Atkins at Firstbase

[Pedros Little Friend]

He only needs one more game to qualify in 5 games for elligibility leagues. Anyone have any idea on the likelihood of him getting this soon? Am I just waiting for a Helton injury and a lineup against a righty starter so Baker sits? Could he possibly becoming the Rockies firstbaseman after Helton leaves? With Stewart in the wings it makes sense unless they trade him. I'm curious for keeper purposes.

[baseballstud]

He only needs one more game to qualify in 5 games for elligibility leagues. Anyone have any idea on the likelihood of him getting this soon? Am I just waiting for a Helton injury and a lineup against a righty starter so Baker sits? Could he possibly becoming the Rockies firstbaseman after Helton leaves? With Stewart in the wings it makes sense unless they trade him. I'm curious for keeper purposes.

wow, I had no clue about this. this would be great news for even more flexibility.

[avsfan4ever33]

Helton rarely gets off days, and when he does, Baker usually plays. I don't know if it would qualify him, but in a blowout or something you could see Atkins move to 1B.

I don't see Helton going anywhere in the near future, but Atkins would be a logical replacement if he did leave, along with prospect Joe Koshansky.

[Syfo-Dyas]

Helton said he is not goin anywhere this year. And he can say that cause he has a full no-trade clause.
And it wont be easy to trade him after the season either.
He is still owned about $73.5 million for the next 4 years incl. $.4.6 mill. buyout on his 2012 option.
So to accept a trade he will surely demand a contract extension, or least that his $23.0 million option for 2012 will be picked up.
Thats $92.0 million guaranteed money for the next 5 years.
So the Rockies pretty much stuck with him.
They could go the Hampton road, but theres no tradeable player who will earn that much money from 2008 - 2012.
The only cotracts running past Helton's are Soriano, Zito, V Wells.
So to trade a contract that huge, they'll must absorb a big contract for sure, like Manny Ramirez, and pay a big chunk of the Helton's contract after the player they got in return becomes a free agent.

So its more like they are showcasing Atkins at first. Angels, and Dodgers could be interested. And they are willing to give up pitching. Detroit, San Francisco (unlikely) or Baltimore could use him too.
And the Yankees but dont wanna give up premium pitching prospects, like Joba.