January 27, 2007
SIX YEARS?:
Rockies launch talks on Helton: Red Sox explore deal for veteran (Troy E. Renck, 1/26/07, Denver Post)
Helton's future became a central issue this week after owner Charlie Monfort told The Denver Post the franchise remains open to dealing the most accomplished player in the Rockies' history.Posted by Orrin Judd at January 27, 2007 10:55 AMHelton has six years and $90.1 million remaining on his contract, and the Red Sox could face luxury-tax penalties if they acquire the first baseman, issues that would have to be resolved.
The Rockies, however, have shown a willingness to eat a portion of Helton's remaining salary in any deal, which, depending on the amount, would have an impact on the type of players they would receive in return.
Colorado's first priority has been to add young pitchers, which Boston possesses. The Rockies have asked about reliever Manny Delcarmen, 24, in previous talks regarding other players and considered selecting pitcher Craig Hansen in the first round of the 2005 draft.
I can't believe the Sawx would actually do this. Trade one or more of their young arms and pick up the player with the worst contract in baseball?
If they do this then Theo cements his place as the anti-Cashman.
Posted by: Jim in Chicago at January 27, 2007 12:16 PMThe Rockies pay, but six years is too long. Of course, if you can get a hitter for mere bullpen arms you do it. Hansack just makes the big club.
Posted by: oj at January 27, 2007 3:08 PMHe'll be 40 when the contract ends.
And via just a quick read of his stats, it seems that a helluva a lot of his power was generated by Coors field. There's a 241 pt diff between his home and road ops. 70 pts of that is avg, the rest is slugging.
Is it a suprise then that once the Rockies started storing game balls in the fridge, or whatever they did, he home stats fell to near the level of his road?
I would'nt even trade bullpen arms for this guy.
And how much money will Colorado pick up of the 16 mil per yr? Say they pick up 1/2. That's still 8 mil + for a rapidly declining player, who was only good b/c of the Denver altitude, and who'll put up, at best, a .300/.400/.450 line as a 1st baseman -- and how many years can you really count on even that?
Man, I hope the Sawx make this deal. This guy smells like Mike Lowell w/o a mitt.
Posted by: Jim in Chicago at January 27, 2007 5:11 PMThe splits remain because it's not a function of the park. It's not uncommon for guys to have home/road splits.
Posted by: oj at January 27, 2007 6:38 PMHe'll hit over .300 (.310 maybe), drive in 90+, hit around 15 HRs...what's not to like?
Posted by: Bartman at January 28, 2007 9:37 AMIt's basically a bad deal only if they include guys like Jacoby Ellsbury in it. If you can get him at half price and get three good years out of him you can cut him later and still have gotten your money's worth in this market.
Posted by: oj at January 28, 2007 9:44 AM