Take a careful look at the 2009 Rockies’ rotation. This pitching staff is a perfect model for the type of rotation that the Brewers need to build in 2010. (1) Focus on pitchers with above average fastballs, or close to it. (2) Acquire youngsters with potential that need to improve one aspect of their game, but also have one aspect of their game that provides strong upside (or the likelihood of average performance). (3) And of course, have a veteran get lucky, the youngsters figure it out, etc.

The 2009 Rockies are a perfect example of how pitching does not get you to the playoffs as much as luck and low-risk acquisitions can get you to the playoffs. Tell me before 2009 that you’d take Aaron Cook, Jason Marquis, Ubaldo Jimenez, Jorge de la Rosa, and Jason Hammel as your playoff-bound rotation. Go ahead, admit it; outside of Jimenez, who is an absolute beast – probably the hardest throwing sinker pitcher in the game, and Cook – a consistently average/above average pitcher, you would say exactly what you did about the Brewers:

“There is no way that this team makes it to the playoffs with Marquis, de la Rosa, and Hammel pitching 60% of the team’s starts.”

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I get it: great pitching wins championships, great pitchers get you to the playoffs. Except for when they don’t.

Chris Narveson (1-0, 5 G, 3 GS, 17.7 IP, 5 R; 0 quality starts) @ Jason Marquis (1-3, 5 GS, 28.7 IP, 21 R; 1 quality start)

There is always something enjoyable about watching a replacement pitcher work his magic at the end of the year. Especially if it’s someone like Narveson, a 28-year-old-to-be making the fifth start of his entire career. If he does poorly, fans question why the chump was there in the first place, but when he does well? Get that man a rotation spot for next year! The subtleties of the baseball season are too numerous to count, but there is nothing more fun than trying to coax some of baseball’s lessons through the lens of a replacement starter making his keep at the end of the year.

It’s funny that one of the first times that I have a chance to praise Marquis’ fine – and uncharacteristic season – is marked by a 5-start stretch that looks simply terrible. Okay, I guarantee you that everyone’s favorite forgettable sinkerballer pitched much, much better than 21 R / 28.7 IP for the vast majority of the season. The righty could not have picked a better time to improve; he’s hitting a depressed pitching market this off-season, which all but guarantees him a killer payday.

Jeff Suppan (1-3, 5 GS, 29 IP, 17 R; 2 quality starts) @ Jason Hammel (1-1, 5 GS, 32.7 IP, 15 R; 3 quality starts)

On Wednesday, Suppan will likely be making his last start of the season, and it truly is a season marked by highs and lows. Besides spending nearly a month on the disabled list, and allowing seven or more runs three times (including one 10 R outing), the righty also pitched 10 quality starts, although outside of the quality starts, he failed to work as deep into his starts as some might prefer. I think it’s rather clear that Suppan is what he is, but that this increasingly means that his rotation spot falls lower and lower in the order…

Who the !#@$ is Jason Hammel? Exactly the type of deal the Brewers need to make this year; a hard-throwing pitcher, 26-27-years old during the season, in need of a change of scenery and a change in his role. Hammel features an above-average fastball velocity-wise, and complements that pitch with a curveball, slider, and – to a lesser extent – a change up. After making 28 starts in his entire career prior to 2009, Hammel surpassed that this season, improving his control, lowering his walks significantly, emerging a different pitcher. The fact that this occurred in Colorado’s thin air is all the more inspiring, especially for the recently pitching-focused scouting department in Colorado…

Manny Parra (3-1, 5 GS, 23.7 IP, 18 R; 2 quality starts) @ Aaron Cook (0-0, 1 GS, 5 IP, 0 R; 0 quality starts since September 25)

Who knew it only took 2-weeks of rest? Okay, okay, I’m sorry, but I can’t be the only one who was a bit annoyed at Parra’s last outing. Is rest simply an issue? Workload? The southpaw was obviously injured, and I’m not disputing that, but where was this 7 IP, 1 R electricity all year? Parra really only had a couple of starts like that all year; but each time he shows his potential, he also seems to add to the frustration of watching a young lefty with a good fastball failing to pitch aggressively, or with command. Parra has a chance to end the season on a high note, and put some things together at the very end; let’s see what he can do.

What a time to return one of last year’s best pitchers! Going into the stretch run, and maybe even the playoffs, and returning one of the previous year’s pitching gems really couldn’t provide a better situation for the Rockies. Cook is a bigtime sinkerballer, and a fastball comes out of his hand around 85% of the time, when you consider his 4-seamer and sinker together. And for all that predictability…the man throws a hell of a fastball!