Tracy Ringolsby, Rocky Mt. News

The other big baseball story and and it's been percolating all weekend long. Is the possibility of the of the Colorado Rockies and the Boston Red Sox working out a deal that would bring Todd Helton. As part of a multiplayer package to the Red Sox. Joining us on the line from the rocky mountain news guy who's got a big piece on this very subject in the papers today Tracy -- beat Tracy it's -- Michael how are. Yeah doing great well thanks. You you got name's Sammy and I am I love your sources may and you gotta list of five prime prospects that the Red Sox would have to include how adamant are the Rockies that one of these five guys would have to be in the package.

Well from talking to wrote the people's early as recently as ten minutes ago they -- one of those where we deal. Because that in other. They're going to take a lot of heat they're given up basically it is the foundation of their -- again it's for the top people that your over the enemy lines and there was seven much money when you consider that basically going to say six million dollars a year for four years is does what they say because by the time that they expect hold to Paris make up the difference -- salary this year the pay into the painted million dollars of the salad for each of the next four years so. They're not in the situation -- did some major financial status or so they need to get at least one impact prospect.

Tracy called the foundation of of the franchise there in Denver I'm wondering about his production now Stephen number. About his his slugging percentage Howard's stick how is decreased the last four years 6362534 reports every six. What's the story there is this this is this a player and declined.

Well I think there's a couple things one the general slugging percentage in Coors Field has declined the last four years because of the human. In the in the quality games -- do that's -- until September at Normal baseball. -- licensees and I think. Because if it's -- click the picture -- better they're gonna have better numbers obvious that this could have some impact on the offensive production. But I also think that two years ago he had back problems that they had to deal with. There's last year. He had he had an intestinal problem somewhere between crohn's disease in that particular this was. Was possible president in India intensive care about five days and it was -- two weeks in thought I could come back in. And I don't think that it's -- really get about a month and try to come back from major test the problem. I speak from -- from the ethnic evidently it also of the permitted it to air force base -- feels so good Israel hospital in I don't think he ever gave himself just it's probably it. It is so I think he he he came back. Didn't have the strength and power that he -- they have there he cut that vicious cycle trying to make up for what it make up -- wasted. In in testing yesterday in disputed shape is that right go to -- least in this what are I don't think that's going to be a problem

and we know about the intestinal issues he's also had back issues and other physical problems the last couple of years before this do you feel confident those are no longer an issue foreign.

I think the fact if you always be there at that -- think it's the -- it will be to maintain this maintenance program. To to do the work that he has to do to to alleviate that problem it's it's not going to just disappear overnight. So let me that's that's something he has to be aware of what was his approach is work ethic I don't see about the problem doing that because. There's -- driven to be successful.

Tracy Charlie Mon four and John Henry are apparently. In discussions on this is that some indication that -- you know oh it is Lucchino not John Henry

and it's -- and and look for.

It is there's it is that an indication in your mind that the baseball ops guys Dan O'Dowd and Theo Epstein want no part of us.

I don't think it would be part of each other. I don't think I don't think things -- remote July 2000.

And for people who don't know there was an ideal that theoretically the two teams had done Kelly Shoppach and Adam Stern we're going to be traded for Larry Bigbie who was with the Baltimore at the time the Rockies traded Eric Byrnes to the Orioles for bigbie but -- the Red Sox backed out and you're saying that still bastards in the baseball ops departments.

Weapon -- weapons were sent back and forth then did you know what they don't learn to. But 36 years 37 years in the newspaper business -- definitely either side in the book but industrials are setback for the sport accusing each other who. Who -- what is that of of that field for. Deliver a lot of accusations of integrity and ethics that question -- in oh open tennis has been completely alleviated -- I know the baseball upsides they're discussed. The possibility of any for help at the winter meetings instead of the that was it that it. -- the situation pretty well -- a couple weeks ago when they had the ownership meetings in them more that -- him he looked at. But furcal -- local -- remote what was really the number two guy I would Iraqis were injured but -- but the team. Look -- there was -- of the other side of that is the most for and befriended him in so they have a little more of a relationship.

