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Todd Helton and the Rockies agreed to a two-year contract extension Thursday that will keep the first baseman in Colorado through the 2013 season, the team announced.Helton will make $8.9 million over the two additional seasons, according to the Denver Post, and also agreed to defer portions of his contract to after 2013, something that should free up some additional money to help Colorado improve the team in the short-term.
"This is a great commitment for the both the organization and me," Helton said in a statement. "Potentially it allows us to continue to put a championship-caliber club on the field and allows me the opportunity to finish my career as a Colorado Rockie. Because I am a Rockie."
Helton isn't just a lifetime Rockie, he's the ultimate Rockie -- the face of the franchise even through some lean years and the team's all-time leader in almost every offensive category.
Still, given where he was a few years ago, it's mildly remarkable that Helton and the Rockies will carry their partnership this far. Beginning in 2005, his production, particularly in the power department, declined from his peak, pushing Helton, who signed a nine-year, $141.5 million deal with Colorado in 2003, close to albatross territory.
The Red Sox approached the Rockies about acquiring Helton in the 2006-07 offseason, and Colorado seriously considered moving the slugger before talks ultimately fizzled.
"This is not a trade that we were anxious to complete, but we are always exploring ways to improve our team," Rockies CEO Charlie Monfort said at the time. "Discussions like these regarding a player of Todd's talent and character are never easy, and it's not surprising we were not able to reach an agreement. Todd has been and will continue to be an important part of our franchise." It's probably for the best anyway. As an expansion team, the Rockies don't have much in the way of tradition, but keeping Helton around for his entire career is probably a good place to start.
What's more the first baseman, while not the offensive force he was in the early 2000s, is still extremely valuable for his ability to get on base -- especially at a more reasonable salary -- and he seems to have gotten over the health issues which plagued him especially in 2008.
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