SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — At a back booth in an Old Scottsdale Italian restaurant the weathered, leathered coach of many a major-league spring training chewed on chicken fontina and the Rockies:

“Good hit, no pitch,” he said between bites. “Worst rotation in baseball.”

That’s not a news flash.

So, what’s his guileful guidance?

“Pray for 15-13 games at home and rainouts on the road.”

How about some unsolicited advice from this prickly Cactus League observer: Trade today for pitchers Chris Capuano and J.A. Happ.

The Rockies’ proposed five starters — Jorge De La Rosa, Jhoulys Chacin, Juan Nicasio, Jeff Francis and Drew Pomeranz — won 13 and lost 26 last season. The alternative five — which replaces Pomeranz with newcomer Chris Volstad — was 14-29. Two other possible starters — Tyler Chatwood and Christian Friedrich — were a combined 10-14.

The Giants’ starters won 71 in 2012.

It has been predicted in many quarters (and taverns) that the Rockies won’t win 71 games total in 2013.

The performances by the starters so far have been speckled, but manager Walt Weiss says it’s “early.”

This much we do know from Weiss: The experimental four-man rotation and maximum 75-pitch count that drove his predecessor barmy and then out of town has been dumped like hazardous waste. Weiss says the Rockies will use a normal five-man rotation and that replacement of the starters generally will be considered “the third time through the order” of the opposition. “We intend to have bridge pitchers from our starters to our setup relievers,” Weiss told me. Out with piggyback, in with bridge.

The Rockies are hopeful of health and consistency for De La Rosa, Nicasio and Chacin, development by Pomeranz and steadiness from Francis — and contributions at some point by Volstad, Chatwood and (hurting) Friedrich.

Based on what the veteran coach from another team and we have witnessed, it’s all too much to hope for — particularly because the Rockies still don’t have a quality ace (and haven’t even come close to deciding who will be the opening-day starter), don’t have a starter returning from a .500 season, don’t have a potential 15-game winner, don’t have a dependable, durable 200-inning eater and don’t have three steadfast every-fifth-day pitchers.

De La Rosa is not back to form; Chacin, off at the World Baseball Classic, is not cha-ching yet; Nicasio, without a third or fourth pitch, is more suited to the bullpen; Pomeranz has not matured and may end up in the Springs; and the 2013 Francis is not the 2007 Francis. Volstad, a towering 6-foot-8 fifth kind of starter, could be the best of that bunch by the end of March, but he has won just eight of 50 starts in the past two years with the Marlins and the Cubs.

What’s the Rox brain trust of Dick Monfort, Dan O’Dowd and Bill Geivett thinking, or are they just not?

Last year the Rockies’ home attendance of 2.6 million ranked 13th in the majors, and certainly would have been in the top 10 if they hadn’t lost almost 100 games. But their payroll in 2013 is not expected to be in the top 20. In fact, it likely will be lower than last year’s $78 million.

The Hard-Knocks, not Fort Knox, Rox have only two starters making more than $1.5 million. De La Rosa will receive $10.5 million and Jhoulys Chacin $1.65 million, Francis $1.5 million. The salaries of Nicasio and Pomeranz are below $500,000. If Volstad makes the team, he will get $1.5 million.

The Rockies’ starters’ total is under $15 million. The Giants’ starters will earn approximately $58 million.

Somebody needs to think around here.

The Dodgers, who splurged on players, have nine potential starters. Capuano, a 34-year-old left-hander with a 12-12 record in ’12, won’t be in the rotation. His contract is in the $5 million range. The Blue Jays, who also pulled off several serious upgrades, recently indicated that Happ, a former National League rookie of the year, will not be in their rotation. The lefty was 10-11 with Houston and Toronto last year. He will be paid $3.7 million.

Either one would be the Rockies’ No. 1 starter, and the other No. 2. Both can be obtained. How about giving up Ramon Hernandez and his wasteful $3.2 million salary or Chris Nelson and DJ LeMahieu, or prospects Tim Wheeler and Trevor Story, who won’t play anytime soon in Colorado, or a pair of those countless middle relievers?

If the Rockies don’t do something now to enhance the “worst” rotation, they’ll just be chicken cacciatore again.

Woody Paige: 303-954-1095, woody@woodypaige.com or twitter.com/woodypaige

This article has been corrected in this online archive. Originally, due to a columnist’s error, Rockies pitcher Jhoulys Chacin’s salary was incorrect. He will make $1.65 million this season.