Saunders: ‘Reason for optimism’ in spring training for Colorado Rockies

We’ve heard this song and seen this dance before with the Colorado Rockies.

On the surface, players and coaches would say the right things, that they’re optimistic, they think they can contend this upcoming season, etc., but they know — and we know — those are unrealistic expectations.

Even Denver Post Rockies beat reporter Patrick Saunders, joining 104.3 The Fan’s Sandy Clough from Scottsdale on Tuesday, said as much.

“In the past, the guy would say all the right things, the things you expect teams to say in spring training. ‘Oh, we believe that we can contend. We’re optimistic.’ And all of these things,” Saunders said. “But you knew underneath the surface that was a hope and a prayer, simply because they didn’t have the pitching. They didn’t have the depth.”

But Saunders, who has played witness three of the worst six seasons in franchise history since 2012, said the positive vibe around this Colorado squad this season is legitimate.

“For position players, it’s a vintage time for them. And you add in some good, young pitchers, and there is a real reason for optimism,” Saunders said. “It’s not just spring training talk.”

The Rockies lineup is young and deep, and that runs through the club’s minor league system up through Triple-A, Saunders said. There’s also the enthusiasm that a new manager, Bud Black, brings in his first season.

But chief among the reasons for optimism, Saunders said, comes from Colorado’s pitching staff.

“I think this year it’s different, both on the record and off the record, because the guys see what, in my opinion, could have a chance to be maybe the best rotation in franchise history, certainly the best rotation since 2010 or 2009,” Saunders said.

He also pointed to general manager Jeff Bridich’s focus on the bullpen, the worst in the Major Leagues last season with a 5.13 ERA, during the offseason.

“It wasn’t hard to figure out, but the weak link on this team was the worst bullpen in the Major Leagues. And he went out, and he directly attacked that,” Saunders said.

Now, people may “quibble” over the impact guys like Greg Holland, whom Black said to look out for if he’s back from injury to his all-star form, and Mike Dunn will bring, Saunders said, but he still believes the young, healthy arms showing up can be the difference maker.

“They do have some good, young arms coming up who are healthy now, Jairo Diaz among them, who make what was the worst bullpen in baseball certainly not now the top bullpen in baseball but it’s, in my opinion, can be middle of the road,” Saunders said.

“And that might be enough to get them, certainly, over the .500 mark.”

And a .500 or better record is something to strive for with a Rockies club that’s only reached that mark seven times in 24 seasons, the last being that 2010 squad.

Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.