ORLANDO, FLA. — It was 11 months ago during a workout at Coors Field that Todd Helton told teammates he expected to be traded to the Boston Red Sox.
Don’t look for a similar seismic event this winter. The Rockies aren’t considering dealing the most recognizable face in franchise history.
“It’s a complete non-issue,” Rockies general manager Dan O’Dowd said Thursday before departing the baseball meetings.
In January, the Rockies were open to moving Helton in hopes of creating payroll flexibility. He has $73.5 million remaining on his contract, and had Colorado won the World Series the former all-star first baseman would have occupied more of a champion’s payroll (31 percent) than any player in history.
Increased revenue from the playoff run and surging season-ticket sales make Helton’s salary ($16.6 million) less prohibitive. Besides, Helton’s motivation for leaving – to play for a contender – no longer exists, making it unlikely he would waive his no-trade clause. After the Red Sox swept the Rockies, Helton spoke about how proud he was of his teammates’ accomplishments and urged that the group be kept together.
“That’s up to the front office and ownership. We will see what happens. This is a good team,” Helton said.
Holliday update. O’Dowd plans to contact agent Scott Boras next week regarding a multiyear contract for outfielder Matt Holliday, who won’t be a free agent until after the 2009 season. Boras spent a chunk of his time at these meetings making his pitch to suitors for Alex Rodriguez.
The Rockies are expected to make Holliday a four-year offer for approximately $60 million.
Cubs aggressive for Matsui. It comes down to this: If the Cubs offer a three-year contract to Kazuo Matsui, as expected, and the Marlins or Mets bid $4 million a year for Yorvit Torrealba, which is less likely, the Rockies are prepared to lose both starters.
O’Dowd will speak with Matsui’s agent Monday and believes he will have a handle by early next week on whether the second baseman is amenable to returning. The Cubs are going after Matsui aggressively because they want his speed in the lineup and believe he could ease the transition for Kosuke Fukudome, if they land the Japanese free-agent center fielder.
Torrealba’s agent, Melvin Roman, wants to weigh other offers before deciding on the Rockies’ two-year deal.
The Rockies have spoken with the agent for catcher Michael Barrett, who has attracted interest from a half-dozen clubs.
No Philly for Fuentes. Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel has volunteered to take Rockies reliever Brian Fuentes on many occasions. The left-hander hasn’t allowed an earned run against the Phillies in his career. But O’Dowd said the Phillies never made a play on Fuentes before acquiring Houston closer Brad Lidge on Wednesday.
“It was obvious when I talked to (Philadelphia GM) Pat (Gillick) that he had something else going on,” O’Dowd said.
Several GMs who talked with the Rockies said Colorado is looking for a No. 3 starter and a late-inning reliever to consider dealing Fuentes. The Rockies are not shopping Fuentes, because he fits in the payroll structure and intriguing in-house replacement Casey Weathers was in Single-A last season. However, once free agents such as Mariano Rivera and Francisco Cordero sign, teams such as Detroit, Boston, the Mets and Yankees could increase their pursuit of Fuentes.
Footnotes. O’Dowd confirmed that Franklin Morales, Ubaldo Jimenez and Manny Corpas will not pitch in winter ball at the club’s request. … Catcher Javy Lopez, cut by the Rockies in spring training, is attempting a comeback. … The Dodgers are considered the early favorites to acquire Florida third baseman Miguel Cabrera.
Troy E. Renck: 303-954-1301 or trenck@denverpost.com
