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Rockies' payroll stays low - for now

Modest increase, but maturing core will make it rise

Tracy Ringolsby, Rocky Mountain News

Published March 27, 2007 at midnight

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PHOENIX - The Rockies are getting an early look at the cost of being good.

Colorado hasn't had a winning season since 2000 and has finished in fourth or fifth place in the National League West in each of the past nine seasons.

In the past three years, the Rockies have seen a nucleus of quality talent rise to the major league level, creating what they feel is the nucleus of a competitive team.

And it comes with a price.

While the Rockies have not yet had to deal with major financial decisions involving the homegrown talent - the argument can be made the trade of Jason Jennings had solid baseball ramifications - this year provides a sneak peek at what looms.

The Rockies project to start the season with a major league payroll that could reach $55,361,182 for their 25-player roster and pitcher Brian Lawrence, expected to start the season on the disabled list, according to information obtained by the Rocky Mountain News.

In addition to the major league payroll, the Rockies are paying outfielder Cory Sullivan $900,000 and shortstop Clint Barmes $202,000 at Triple-A Colorado Springs.

They also have payments for players no longer with them of $2 million to Florida for Mike Hampton, $1.8 million to Denny Neagle as a 20 percent installment on his buyout and $1.7 million as the second of 20 years of deferred payments to Larry Walker.

Those three payments were prefunded to eliminate a drag on current income.

The major league payroll represents a 35 percent increase from 2006 but will be the second-lowest Opening Day payroll in the past nine years.

The Rockies still have a decisions to make on the final bullpen spot and the 25th player on the roster, which will affect the final payroll figure. They will keep Byung-Hyun Kim ($2.5 million salary) or Ramon Ramirez ($386,000) for the final spot in the bullpen, and the 25th spot on the roster comes down to John Mabry ($750,000) or Ryan Spil- borghs($383,000).

The Rockies do know that in the next couple of years their payroll, which still ranks among the six lowest in the major leagues, figures to increase annually.

"To keep our nucleus together we are going to have to pay more, but we feel we will have the resources to do that," club president Charlie Monfort said. "As our guys gain more experience and approach free agency, we understand we are going to have to increase the payroll. We feel our success on the field will translate into increased revenues and that will offset the increased cost of doing business."

The Rockies' projected payroll will rank ahead of Florida, Tampa Bay, Pittsburgh and Washington, and possibly Cincinnati.

Todd Helton will be the highest-paid player on the team for the third year in a row.

His $17,018,182, which includes a prorated portion of a buyout on an option for 2012, equals his salary of a year ago for the highest in franchise history. But this year shows that as spending increases, Helton becomes less of a point of contention. A year ago, he represented 41.5 percent of the team's Opening Day payroll. This year, he is 30.7 percent.

Helton is the highest-paid player in the National League West. Jason Schmidt will earn $16 million from Los Angeles and Barry Bonds is at $15.8 million with San Francisco.

Randy Johnson is the highest-paid player on the Arizona roster at $10 million, but that figure jumps to $16 million next year, and San Diego is paying $10 million each to Greg Maddux and Brian Giles.

Matt Holliday is the second- highest paid Rockies player at $4.4 million. Rodrigo Lopez is next at $4,325,000.

For the first time, the Rockies do not have a player making the major league minimum, which increased to $380,000 this year, but they are paying right-hander Jason Hirsh, shortstop Troy Tulowitzki and catcher Chris Iannetta $381,000 apiece.

What Rockies players are paid

The salaries for the 27 candidates for the Rockies' Opening Day roster and Brian Lawrence, who will open the season on the disabled list. Salaries include the base plus prorated signing bonuses and buyouts on option years.

Player, position Salary

TODD HELTON, first baseman $17,018,182

Contract details: Fifth year of a nine-year deal that includes a $418,182 prorated buyout on an option for 2012.

Incentives: All-Star, $25,000; National League Most Valuable Player, $150,000; MVP voting, second or third, $75,000; Gold Glove, $25,000; Silver Slugger, $50,000; Hank Aaron Award, $150,000; Division Series MVP, $50,000; League Championship Series MVP, $75,000; World Series MVP, $100,000.

MATT HOLLIDAY, outfielder $4.4 million

Contract details: One-year deal.

RODRIGO LOPEZ, $4,325,000 right-handed pitcher

Contract details: One-year deal.

JOSH FOGG, right-hander $3,625,000

Contract details: One-year deal.

BRIAN FUENTES, $3.5 million left-handed pitcher

Contract details: Second year of a two-year deal.

Incentives: All-Star, $25,000; Cy Young Award, $100,000; Cy Young voting, second through fifth, $50,000; Rolaids Relief Award, $100,000; Rolaids voting, second through fifth, $50,000; NLCS MVP, $75,000; World Series MVP, $100,000.

LaTROY HAWKINS, right-hander $3.25 million

Contract details: One-year deal that includes a $250,000 buyout on an option for 2008.

