A trade just before the 2009 season started brought the Colorado Rockies pitching depth in the form of Jason Hammel, who now stands tall as one of the more reliable fifth starters in baseball.

Multi-year contract signed over the winter and approach at the plate implemented late last year should help catcher worry and press less than in the past

The Colorado Rockies once had such a glut of young third basemen that they tried to shift a couple to a new position and then had a glut of backup second basemen. Now, all but one of those third base prospects are gone and the one still standing owns the job the Rockies have waited years for him to claim.

One of the few positions that created some drama for the Colorado Rockies this offseason has been talked about at length here on the site. But it’s as good a place to start daily discussions about what the Rockies are going to look like when spring training opens later this month.

The Rockies announced Tuesday they had agreed to contracts with two more arbitration-eligible players, signing outfielder Ryan Spilborghs to a two-year contract and pitcher Jason Hammel to a one-year deal.

Rockies lock up closer Huston Street for at least three years and setup man Rafael Betancourt for two with deals that avoid arbitration with both pitchers.

Rockies bring in strong-throwing Miguel Olivo to backup Chris Iannetta at catcher.

With the potential return of Yorvit Torrealba in limbo for several weeks, the Colorado Rockies appear ready to move on and are close to a deal for a new backup catcher.

Former catcher once played for Rockies and finished playing career in 2009 at Triple-A Colorado Springs

De La Rosa suffers groin injury and Rockies hopes to win division come crashing down in five-run seventh, sending them Philadelphia as the wild card to start the playoffs Wednesday

Chris Iannetta, the Colorado Rockies’ forgotten catcher, played hero with a walkoff two-run home run in the 11th inning to pick up Huston Street, who blew his first save since June 2. The Rockies’ magic number drops to three with the win and the Atlanta Braves’ loss to Florida.

The Colorado Rockies failed to capitalize on a fast start provided by a Troy Tulowitzki three-run home run and fell to the San Diego Padres, who came from behind to again play spoiler.