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Predicting Bullpen Roles For The Colorado Rockies In 2015

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Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Predicting Bullpen Roles for the Colorado Rockies in 2015

Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Adam Ottavino (0) warms up in the bullpen in the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Coors Field. The Rockies defeated the Dodgers 5-4 in the tenth inning.
Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Bullpen injuries were just one of the issues that helped the Rockies sink close to the bottom of the NL West in 2014. With one of MLB’s oldest players, a fellow looking to reclaim recent glory, a guy coming off injury and a guy who will never make your fantasy team, Colorado’s bullpen could be pretty good -- if only everyone can stay healthy.

Tyler Anderson (LHP) - Wild Card

Pitcher Tyler Anderson #30 of the Colorado Rockies poses for a portrait during spring training photo day at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on February 21, 2013 in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Christian Petersen/Getty Image

Tyler Anderson (LHP) - Wild Card

Pitcher Tyler Anderson #30 of the Colorado Rockies poses for a portrait during spring training photo day at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on February 21, 2013 in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Christian Petersen/Getty Image

The 20th pick in the 2011 draft, Anderson was an ace starter at Oregon and has continued in that role in the minors. If Anderson makes the big club out of Spring Training, it’ll likely be as a long reliever and spot starter.

Boone Logan (LHP) - Middle Reliever

Colorado Rockies manager Walt Weiss (22) takes relief pitcher Boone Logan (48) out of the game against the Atlanta Braves in the eighth inning at Turner Field.
Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Boone Logan (LHP) - Middle Reliever

Colorado Rockies manager Walt Weiss (22) takes relief pitcher Boone Logan (48) out of the game against the Atlanta Braves in the eighth inning at Turner Field.
Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Bone spurs in his left elbow limited his effectiveness in 2014 and eventually led to season-ending surgery, but the Rockies claim Logan is ready to go for 2015. In 2012 with the Yankees, he pitched 55 innings in 80 appearances, both career-highs. Those may have contributed to his elbow issues as he hadn’t pitched in more than 68 games before or since.

John Axford (RHP) - 7th Inning

Cleveland Indians relief pitcher John Axford (44) throws a pitch against the Boston Red Sox in the ninth inning at Fenway Park.
David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

John Axford (RHP) - 7th Inning

Cleveland Indians relief pitcher John Axford (44) throws a pitch against the Boston Red Sox in the ninth inning at Fenway Park.
David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Just signed to a minor league deal, expect the former closer to get one of the Rockies' bullpen spots and earn a $2.6 million bonus. Axford had an NL-league leading 46 saves in 2011 for the Brewers, but has fallen on hard times recently. He began as the Indians closer last season, then the Pirates picked him up on waivers and it didn’t work out so well. If he finds his way, he could become the closer if the current guy falters.

Adam Ottavino (RHP) - Set-up Man

Colorado Rockies pitcher Adam Ottavino pitches during the eighth inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Washington Nationals defeated Colorado Rockies 7-1.
Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Adam Ottavino (RHP) - Set-up Man

Colorado Rockies pitcher Adam Ottavino pitches during the eighth inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Washington Nationals defeated Colorado Rockies 7-1.
Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Ottavino is quite unique because he’s the only pitcher to ever wear No. 0 in the majors. He's just signed a $1.3 million-dollar deal to avoid arbitration, so the Rockies know his value. At age 29, he's seemingly too old to become a closer, but he has a heck of a role model there.

LaTroy Hawkins (RHP) - Closer

Colorado Rockies relief pitcher LaTroy Hawkins (32) and catcher Wilin Rosario (20) react to the win over the Minnesota Twins at Coors Field. The Rockies defeated the Twins 6-2.
Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

LaTroy Hawkins (RHP) - Closer

Colorado Rockies relief pitcher LaTroy Hawkins (32) and catcher Wilin Rosario (20) react to the win over the Minnesota Twins at Coors Field. The Rockies defeated the Twins 6-2.
Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Hawkins, who just turned 42, recently announced he will retire after the 2015 season. Manager Walt Weiss has already confirmed Hawkins as his guy, and plenty of closers have done quite well after age 40. Hawkins had 23 saves last year, his third-best season total after bouncing between setup and closer roles. He’s appeared in exactly a thousand MLB games and has about 50 to go if everything goes well.

Alex Drude is a Pac-12 writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Alex_Drude. “Like” him on Facebook and add him to your network on Google+.

Alex Drude is a writer for RantSports.
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