Incentives: 65, 70 and 75 appearances, $50,000 each; 25 games finished, $50,000; 30 and 35 games finished, $75,000 each; 40 games finished, $100,000; 45 games finished, $150,000; 50 games finished, $200,000; 55 games finished, $250,000; All-Star, $25,000; Gold Glove, $50,000; NLCS MVP, $75,000; NL MVP voting, second through fifth, $50,000; World Series MVP, $100,000; NL MVP, $100,000; Rolaids Relief Award, $100,000; Cy Young Award, $100,000; Cy Young voting, second through fifth, $50,000.

AARON COOK, right-hander $3.2 million

Contract details: Second year of two-year deal that includes a $50,000 prorated signing bonus and a $100,000 prorated buyout for 2008.

Incentives: All-Star, $25,000; Cy Young Award, $100,000; Cy Young voting, second through fifth, $50,000; Silver Slugger, $25,000; Gold Glove, $25,000; Comeback Player of the Year, $25,000; NLCS MVP, $75,000; World Series MVP, $100,000.

BYUNG-HYUN KIM, right-hander $2.5 million

Contract details: Second year of a two-year deal.

Incentives: 170, 180, 190, 200 and 210 innings pitched, $200,000 each; All-Star, $25,000; Cy Young Award, $100,000; Cy Young voting, second through fifth, $50,000; Gold Glove, $25,000; Comeback Player of the Year, $25,000; NLCS MVP, $75,000; World Series MVP, $100,000.

JAMEY CARROLL, infielder $1,775,000

Contract details: First year of a two-year deal that includes a $75,000 prorated signing bonus.

KAZ MATSUI, second baseman $1.5 million

Contract details: One-year deal.

Incentives: 120, 130, 140 and 150 games started, $125,000 each; 425, 450 and 475 plate appearances, $40,000 each; 500, 525, 550 and 575 plate appearances, $50,000 each; 600 and 625 plate appearances, $60,000 each.

JEREMY AFFELDT, left-hander $1.25 million

Contract details: One-year deal.

YORVIT TORREALBA, catcher $1,075,000

Contract details: One-year deal.

STEVE FINLEY, outfielder $1 million

Contract details: One-year deal.

Incentives: 500 and 525 plate appearances, $50,000 each; 550 and 575 plate appearances, $75,000 each; 600 plate appearances, $100,000; NLCS MVP, $75,000; World Series MVP, $100,000; NL MVP, $25,000; Silver Slugger, $50,000; Gold Glove, $50,000; All-Star, $25,000.

TOM MARTIN, left-hander $800,000

Contract details: One-year deal.

JEFF FRANCIS, left-hander $750,000

Contract details: First year of a four-year deal that includes a $250,000 prorated signing bonus and an option for 2011.

Incentives: All-Star, $25,000; Gold Glove, $25,000; NLCS MVP, $75,000; World Series MVP, $100,000.

BRIAN LAWRENCE, right-hander $750,000

Contract details: One-year deal, including a $250,000 buyout on an option for 2008.

Incentives: Salary increases $500,000 when he is placed on the active roster; 180 innings pitched, $100,000; 190, 200 and 210 innings pitched, $200,000 each; 15 and 20 games started, $100,000 each; 22, 24, 26, 28, 29 and 30 games started, $200,000 each. JOHN MABRY, outfielder $750,000 Contract details: One-year deal. Incentives: 400, 425, 450, 475, 500, 525 and 550 plate appearances, $50,000 each.

BRAD HAWPE, outfielder $403,000

Contract details: One-year deal.

WILLY TAVERAS, outfielder $402,000

Contract details: One-year deal.

GARRETT ATKINS, third baseman $400,000

Contract details: One-year deal.

JEFF BAKER, outfielder $400,000

Contract details: One-year deal.

RAMON RAMIREZ, right-hander $386,000

Contract details: One-year deal.

TAYLOR BUCHHOLZ, 383,000

Contract details: One-year deal.

RYAN SPILBORGHS, outfielder $383,000

Contract details: One-year deal.

MANNY CORPAS, right-hander $382,000

Contract details: One-year deal.

JASON HIRSH, right-hander $381,000 Contract details: One-year deal.

CHRIS IANNETTA, catcher $381,000

Contract details: One-year deal.

TROY TULOWITZKI, shortstop $381,000

Contract details: One-year deal.

Rockies' payroll over the years

How the team's Opening Day payroll, based on salaries plus prorated signing bonuses and option buyouts, has changed through the years.

Season Payroll Top-paid player Salary

2007 $55,361,182 Todd Helton $17,018,182

2006 $41,005,182 Todd Helton $17,018,182

2005 $65,346,182 Todd Helton $13,018,182

2004 $68,129,682 Larry Walker $12,833,333

2003 $68,183,000 Larry Walker $12,833,333

2002 $57,573,500 Larry Walker $12,833,333

2001 $77,484,000 Larry Walker $12,366,667

2000 $63,237,000 Larry Walker $12,167,000

1999 $60,565,000 Larry Walker $5,075,000

1998 $47,967,000 Larry Walker $5,875,000

1997 $42,855,500 Larry Walker $5.5 million

1996 $37,153,833 Bill Swift $4,608,333

1995 $31,406,048 Larry Walker $4,744,382

1994 $22,588,333 Andres Galarraga $3,850,000

1993 $8,925,000 Charlie Hayes $1.2 million