Helton

[Durango53]

I heard on a local radio show here today that the O's are trying to work a deal for Helton.
:(

It will be sad to see him go but it is something I think a few of us see coming.

[Durango53]

Nancy told me this was a made up artical so not to much truth to the rumor!!!!!

[Nanner]

Trust me, Shad. It's not true.

Laura Vecsey...... irresponsible columnist from the Baltimore Sun...... totally made the whole thing up in her very own lame-brain. She never quoted anybody, never even said anything like, "my sources with the Orioles"...... blah, blah, blah.

It was all something she'd like to see done, and made it sound like a deal was in the works, which it's not. Pretty soon, people picked up on it, thinking it was actually happening, and it's not!

It's been discounted by Jim Beattie, one of the GMs of the O's.

Pretty irresponsible on her part, I would say. :hmm:

[Nanner]

Sorry Shad. I was typing when you were posting. :D

[Durango53]

:D

[RockieBill]

You just never know, haha!

<a href="http://www.denverpost.com/Stories/0,1413,36%257E96%257E2825537,00.html">This story</a> was in the Rocky on Wednesday - gotta' keep that rumor mill grinding ;)

There is a link to the Vecsey article, but you have to register to read it...

[PissedPrincess]

Why would the O's want Helton? They got plenty of offense.

Sleep tight DD.

:wavey2: RB.

[Durango53]

Hey PP!!!!!!

Howdy Bill!!!!!!!!!

[Nanner]

Here's the article by Vecsey......... if you read it with a skeptical eye, you'll notice she has no solid, actual quotes from anyone........ this whole thing is in her little teeny mind.

Note to Rockies: Is Helton free?
Laura Vecsey
Originally published Apr 19, 2005

IT'S BEEN more than a year since the Orioles identified first base as a prime location for a serious talent upgrade. The platoon of Jay Gibbons and Rafael Palmeiro so far this season has done little to extinguish that desire.

Needed: More offense. Better defense.

So with 13 games gone, we look back and remember the parade of candidates who the Orioles had hoped would take the job, and the money, to play first base at Camden Yards:

Derrek Lee. Richie Sexson. Carlos Delgado. Troy Glaus, had he been willing to move from third to first.

Great interviews, serious negotiations, stout offers. Nothing.

Yet.

As aggressive at the plate and on the bases as the team has been so far this season, the Orioles ought to continue that mode in one other significant category.

We're talking phone lines, as in: calling Colorado.

The Orioles say they are willing and eager to take the super-talented Todd Helton, complete with monstrous contract, off the hands of the Rockies - if and when the Rockies raise the white flag.

That could be any day now. Or at least by June. The Orioles could sure use the 31-year-old first baseman against all the National League teams during that first stretch of interleague play.

The sooner, the better for this serious upgrade, especially after seeing how the Yankees took their frustrations out on the Devil Rays last night, pummeling Tampa Bay after suffering a sweep in Baltimore.

The way Yankees boss George Steinbrenner is steaming, the Orioles might find the Yankees in the Helton sweepstakes, too. Just because they've got Jason Giambi (at $120 million) and Tino Martinez doesn't mean the Bombers won't be lurking if and when Helton hits the market. Surely, Steinbrenner will let us know, via press release, his intentions in this area.

Meanwhile, the Orioles have run the numbers and figure that Helton's presence would swing a significant number of games from the loss to the win column. The Orioles call Helton one of the three best first basemen ever. He is wanted here.

The question is whether the Rockies can take the heat from their fans and do the right thing for the long-term benefit of that foundering franchise. Sometimes love means never having to say you're sorry. The Rockies' front office ought to try that on their already disenchanted fan base.

The Rockies (2-10 after last night's loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks) are nothing more than Todd and the Toddlers, with no other star player to speak of. Already, the Mile High team has sunk to the depths of the standings.

Helton might be a franchise player who thought his nine-year extension would keep him in Denver until 2011, but a quality player like him can't possibly bear this new fate. No one to drive him in. No one to pitch.

Another point in the Orioles' favor is that there's little way the Rockies can justify paying Helton an average of $15.7 million a year, not when they're at ground zero in terms of talent, or the lack of it. The Rockies need to strip naked and rebuild with prospects stockpiled from helpful trade mates.

Enter the Orioles, with offer No. 1 for Helton:

Gibbons, outfielder Nick Markakis, starting pitcher Hayden Penn and lefty reliever John Parrish.

The Orioles would make that deal in a heartbeat. They might even throw in Sidney Ponson, with cash.

Ponson's troubles have done nothing to inspire confidence in him. His solid opener in New York was followed by a shellacking in Tampa Bay, leaving the club with little hope that Ponson will ever overcome his personality and penchant for trouble.

He's needed to eat up innings, at very least, but his 70-81 career record and continued inconsistency could be as much a liability as an asset. If the Rockies want him, the Orioles might oblige.

Is it too early to make that call on Ponson or the situation at first base, should Helton become available?

It's never too early, not after the Orioles made a dent against the Yankees this infant season. With some rousing early victories, the wheels have started to turn. Maybe, just maybe, the Orioles are ready to step up and swing with the big boys in the American League East.

Certainly, the Orioles are in a position to make this deal. Money is left from deals turned down. Money is freed up after Peter Angelos' settlement with Major League Baseball on TV rights.

Living proof of the Orioles' seriousness about upgrading the club and contending, soon, could come in the form of Helton. It would be a gigantic step in the right direction, turning one of the best lineups in the American League into possibly the best.

Now, it's about backup catcher, left field and No. 1 and No. 2 starting pitchers. ...

Maybe Helton has a slider.




Copyright © 2005, The Baltimore Sun

[Timberwolf]

Todd Helton ain't going anywhere. I gurantee it. That's like the Timberwolves trading Kevin Garnett. Rockies would be in a no-win position. Rockies are going to get nothing in return. This would be the sad day not only in Rockie history, but in Colorado sports history.

Rockies can't afford to trade the guy. This guy is too good. Let's build around him. He is a special player and he is a good leader. Guys seem to look up to Todd and Todd has been a consummate pro. Todd is frustrated with losing as is everyone, but he is not the type to jump ship.

[RockieBill]

Hi, PP! :wavey: Hi, Shad! :wavey2:

I would never say Helton isn't going to go anywhere, but I will say Ponson isn't coming here. If the Rockies ever get Ponson in any shape, way or form, I will dress up in a tutu and sing every Village People song on the corner of 20th and Blake - wait - I did that last night. I'll think of something...

After the Neagle fiasco, no one with so much as a speeding ticket will find their way into a Rockie uniform - well, for at least this season, haha -

[Durango53]

See Timber the problem with your statment is that you aint looking at what the Rox have coming up in the minors. Many people said the same thing that you did when the Big Cat was around.

There is a great minor league guy in the minors that plays 1st that is going to make some team a very good first baseman. With the rumors going around this offseason and with the team trying to get rid of money players and go young it is tough not to think that Helton is not going to go somewhere.

[awefullspellare]

Yea we have the replacement for Helton in the minors. I forgot his name but he is supposed to be great. I see Helton being gone before the end of the year.

[Durango53]

Ryan Shealy is the kid. I saw him here in Casper and knew there was a great young guy there. Will hit more HR than Helton but not as high as Avg as Helton. But I think given a couple of years he could hit around .310.