Morning Links: Rockies News 2/21

Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

The Colorado Rockies are healthy, ready to go, and expecting big things in 2014. What does that mean? Well, among other things, they have the same attitude right now as nearly every other team in Major League Baseball.

The Rockies tout a combination of star talent and young pitching that might break through that, if nothing else, could make things interesting and means we’re not totally crazy to get caught up in the hopefulness of Spring Training.

Here’s what else is happening with the Rockies:

From Tom Verducci: Nine teams that could be surprise playoff entrants (SportsIllustrated.com)

"8. Colorado Rockies (74-88)They have the best 3-4 hitting combination in the game, if only Troy Tulowitzki, 29, and Carlos Gonzalez, 28, would stay healthy. They have played five years together. Not once have they each played 130 games in the same year and they have combined for just two 100-RBI seasons. Let’s say Tulowitzki and Gonzalez finally do stay healthy together. Is the pitching good enough to win 90 games? Not likely, though a breakout season from another injury-prone young player, lefthanded starter Brett Anderson, would help close the gap.”"

From Matt Shetler: Fantasy Baseball: Rockies’ Corey Dickerson could turn into late round sleeper (Fantasy CPR)

"Dickerson had always been regarded as a quality prospect in the Rockies’ system during his previous seasons in the minors, but it wasn’t until he compiled an outstanding .371/.414/.632 line at Triple-A last season that he became a serious option in the Colorado outfield.He got a promotion to the big roster late in the year and had a decent showing, hit .263 with a .316 on-base percentage in 69 games.  In 197 at bats he hit five homers, drove in 17 runs and stole a pair of bases.”"

From Thomas Harding: Masset aims to complete comeback with Rockies (MLB.com)

"Nick Masset is finally past the search for answers and ready to resume what until 2012 was a career as a successful right-handed setup man.Masset is competing for a spot in the Rockies’ bullpen after missing 2012 because of a shoulder injury that required surgery and being out in 2013, but figuring out that thoracic outlet syndrome was what was delaying his rehab.”"