Todd Helton Trade Update
UPDATE: An official statement has been released: the trade talks are dead. So many wasted words on papers and blogs. Oh well.
UPDATE: The Rockies don’t want to pitch in more than $36.6MM, so the Red Sox are reluctant to part with Delcarmen or Hansen in the deal. And the Red Sox aren’t happy with the Rockies’ leaking of Tavarez and Lowell’s names. Of course, the Red Sox were the ones who pulled the plug on the Larry Bigbie deal of ’05 at the last minute.
Let’s see what’s new in the Todd Helton saga.
First off, Josh Beckett admitted to watching Fever Pitch. Ouch. Michael Silverman indicates that the Red Sox still haven’t seen an offer they consider serious. Helton wants the deal done before spring training or not at all. He’d be happy to play in Boston.
The Denver Post tells us that Rockies GM Dan O’Dowd returns today from family matters to resume trade negotiations. The Post goes further than the before spring training thing, saying that Helton will veto any deal done after this week. The Rockies still want one or two of Hansen, Delcarmen, and Ellsbury. The Red Sox are more into the Tavarez/Lowell salary dump idea.
Buster Olney adds that the Rockies will make this trade if Delcarmen is included.
Latest On Todd Helton Trade
UPDATE: Tracy Ringolsby of the Rocky Mountain News says the Rockies are demanding an elite prospect from Boston, which might hold up the deal. The Rox have agreed to pick up $40MM, but want one of Daniel Bard, Manny Delcarmen, Craig Hansen, Clay Buchholz, or maybe Jon Lester. Fat chance on Buchholz or Bard.
Tons of Todd Helton stories in today’s papers; let’s see if there’s anything new.
Michael Silverman posted this info yesterday but I didn’t mention it: the Rockies are the driving force behind this deal. Makes sense, given that Boston has no strong need for Helton and shouldn’t give up a lot of young talent. The Rockies have made proposals, but the Red Sox have rejected all of them. Silverman mentions most of the names we heard yesterday: Craig Hansen, Manny Delcarmen, Julian Tavarez, Mike Lowell.
Nick Cafardo mentions that back in November, the talk was about a Helton for Manny Ramirez trade. Not sure how that would make sense for Boston. Cafardo says the current talks don’t include Manny. He says the Rockies want one or two young players who can help soon.
The Denver Post says Helton wants a deal made soon, if it happens. He may or may not have imposed a deadline on the Rockies. He confirmed his interest in Boston to the paper.
The New York Daily News says the Red Sox are insisting on the inclusion of Matt Clement and Lowell. Clement will pitch by the All-Star break in the best case scenario after September shoulder surgery. Bill Madden’s source says the essence of a deal is in place, and the Rockies have agreed to eat half of Helton’s contract.
Red Sox Discussing Helton Trade
UPDATE: Tracy Ringolsby says the Rox would absorb more than half of Helton’s contract, if they get the players they want. Helton would also consider trades to Atlanta or St. Louis, but those teams aren’t interested. Boston has proposed the inclusion of Mike Lowell and former Rockie Julian Tavarez.
Also, Colorado’s CEO acknowledged the talks that will continue into next week. He also called Helton’s contract fair, so it’s hard to take his words at face value.
Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post has the scoop: the Red Sox are discussing a Todd Helton trade with the Rockies. Helton has said in the past that he’d consider waiving his no-trade to play in Boston; he’s aware of the current negotiations.
Renck reports that the Rockies like Manny Delcarmen and Craig Hansen and are willing to eat some salary. Meanwhile, Buster Olney mentions that talks began last fall between the two clubs. Olney speculates that the Red Sox might need Matt Clement included. He also feels that Kevin Youkilis and/or Mike Lowell might be part of such a deal. However, third base is well-blocked in Colorado.
Ken Rosenthal chimes in, mentioning that money is the main holdup in a deal. The Rockies would receive Hansen, and hope to get Jacoby Ellsbury too. A couple of sources told Rosenthal that Lowell is not in the deal.
