The Rockies have built with low-priced talent from their Minor League system, but they're learning that those prices don't stay low forever. How they manage their payroll will be a key component of their success. That topic also is a key question on fans' minds.

Just how hard will it be to re-sign the Big Three, as I call them, pitcher Jason Jennings, left fielder Matt Holliday and third baseman Garrett Atkins, especially with Holliday using agent Scott Boras? Will the Rockies pay them, and will they be willing to take a hometown discount for a three-year contract instead of a longer-term deal?
-- Vinnie W., Centennial, Colo.

Pitcher Jeff Francis decided to dispense with the negotiating, agreeing to a four-year deal last week. But with salaries spiraling, I don't expect the Francis signing to be the norm.

The immediate key for the Rockies is they don't have to be forced into anything this winter. Jennings is under contract for the 2007 season, and they have control of Holliday for three years of arbitration and Atkins for the next four years.

Having such young talents means the Rockies have the means to fill multiple holes via trades. If they focus too much on the dollar signs, they run the risk of making a trade that fills one hole but creates another.

For example, I'd be against any deal involving Jennings if the Rockies don't end up with an upper-rotation pitcher, either in the deal itself or through other means.

With all the talk of Jennings and possibly right fielder Brad Hawpe being traded, wouldn't the Rockies be forced to ask for a true center fielder in return? I've heard the name of the Astros' Chris Burke come up time and time again, and while as an Astros fan as well I like Burke a lot, he needs to play second base, not center field. If the Rockies are going to make a move, it needs to be for a pure center fielder, doesn't it?
-- Cris R., Galveston, Texas

Burke would be attractive because he has the athletic ability to make the switch permanently, and he brings offensive potential. The Rockies could stand to trade some defensive polish for the ability to get on base and create havoc.

Hawpe attracted a lot of interest from other clubs last winter, and his name is coming up in media reports of possible trades now. Despite some rough patches, Hawpe hit .293 with 22 home runs, and defensively he has the arm to change games.

It's true that prospect Jeff Baker performed well at the end of last season, and the presence of the two of them creates some lineup challenges. But potentially two power hitters at one position is a good problem to have.

So, to answer your question, any deal involving Hawpe would have to lead to something special. Filling the center-field hole with a proven player who can make a difference offensively, and somehow replenishing the outfield depth, certainly would qualify.

Why do the Rockies have so many different uniform styles? Why don't they just have standard road and home uniforms?
-- Ken S., Fort Collins, Colo.

I've received a lot of uniform-related questions recently. Much of it coincided with the Diamondbacks' complete image overhaul.

So I'll use this question to deal with many uni-related issues.

The majority of teams have more than two jerseys. According to Paul Lukas, who devotes an ESPN column and his own blog to the study of all things uniform in sports, the Cardinals, Dodgers, Giants, Phillies, Tigers and Yankees are the only teams that go with only two uniforms, home and away. Obviously, the fact all of them except the Phillies are wearing uniforms that are similar to what they wore at least a half-century ago has something to do with them not following suit with the rest of baseball.

To me, the alternatives make sense. A club needs to capitalize on its colors.

I've received letters asking if the Rockies plan to update or change their uniforms. Some fans even demand that they do so. First of all, the Rockies have no plans to change.

They'll have the traditional white and gray, each with purple pinstripes, a white sleeveless with pinstripes, black sleeveless and a purple jersey they haven't used for the last couple of years. The starting pitcher decides whether the club will wear a traditional or alternate jersey.

There are almost as many suggestions as there are fans. I'd prefer they leave pinstripes to teams that have worn them for decades and go with more purple, a color now unique in the Major Leagues since the D-backs abandoned it. I even suggested to CEO Charlie Monfort a few years ago that they use more purple.

But until I develop a 90-mph fastball I have no voice in what any baseball club wears.

Is it possible that center fielder Jeff Salazar may get a good bit of playing time this year?
-- Aaron, Jonesboro, La.

Salazar will be interesting to watch this spring.

Before he suffered an elbow injury last spring, many within the club considered him the best defensive outfielder in the organization. If Salazar's elbow has healed, it'll be interesting to see if he is better defensively than Cory Sullivan.

If the Rockies bring in a frontline center fielder, the competition may be for a roster spot, not just bragging rights.