Rockies' Atkins a little down and maybe out
Infielder Atkins could be headed elsewhere
By Jack Etkin, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published September 22, 2008 at 3:55 p.m.
CODZ117 - Colorado Rockies infielder Garrett Atkins tosses a shirt to fans as he takes part in the team's walk around Coors Field to mark the final regular-season home game, at the end of the Rockies' 13-4 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks in a baseball game in Denver on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2008. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
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The season has been reasonably productive, one many players would gladly accept, no questions asked.
It also has been a persistently puzzling year for Garrett Atkins in some ways, one that is winding down with the realization these might be his final days with the Rockies.
"Obviously, there's going to be some changes made here, you got to figure," Atkins said. "I might be a part of it; I might not. . . . Hopefully, if the Rockies decide to trade me, whatever team I go to, I'll be able to fit right in and, hopefully, it's to a winning ballclub.
"There's probably some decent fits out there for me, if that was to be the case. But I don't think the Rockies will be looking to do me any favors. They'll be looking for the best deal, as they should be."
Ian Stewart, 23, has shown he can play third base well, hit for power and fit nicely in the Rockies' future. He took over at that position in mid-July with Atkins moving to first base to replace Todd Helton, sidelined with a back injury.
Helton is expected to return next season. There's always a chance left fielder Matt Holliday, a free agent after 2009, could be traded, with Stewart replacing him in the outfield. But as the Rockies search for pitching, Atkins, who turns 29 in December and has two more seasons before free agency, could be traded to a team interested in acquiring a third baseman or first baseman.
"I hope that's not the case because I love Denver and I love the guys in here and I think we got a good team going forward," Atkins said. "I understand that it's a business and Ian's done a good job at third and they have Todd coming back and he's a Hall of Fame player. So there's only a certain amount of places where you can play."
Timely hits missing
Atkins will play his 151st game and make his 148th start, both team-leading figures, tonight at San Francisco. He's hitting .289 with 20 home runs, a total he reached for the third straight season Sunday with a three-run shot.
That leaves Atkins six games to drive in the five runs he needs to reach 100 for the third consecutive season and add to his team- leading total.
"Obviously, if you told me at the beginning of the year that you're going to lead the team in RBI, that's sweet, that'd be great," Atkins said. "That means I'm going to have a pretty good year. But I don't think that's the case. It's been a frustrating year, an inconsistent year. Definitely, I did some things I'm looking forward to rectifying next year and after that."
Atkins has punished left-handed pitchers, but in a departure from past seasons has had far less success against right-handers. In part because his walks are markedly down, his on-base percentage has tailed off and become ordinary.
And Atkins, a .318 career hitter with runners in scoring position entering this season, is hitting only .228 in those situations with far more at-bats (180) than any of his teammates. At this late date in the season, Atkins' difficulties in the clutch strike him as rather absurd.
"You're just like, 'Man, it's hard to believe that it just keeps going like that,' " Atkins said. "But each time you go to the plate, you're expecting that time to be different and things to change."
If this in the final week of the season sounds Sisyphean, it's part of Atkins' essence and what helps him surmount the grind of a six-month season.
Brad Andress, the Rockies' strength coach and quality control administrator, used the word "stoic" when describing Atkins' ability to remain consistent and avoid getting too emotional.
Ryan Spilborghs, one of Atkins' close friends on the Rockies, said, "Whether it's an 0-for-4 game or a 4-for-4 game, he's able to stay pretty much even-keel. That personality at times for other people seems dry, but he's just always staying the same, which in baseball is a very good personality trait. The fact that he's so even-keeled makes it really calming in this clubhouse for some of us."
Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki ended up on the disabled list a second time this year when he slammed a bat down in disgust and cut his right hand. Tulowitzki said he doubted that would ever happen with Atkins.
"Something that I've learned from him is not to carry your emotion on your shoulder each at-bat," Tulowitzki said.
