With the looming mega deal proposed by the Colorado Rockies to Troy Tulowitzki and a press conference scheduled for later in the day to make the formal announcement, it is interesting to consider the precedent this contract could set.
Will other franchises follow suit and lock up their young superstars to extended contracts lasting for as much as 10 seasons to ensure the player’s future with their team? Or will the financial and organizational risk be seen as too great?
Troy Tulowitzki has arguably been the backbone of the Colorado Rockies organization since his arrival in Denver in 2006, showing great leadership skill, outstanding range at shortstop and above-average skills at the plate.
At times, injuries have been a concern, shortening the young star’s 2009 and 2010 seasons, but not enough of a concern for the Rockies organization to prevent them from considering the seven-year, $134 million extension to be announced soon.
In all, Tulowitzki’s deal will total 10 years, locking him in as the franchise player for the Rockies through 2020. Are there other teams out there with young superstars who would consider making the same move to lock in their franchise player?
Would Minnesota consider the same type of deal for Joe Mauer? Would the Texas Rangers ensure they have a closer for years to come and extend a long-term deal to Neftali Feliz? Is Tim Lincecum worth big time money to stay in San Francisco for another decade?
These are all questions which will likely be answered when the trigger is pulled on the Tulowitzki deal and the hand of baseball owners is forced to protect their investments.
A precedent usually is only established when a risk pans out, however, so time will tell if the Tulowitzki deal goes down as the first in a line of mega deals or just an unwarranted risk which becomes a footnote.
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