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Red Sox fans finally get to experience Helton

Tracy Ringolsby, Rocky Mountain News

Published June 11, 2007 at midnight

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BOSTON — Ever since the schedule came out, Todd Helton knew he would be playing in Fenway Park this week. He just wasn't sure whether he'd be playing for the home team or the visiting team.

Now, he knows.

Helton and the Rockies open a three-game series against the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday night (5 MDT, FSN Rocky Mountain), and the only thing on the first baseman's mind is helping the Rockies win the three games.

The talk of a possible trade to the Red Sox was long ago pushed from Helton's mind, and he said he doesn't expect the Red Sox fans to get too worked up about his presence.

"It's not like I have ever played for the Red Sox," he said. "It doesn't seem like that big of a deal."

Besides, there is nothing Helton did that would cause Red Sox fans to be irate.

It was the Red Sox who approached the Rockies about a possible trade for Helton. Rockies ownership then pushed the talks farther in January after Red Sox president Larry Lucchino had broached the subject to Rockies managing general partner Charlie Monfort during owners meetings. But Rockies management ended the talks when it couldn't get the young prospects it wanted in return.

Helton's only involvement was letting both sides know he would waive his no-trade clause if a deal was worked out, and that actually was a sign of respect to the Red Sox.

Several other teams did inquire about Helton after the Red Sox talks, including the Los Angeles Angels, and Helton's reluctance to approve other deals put a quick end to the conversations.

"I do have a lot of say over (a trade)," Helton said. "That takes all the worries away. It's a luxury I have as a player."

Helton knows, however, he most likely will live with occasional trade rumors for the remainder of his contract, which runs through 2011 and has slightly less than $90 million left to be paid.

"With my contract, I don't think it will ever be over," he said. "People are always going to speculate. They will throw out rumors."

Helton believes the public speculation was fueled by Rockies ownership saying during the off-season that Helton's $16.6 million contract was a drain on the team's payroll.

After the Red Sox talks ended, however, Helton and owners Charlie and Dick Monfort made it known there would be no more trade discussions after the start of spring training.

"I realize something was there, but it didn't happen and my focus is on this season, this team," Helton said. "It's not like I ever wanted to leave Colorado, but if I was going to go, (Boston) is a place I said I'd be willing to go."

ringolsbyt@RockyMountainNews.com