Helping teammate
Tulowitzki said when he came up to the Rockies in August 2006 and was playing next to Atkins, he initially mistook Atkins' quiet nature as something more freighted.
"A lot of people think he doesn't talk to anybody, but if you get him in the right atmosphere and just pick his brain a little bit, he's definitely a helping teammate," Tulo- witzki said. "He's definitely a good friend. I would consider him one of my best friends on the team and someone I would go to if I had some issues either in baseball or normal life."
When Tulowitzki returned June 20 from the leg injury that sidelined him 47 games, he went 0-for-4. The hitless string ended at five at-bats the next night when Tulowitzki doubled.
When Tulowitzki came around to score, the camera showed him in the dugout, where Atkins was smiling and gesturing with his slightly closed right hand the way players do when they want the keepsake ball from a teammate's first hit tossed to the dugout.
"He definitely has some dry humor," Tulowitzki said.
Atkins began his career in the Rockies organization in 2000, a first baseman drafted in the fifth round out of UCLA. With Helton a fixture at that position, Atkins moved to third base at the
Double-A level in 2002.
He played 157 games each of the past two seasons and could finish at 156 this year. Atkins hit .329 in 2006 with 48 doubles, 29 homers and 120 RBI and followed that up last year by hitting .301 with 35 doubles, 25 homers and 111 RBI. He is a presence in the Rockies lineup, a ballast and not the least bit showy.
Big payday coming
In late July, manager Clint Hurdle was holding his daily pregame session with the media when someone asked about Atkins. Hurdle responded, but only after pointing out how rare it was to field a question about the low-key, methodical and dependable Atkins, who is finishing his fourth season as a Rockies regular and very possibly his last.
Atkins' salary rose to $4,387,500 this year, when he became eligible for arbitration for the first time and figures to be around $9 million next season. After 2006, Atkins turned down the Rockies' offer of a four-year deal in the $18 million range.
It will surprise no one if Atkins' first multiyear contract comes with another team, maybe in a matter of months. Spilborghs said it would be disappointing to lose Atkins because of his ability to hit and because his personality is so well understood and accepted in the Rockies clubhouse.
Tulowitzki said he was sure he and Atkins would keep in contact if Atkins is traded, not wanting things to come to that.
"Hopefully, something works out and he gets to stay here," Tulowitzki said. "That'd be both of our, I guess not dreams, but I think that's what we both want to happen is (for him) to stay here and get even closer than we are."
He said it
"We kind of call him the sheriff of this clubhouse because he'll let guys know if they're late or let them know if they're missing (early) batting practice. That's part of his demeanor. He's a professional . . . " Ryan Spilborghs, on teammate Garrett Atkins.
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September 22, 2008
4:36 p.m.
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luckygirl writes:
It's always bugged me how little love he gets
September 22, 2008
7:16 p.m.
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GeeTee writes:
Atkins is one of the most underrated players in baseball. Start him at first and let Helton ride the pine or earn his way back into the lineup.
September 23, 2008
12:28 a.m.
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RDenver writes:
Yeh...let Helton ride the pine making $17 million a year. Makes no sense whatsoever! Atkins dropped over 40 points from his high mark during the year. Time for him to go. They have Baker and Helton who can play 1st. And as long as you are sending Atkins on his way, send Hurdle and Apodoca out the door with them.
September 23, 2008
1:46 a.m.
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Ofearghail writes:
Agreed. A team with this much talent should not have underachieved so badly this year. Perhaps they won the NL last year DESPITE Hurdle and the coaching staff. They need new leadership, and they need to KEEP the BEST players, which certainly includes Atkins.
September 23, 2008
7:22 a.m.
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1somelikeithot writes:
If Helton's healthy, he'll be 1st baseman. Atkins is underrated, but I look to see him traded in the offseason, if they can get what they need for him. They need to try to keep Holliday, but if not, they might want to consider keeping Atkins and play Stewart in the outfield. You gotta have Stewart's bat in the lineup. We can all speculate on what we think should be done, but we don't make those decisions. Just have to wait and see what they do and keep an eye on what those decisions will be, and hope for the best. Go Rockies - 2009!!!