As I mentioned before, Helton is probably worth half of his remaining five year, $90MM contract at best. I would imagine the Rockies would have to throw down $20MM at least.
If the Red Sox could somehow keep Youkilis while adding Helton and Drew, their offense would become an unstoppable wall of OBP not unlike the Yankees.
Over at RotoAuthority, I have a look at Helton’s possible replacement in Colorado.
Rockies Remain Open To Helton Trade
When the Rockies spoke to the Angels about a possible Todd Helton trade in December and at the winter meetings, it represented a change in philosophy regarding their expensive first baseman.
Rockies owner Charlie Monfort publicly admitted yesterday that the Rockies are exploring trading Helton because allocating 30% of payroll to one player isn’t wise. Dan O’Dowd, the game’s second worst GM according to Dayn Perry, will have his work cut out for him. Helton is due $90 million over the next five seasons (an AAV of $18MM). PECOTA values him at just $31.7 million over that same time period. There seems to be no way the Rockies can unload Helton’s salary without eating $30MM or so.
Rockies Sign Brian Lawrence
According to the Denver Post, the Rockies have agreed in principle to a one-year deal with a club option for 31 year-old righty Brian Lawrence. Lawrence is likely to join the rotation as soon as he proves healthy, which will probably lead to a trade of Josh Fogg or Byung-Hyun Kim.
The Rockies’ newly acquired promising young arms, Jason Hirsh and Taylor Buchholz, won’t fit into the rotation unless both Fogg and Kim are dealt.
Brian Lawrence Update
According to Kevin Towers on XX Sports Radio in San Diego, Brian Lawrence is waiting to see what happens with David Wells. Towers expects an answer from Wells today. If Boomer doesn’t sign with the Padres, Lawrence probably will.
Meanwhile, the Seattle Times reports that the Mariners, Rockies, and Pirates are all still competing for Lawrence.
Rockies Acquire Rodrigo Lopez
I apologize for being late with this one; my blogging service was down last night. Yesterday the Rockies snagged 31 year-old righthander Rodrigo Lopez in a trade with the O’s.
The move pushes Jason Hirsh and Taylor Buchholz out of rotation spots. The pair of former Astros will certainly get some starts, as Byung-Hyun Kim and Josh Fogg aren’t 200 inning guys.
Not sure if Colorado will work out, but Lopez has been needing a move to the NL for a while now. He can probably up his K rate and cut his walks in this league.
Rockies Sign Javy Lopez
It’s a day later than expected, but the Rockies have signed catcher Javy Lopez. He gets $750K, non-guaranteed. The total possible value is $1.6MM. I kind of understand the signing – teams are always reluctant to turn a pitching staff completely over to a rookie catcher (Chris Iannetta) while Yorvit Torrealba finished ’06 on the 60-day DL with a strained shoulder.
Lopez has caught just 38 games over the past two seasons, so the 36 year-old will have to get into shape if he wants playing time.
Rockies Close On Javy Lopez
Javy Lopez is expected to sign with the Rockies on Monday, according to the Denver Post. Lopez will be in the catching mix with Chris Iannetta and Yorvit Torrealba.
I hate to see young Iannetta blocked, but Lopez only caught 38 games last year and 28 the year before. Torrealba, meanwhile, needs to prove his health after ending ’06 on the 60-day DL for a strained shoulder. He’s played in the Venezuelan Winter League recently.
Rockies Still High On Lawrence
Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post runs down the reasons the Rockies are the favorite for free agent pitcher Brian Lawrence: he wants to pitch in the NL West, and he grew up in Colorado. Conversations are ongoing between Colorado and the soft-tossing righty. The Giants and D’Backs could be interested as well. While Lawrence is a year older and right-handed, is he otherwise much different than Mark Mulder right now?
Additionally, Rodrigo Lopez is a possibility for the Rockies’ rotation. It’s also been revealed that the Rockies are one of the six teams in on Chris Reitsma, along with the Reds. And talks with Javy Lopez will be reignited this week.