The Holliday Dilemma

This post was in reponse to Woody Paige's Denver Post Article

I whole heartening disagree with Woody's comments. Now is the time to deal Holliday especially fresh off his All Star blast and his recent hot streak. Why trade our hottest property? One reason would be Todd Helton. Helton, who is currently 35, and signed through 2011 makes up almost 25% of the current Rockies payroll. Holliday who is 28 wants a six year deal. If you look at Helton's statistics, he peaked during the 2000 - 2001 years, when he was...27!

Baseball research has shown that players tend to peak in their late 20s. Signing Holliday now to a long term contact is not baseball smart. Sure he would still produce for the next 2 - 3 years but then steadily decline to what Helton has become. A longtime Rocky whose time has passed. The Roxs don't need more salary anchors.

From a fan (and heart's) standpoint watching a player become a star in your own backyard is great but what would Denver rather have? A star (like Helton) or a World Series title. Today's free agency has killed the one player, one team concept. Loyalty to a team is has tenous has a summer afternoon rain shower in Denver. World Series titles are won by complete teams.

Due to the Boras Factor, I don't think Holliday has ever become a true fan favorite. His comments over the years have never tended to indicate that his preference is to stay here. Why doesn't Holliday have a chant like Tulo? Holliday has never embraced the city. Fans like characters and a little personality. Holliday is a nice guy but I think most people in Colorado knew long ago that he wasn't a long term guy.

In the end, Colorado baseball fans should embrace the small market mentality and root for the team, not its players. To win in today's baseball market it is all about talent. Teams like the Rockies can't afford to make long term financial mistakes (i.e. Hampton and Helton) with their heart. Management needs to ride their young players (i.e. pre free agents) to a playoff or World Series title and then sell to rebuild. Restock your farm and build to another title run. Sure it isn't sexy, like the Yankees or Red Sox, but they can afford to pay their way to the playoffs each year and also can afford long term mistakes. Embrace the team not the players.

Finally think of what the Roxs could buy for $120 million over the next 6 years. Last year signaled the blue print to win at altitude. Build your starting pitching from within (no high end free agent pitcher will ever come here), rebuild a pitcher or two from the scrap heap, spend that Holliday money on a bullpen to die for because starter's are only going to last 5 - 6 innings, and finally keep bringing up the youngsters who are hungry for free agent money (make sure they can play defense!). Who needs Holliday? Keep Atkins at 3B, Tulo at SS, Barmes at 2B, Baker at 1B. Let Stewart play everyday at LF, Fowler at CF,and Hawpe in RF.

Baseball is a team sport; big money stars rarely bring championships to their towns especially small market teams. Would you rather have World Series or Holliday memories?