Orlando, Fla. – Reluctant to move a starting pitcher and eager to add a big bat, the Angels inquired this week about trading for first baseman Todd Helton, according to a Rockies’ source with direct knowledge of the discussions.
By Wednesday night, the Angels’ interest had faded because of concerns about Helton’s age, previous back injury and declining performance. Helton has six years and $90.1 million remaining on his contract and hasn’t eclipsed 30 home runs since 2004.
The source characterized the talks as general in nature and that after asking if Garrett Atkins was available and being told no, the Angels brought up Helton. There was no exchanging of names or proposals. The Los Angeles Times reported on its website Wednesday that the Angels would have offered a package of infielder Erick Aybar, first baseman Casey Kotchman and center fielder Chone Figgins.
Any trade for Helton would be complicated because of his contract – the Rockies would have to eat a healthy portion to facilitate a deal – and his complete no-trade clause. The Rockies have said publicly they believe that Helton will rebound after hitting .301 with 15 home runs and 81 RBIs last season, a campaign marred by an intestinal illness that sapped his strength and briefly left him hospitalized.
“It’s important to him that he perform at a certain level everyday. He didn’t reach that level last year. Now, hopefully, he won’t have that injury and he won’t have the big issue of last season of not being physically able to perform,” manager Clint Hurdle said Tuesday.
“If he does and can just start playing again – seeing the ball, hitting the ball reacting to the ball – he can maybe get the questions that he had out of the way. The days of 40 (home runs) and 140 (RBIs)? That would be nice, but we don’t need that. We just need more of what he has done in the past.”
The Rockies have insisted repeatedly that are not attempting to trade Helton. That they would listen to an interested suitor, however, is not a surprise given their budget constraints. Colorado is expected to have a $55 million on-field payroll next season, with Helton making $16.6 million.
Unlike previous years, Helton, 33, is working out on his own this winter instead of at Coors Field. He seems bent on reclaiming his status as one of the game’s elite players after back-to-back disappointing seasons.
