2B Battle in Denver

With the free agent defection of last year's 2B Kaz Matsui to the Astros, things are heating up to see who will patrol 2B for the Rockies in '08. As spring training gets set to begin, it looks as though rookie Jayson Nix is the favorite. Nix, 25, spent the '07 season at hitter-friendly Colorado Springs and put up some decent numbers, hitting .292, 11 homers, 58 RBI's and stealing 24 bases. Nix has spent six years in the Rockies system and according to manager Clint Hurdle; "This may be his best shot." The other contenders for the spot are Jeff Baker and Clint Barmes, both of whom played numerous positions last year for the Rockies. Barring a disastrous spring, i look for Nix to win the job and fair just fine in the friendly confines of Coors Field.