The three elderly sisters were a walking opinion. As the women made their way through the Coors Field concourse last week, their matching black T-shirts addressed the biggest issue facing the Rockies: the future of Todd Helton.
The front of the shirts read: Don’t Trade Todd. The back: Save Helton.
As the Rockies attempt to move from a young team to a contender next year, there’s a new dynamic to the Helton story: Does he still want to be a Rockie, and does it make financial sense for the team to keep him?
“I am happy; I am fine with being here,” Helton said, answering the first question.
As for the second, the Rockies admit it’s not the best business model having Helton’s contract eat a large portion of their payroll but they say simply having Helton in a Rockies uniform trumps everything.
“We need some veterans on this club to help the younger guys understand what it takes to be successful, and Todd is perfect at getting those points across,” owner Charlie Monfort said. “Todd is a Colorado Rockie through and through. Period.”
Helton’s $16.6 million salary next year will account for roughly 37 percent of the team’s projected $45 million payroll. This at a time when his production has declined. The Rockies, who have spent years shedding huge contracts, will have the face of the franchise eating a larger percentage of payroll than any other player on any team in baseball next year.
Though Helton, 32, is no longer posting superstar numbers, Monfort said he has never entertained, let alone embraced, the idea that trading Helton could benefit the organization. Helton, at .309, 17 home runs and 66 RBIs despite a hot stretch since the all-star break, is on pace for his worst season.
“Todd’s already proven himself, so the (big) numbers he has put up since (July 1) are not surprising at all, nor does it have anything to do with his salary or him being part of the foundation for our organization. That’s a given,” Monfort said.
Helton: Rockies’ Elway
To ownership, Helton’s value has always gone beyond statistics. He has been described on multiple occasions as the organization’s John Elway. When the Rockies gave him an eight-year, $141.5 million contract extension before the 2002 season – he has $106.7 million remaining – it was applauded.
But the deal was signed at the height of baseball’s salad days and is no longer in line with the industry’s price for stars.
Since the contract began in 2003, Helton has hit .339 while averaging 28 home runs and 96 RBIs. He also won a Gold Glove last season, his third. This season, though, has been his most difficult. He endured his first prolonged slump and spent time on the disabled list, all while assuming a much larger presence in the clubhouse.
“I am comfortable with my role,” Helton said. “Early on, I just tried to do too much, especially with runners on base.”
Helton doesn’t rank in the top five at his position in home runs, runs scored or RBIs. Only the Yankees’ Jason Giambi will draw a higher salary at first base than Helton next season. That’s what leads baseball insiders, such as former Mets general manager Steve Phillips, and Internet bloggers to suggest the Rockies would be better off moving Helton to create financial flexibility and fill other voids.
General managers throughout baseball have shed mega-contracts in recent years to prevent top-heavy payrolls. The Rangers (Alex Rodriguez), Diamondbacks (Randy Johnson) and Pirates (Brian Giles and Jason Kendall) are among teams who have traded stars to address multiple needs.
Rockies president Keli McGregor knows that but said trading Helton makes no sense because the team would not receive enough value in return and would have to eat a significant amount of his contract. Multiple baseball executives said the Rockies would have to absorb about $50 million based on what Helton would receive if he were on the open market.
“The percentage of (Helton’s) contract on our payroll is not ideal, but we understand he’s a special player. His desire to win and be successful is well-suited for this franchise,” McGregor said. “Besides, the whole idea of getting five guys for Todd is not realistic. There’s only been one Herschel Walker trade.
“Our future is brighter because Todd is our leader. If we win here, I believe it will taste so much sweeter for him.”
Helton agreed. He has never asked to leave. Ultimately, he controls that decision with his no-trade clause. Helton also has the power to void the final four years of his contract – 2008-11 – by next November, but has shown no indication he would do so.
Comfort in clubhouse
Until this season, frustration, not finances, was the major topic surrounding Helton come September. The Rockies’ lengthening cycle of losing – one winning season since 1997 – has eaten at the first baseman.
“It gets harder every year you lose,” Helton admitted.
However, Helton’s typical September anger has dissipated. He appears more comfortable in the clubhouse and dugout than he has ever been. Helton shrugs at such talk, saying with a smile, “I am the same ol’ boy. I don’t have any problem talking to anybody if they don’t mind me being blunt or my dry wit.”
Others, however, have noticed a difference.
“He has accepted a lot more responsibility,” Rockies special assistant Walt Weiss said. “After an at-bat where he gets out, he still snaps. But he’s right back into the game, talking to his teammates and urging them on.”
Hopes remain high
Helton remains encouraged by the young players, most of whom will be in the starting lineup next season.
“We have the talent in here to win. I believe that,” Helton said. “The one thing we have to continue to do in this organization is to develop that winning attitude.”
Helton credits the bullpen for saving what began as a comically bad season, singling out closer Brian Fuentes and veteran relievers Dan Miceli and Mike DeJean, who is expected back, for praise. Not having at least a few experienced players around him, Helton admitted, is the one thing that could influence how he views the team’s direction.
“But I don’t tell them how they should spend their money,” Helton said.
No, but he has made it clear on multiple occasions that he would like to see money the team saved in the Preston Wilson and Shawn Chacon trades this summer applied to acquiring talent for next year’s roster.
General manager Dan O’Dowd said the team will look to add “a veteran presence in certain areas,” explaining he’s in much better position to do so than the previous three offseasons with several big contracts off the books.
Monfort has indicated the Rockies will attempt to bolster their bullpen and catching. First base, those three ladies should know, is set.
“Todd is very excited about our future and I think with his leadership, we’ll get to where we all hope to get to,” Monfort said, “and that’s becoming a champion.”
Diminishing returns?
One of the best hitters of his generation, Todd Helton has made himself a Hall of Fame candidate with his numbers and Gold Gloves. Whether Cooperstown comes calling could depend on how he finishes the second half of his career. A look at his statistics and salaries from 2000 to present:
Year Avg. HRs RBIs OBP Salary
2000 .372* 42 147* .463 $1.3 million
2001 .336 49 146 .432 $4.95 million
2002 .329 30 109 .429 $5 million
2003 .358 33 117 .458 $10.6 million
2004 .347 32 96 .469 $11.6 million
2005 .307 17 66 .433* $12.6 million
2006 – – – – $16.6 million
* Led league
Ranking by position
Todd Helton has bounced back from a slump-riddled first two months, but has regained his elite stature among first basemen in only three categories. A look at his rankings (through Friday):
4th: BATTING AVERAGE
18th: HOME RUNS
13th: RBI
9th: RUNS
8th: HITS
1st: ON-BASE PERCENTAGE
9th: SLUGGING PERCENTAGE
4th: ON-BASE PERCENTAGE PLUS SLUGGING
On the books
The Rockies are finally out from the contracts that have smothered them for years, but Todd Helton’s contract is now expected to eat up at least one-third of the 2006 payroll. A look:
2006 commitments
1B Todd Helton $16.6 million
P Jason Jennings $4.4 million
OF Matt Holliday $500,000
* Total $21.5 million
Projected salary of other returning players: $14 million
Projected money available for free agents: $9.5 million
Projected payroll: $45 million
Staff writer Troy E. Renck can be reached at 303-820-5457 or trenck@denverpost.com.
