so it was good of the Rockies to bring these guys back.