8 Comments »

Ava said:
A few of those in the $400,000 range will increase significantly some day.
Apr. 2, 2009 at 8:24 pm

Bic said:
Tracy,
Given Todd Helton’s steep decline the past few years, and the fact that he’s been handcuffing the Rockies with their payroll flexibility, I’m somewhat surprised that he hasn’t been willing to restructure his deal so that the Rockies could have extra money for other needs. Is this a situation where the players’ union simply wouldn’t allow it? Todd doesn’t seem like the “greedy” type of player — he’s got to know that his recent performance simply isn’t worth what he’s getting paid. Any insight would be much appreciated. Thanks!
Apr. 3, 2009 at 8:19 am

Tracy Ringolsby (author) said:
The money has to be paid and the Rockies have worked hard to avoid getting caught up in deferring money so that it impacts later decisions.
The one thing I’m curious about, how has the salary handcuffed the Rockies?
Also I am assuming you are aware that Helton spent more than two years trying to play through back problems and finally gave in last July when he lost feeling in his left leg. He did undergo off-season surgery and this spring has been impressive.
As far as his impact on the lineup, do you think it was merely a coincidence that without Helton for half the season, the Rockies failed to have a player drive in 100 runs last year, and only one player, Garrett Atkins, even drove in more than 90.
Do you think Helton’s presence may have a value, even if his numbers don’t shout out? Without him, nobody on the team had numbers that shouted out.
Apr. 3, 2009 at 8:39 am

Bic said:
What I meant by using the term “handcuffed” was that without Todd’s salary, or if Todd was making half of what he is, the Rockies would have much more flexibility and might have the opportunity to go out and get proven winners like Brad Penny instead of settling for cheaper journeymen like Mark Redman.
I don’t question the impact Todd has on the lineup or the value of his presence in the locker room. When Todd Helton signed his contract, he was arguably the best first basemen in the game. However, baseball is a numbers game, and those numbers weigh heavily on player salaries. Todd Helton doesn’t have those numbers anymore, and considering his health, won’t ever return to the numbers that got him his contract.
What is going to happen when it comes time to pay players like Chris Iannetta and Ryan Spilborghs? If Atkins has a great season, how are the Rockies going to afford to keep him if Ian Stewart somehow regresses?
Going back to my original post and your comment about deferred money — so you’re saying that the Rockies and Todd Helton simply can’t restructure his deal without having to pay him the full amount of the contract? I’m not entirely sure how it all works.
Thanks again for the insight Tracy — it’s enjoyable being able to have conversations with you and Jack.
Apr. 3, 2009 at 10:09 am

Tracy Ringolsby (author) said:
Bic,
Players Association wouldn’t approve any deal that lessened value of contract. And to be honest, why should Todd take less? He took a beating publicly from agents and the union for signing cheap when he signed it.
I don’t see Atkins signing a long-term deal here. To his credit he has been very up front about wanting to get top dollar and the way to do that is on the open market.
Remember, Spilborghs isn’t even arbitration elgibiel yet. He has two more seasons before he goes to arbitration, and five more before he becomes a free agent. He has not even played a full big league season.
It’s all part of trying to have depth in system and that gives you flexiblity because you don’t have to get caught up in long, long contracts.
In the next few years Rockies will have Fowler, Stewart, Smith, McKenry, Rosario, Gomez, Matt Miller, EY, Jr., Chris Nelson, Holcomb, Blackmon, Cleary and Massey all looking for positions to play in bigs. Some will stay, some will go and some won’t hack it, but it’s about depth in system.
Apr. 3, 2009 at 10:22 am

Bic said:
Tracy,
I had heard that the Players Association wouldn’t accept a deal like that, but wasn’t quite sure. You hear about NFL players restructuring their deals so the team can more easily afford other talent, but you never really hear about it in baseball.
All things considered, I strongly believe the Rockies have a chance to contend this year. Todd’s having an incredible spring; it’s great to see him comfortable and healthy again.
Peter Gammons said on Mike & Mike this morning that the Rockies are no team to sleep on this year, and he loves the young talent in both the hitting and pitching. He mentioned Dexter Fowler as a dark horse ROY candidate. It was refreshing to hear somebody nationally recognize the Rockies in a positive light, saying something that us Rockies followers already know!
Apr. 3, 2009 at 10:50 am

Tracy Ringolsby (author) said:
Bic, one big difference between the NFL and baseball is if you check the wording, most often the NFL players sign “a series of five one year contracts” or six or seven. Baseball a plaeyr signs a five-year contract or six or seven. The difference? A five-year contract is guaranteed for five years. A series of five one-year contracts are only guaranteed for one year. So in reworking the NFL deals the players are not giving up guaranteed money.
Apr. 3, 2009 at 11:40 am

Ava said:
I would just like to put my 2 cents in, as far as I’m concerned Todd Helton has more that earned his salary over the last 12 years. Career .328/.428/.574 with a 1.002 OPS. The contributions he has made to this team can’t just be measured in dollars and cents. Even with limited playing time and being on the DL last season he still posted decent enough numbers with a .391 OBP. Oh yeah, this spring a .525 average! Restructure his **snicker** contract?!? A healthy Todd Helton makes a BIG difference on this team.
Apr. 4, 2009 at 9:02 pm

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