Rockies plans coming into view

The Rockies did not do much before the trading deadline, deciding to hold on to prospects instead of dealing them for help in the club's battle for the playoffs.

Rafael Betancourt and Joe Beimel are hardly inspiring pickups although Betancourt has been Rockies' solid since arriving in town to shore up a banged up (Manny Corpas, Alan Embree, Taylor Buchholz) and often toxic bullpen.

You can sense management's approach for the future -- strengthen the starting rotation, fill the bullpen and eschew big money free agents.

Here's a look at how management might very well be thinking of building pitching for 2010:

Starters, in order of rotation ranking

Ubaldo Jimenez
Aaron Cook
Jeff Francis (return from injury)
Jorge De La Rosa

Note: Jason Marquis is expected to sign elsewhere as a free agent in the offseason due to increased salary demands after an impressive 2009 season.

Add ins for 2010: Prospect Jhoulys Chacin as well as another low-cost rental free agent and possibly prospect Christian Friedrich by mid-season or September.

Analysis: The Rockies still lack a dominant no. 1 starter to call their own but could be a winning club again if Jimenez takes a step forward (more control and consistency) to become a no. 1, Cook continues being a high no. 3, Francis returns to no. 3 form, De La Rosa holds on to his no. 4 production and Chacin and/or Friedrich prove to be, at very least, middle-of-the-rotation starters.

Bullpen

Street
Betancourt
Corpas (if healthy)
Franklin Morales
Buchholz (if healthy)
Josh Fogg (until younger, cheaper arms arrive)

Add ins for 2010: If healthy, prospect Casey Weathers could get his feet wet at the major league level by mid-summer, former no. 2 overall draft pick Greg Reynolds could move to the pen and contribute as a long reliever and spot starter by mid-to-late summer and you might see some prospects who are currently in double A or lower levels.

Analysis: Street as a closer, if healthy, is at least as good as departed Brian Fuentes while the return of Buchholz, lights out in 2008, would help. Morales has big, big potential as a ceiling as a lefty power arm (think set-up man down the road) and at minimum could be a tough situational hombre if he can improve his control just a hair. Former closer Corpas needs his health and confidence back or he risks becoming a middle-reliever. Betancourt can be fairly solid in the seventh or eighth frames.

Pitching prospect afterthoughts

Esmil Rogers -- sinking at Triple A

Sam Deduno -- both dominating and overly wild, too wild for big league success

Greg Smith -- JAG (Just Another Guy) right now

Brandon Hynick -- can't start and not really room in the bullpen

Chaz Roe -- will have to successfully become a reliever to make a big league club