In what could be a frightening development for the Yankees, the Red Sox are in talks with the Rockies that could land first baseman Todd Helton in Boston by the end of the week.
Helton has reportedly told Colorado management he will waive his no-trade clause to be slotted into an intimidating middle of the lineup that would include Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz.
It is a proposition that could haunt the Yankees all season. Yesterday, Yankees GM Brian Cashman did not return a call seeking comment.
Over the weekend, Rockies CEO Charlie Monfort said he is examining the financial ramifications of the proposed Helton trade to the Red Sox, according to MLB.com. Helton, 33, has five years remaining on his contract at $90.1 million. The Rockies are expected to eat some of that money.
The Red Sox appear as if they wouldn’t have to give up too much. Among the names that have been mentioned are former St. John’s pitcher Craig Hansen, Matt Clement and Julian Tavarez. Reliever Manny Delcarmen and Triple-A center fielder Jacob Ellsbury have also been listed in some reports.
If these names meet the asking price, it would appear to be quite a boon for Boston, at least in the near term.
At the end of Helton’s deal, when he is in his late-30s, the trade might not look as good, but next year, the Sox lineup would be packed with Julio Lugo and J.D. Drew batting before the potential big three.
Last year, in what was considered a down season for Helton, he hit .302 with 15 homers and 81 RBIs. Strangely, Helton’s power numbers have fallen off quite a bit the last few years.
In 2001, he hit 49 homers for Colorado. The next three seasons, he hit 30 or more long balls.
But in 2005, Helton only went deep 20 times. Last season, he didn’t even have a one-third as many homers as in 2001. He only had 41 fewer at-bats last year compared to 2001.
Helton’s name was linked to steroids when former Rockies broadcaster Wayne Hagin implied Helton had juiced. Helton denied ever using steroids. Hagin, who in his initial comments said that it was the “absolute truth,” later apologized and said he didn’t mean steroids when he used the term “juice.”