Tracy back to this current deal looking at it from Colorado is perspective if they say it's not a salary down. And they want to improve the team you know -- is going to take a lot more than Helton to improve the team so they get rid of Helton. They bring in lol was probably not. In in your long term future you bring into bars is not going to be a part of your long term future but it was it's their before. And you bring in a kid who's a pretty good prospect how how does it help the team and how do you sell this in in Colorado.

this sort of the US. Significantly below its sale -- it it's it's not going to be that I don't think it's thought that it went. I think that's why they're so adamant that if we're gonna do it it's going to have to be one of those are guys they always what -- have so they can they were adequate but what they look at it -- they'll one year left on the contract. They can put him at third base at but get that respect to first base in the best prospect in the system. As a third baseman who they were looking to move into the outfield displayed it at aaa this is -- So what they do is have basically by year for Stewart to allegedly get rid of the competitively that you have bad insert another typical picture or this year. The chance was what the mother is whether organization home runs last two years. They've got it got those two options to try to fill that void effort you're. My problem -- it is not say they knew that if the salaries of -- is that a -- has about -- any money this year. So you don't you don't give yourself any immediate. Release from the contract it would have been assembled what six million dollars a year before -- well. That particular point hurt. So what Scott Hatteberg get this you got about six million dollars so that's a step where you're saving money for. Thus any heroics Saban about what it cost the -- got adequate so I don't I don't see what -- We make an impact of their franchises -- even -- decisively against it ought to deal. Like earlier that much but it investment in the.

And I agree with you completely -- note -- that can is it different media market than Boston and New York but our our people on in Colorado. Putting pressure on -- doubt that look at his his time and look at his record not very impressive.

Then he's been. He's been kind of that the vehicle -- of ownership of you're going to know. Whether we're going to maybe when push comes -- they tell him that he's going to have a 92 -- a million dollar budget this undated April Mike Hampton and everything's going to be okay. Cute sort of they terroristic -- the 50 million dollars. So all the sudden you're you're in an earlier time trying to rearrange the furniture because you're mandates been chased after you motivate local commitments. I think the -- he has. It's it's it's starting to to be noticeable it is probably is saving grace at least let with the ownership people is they never had a farm system here for the first seven years eight years the end of the original general manager had no interest in spending money on player development. In right now they're probably have little top five farm systems in baseball -- that's taken awhile to build it up because. It takes about five years before you even get pushed trickled afloat consistently that -- possibility that they try to do rebuild their farm system. It's it's it's a long term commitment and you have to have some patience with it in I think this is the nucleus of the team though holidays captains are -- They bring and I bet that they'd bring into the woods it is Stewart government. He starts is that the flow of the world belabor the results of what they've done this as well as the weather over in the court system. What they lose by your brother Kelton is suddenly lose the veteran guys that they're really the young players. Kind of walked in the in all of his approach the game. It's a tough one to lose.

You know when when I first hear about big deals like this there's always that smell test thing you know and and and my first instinct was. Todd Helton complaining you tell me that that's probably not the case that he's probably in as good shape physically as he spent in a long time. Well then as a as a casual observer I look at this and I say why the hell with the Rockies do this and it doesn't make a lot of sense to me.

I don't think a baseball people want to do it either you know either and I guess if we get to look at a particular favourites but still we're just put an estimate committed -- third -- But the best in the community hit 40 home runs through epidemic edited committed it's like it if we get some base 42% of the the thing about what -- is -- you have to understand is this real strength is to left field. Ed I don't think it's summit in the that it is in the united the -- that he wants it but I don't think it's out of the question that you find him. If that's stroke back that is that the basic stroke that -- is secure golden is that what miller -- pitch because as dead. But the -- of conservative epic in learned -- the opposite way. We could be the next slept under the plans in what part to be probably the greatest part of baseball -- it -- roll up indicator.

Tracy Curt Schilling was on our station earlier and he says that. Todd Helton is the ultimate gamer that he really war shelling out this very top to pitch to him. What does it mean when guys column ultimate -- explain that to a.

There's so again if that did -- place. That the the -- still when he's not going to play -- it sometimes it's to the detriment I think that was last year when he got up for the disabled list -- excuses that are now lies in that they promote socialist important. That I had a pillow into an felt. Because of the off night at ten pitches to be -- it is the other thing about him -- he doesn't have to have a strike to -- He's it'll run producer in that he will expand the strike zone in those situations. It's not the it's not the Frank Thomas -- in that situation that you you have to we'll put the patriot swing at it. There's this whole is not to be pretty physical is too provincial.

All the reaction beat in Denver if this deal is done.

Well they don't hope there's a reaction. Maybe maybe that's bigger racing yeah -- 5050. But I think I think what it appears the people the 50% that are upset about it. Are going to be adamant there's going to be best even going to be injury in the other 50% of probably. So in them by the failure sure of the last two years that they will hear.

