"Miguel Olivo, last year's starting catcher, is in Seattle. Yorvit Torrealba, the previous incumbent who nearly returned this winter, landed in Texas.

Shades of gray have become black and white: Chris Iannetta is the Rockies' starting catcher. Again. The owner, manager and general manager have said as much for two months. For the first time this offseason, Iannetta acknowledged the designation, albeit with cautious optimism, in an interview Thursday.

"I am taking nothing for granted, to be completely honest with you," Iannetta told The Denver Post. "I am going to camp to win the job. Saying you are the starter now - ultimately, that just means it's the case going into spring and maybe opening day. After that, whoever is playing well is the guy."

Iannetta speaks from personal experience, having gained and lost the spot multiple times since 2007. But nothing braced him for last April, when Olivo's terrific play and his own sluggish start led to a jarring Triple-A demotion after just 30 at-bats. The 27-year-old ultimately returned, but nine home runs and 27 RBIs in 61 games wasn't what he had in mind.

"Last year was miserable. I never want to go through a season like that again," said Iannetta, whose backup candidates entering camp are the unproven Jose Morales, Matt Pagnozzi and Mike McKenry.

Iannetta wasted no time trying to avoid a 2010 sequel, reuniting with new Rockies hitting instructor Carney Lansford in Asheville, N.C., last month. Iannetta, bright and always prepared, arrived with a plan after studying video of his at-bats from 2007-09.

Lansford was pleased, his suggestions mirroring the adjustments the catcher had made on his own. Iannetta has worked on shortening his swing to create a more direct path to the ball.

"I know Chris. I need to just instill that confidence back," said Lansford, who worked with Iannetta in 2007 in the minors."