Best Guesses. Rockies Infield.

[wrveres]

The Rockies just traded for Jose Lopez, muddling the waters in their infield yet again.
Obviously Todd Helton will be at first when his back allows it, and Tulo will still be at SS when some of you become grandfathers. But what are we to make of Ian Stewart, Jose Lopez, Eric Young, Jonathan Herrera and Chris Nelson?

Both Stewart and Lopez can play third, and all 5 of them can play 2B ..
does Stewart or Young get bumped into the outfield platoon? or does Nelson and Young rot at AAA?

Is Herrera just a super utility ?

best guesses?!?

[dAnzac]

NOT LANCE BERKMAN

[Tavish]

I would expect Lopez to be the utility guy with Young / Herrera at 2B and Stewart at 3rd. Lopez will basically be playing the role of Barmes/Mora.

[MasterX1918]

Lopez can't really hit nighties either so EYJ will probably see alot of starts against RHP.

[fast dogs]

Lopez didn't play anywhere but 3rd last year for the M's; barring a huge spring I'd say he'll play 1 of the corners vs LHP on off days for the starters & pinch hit.

[RugbyD]

I would think they try to max his ABs at the 7 spot in the lineup unless his OBP continues to suck. Too much power in that bat to ignore.

[buffalobillsrul2002]

Lopez didn't play anywhere but 3rd last year for the M's; barring a huge spring I'd say he'll play 1 of the corners vs LHP on off days for the starters & pinch hit.

This is a good bet. Plus I'm sure Lopez will see some games at 2B over EYJ. Plus EYJ can play outfield, right? So with some OF injuries, you might see Lopez at 2B and EYJ in outfield.

[Element]

Lopez didn't play anywhere but 3rd last year for the M's; barring a huge spring I'd say he'll play 1 of the corners vs LHP on off days for the starters & pinch hit.

This is a good bet. Plus I'm sure Lopez will see some games at 2B over EYJ. Plus EYJ can play outfield, right? So with some OF injuries, you might see Lopez at 2B and EYJ in outfield.

This is what I am thinking as well. They went into the offseason looking for a platoon partner for Helton. Lopez does provide experience at other IF positions too, which helps with flexibility.

[Skin Blues]

They really just need to let Helton go. The first baseman for the Rockies should not be dead last in the league in SLG/ISO by a landslide among 1Bs with 400 plate appearances. They could probably go dust off Larry Walker and get better numbers than that.

[DaSh 1s]

Thank god Jose Lopez is out of Safeco. Now we can see Jose Lopez absolutely rake in a hitters haven and "wipe the floor" with the other 2B players.