Rockies extend Helton contract by 2 years, defer 2011 salary thru 2024
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The Colorado Rockies have extended Todd Helton’s contract through 2013, tagging two more years onto a 9-year deal signed in March 2001 that already carried through next season. Helton will receive $9.9 million over the 2012 & 2013 seasons.
In a stand-up move by Todd, his 2011 salary of $19 million will be partially deferred.
Helton will be paid $13.1 million from his 2011 dues over ten years starting in 2014. This probably means that Todd plans on retiring after the 2013 season, and you can bet that a World Series victory between now and then will seal the deal.
What has become increasingly clear as the details of this arrangement are revealed is that both Helton and the organization want Todd to retire with the Colorado Rockies. Rockies general manager Dan O’Dowd confirmed as much on Thursday.
“We reached out for Todd in the wintertime, and had quiet discussions,” said O’Dowd. “He understood what we were trying to do and wanted to retire as a Rockie.”
The Rockies’ slow payments of Helton’s large 2011 salary over the course of ten years (2014-2024) will allow Colorado to focus on retaining in-house talent next season. That large $13.1 million burden will likely leave enough wiggle room to grab additional free agent talent in the offseason. Helton’s ties to the organization effectively make him a cornerstone of the organization well after his eventual retirement. Todd has always been a franchise player with unquestionable character, and he would certainly wish it no other way.
Helton his .325 last year after an injury-limited 2008 season. The Rockies signed Todd’s backup Jason Giambi to a one-year deal, which will ensure that Helton has ample rest going into the stretch run of the season. Giambi is an acceptable defensive replacement, and an outright terrifying offensive stand-in.
The Helton signing came a day after Opening Day starter from 2009, Aaron Cook, handed over the top spot in the Rockies’ rotation to flamethrowing righty Ubaldo Jimenez. Cook insisted on standing next to the podium when the Rockies announced his demotion, based not on a drop-off in Aaron’s but on the rising power of Jimenez. Cook knew the score.
Both Cook’s insistence on showing support for the teammate that superseded him, and Helton’s willingness to shuffle & stretch his contract exemplify just how much character there is within this Colorado organization.
I love this. It says everything that needs to be said about Todd. Todd is the Rockies’ answer to Joe Sakic. When his career finally winds down, I’ll be there screaming my lungs out as his jersey takes its place in retirement just as I was for Joe.
Oh yeah, he’s a pretty good hitter too.
This move also reminds me of how John Elway took a pay cut to $600,000 (ridiculous!) so that the Broncos could sign Neil Smith.
The Mighty Sports Gods smile fondly upon those who sacrifice cash for Championships.