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| Sunday, December 31 | ||||||
| Rockies, Helton ponder lifetime contract | ||||||
DENVER -- Early contract discussions initiated by the Colorado Rockies with first baseman Todd Helton have raised the possibility of a 10-year extension. Helton, 27, has two years left on a four-year contract that pays $4.95 million next season and $5 million in 2002. A 10-year extension could amount to a lifetime contract. "It could go that far with options," said Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd. "But we have Todd for three more years -- two under contract and another year of arbitration -- so there's no real sense of urgency on our part. We're working on it, but I'm not going to add pressure to the situation by putting a deadline on it." Helton finished 2000 hitting .372 with 42 homers, 59 doubles and 147 RBI. In his first three full seasons, he has hit .336 with 102 homers and 357 RBI. O'Dowd said his other priority is finding a right-handed-hitting, leadoff-type outfielder and a left-handed hitter who can win a game in the ninth inning with one swing. The Rockies have budgeted six-figure salaries for extra outfielders and would like to have right-handed Roberto Kelly and left-handed John Mabry. But both are commanding at least seven figures. | ||||||
