January 30, 2007 6:39 AM
Helton stays with the Rockies
Todd Helton has the shortest journey to the field of any Rockies player: from the dugout it's just a few strides to his position at first base. He'll likely be making it in Coors Field for the rest of his career after trade talks broke off with the Boston Red Sox, reports Tracy Ringolsby:
Rockies managing general partner Charlie Monfort said Monday night the team broke off talks with the Boston Red Sox about dealing Helton to the American League team, virtually ending the possibility the franchise's all-time leader in almost every offensive category will be dealt.Helton, who has a no-trade clause in his contract, which goes through 2011, had said if a deal weren't made this week, he would not approve one. He also indicated he is not inclined to revisit trade possibilities at a later date.
Monfort, who worked with Red Sox president Larry Lucchino in the talks the past two weeks, said the discussions ended when Boston refused to include one of the players from a list of six potential impact prospects the Rockies gave the Red Sox.
"They wouldn't give us a player compatible with what we felt we needed," Monfort said. "When you are talking a player of Todd Helton's ability, you need to get someone back who is going to make an impact."
Boston was unwilling to add a prospect to the package of third baseman Mike Lowell and right- handed pitcher Julian Tavarez, veterans headed into the final years of contracts the Red Sox want to unload. Lowell is guaranteed $9 million and Tavarez $3.1 million.
Should the Rockies have taken the deal even without getting the prospects they wanted? Can Helton still be a potent force for a young team?
January 30, 2007
8:06 AM
gr8fuldude writes:
How about if we keep Helton and trade Tancredo to Boston...?
Just a thought...
January 30, 2007
9:26 AM
history buff writes:
We had Tavaras and got rid of him. Mike Lowell had a rebound season last year, but he is injured and could be in his twilight. The Red Sox offered nothing. The only reason to make the trade would be to dump salary, as if the Jennings trade doesn't show that's what the Rox are doing.
January 30, 2007
9:49 AM
timoptic writes:
The Monforts are simply the cheapest owners in all of MLB. They got themselves into stupid guaranteed contracts with Hampton, Neagle and Helton at a time when salaries were going through the roof. Now they're probably still paying sex-you-up Neagle and having to deal with an imbalanced salary structure with Helton making 16 mil and the next less paid is under 10 mil a year. If you put up stats that were better than the 16 mil guy, wouldn't you want a raise too? I love Helton and his ethics, but the flash isn't there as it once was.
Too bad this team will be forever 'GenRNext' instead of 'GenRConTender'. Fans of the Rox: Say your goodbyes this year to Holliday, Hawpe, and Atkins. Here now, gone very soon because they want to get paid what their worth... and the Monforts won't budge on their stinginess.
I will still attend Opening Day and a few other games, but this franchise reminds me of the Nuggets in the 1990s before the Carmelo era or the Expos pre-strike 1994... sad to see our home-grown prospects go somewhere else and succeed!
The Monforts need to sell the team, instead of trying to pull the wool over our eyes... it won't work now... they've been exposed time and time again! Do the fans of the Rockies a favor and step aside to invest in something else than a MLB team. Your time has come and gone!
January 30, 2007
10:19 AM
Diehard writes:
I am thrilled Todd is staying. No way are the Rockies better without him. Can't wait for Opening Day and the ovation he will get!
January 30, 2007
10:21 AM
Balance Sheet writes:
Rockies need 20,000 fans to show up and drink beer. That's the game plan from the front office.
January 30, 2007
11:07 AM
Tim writes:
Aw, I like Helton also - but there's no way he helps the team enough to justify 1/4 of the payroll.
Honestly, they'd be better off if they traded him for anything and spend the balance on re-signing Holliday and/or Atkins.
The Rockies aren't the Yankees. They will never have an unlimited payroll.
Sentimentally holding on to fading stars at inflated prices is a sure ticket to perpetual ineptitude.
January 30, 2007
1:49 PM
milloy36 writes:
We Sox fans don't want him. He can only hit in at Coors Field and not on the road.
You can keep him.
January 30, 2007
2:33 PM
Tree writes:
8dude-
Trade Tancredo to the Florida Cuban Marlins and take away his cell phone and car keys.
Get ready for some guitar lessons this summer, I just got an email from my rock buddy and he sayin' Led Zep is going on a stadium tour this summer with JPJ and Jason B. on the skins. We'll see.
January 30, 2007
4:23 PM
gr8fuldude writes:
Sounds like a great show...they must be running out of cash again...
btw, you listening to the fox's countdown of the 103 best guitar legends...I'm curious if Eric Johnson's "Cliffs of Dover" makes the cut...so far, no.
January 31, 2007
10:02 AM
Tree writes:
8dude-
LZ won't be out on tour, that was BS email I got. Another Nigerian money scam! No, I haven't been listening to 103. My ears can't take the same 43 "classic rock songs" they rotate all day. I never want to hear Back in Black ever again unless there is a live hottie swinging from a brass pole in my direct view. Probably the #1 condemned to hell (even in Utah after paying for a membership) strip joint song ever pressed on vinyl.
I know my favorite guitar solos, and none are from the guitarist for Neil Diamond.
January 31, 2007
2:10 PM
gr8fuldude writes:
Tree - Just had a great laugh...BinB just came in at number 40...too funny.