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9 improvement areas for the Colorado Rockies

So what do the Rockies need to do to overcome the last five years of disappointment? Here are nine things the Rockies need to be better at this season.

Carlos Gonzalez #5, Charlie Blackmon #19 and Christian Friedrich #53 of the Colorado Rockies greet fans after the final home game of the season at Coors Field on September 27, 2015 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

Colorado Rockies' fans are used to hearing it this off-season: Don't get your hopes up.

The owners claim they are building a team to be successful in the future, but, in the meantime, that still leaves some fans donning purple shirts walking a little slower out of Coors Field, dragging their feet along the purple line on Blake Street to go drown their sorrows on the 16th Street Mall.

So what do the Rockies need to do to overcome the last five years of disappointment? Here are nine things the Rockies need to be better at this season:

 Carlos Gonzalez #5 of the Colorado Rockies poses for a portrait at the Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on February 29, 2016 in Sottsdale Arizona. (Photo by Rob Tringali/Getty Images)

1. Keep CarGo healthy and happy

Right fielder Carlos Gonzalez had some injury issues, a dent that was felt by the whole team after they let Troy Tulowitzki go in the months before last season to the Toronto Blue Jays. The Rockies didn't help his confidence by letting trade rumors swirl around CarGo for a good bit of the off-season, especially after an injury-ridden season after he had surgery on his left knee. But even with all the injury issues, he still managed to have a pretty stellar season. So the Rockies need to make sure CarGo is smiling and mobile for the 2016 season to have any hope at all.

Third baseman Nolan Arenado #28 of the Colorado Rockies heads back to the dugout after the fourth inning against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)

2. Tell Nolan Arenado to 'swing away'

Of course spring training stats don't count, but the Rockies' third baseman Nolan Arenado is crushing it. He's smacked five home runs, is hitting .580 and holds an OPS of 1.673. And he's not just proficient on one side of the game. He's won three golden gloves ... in his three years in the league. Pretty good winning percentage, if you ask us.

Charlie Blackmon #19 of the Colorado Rockies lines out to the San Francisco Giants in the third inning at AT&T Park on October 4, 2015. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)

3. Pay Charlie Blackmon

Rockies' center fielder Charlie Blackmon is known for many things. He's great at stealing bases. He's got a huge bat -- 176 hits and 93 runs scored. One of his more noted facts is actually not baseball related. He still drives the same car that he had in high school. He's just that kind of person. But what some fans might not know is his contract is only through 2016. So it's time for the Rockies to put their money where their mouth is -- and pay up.

Jake McGee #57 of the Tampa Bay Rays pitches during the eighth inning of a game New York Mets on August 7, 2015 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)

4. Capitalize on momentum at pitching

2015 was pretty dismal in the pitching department. But 2016 looks markedly better. Rockies' reliever Jason Motte, unfortunately, is already nursing a strained shoulder and will most likely miss Opening Day. However, his injury does open up a place in the bullpen for Jake McGee. McGee was already competing with Motte for the closer position, so now's the time to prove his worth.

A detail of the hat, sunglasses and glove of Brandon Barnes #1 of the Colorado Rockies in the dugout as they face the Philadelphia Phillies at Coors Field on May 21, 2015 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

5. Farm that team

According to scouting websites, the Rockies' farm system is one of the best in the country. So memorize this name in case he gets called up during the season: Brendan Rodgers (shortstop). Rodgers is fast, strong and will hopefully fill the Tulo-shaped void that's been plaguing the Rockies.

Carlos Gonzalez #5 of the Colorado Rockies watches his walk-off RBI single in the ninth inning as Ryan Lavarnway #30 of the Atlanta Braves and home plate umpire Paul Emmel look on at Coors Field. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

6. We're in high altitude

OK, so that fact wasn't a surprise to you. But the altitude, as you know, allows the ball to travel further ... thus leading to more home runs at Coors Field. In 2015, the team hit a .302 with 288 extra-base hits. Not too shabby considering the aforementioned injury issues. So get the ball over the fence, boys.

Relief pitcher Scott Oberg #45 of the Colorado Rockies look on as a home run off the bat of Justin Turner (not pictured) of the Los Angeles Dodgers flies over the fence during the eighth inning. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

7. Even pitchers need to hit

The year was 2009 -- the last time the Rockies made the playoffs. In that season, the Rockies' pitchers maintained a respectable 4.22 ERA. It's time to get that number back up again, especially when it's so easy to hit home runs in Denver.

Trevor Story #27 of the Colorado Rockies celebrates with teammate Tom Murphy #23 after hitting a home run in the fourth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers on March 12, 2016 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images)

8. Peak at the right time

Rockies fans do it every year. They get all pumped because, at the last second, the Rockies seem to want to redeem their season. They start winning. They go against the odds. But it's always with their backs against the walls. Maybe 2016 will be the year they decide to peak at the right time and not be so far behind in the playoff race that it actually makes a difference.

Trevor Story #27 of the Colorado Rockies runs the bases after hitting a home run in the fourth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers on March 12, 2016 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images)

9. Keep your chin up

The Rockies have some prospects this season. There is a lot of buzz around Trevor Story. Unfortunately, a lot of the buzz is due to the confusion over Jose Reyes' role for the Rockies with his pending off-field domestic violence case, but we'll take excitement when we get it.

So if this list gave you anything, we hope it gave you hope for the Rockies.