Associated Press
DENVER -- Hoping to restructure their player payroll, the Colorado Rockies will listen to trade offers for All-Star first baseman Todd Helton and center fielder Preston Wilson, one of their best hitters last season.
Manager Clint Hurdle said Tuesday the Rockies are not shopping the two players but that they have to be prepared to make them available.
"We aren't in a position to say that anyone is untouchable," Hurdle told The Denver Post.
A Rockies spokesman and Helton's agent declined to comment on the report Wednesday. Hurdle was on vacation and his cell phone was not accepting messages.
In Helton's first six full seasons, he has batted .339 and averaged 36 homers and 122 RBI. He hit a team-high .358 this past season, missing his second National League batting crown by percentage points.
"Tough times call for tough decisions," Helton told the Post. "I would definitely be willing to listen [to trade proposals]."
Wilson led the National League with 141 RBI and was solid defensively.
"I would really like to remain in Denver," he said. "I feel like the foundation is there for a great franchise. However, I do understand that because of financial reasons, the organization may have to make a move."
The Rockies payroll is expected to be just above $60 million in 2004. But the team has committed $53.1 million to six players: right fielder Larry Walker, catcher Charles Johnson, pitcher Denny Neagle, Atlanta pitcher Mike Hampton, Wilson and Helton.
Helton is owed $130.9 million during the next eight seasons, an average of $16.4 million. Wilson has $21.5 million and two years left on a contract that offers a limited no-trade clause in 2005, his agent said.
Walker, Johnson and Neagle all have complete no-trade clauses.
Walker, 36, hit .284 with 16 homers and 79 RBI last season, and recently had surgery on his left shoulder. Johnson, 32, has caught more than 1,000 games, while Neagle, 35, is likely to miss next season after ligament transplant surgery on his throwing elbow.
Not surprising that Wilson doesn't want to go anywhere. His value would go back to where it was before if he wasn't hitting at Coors.
Yes doctor, I am sick. Sick of those who are spineless. Sick of those who feel self-entitled. Sick of those who are hypocrites. Yes doctor, an army is forming. Yes doctor, there will be a war. Yes doctor, there will be blood.....
How serious do you guys take this news about Wilson? Any Rockie fans have an opinion? I have Wilson in a keeper league and could deal the guy in a NY minute after last year's numbers, but I want to hold him of he stays in Colorado.
Tribe-Fan
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Tribe-Fan wrote:How serious do you guys take this news about Wilson? Any Rockie fans have an opinion? I have Wilson in a keeper league and could deal the guy in a NY minute after last year's numbers, but I want to hold him of he stays in Colorado.
I think Colorado would love to deal him. 21.5 million over 2 years . That's a terrible deal. Problem is that there aren't many teams that want to take that bad of a deal.
He's going to be tough to move, but it is possible.
Yes doctor, I am sick. Sick of those who are spineless. Sick of those who feel self-entitled. Sick of those who are hypocrites. Yes doctor, an army is forming. Yes doctor, there will be a war. Yes doctor, there will be blood.....
wrveres wrote:NOOOOOOOOOOO,,, we can't take Helton out of COL ........ Please no .....no no no no .....
Sorry Wrveres. Don't you have him in your career keeper league?
Yes doctor, I am sick. Sick of those who are spineless. Sick of those who feel self-entitled. Sick of those who are hypocrites. Yes doctor, an army is forming. Yes doctor, there will be a war. Yes doctor, there will be blood.....
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by Jivedude » Wed Nov 05, 2003 5:59 pm 
. That's a terrible deal. Problem is that there aren't many teams that want to take that bad of a deal.
