MLB - Sports Rumors

Fri Dec 19, 2008 6:37 am EST

Rockies will hold on to Atkins ... for now

By Joe Zedalis

The Rocky Mountain News on Thursday night delved into the reasons the Colorado Rockies are holding onto third baseman Garrett Atkins: Atkins has been more positive than ever about wanting to stay with the Rockies, being open to a multi-year deal that could extend into his free-agent eligibility.

Also, the Rockies are uncertain of how first baseman Todd Helton's surgically repaired back will hold up until late in Spring Training, and Atkins is the best option to move into his position. But, the paper noted, the need for a front-of-the-rotation pitcher — one Atkins could net in a trade — could become acute if Jeff Francis' ailing left shoulder isn't 100 percent. Francis spent time on the disabled list and was shut down during the final weeks of 2008.

Source: MLB.comNew Window

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19 Comments

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  1. Artist formerly known as Evil Empire!
    1. Posted by Artist formerly known as Evil Empire! Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:13 pm EDT

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    Well good for them
  2. Evil Empire
    2. Posted by Evil Empire Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:52 pm EDT

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    LOL Feel bad for Holiday got traded to A's. Well he is coming to yankees in 09 FA. ^_^
  3. philsphanwest
    3. Posted by philsphanwest Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:45 pm EDT

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    The teams bidding for Mark Teixeira would be well-advised to look at what Todd Helton's contract has done to the Colorado Rockies. It's an albatross, and they've got three years left of it, plus a hefty buy-out to get out of the $23 million 2012 option. That contract has basically blocked their ability to keep the 2007 team in tact. What a shame. Helton is a shell of the guy that signed the deal six years ago. And, he gets a $2.5 million raise in 2011.
  4. scott
    4. Posted by scott Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:32 pm EDT

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    Phil, I'm in total agreement on the long contracts. Way to much can happen.
  5. Contents Under Pressure
    5. Posted by Contents Under Pressure Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:04 pm EDT

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    That's also exactly why the Rox didn't sign Holliday to an extension. They were willing to go out to 2013, but Boras was demanding a 6- or 8- year extension beyond the existing 2009 contract. The dollars per year was actually close, around $19m a year, or some such. Boras made it absolutely clear he would take Holliday to free agency without a contract to at least 2015, and that just wasn't going to happen.
  6. lecitadel
    6. Posted by lecitadel Thu Sep 03, 2009 6:47 pm EDT

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    Twins need to see what it would take to get Atkins and Street.
  7. Juice
    7. Posted by Juice Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:36 pm EDT

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    Considering the Rockies wanted to Span and Slowey for Atkins, I would guess they would want something in the ballpark of Morneau and Liriano for Atkins and Street. Seems reasonable.
  8. lecitadel
    8. Posted by lecitadel Thu Sep 03, 2009 6:47 pm EDT

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    I knew the Rockies were asking for a lot. That is a ridiculous offer, even if that deal included Street.
  9. Jacob M
    9. Posted by Jacob M Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:27 pm EDT

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    You guys think this would happen ever?
    Jonathan Sanchez
    For
    Garrett Atkins
    I as a Giants Fan hope it would only if Atkins were more than a one year stopper. I think that is why Sabeian is reluctant to trade Sanchez for any of the bats that seem availible. He wants a longer plug for such a great arm in Sanchez.
  10. rob deer
    10. Posted by rob deer Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:30 pm EDT

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    Until you spend $200 million plus on your team like the Yankees, you will be nothing. Yankees win the 09 WS!!!!
  11. philsphanwest
    11. Posted by philsphanwest Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:45 pm EDT

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    Jacob #9:
    I think that's a credible idea. I think the Giants need to get a little more out of the deal though. Garrett Atkins is gonna make about $5 million in 2009 (he made $4.4 in 2008 and is arbitration eligible) and he's got two years left before he's a free agent. Sanchez is making the league minimum and has four years of service left. Looking at the Rockies' roster (I think the Giants need a guy who can play at the MLB level today, and not prospects), two guys stand out to me as attractive possibilities: 1) Huston Street; 2) Jeff Baker, who is redundant at a couple of infield positions in CO, and could add solid depth in SF's infield. Street has two years left of MLB service prior to FA, but made $3.3 million in 2008 and is arbitration eligible (although presumably he'd be amenable to coming back to the Bay area); Baker makes the league minimum and has four years of MLB service remaining before becoming an FA.
  12. joe d
    12. Posted by joe d Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:31 pm EDT

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    the giants dont need atkins because pablo sandoval is in the wings unless he is playing catcher after molina leaves. so keep sanchez
  13. Jimmy
    13. Posted by Jimmy Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:12 pm EDT

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    All i got to say is F*** the New York Yankees, they are the reason I have a dislike for MLB baseball!
  14. philsphanwest
    14. Posted by philsphanwest Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:45 pm EDT

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    #12 WW:
    Garrett Atkins plays 3rd base. Pablo Sandoval catches and plays first base. Where's the overlap there?
  15. usgr007
    15. Posted by usgr007 Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:28 pm EDT

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    #10 Rob deer, LOL, Are you serious??? You think the yankees wil win in 09, What gives you that idea??, Wheren't they supposed to win every yr since 2001?? Jeter is over the hill, A-Rod is never clutch, Matsui is done, Whos in Center Field?? Cano and Cabrerra suck!!! If you dont get man-ram, kiss your 2009 season goodbye. Yankees will fail again.
  16. joe d
    16. Posted by joe d Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:31 pm EDT

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    I guess I stand corrected, but sandoval did log time at 3rd base according to his stats page
  17. philsphanwest
    17. Posted by philsphanwest Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:45 pm EDT

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    WW #16:
    You are correct that Sandoval did play 12 games at 3rd this year. And even though I do live here, I don't follow the Giants as closely as I do the NL East teams, so I could be wrong, but I don't think that's where they plan on playing him long-term. The Giants' team website has Sandoval's position listed as 1B/C, so I'm assuming that's where he's destined to play.
    My experience is that guys who start out their careers in the infield corners gravitate towards 1B, especially bigger guys. Sandoval is listed at 246. That's really big to be a long-term solution at 3B. Just my opinion.
  18. Eric G
    18. Posted by Eric G Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:57 pm EDT

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    I say trade Helton! He's worthless now!
  19. philsphanwest
    19. Posted by philsphanwest Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:45 pm EDT

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    Eric G:
    He's worth far less than that. He's worth the inverse of his contract amount, because those are the $$$ that the Rockies cannot spend on other players. I don't believe Helton would be on the field for the Rockies if he made the league minimum.

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