It's funny because what what I've heard people talk about the Helton contract. All I've ever heard is it was the we might have been dumbest contract ever signed in the history of sport.

And the last year so we decided. He was ridiculed by several agent and the players association for a and so wouldn't.

At at at. But it if I look at -- deal from the Red Sox perspective where 40 million up it's gonna go away it's not a done deal at all anymore.

Well it's been really wouldn't look at what our respective. More than 40 million -- was over it -- it was going away because there will be able to they're moving taveras to make room for. So in reality -- saving that what is -- 12 point one billion dollars. So actually there's if the two point one billion dollars -- the --

Because you're not going to brought out another part of replacing the one of those they have those in Kosovo because if that makes any -- of all of them if they consent without the but I think they're you know they're really going to save more money than. Unfortunately.

Pitchers are hurt yourself phone going off in the background he may have a different answer to this question in a few minutes but right now when asked you.

I think that was macabre joke that doesn't reflect universal home

direct I I thought that was maybe what are your sources I give you some information but I want to you've been all over this story. When do you think this thing what what will we know that the trade is going to go through the trades going to follow part by the end of business today.

I think our intentions are that they are supposed to be a column about 20 minutes between the parties. Now whether the partial or not. We all stood outside locker rooms where we're waiting for the punctual opening right. But I think I think that it will be put to a determined today because -- among other things I think it's become so public at this point. That they have to get a result because -- Not considered wait forever for decision than me. He doesn't particularly want to live here but it is going to leave here I'd say there's probably three teams he would he would go to. There was such a one of three teams me. He would've been -- the angels by now if he had it sorted all the beaten duke talked Somalia or I'm not always but if there's attraction to Boston. Well as part. And I think that. He's basically told of it though instead of the next couple days are we're not talking about it because I'm well I'm not going to play games I like look at Colorado woman. My new home is going to be whether at which you guys -- not what you guys. And I guess spring training to go to I've got to get -- to be distractions eliminated so I'd -- get ready to play baseball but I think what I don't with -- presents with -- today.

Tracy what is he like Boston.

I don't know we will put but looked some friends of on the have a 40 rhetoric and in the talking about lest they can really explain except recently -- there was a definite commitment there -- the park to lead there's a specialist he that it in for a left handed hitter --

Paul good reasons and that was going to be my final question I mean based on the quotes I read your piece today and really sound like he was going where anyway.

Well that a video also doesn't want to stay here and have every six months the issue come up that well would like to do things but we're stuck with Todd Helton. In those it would be part of the solution not part of the problem. It is if that's going to be that much so that the ownership -- little to them. To spread but it took a look went over the next couple years. They weren't good enough pride in -- do that either and so that's -- I think it comes down -- he. It is an immediate look go to Atlantic has -- close to -- grew up. But they've got to change in ownership there's scaled back they have no they have no. That'll put up spending money for of course -- that they discovered what it is arbitration note. In -- the saint Louis but. I thought I'd still see the cardinals into the being at first base right over. It's not an -- I think is what American league in portrayed as he's amicable as and don't forget the Yankees this refused was pretty -- and a rules and so. You know it's. It's attribute it I guess maybe I think -- what it was like imposter lecture -- mentioned sucked into it because they have the same agent. For whatever reason and that there's been there couple is that that was was what brought. In in interleague play in you know that's probably one of the hidden benefits literally play is that. Players who definitely do see your city. In the maybe some misconceptions they have -- different places get eliminated. Because -- as a visiting player and they realized it it was this past enjoyable.

Tracy just all around talked to Mike Lansing. That is grew up the holder Mike Lansing hated it here.

Well Mike I. I don't like we're -- royal.

Like -- a lot of he went through it just stayed there were in the -- in it's unfortunate because that the way it was growing up. As to oversee any threat Kasper killer -- The Indy five yards in the last two minutes of the state championship in the is -- well. He was quite an epic are those players in the last -- bitterness issues never had his ego for the but it.

And news for you Dante Bichette wasn't exactly mr. Murtha around here being there.

Nobody thought they always -- tremendous points of golds -- their cross and what part. -- I think you know what more than a few problems. Over definition -- productive that a lot of hatred dislike it it's it's but it is nature.

We appreciate taken the time it sounds like the the offseason is officially over now for for baseball guys so. Right back Gannett and what could be a big story here in the next day or so we appreciate you taking the time thank you you are -- Tracy wrangles beat rocky mountain news