September 23, 2008
7:35 a.m.
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Chadley25 writes:
How Holliday and Atkins can perform at all when every freaking DAY in the paper there is some story about them being shipped off or used as trade bait is beyond me.
Rockies management has really got to get their act together before they alienate every fan they've made.
September 23, 2008
8:47 a.m.
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Willy writes:
Post of the day Chadley
September 23, 2008
10:09 a.m.
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SLoganSt writes:
It seems like the ought to trade Holliday, and try to keep Atkins. He might be more affordable.
September 23, 2008
10:47 a.m.
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arvada_mark writes:
Helton is 3-times the 1st baseman GA is...& I am a huge GA fan. Even he said it, Helton is a Hall of Famer. I'm sick of people baggin on Helton. I've posted this before, but in lieu of the Helton-hater here, here it goes: Over the last ten years, Helton leads all 1st baseman, that's all 1st baseman in total games played & fielding percentage. He is also the leading hitter (for average) over the past 10 years. So put that in your pipe, pal. He is one of the greatest players you have ever seen play.
Now if you're going to trade someone, trade Stewy. He has the highest value...& we already know what we have in GA, & he's pretty dam good. We could get a #1 or 2 starter for Stewy. The Brothers Monfort would have to pay him, though. Just like they will have to pay Stewy in due time.
September 23, 2008
10:58 a.m.
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GeeTee writes:
I am a Helton fan, too, but talk about drop-off in production! Maybe he can walk another 100 times or so -- just what you need from a clean-up hitter!!
If Atkins goes, I hope he bats about .500 against the Rox pitchers next year. But let's make sure we keep Taveras, Hernandez and Vizcaino -- three of the WORST pick-ups ever by the Rockies (exceeded only by Byung-Hole Kim).
September 23, 2008
12:28 p.m.
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Bruin4Life writes:
The Rockies would have to bite a significant portion of Helton's contract to move him, and with his injury issues that might be difficult. I think most scouts look at Atkins' home/road offensive splits and have varying opinions on his ability. He'd appear to be a fit with the Astros, Giants, Brewers and Nationals and those clubs all have good arms in their system. If the Rocks want to maximize what they can get for a player it would seem dangling Stewart makes the most sense - albeit one that isn't likely to happen since Stewart is years away from being arbitration eligible. The Rockies would be subtracting a key component in their lineup and replacing it with Helton, who, in my opinion, is finished being a strong run producer.
September 23, 2008
2:18 p.m.
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grandmacoach writes:
I too wonder how Holliday and Atkins and Fuentes can relax and play for a team who loved them last year and suddenly doesn't have much use for them because they have earned the right to demand larger contracts because they played so good. Next it will be Ian Stewart and on and on, because if they are really good players they will be worth more in the market and the Rockies will want to trade them. With this system I guess you can get lucky and have a really good year once and awhile. It is a business, for the owners, and for the players too. It seems all three of these players would really love and prefer to stay in Denver, however, they sense just like all of us, that winning is not really the goal here! Just get used to a revolving door of players. I am sad that we might lose 3 really good players, who have all shown they all of sound character, which should be mentioned more.
September 23, 2008
2:41 p.m.
