Comments on: Quick Hits

By: Mike

Mike — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 19:25:29 +0000

They’re not that similar to me. Lowell is 35, yes, but is also a 3rd baseman. He was signed at a time when their other 3B options were not good, and due to his leadership role on the 2007 team.

Drew was a reach, to be sure, but is two years younger than Helton, and was signed because it was felt he could handle the spacious right field in Fenway.

There are more options to fill a half-year DH slot, so it shouldn’t cost as much.

Also, a different point: They were both free agent signings, whereas we’re talking trade with Helton. Suppose the Sox would take Helton with the Rockies picking up the amount you suggest, but in return for nothing–would that salary relief be worth it for the Rockies?

By: Joseph

Joseph — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 18:34:23 +0000

Mike,

I picked Lowell and Drew because they are similarly aged to Helton, and in my opinion similar in value. I would actually take Helton over either of those other two.

By: Dan

Dan — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 18:29:33 +0000

Any way you slice it, the Rocks are a terrible team! Atkins needs to be at Springs to work his way back to being a hitter, assuming he can ever be a hitter again. He is the most overrated player on the team in my opinion. Too bad they didnt trade him over the winter when he had a little value, which is more than he has today. Like someone said, bad teams find a way to lose; good teams find a way to win. Pretty obvious where the Rocks fall in this choice.

By: Mike

Mike — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 18:20:34 +0000

BTW, bad news there about Speier. The pen has been pitching better, but I’m glad Daley’s coming back.

By: Mike

Mike — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 18:10:37 +0000

It’s not a matter of what the Sox can afford, it’s a matter of what the market would bear. Even if the Rockies picked up $5M this year and $8M on 2011, that’s still over $22 million for 1 2/3 years of a 35-yr old player. Who would want that?

By: Joseph

Joseph — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 18:01:17 +0000

Drew is at $14M, Pappi is at $12.5M and Lowell is at $12M. It seems to me that the Rockies shouldn’t need to pick up 50% on according to the Red Sox scale. Maybe $4M or $5M next year and $7M or $8M in 2011.

It’s strictly emotional, but I’m not sure I’m real keen on paying to have Helton not here.

By: Mike

Mike — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 18:01:15 +0000

Robb, if you want Buchholz, you’d better start with Iannetta. The Rockies could pick up all of Helton’s salary and they wouldn’t get someone like Buchholz. Teams do not like to part with guys like that for 35-yr old players.

I don’t think the Sox would be interested in Helton at this point–they’d probably want a shorter term option. If Ortiz is truly done, they’d then deal with the longer term solution in the offseason.

By: Marc

Marc — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 17:48:44 +0000

I was thinking the same thing with Todd. This time it might be agreeable for both sides and he would agree to waiving the clause.
I will be curious to see what Jack and/or Tracy think.

By the way – the release Atkins thought makes very little sense. Even in his current condition he would yield something in return.

By: Robb

Robb — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 17:30:10 +0000

Like Cisco Kid, I was pondering the Helton issue recently. He seems to be completely healed, good for him, from his back surgery. With Ortiz done in Boston, could he be a fit there? Even if the Rockies had to eat 50% of his contract, they would still save million$$ over the next 2+ years. And, if they are willing to eat a chunk of money, they can ask for a good pitcher in return, ie Clay Bucholz. Just a thought. Tracy, what do you think?

By: Joseph

Joseph — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 17:07:59 +0000

Stewart should be put on notice as well, last nights performance aside.