"The refrain is consistent, if not relentless. The Rockies never spend money. Clearly, they don't dole out enough on payroll to satisfy most fans, understandable given the support this city and region have shown this team.

But the Rockies do spend money. It's typically just reserved for their own players like Troy Tulowitzki ($158 million), Carlos Gonzalez ($80 million) and Todd Helton ($151 million), though they spent $37.9 million on free agents Michael Cuddyer and Ramon Hernandez.

No team has been has active as the Rockies over the last five years of locking up young players long term before they reach the arbitration process. The list includes Jeff Francis, Ubaldo Jimenez, Brad Hawpe, Manny Corpas, Chris Iannetta, CarGo and Tulowitzki.

The next obvious candidate is Jhoulys Chacin, who could start opening day this season. He is eligible for salary arbitration in 2013 and can't become a free agent until 2016. Under similar circumstances, the Rockies secured Francis and Jimenez.

"But we aren't ready to do anything at this time," general manager Dan O'Dowd said of Chacin."