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NorCalGuy writes:
It's the nature of the business of baseball. The Rockies would have to pay probably two thirds of Helton's contract to trade him, similar to what the Rangers did when they traded A-Rod to the Yankees. He may have been a great player but he's not that same guy now and probably never will be again. I'd love to see Helton retire but it's not in his best financial interest. The Rocks would be much better with Atkins at first base moving forward but there's no denying Helton's past contributions. A four year $18 million deal for someone like Atkins is insulting. He just made about $4.4 million this past season and is looking at substantial pay increases this year and next until he reaches free agency. If he does get the projected $9 million next season on a one year deal he would have made more than two thirds of what the Rockies offered him in an extension in just two seasons. He was smart not to sign, unlike Tulo. I just don't get the Rockies ownership, they appear to make more than enough money and have a very good minor league system. If they could somehow jettison Helton and get one or two back of the rotation arms they'd be set. Sign Holliday, Atkins, Stewart, Ianetta, not Fuentes. See what that looks like for a few seasons and then trade guys if it's not working out. There are two teams in the Rockies division who would love to have Atkins, the DBacks and the Giants and he's a SoCal guy. Their lack of respect of his contributions could come back to bite them.
September 24, 2008
3:01 p.m.
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SDcat writes:
Things that make you go ..HMMMM? ..just an observation...but it sure seems like when a player speaks up or talks to the press they are benched the next day....
1) Atkins not starting yesterday after above article.
2) Hawpe spoke up when the article about O'Dud's "abysmal" comments came out..
3) Holliday is interviewed once in a blue moon, and he's not starting the next day due to "tweaked back".
4)Taveras inquires about daily playing, and he's not starting...
I'm pretty sure there are more examples...I'll have to research...
just a curious observation...
September 24, 2008
9:05 p.m.
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Anais writes:
I just wish Todd Helton would have been a little more Sakic-esque. Re-evaluate what is best for himself and the team after EACH season. You know, possibly take one for the team... Joe -- one of hockey's greatest-- took a pay cut this year! Imagine that! If only it were the same situation for Todd. It just pains me to think that he is going to make yet ANOTHER, what, 16,000,000...?!
In a perfect world he would have been more Sakic-esque. And Garrett (and Matt) would still be wearing Rockies uniforms 5 years from now.
September 25, 2008
7:42 a.m.
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MavrickG writes:
Time for Todd to step aside. He will never be a day to day player ever again and if we trade Atkins we will be sorry. Everyone acts like Todd will be back to a hall of fame status next season, he won't, this injury is not something you just get over.
September 26, 2008
11:16 a.m.
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hrutt_22 writes:
I love Todd Helton but it's his time to go. Not only is his salary a bit too high, but this back injury is going to end his career very soon. The Rockies need to keep the productive players and get some better pitching, keep Atkins and Holliday. Without them we'll just keep being a sub .500 team
September 26, 2008
3:22 p.m.
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LockeRobster writes:
arvada_mark: It's stilly to talk about what Helton has done the last 10 years in any context other than considering his candidacy for the Hall of Fame (which I think he will not attain). The plain fact of the matter is that Garret Atkins has outproduced Helton at the plate from the first day Atkins was placed in the Rockies starting lineup to now. Helton is a career .328 hitter, but he has hit .264 this year with only 7 home runs. He hit 32 HR's in 2004, and has hit a combined total of 59 in the following four seasons. He hasn't driven in 100+ runs since 2003, or scored 100+ runs since 2004.
In other words, he is NOT the same player (or even close) who signed that monster deal a handful of years ago. Anyone who knows squat about baseball knows that everyday players who pull in the sort of dollars that Helton is are getting paid to be productive at the plate, not in the field, so your argument about his fielding percentage is distracting, at best, and disingenous, at worst.
And I'm quite tired of listening to Helton be referred to as a "team player". He won't defer any of his remaining money to help the team lock up either Atkins or Holliday long-term, even though he has already banked roughly $100 million from this organization. John Elway was a FAR bigger star in football than Helton has been in baseball, but Elway restructured his deal a couple of times to help the Broncos bring in or keep essential players. That's what "TEAM" guys do.
They need to figure out which teams Helton will agree to be traded to (since he has 10/5 veto rights), then enter into discussions with those teams to determine what percentage of his remaining contract the Rockies would have to eat in order to move him. That's their only prayer of keeping Holliday, and also giving themselves a shot at keeping Atkins. Because if Helton is still on the roster come next spring, at least one of those two guys will be gone.