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Winning hits Rockies in the wallet

Multiyear deals boost payroll 37 percent above 2007 figures

By Tracy Ringolsby, Rocky Mountain News

Published March 24, 2008 at 5:27 p.m.

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Todd Helton will be the team's highest-paid player again this year.

Photo by Barry Gutierrez / The Rocky

Todd Helton will be the team's highest-paid player again this year.

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The Rockies are paying a price for success.

In keeping together the bulk of the roster that led them to their first National League pennant, the Rockies will start 2008 with the second-highest payroll in franchise history.

The Rockies' projected 25-man roster that will start the season Monday in St. Louis is $70,452,682. That total includes pitcher Jason Hirsh, who will start on the disabled list, and prorated portions of signing bonuses and buyout clauses for multiyear contracts.

That's a 37 percent increase over the Rockies' Opening Day payroll of $51,424,000 for 2007 and higher than any of the previous 15 years in franchise history except 2001, when the Rockies, fresh off signing Mike Hampton and Denny Neagle, had an Opening Day payroll of $77,484,000.

The Rockies do face a contract situation with left fielder Matt Holliday that could affect future payrolls. He agreed to a two-year, $23 million contract in the offseason, but that deal only takes him up until his first year of potential free agency.

It will be interesting to see what, if any, impact the seven-year, $141 million contract extension Detroit reportedly is close to giving Miguel Cabrera will have on possible talks with Holliday.

The Rockies are believed to be willing to offer Holliday up to $18 million a year - Cabrera's extension would be worth an average of more than $20.1 million a year.

Holliday might make a concession for the Rockies, the only organization he has played for, in terms of the salary, but a major obstacle could be the Rockies' resistence to go as long as seven years.

"It's not an issue to me," Holliday said. "When the season starts, my focus narrows. My worry is my family, and they are taken care of (with the two-year contract), so the contract situation is no distraction. I'm ready to play ball. That's all I care about."

Holliday said he has no deadline for a deal to be done.

"Even if I became a free agent, I would hope I could still talk with the Rockies," he said.

This year's increased payroll is strongly tied to the Rockies signing five key players from last year to multiyear deals. In addition to Holliday, Troy Tulowitzki signed for six years, Manny Corpas for four and Brad Hawpe for three. Aaron Cook signed a three-year extension.

First baseman Todd Helton is the highest-paid player for the fourth year in a row at $17,018,182. Second baseman Jayson Nix will be the only position player making the major league minimum, $390,000.

The biggest question about the season-opening roster is who will win the battle between Scott Podsednik and Cory Sullivan for the fifth outfield spot.

Whichever way the Rockies go, it will cost them $1 million. Sullivan has a $1 million base and would receive $250,000 in severance pay if released. Podsednik, who will be granted his release from a minor league contract if he doesn't make the team, has a $750,000 agreement if he is at the big-league level.

The Rockies in 2006 had a $41,233,000 payroll, the lowest since 1996.

Dissecting Rockies' payroll

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

Year Payroll Top-paid player Salary

2008 $70,452,682 Todd Helton $17,018,182

2007 $54,424,000 Todd Helton $17,018,182

2006 $41,233,000 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 $5,500,000

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 $1,200,000

WHAT ROCKIES PLAYERS ARE PAID

Salaries for the 31 candidates for the Rockies' Opening Day roster and Jason Hirsh, who will start 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: Sixth 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, left fielder $9.5 million

Contract details: First year of a two-year, $23 million contract.

AARON COOK, right-handed pitcher $5.3 million

Contract details: First year of a four-year deal that includes $750,000 for a prorated signing bonus and buyout on an option for 2012.

BRIAN FUENTES, left-handed pitcher $5.05 million

Contract details: One-year deal.

GARRETT ATKINS, third baseman $4,387,500

Contract details: One-year deal.

BRAD HAWPE, right fielder $4,091,667

Contract details: First year of a three-year deal that includes a $166,667 prorated buyout on an option for 2011.

LUIS VIZCAINO, right-handed pitcher $3.75 million

Contract details: First year of a two-year deal that includes $250,000 for a prorated signing bonus and buyout on an option for 2010.

YORVIT TORREALBA, catcher $3.25 million

Contract details: First year of a two-year contract that includes $500,000 for a prorated signing bonus and buyout on an option for 2010.

KIP WELLS, right-handed pitcher $3.1 million

Contract details: One-year deal.

Incentives: 185 innings pitched, $250,000; 200 and 210 innings pitched, $500,000 each; 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; Gold Glove, $25,000; Comeback Player of the Year, $100,000; NL MVP, $100,000; NLCS MVP, $75,000; World Series MVP, $100,000.

JEFF FRANCIS, left-handed pitcher $2,875,000

Contract details: Second year of a four-year deal that includes a $125,000 prorated signing bonus on an option for 2011.

MATT HERGES, right-handed pitcher $2.5 million

Contract details: One-year deal with an option for 2009.

WILLY TAVERAS, center fielder $1,975,000

Contract details: One-year deal.

Incentives: 500, 550, 600 plate appearances, $50,000 each.

JOSH TOWERS, right-hander $1.2 million

Contract details: One-year deal that pays $400,000 if he's in the minors, with a mutual option for 2009.

Incentives: 35 and 40 games, $50,000 each; 45 and 50 games, $75,000 each; 55 and 60 games, $150,000 each; 150, 160, 170 and 180 innings pitched, $100,000 each;

190 innings pitched, $200,000; 200 innings pitched, $300,000.

