Helton Safe At Home

I'm like Tyson, icin, I'm a soldier at war
Makin' sure you don't try to battle me no more
Got concrete rhymes been rappin for ten years
and even when I'm braggin I'm bein' sincere...

Talks between the Red Sox and Rockies for a possible Todd Heton deal finally broke down when the Sox refused to deal the Blake Street Bumblers an "impact" player. Rockies Nation (a laughable term to begin with) is very satisfied with the non-deal, as the backlash of a Helton deal could've sent the organization spiralling to Royals status. Talk radio here in the 303 was ablaze yesterday with the requisite "I will never attend another game" talk if the deal went down. This time for many, it wasn't a threat.

Helton is the cliche "face of the franchise," a player one would think would return to his 2003 type numbers sooner than later. He's battled injuries and strange maladies and according to the trainers and staff, is in tremendous shape this offseason. This isn't some geezer hanging on for a season or two, but a 33 year old who was the last person to keep Peyton Manning on the bench while at Tennessee. Yes, he eats up nearly a third of the payroll, but maybe it's time for the owners to realize they can actually increase the payroll? Why this franchise feels it is on the same financial plane as the A's, Marlins, Rays, and Pirates is beyond me. The team still averages a nice amount of people, has great corporate sponsoships, money making suites, and $6 beers to boot. They don't need to be in the Bronx, Fenway, or Chavez Ravine sphere, but certainly can pony up to match the Mariners or Astros.

There is one downside to the deal that wasn't: the fact that us here in CO won't get to be reunited with the craziness that is Julian Tavarez.