"He wasn't being smug or desperate, just honest.

"We need help," outfielder Carlos Gonzalez said late last season as the Rockies spiraled to a fourth-place finish. Consecutive years with their noses pressed up against the playoff window have proved to the Rockies that the Tulo, CarGo and Oh No template doesn't work.

So this winter, general manager Dan O'Dowd added Michael Cuddyer, the highest-paid free agent in the National League West, catcher Ramon Hernandez, second baseman Marco Scutaro and third baseman Casey Blake.

Did the Rockies get older or better? One thing is clear: Help has arrived to provide leadership. Troy Tulowitzki is the heartbeat of the team, but he's admittedly learning how to control his emotions and be more approachable when he's not performing. Gonzalez is the team's smile, something that was too often absent last year as he pressed because of a new contract and cringed because of multiple wrist injuries.

Now, the team's top players — both of whom should be NL MVP candidates — have mentors beyond Jason Giambi and Todd Helton. Cuddyer's personality fills a room, and he is adept at holding teammates accountable through humor.

Scutaro plays like he's still on a sandlot. Hernandez accepted his contract so he could have the opportunity to tutor Wilin Rosario. The point is that having more pillars in the room will free Tulo and CarGo to just play the game.

Both are becoming more comfortable in their skin, learning how to exert influence and interact with teammates. They want to be leaders and recognize how they can improve in that area. But now they don't have to be perfect in every facet. There are others capable of providing caulking if the clubhouse walls crack."