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Roberbola · December 22nd, 2006, 06:28 PM

I agree with the tenor of this discussion. IMO a few things have changed in the last few years regarding Helton's value/tradability.

1) The finances of baseball have changed. No longer is Todd's contract the albatross it was even last year. See Gil Meche, Henry Blanco, et al.

2) With every year that passes, there are fewer years left on his deal and less risk of a Jeff Bagwell type of situation to the receiving team.

3) Todd has proven that even in a down year he still has a high OBP, and can still be a very productive hitter, not to mention a strong defender. Of course, he still wreaks of "intangibles" that some GMs continue to be enamored with (See Tim Purpura's explanation of what JJ brings to the Astros at his press conference).

Given the framework of the Angels deal above, I think to trade Todd now would be to sell very low. Give him one more year of average to plus production and good health and another crazy financial market next year, and he becomes a pretty marketable commodity to a high revenue team.

I'm not against trading him now, but in my analysis of the current market we no longer have to beg people to take him off our hands.

December 22nd, 2006, 06:28 PM	#8 (permalink)
Roberbola Rookie Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 3	Agreement I agree with the tenor of this discussion. IMO a few things have changed in the last few years regarding Helton's value/tradability. 1) The finances of baseball have changed. No longer is Todd's contract the albatross it was even last year. See Gil Meche, Henry Blanco, et al. 2) With every year that passes, there are fewer years left on his deal and less risk of a Jeff Bagwell type of situation to the receiving team. 3) Todd has proven that even in a down year he still has a high OBP, and can still be a very productive hitter, not to mention a strong defender. Of course, he still wreaks of "intangibles" that some GMs continue to be enamored with (See Tim Purpura's explanation of what JJ brings to the Astros at his press conference). Given the framework of the Angels deal above, I think to trade Todd now would be to sell very low. Give him one more year of average to plus production and good health and another crazy financial market next year, and he becomes a pretty marketable commodity to a high revenue team. I'm not against trading him now, but in my analysis of the current market we no longer have to beg people to take him off our hands.