MVN: Most Valuable Network

This series is predicated on educated guesses, past history of the team/general manager, rumors that have been out there for a while, and actions that I feel could be taken. This exercise is me playing GM to inspire conversation and a new way of approaching things. Moves that I complete as previous GMs of teams will carry over here. Trades only include principal, significant players.

The Colorado Rockies followed up a magical 2008 season by regressing to the mean in 2008. It was expected, at least by every non-Rockie fan, and the club now has a far better grip on what they need to ascend to the World Series again.

Colorado Rockies trade first-baseman/third-baseman Garrett Atkins to the Milwaukee Brewers for Rickie Weeks and a prospect.

The Rockies are in need of a second baseman (Jayson Nix isn't cutting it) and Rickie Weeks needs a change of scenery. It's very apparent that Weeks has a lot of work to do to recapture his average batting line as he's been under .240 for two years in a row now. With good OBP and solid power, however, he's valuable and the Brewers will need a first baseman in Atkins after trading Prince Fielder to the Yankees for Robinson Cano and Phil Hughes.

Colorado Rockies sign Joe Biemel.

The Rockies make a move to shore up their bullpen and pilfer Joe Biemel from the Los Angeles Dodgers. Biemel is a quality left-handed pitcher that will replace the void left by Brian Fuentes. Sure, he's no Fuentes, but he can get the job done.

Colorado Rockies sign Jim Edmonds, Jason Michaels.

Edmonds rebuilt a lot of value this year and should land a starting job somewhere playing against right-fielders. Willy Taveras is a prime candidate to be non-tendered, so the Rockies should move to bring in Edmonds. Michaels, who has fallen off the map lately, has demonstrated over his career that he is appreciably better at hitting left-handers than he is righties, so he would be Edmonds' platoonmate. This would give the Rockies some power out of centerfield.

Colorado Rockies sign Ryan Dempster.

General manager Dan O'Dowd has stated that the team needs to find starting pitching that can help now from outside the organization, but is not inclined to trade any of his young starting pitchers to get said pitcher. That leaves free agency.

Why Dempster? For one, he's coming off a very successful year but given his career path, won't ask for a salary relative to the year he just came off of - far too much risk there.

In addition, Dempster gave up just 14 home runs this year and keeps the ball on the ground. Those are prerequsities for pitching in Coors Field. Acquiring Dempster gives the Rockies a rotation of Aaron Cook, Dempster, Jeff Francis, Ubaldo Jiminez and Jorge De La Rosa.

The team adds power in Jim Edmonds and Rickie Weeks, gives their uber-prospect Ian Stewart the job at third base and brings in a veteran starting pitcher who can pitch in Coors Field. It might just be enough to get them back into the playoffs.