Ever since Curt Flood challenged MLB’s reserve clause and helped to bring free agency into play, the idea of a player staying with one organization their entire career became less and less common. Many big market organizations have been able to financially accommodate star ball players that came up through their system and keep them around for their entire careers. But even some of the very best have finished their playing careers elsewhere because a team would rather move forward with younger talent, or because that player was no longer playing at the high-level they once did. The Colorado Rockies are not considered to be a high-payroll team, in fact last year they were ranked 18th of the 30 Major League teams. However, they have made honest offers to Todd Helton throughout his 13-year career, and have now restructured his contract to have him retire in a Rockies uniform at the end of the 2013 season. They are also have plans for him to remain with the team if he chooses following his playing days.
A lot of credit has to go to Helton. He was a star his entire career playing in Colorado, and even when the team had seasons to forget, he never once pushed for himself to be traded to a contender. He also never left via FA to teams that were offering more money to him. His loyalty should be commended, and Rockies fans should be very proud on the man that should be referred to as Mr. Rockie.
#1 by john on March 11, 2010 - 1:06 pm
If the Rockies could have found someone to eat his contract, they would have traded him in a heartbeat.
#2 by sparty on March 11, 2010 - 1:42 pm
Not the case. Teams weren’t showing financial restraint not trading for Helton. They were afraid that his numbers were Coors Field inflated, just like teams didn’t go that hard after Matt Holliday.
#3 by john on March 11, 2010 - 2:11 pm
I thought there were a couple years there, where Helton could have gotten traded to Boston, but they couldn’t agree on how much of contract got paid by who? I could be mistaken though…
#4 by Big D on March 11, 2010 - 2:15 pm
Exactly right. Helton waived his no-trade to goto Boston before Youk became a top-5 1b. He would have been moved to Boston in ’05 or ’06, but the sides could never quite agree.
#5 by knightro on March 11, 2010 - 1:38 pm
You didn’t have a picture of a shirtless Helton?
/trey’d
#6 by knightro on March 11, 2010 - 1:40 pm
tj
Georgetown in on it’s way to upsetting ‘cuse (GU up 9, 5:30 remains). Orange have looked sluggish and uninspired today. Maybe they lack intensity ’cause they know they’re in.
/tj
#7 by jp manahan on March 11, 2010 - 1:46 pm
is Helton a HoF’r?
#8 by Johnny on March 11, 2010 - 1:48 pm
If I had a vote I’d vote for him
#9 by sparty on March 11, 2010 - 1:53 pm
todd helton will be the first rockie to really put the hall of fame vote to a test.
#10 by sparty on March 11, 2010 - 2:01 pm
his power numbers aren’t the greatest. so i say he doesn’t get in.
#11 by john on March 11, 2010 - 2:16 pm
Helton isn’t a HOFer.
#12 by Big D on March 11, 2010 - 2:27 pm
Not unless he plays through 2015. 4 or 5 more seasons at his average production would get him to 500HR and 3000 hits – then he’d get in. Otherwise, he’s just a hella good player in an age of inflated statistics.