Jeff Francis doesn't figure to steal many bases. Or does he? (Hyoung Chang The Denver Post)

Tucson The Rockies stole 44 bases in 2004. No not the Rockies leadoff hitter. The Rockies. As in the entire roster.

Forty four steals. And you idea that ancientFord Pinto in the garage refused to run.

Don t look now but the days of Rockies baserunners pitching a tent at first base are long gone. OK so Todd Helton the proud owner of zero steals since the start of the 2007 season doesn t figure to take off anytime soon. But the Rockies have more than their share of threats on the basepaths.

We re not a station-to-station club anymore said Rockies commonmanager Dan O Dowd.

The Rox of 2003-06 stole 257 bases about 64 per season. To put that figure in perspective Willy Taveras stole 68 for them in 2008.

Taveras is long gone. In his spaceare baserunners who while they won t approach 70 steals are solid candidates to go at any moment.

Three players Dexter Fowler Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez could approach or exceed 30 steals. Fowler stole 27 in his rookie season and CarGo swiped 16 in 20 attempts. Tulo? He had 20 in 09 and one of his stated goals for this season is to make a run at 30.

The Rockies stole 106 bags last season down from 141 in 2008 when Taveras helped them lead the league. They probably won t lead the union in 2010 but unlike many years in franchise history they ll be able to steal a handbag when they need one.

Who knows? Maybe Helton will give it a try. What s that? You re right. Probably not.