Projecting the Rockies' 2023 roster. Lots of holes to fill.

The Rockies insist they are not rebuilding, but they need to if they want to avoid their fifth consecutive losing season and escape the National League West basement in 2023.

Colorado's team needs to improve its performance. The team has a poor record on the road and a bad starting rotation. Elehuris Montero and Michael Toglia have already debuted. Ezequiel Tovar came off the injured list on Friday and played his first game for Triple-A Albuquerque. Colorado needs a starting pitcher and leadoff hitter.

Colorado's starting rotation is in need of reinforcements. Antonio Senzatela tore his ACL and needed knee surgery. Ryan Rolison and Peter Lambert are injured. The team doesn't have any immediate help on the farm. Jose Urena and Chad Kuhl will be free agents. It's not sure if they will get a big-league deal. Bud Black is planning to start the season at Triple-A.

The Rockies have a good closer in Daniel Bard, but they need to find some more bullpen help. Carlos Estevez is scheduled to become a free agent and if he gets a chance to be a closer somewhere else, he could be gone. Lucas Gilbreath is injured and he's out for the season. Tyler Kinley is also injured. Dinelson Lamet is getting a tryout now.

Drew Romo is the catcher of the future but he probably won't debut until 2024. Eliaz Diaz and Brian Serven will be the Rockies' catching duo next season.

Colorado has a lot of decisions to make in the infield in 2023. Tovar is projected to be the next great shortstop. Ryan McMahon will be back as the third baseman. Brendan Rodgers will handle second base. Alan Trejo's recent performance earned him a spot on the roster.

The Rockies' outfield is crowded. Charlie Blackmon will play right field and be a designated hitter. Randal Grichuk has played solid defense in both center and right, but his 15 homers, 64 RBIs and .727 OPS have come up short of what the Rockies hoped for when they traded Raimel Tapia to Toronto. Yonathan Daza is Colorado’s best defensive outfielder and is proving to be reliable hitter since coming back from the injured list Sept. 6.

The Rockies open the 2023 season at San Diego on March 30. The starting pitcher is LHP Kyle Freeland. First base is C.J. Cron, second base Brendan Rodgers, third base Ryan McMahon, shortstop Ezequiel Tovar, left field Kris Bryant, center field Randal Grichuk, right field Michael Toglia, designated hitter Charlie Blackmon and the bullpen is Daniel Bard, Justin Lawrence, Jake Bird and Dinelson Lamet.

Projecting the Rockies' 2023 roster: LHP Kyle Freeland, No. 2 German Marquez, RHP Ryan Feltner, Lhp Austin Gomber, and No 5 TBD.