Helton to Red Sox?

by argo0 on Jan 27, 2007 11:48 AM EST Comment 14 comments

http://www.denverpost.com/sports/ci_5099281

6 years left at $15M/year is a looong contract for a 33-year-old with back issues. Apparently, the Sox would want to throw Clement into any deal -- http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=2744952&name=olney_buster&CMP=ILC-INHEAD& amp;action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fespn%2fblog%2findex%3fentryID%3d 2744952%26name%3dolney_buster%26CMP%3dILC-INHEAD, and the Rockies apparently would want Hansen &/or Delcarmen as well.

But would his acquisition make the Sox a better club? It depends on whether he's healthy, and how inflated his numbers have been due to playing in Colorado. While Helton has been one of the most productive players in baseball, he hasn't hit more than 20 homers in either of the past two seasons despite playing in Colorado, and the power outage can be attributed at least partly to his bad back. He's a 3-time gold glover, but Youk was solid at first, and of course Lowell was fantastic at third, so it's not clear how much of an upgrade he'd be defensively.

So I guess I'd say that it probably wouldn't be the right move, regardless of how little we'd have to give up. Now if he could be a lights-out closer....

Poll

Should the Red Sox pursue Todd Helton?

No way -- the Sox don't need a past-his-prime player with 6 years left on his mega-contract.

26 votes

Yes, for the right deal -- he could be a significant boost to the club.

28 votes

Absolutely, if he's on the block, do whatever's necessary -- Helton would make an already dangerous lineup absolutely lethal.

8 votes

62 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs | Comment 14 comments

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Comments

Re: Helton to Red Sox?

If we could somehow dump Clement on the Rockies that would be wonderful.

However, I'm worried about paying Helton too much and giving away too many prospects for not enough in return.
His dropoff in offensive production over the last two years is discouraging.

It also seems like we would have an over-abundance of LHH in our lineup if we signed him.

But hey, it's Todd Helton.
If we can get the Rockies to eat up some of his salary, get rid of Clement, and not give up too many prospects, I say go for it.

by Schulz on Jan 27, 2007 12:01 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Helton to Red Sox?

Ya it would be wonderful if they took clement, payed Matsuzaka's posting fee, and half of manny's contract, but its not happening

Get your Yankees Suck - Japanese shirts now: http://www.cafepress.com/yankeessuckjap

by jsnvaritek33 on Jan 27, 2007 3:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Helton to Red Sox?

i would say do it, there isnt any room in that lineup for him

just curious since i dont know, will youkilis then play third? if so then we can throw lowell in there, i think youk is a better prospect, and isnt he a natural third baseman anyway?

if it involves clement, lowell and not too many prospects, do it, that would be a sweet lineup

Lugo
Drew
Papi
Manram
Helton
Varitek
Youkilis
our second basemen (i can never remember his name)
Coco

just my two cents

by cuckoo4cococrisp on Jan 27, 2007 1:07 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Helton to Red Sox?

I'm from Colorado, and Helton has gone on record many, many times that he has zero interest whatsoever in leaving Denver. He has a pretty sweet deal going right now, making a boat load of money playing in a town that loves him (and is the only ball player they know) regardless of his play. He probably feels his legacy would be hurt if he left the cozy comforts of Coors Field (the only place he has a legacy) and the NL for the big leagues. Just look at how other big name Colorado players fared out of state (Larry Walker, Dante Bichette, Preston Wilson). They had a decent season or two, but after that they fell off the map. People forget that the biggest issue facing the "home field advantage" of Coors is not the amount of homeruns hit there, but the huge size of the outfield now that the fences have been pushed back, leading to ALOT more singles that fall in and extra base hits that get through the big gaps

Get your Yankees Suck - Japanese shirts now: http://www.cafepress.com/yankeessuckjap

by jsnvaritek33 on Jan 27, 2007 1:41 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Helton to Red Sox?

You never know, he might be willing to waive the clause. Its bad form for players to go on record to the press saying they want to be traded cough-manny-cough. mlb is reporting that a source said helton is interested in going to boston....but reguardless of that....who knows that these teams will really come to an agreement anyway. If i was colorodo i would demand hansen, and if i was boston i would refuse hansen.

by spinz on Jan 27, 2007 11:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Helton to Red Sox?

6 years at $15m per? That could be THE WORST contract in baseball, and the Sox would be insane to take him. Even if the Rockies ate half his salary, I wouldn't want him. With his back issues, he would essentially be another DH for us, and I've heard the the one we already have is pretty good... The Rockies would certainly want an established regular for him, in addition to Clement, I'm guessing Youk.

Just my two cents. Keep the change.

by tommy.otm on Jan 27, 2007 2:39 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Helton to Red Sox?

should we worry about salary, we are spending so much money right now, does it really make a difference?

by cuckoo4cococrisp on Jan 27, 2007 3:13 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Helton to Red Sox?

More here -- http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2745139

Helton for Tavarez, Lowell, and undetermined prospects (again, Hansen and Delcarmen are the targets Colorado has in mind), and Colorado picks up nearly half of Helton's salary. That means that in 2007, we'd actually be spending less in salary than if we don't make the trade. It also answers the question of where Helton would play.

Hmmm...

by argo0 on Jan 27, 2007 5:16 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Helton to Red Sox?

ortiz manny helton drew is just way too tempting of a fantasy. Even if he is aging, itd be worth it to see that lineup on paper..especially if it gives us an excuse to unload clement/tavarez/lowell

by spinz on Jan 27, 2007 6:53 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Helton to Red Sox?

What's everyone got against Lowell? We've all seen his slick defense and last year he hit rather well for someone coming off a .236 season (20HR, 80RBI, .284 AVG).

Am I the only one who wants to see the doubles machine back in Fenway?

by soxaholic on Jan 28, 2007 9:42 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Helton to Red Sox?

I like Lowell too, and he is in the last year of his $9 million contract.

I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.

by Drugs Delaney on Jan 28, 2007 11:34 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Helton to Red Sox?

This would be crazy deal: if Helton can rebound a bit, there's no way the Sox wouldn't come out on top.

KEEP MANNY!

by Saberrox on Jan 28, 2007 4:43 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Helton to Red Sox?

if they trade hansen or delcarmen and they become dominating relivers while helton ages and the redsox struggle with a closer role itl be too painful to watch. But...i know what you mean, id really like to see helton in this lineup.

by spinz on Jan 29, 2007 1:55 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Helton to Red Sox?

I'm really hoping Theo and the FO don't pull another young reliever for aging veteran deal. The Cla Meredith fiasco is way too recent for them to even be considering this.

I understand that Helton's .333 career average is enticing and he has shown a lot power in the past, but I think that Youk and Lowell at the corners is the way to go. We don't need him blocking prospects until '11 and we don't need to take on another injury waiting to happen.

Lowell had become something of a fan favorite by the end of last season, and I'm really getting tired of seeing new faces in the infield year after year. Loretta and Gonzo are already gone, can't we keep something intact?

by soxaholic on Jan 29, 2007 3:06 PM EST reply actions 0 recs