MARK REDMAN, left-handed pitcher $1 million

Contract details: One-year deal.

Incentives: 20 and 30 relief appearances, $25,000 each; 40 and 50 relief appearances, $50,000 each; 60 and 70 relief appearances, $100,000 each; five and 10 starts, $50,000 each; 15, 20, 25 and 30 starts, $100,000 each.

CORY SULLIVAN, outfielder $1 million

Contract details: One-year deal.

TROY TULOWITZKI, shortstop $783,333

Contract details: First year of a six-year contract that includes a $33,333 prorated buyout on an option for 2014.

SCOTT PODSEDNIK, outfielder $750,000

Contract details: One-year deal that pays $78,000 if he's in the minor leagues.

MANNY CORPAS, right-handed pitcher $700,000

Contract details: First year of a four-year deal that includes $125,000 for a prorated signing bonus and buyouts on options for 2012 and 2013.

MICAH BOWIE, left-handed pitcher $650,000

Contract details: One-year deal that pays $90,000 if he's in the minors.

CLINT BARMES, infielder $405,000

Contract details: One-year deal that pays $158,764 if he's in the minors.

JEFF BAKER, infielder $403,000

Contract details: One-year deal that pays $240,000 if he's in the minors.

TAYLOR BUCHHOLZ, right-handed pitcher $399,000

Contract details: One-year deal that pays $229,600 if he's in the minors.

RYAN SPILBORGHS, outfielder $397,000

Contract details: One-year deal that pays $226,764 if he's in the minors.

JASON HIRSH, right-handed pitcher $396,000

Contract details: One-year deal that pays $228,600 if he's in the minors.

CHRIS IANNETTA, catcher $396,000

Contract details: One-year deal that pays $208,604 if he's in the minors.

OMAR QUINTANILLA, shortstop $396,000

Contract details: One-year deal that pays $109,836 if he's in the minors.

RYAN SPEIER, right-hander $393,000

Contract details: One-year deal that pays $86,764 if he's in the minors.

UBALDO JIMENEZ, right-hander $392,000

Contract details: One-year deal that pays $115,988 if he's in the minors.

FRANKLIN MORALES, left-handed pitcher $391,000

Contract details: One-year deal that pays $62,500 if he's in the minors.

EDWIN BELLORIN, catcher $391,000

Contract details: One-year deal that pays $69,711 if he's in the minors.

JAYSON NIX, second baseman $390,000

Contract details: One-year deal that pays $62,500 if he's in the minors.

RAMON RAMIREZ, right-handed pitcher $390,000

Contract details: One-year deal that pays $31,250 if he's in the minors.

Note: Figures exceed projected Opening Day payroll pending final roster decisions.

NIX IT

Jayson Nix officially was anointed the Rockies' second baseman Monday.

Nix, 1-for-2 with a double and a walk in the Rockies' 6-5 victory against Milwaukee at Maryvale Park in Phoenix, is hitting .300 in spring training.

With defense considered his strength, Nix showed offensive potential when he rebounded from an 0-for-8 start that included five strikeouts to get nine hits in his past 22 at-bats, including two doubles and three home runs. He also has drawn seven walks and been hit by a pitch three times.

"He's coming off a good finish to Triple-A and a very good winter camp," manager Clint Hurdle said in reference to Nix being selected MVP of the World Cup in November. "For one week (in spring training), he was trying to find his way, but since then, he has picked up his momentum. We will start out with (Nix at second) and run with him."

"I was really excited. I might have even smiled," Nix said, of his reaction when Hurdle told him.

"I've learned in this game to never assume anything, but I've been really comfortable the last week and a half."

Comments

  • March 25, 2008

    3:41 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    mrfxx writes:

    Put this in perspective, please. How does this payroll compare to other teams salaries? I know it sounds like lots of money to those of us who aren't in sports or entertainment - or aren't CEOs, but haven't the Rockies historically had one of the lowest payrolls in MLB? If that's the case, are the Rockies now near the middle? Still near the bottom? In the top third? I know that pay doesn't necessarily equal talent, but how many players have the Rockies lost because they were too cheap to pay comparable salaries for talent?

  • March 25, 2008

    4:40 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Tracy Ringolsby writes:

    I would say Rockies will wind up somehwere around 20th. I haven't worked out the payrolls for other teams.
    I would not,however, say in the last two years the Rockies have been fianncially restrained from signing any player they wanted.
    I do think what is significant is that they have dramatically increased their payroll and have signed up a hand full of the home grown players.

  • March 25, 2008

    8:42 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Blind_Pete writes:

    As great as Helton has been, he makes a case for avoiding long term contracts. I would hate to be Dan O'Dowd when dealing with Holliday in two years. Damned if you do and damned if you don't. So, what would Tracy Ringolsby do as GM?

  • March 25, 2008

    11:29 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Tracy Ringolsby writes:

    I think you have to make Holliday the best offer you feel fits in what the organization is doing and see if he wants to stay -- given that -- or not. If he doesn't you enjoy him for two more years, and count on the farm system to provide more help. That's part of why it is important for the Rockies to continue to spend money in player development, so that replacements can be developed. Will a rookie take over for a Holliday? Can't expect that. What you hope happens is that the other players in the big leagues continue to develop and grow and assume more of the load so that the new player can get his feet on the ground without a feeling of having to carry the team.