Before the season started, the Colorado Rockies made some national shock waves when they signed their two young stars, shortstop Troy Tulowitzki and outfielder Carlos Gonzalez, to mega, multi-year contract extensions.
Tulo signed a nine-year extension worth $163 million while CarGo signed a seven-year extension worth $80 million.
The responses were mixed. Some in the national media thought it was too early and the money was too much.
It made sense to me. After all, Tulo’s old deal would’ve ended after the 2014 season.
Both deals add up to a grand total of $243 million in the books for just two players. That’s an average of $29.5 million a year until 2018. Their current payroll is roughly $88 million, less than 3/4 to pay for the other players.
This just shows the importance of the performance of these two players and how financially difficult it would be to add another player of their caliber without leaving some holes.
This year, first baseman Todd Helton is being paid $20 million, so despite the collective effort of their pitching staff, the Colorado Rockies’ playoff hopes rest in the bats of Helton, Tulowitzki and Gonzalez.
Right now, Helton is doing his part, hitting .300 with seven home runs and 24 RBI, but he is the only player on the team hitting .300 so far. Tulo has 11 home runs, but he is hitting a mediocre .252 with CarGo hitting .259 with eight home runs.
For fans, It’s good to know that there is no shortage of power from this decade’s version of the Blake Street Bombers, but no team wins with just one .300 hitter and with their contracts possibly crippling the Rockies’ chances to add some legit help before the trade deadline.
CarGo and Tulo must pick it up or the Rockies will continue to sink below .500 this season.
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