Blackmon will serve as the Rockies' leadoff hitter this season, Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

New manager Bud Black will not shake things up at the top of the order in 2017 as Blackmon will set the table once again for Colorado. Out of the leadoff spot last season, Blackmon slashed .325/.380/.555 with 110 runs and 82 RBI.

Blackmon and the Rockies avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $7.3 million contract on Friday, Jon Heyman of Today's Knuckleball reports.

EDGE Analysis

Blackmon will receive more than double his salary from 2016 in his second year of arbitration eligibility. Blackmon's production in the stolen-base department took a hit last year, but he made up for that by posting career bests with 29 home runs, 82 RBI, 11 runs, and a .933 OPS while batting almost exclusively leadoff. He figures to occupy the same spot in the batting order again this year while serving as the Rockies' everyday center fielder.

Blackmon was part of an unsuccessful trade attempt when the Rockies tried to acquire right-handed pitcher Marcus Stroman from the Blue Jays, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rumors of Blackmon being traded have been swirling, but the Rockies have struggled to find suitors for the outfielder. The Blue Jays weren't willing to part ways with their ace Stroman in a one-for-one deal. MLB Trade Rumors projects that Blackmon will earn $9 million in 2017 through arbitration. Clearing that potential salary could keep the Rockies in play for some of the bigger-ticket free agents. The 30-year-old is coming off a career-best season in which he set personal records in average, OBP, slugging percentage, home runs and RBI.

Blackmon homered and scored twice in a 1-for-3 game with a walk Tuesday against the Cardinals.

EDGE Analysis

Blackmon extended his hitting streak to nine games, now including four home runs to go with three doubles and two triples. He was already having a career year before this streak. Tuesday's performance pushed Blackmon's line up to .320/.380/.555 as he is establishing himself as a potential All-Star heading into 2017.

Blackmon went 3-for-5 with a homer and two runs in Wednesday's road loss to Arizona.

EDGE Analysis

Blackmon's now homered four times in the last six games and cleared 100 runs for the first time in his career. The key to this bust-out season has been his stunning production away from Coors Field -- Blackmon actually has significantly better power numbers on the road (17 homers) than at home (10), and he's hit for average all over the place. He should keep piling up numbers the rest of the way.

Blackmon homered, scored twice and walked in a 1-for-3 game Tuesday against the Diamondbacks.

EDGE Analysis

Blackmon is raking in September, with three home runs in just eight games this month to fuel a .296/.406/.704 batting line. He has already driven in seven runs this month, and perhaps most impressive, all three of his home runs have come away from Coors Field. He continues to improve his career high in home runs, now up to 26 compared to 19 in 154 games in 2014.

Blackmon went 2-for-5 with a home run and two RBI in Sunday's 3-2 victory over the Padres.

EDGE Analysis

Blackmon took Edwin Jackson deep in the fourth inning for his second home run of the series and 25th of the year. After threatening 20 homers in each of the past two seasons, Blackmon has elevated his power numbers this year thanks to a 39.0 percent fly ball rate and 15.7 percent HR/FB ratio -- both career highs. The power boost has helped fuel his .313/.374/.532 batting line, numbers that make Blackmon appear miscast as a leadoff hitter, especially since his stolen base total has declined from 43 last year to 16 this year.

Blackmon (back) is returning to the lineup Thursday, batting leadoff and taking over in center field.

EDGE Analysis

After missing several games due to some back stiffness, Blackmon will draw back in for Thursday's series opener in San Diego. He'll take up his usual role as the leadoff man and as the center fielder for Colorado. Blackmon has been on an absolute tear since the beginning of August, hitting .360 with a 1.140 OPS, 11 home runs, and six doubles over 114 at-bats.

Blackmon (back) remains out of the lineup Wednesday against the Giants.

EDGE Analysis

it was reported Tuesday that Blackmon was "close" to rejoining the lineup, and he will need at least one more day to rest his ailing back. Raimel Tapia will once again lead off and patrol center field against the Giants.

Manager Walt Weiss said Tuesday that Blackmon (back) is "close" to returning to action, Nick Kosmider of the Denver Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Weiss' statement is undeniably vague, but it does provide reason to believe Blackmon will be able to return to the lineup at some point over the next several days.