OT: Rockies, Tulowitzki Close To Mega-Deal

[Relentless88]

Rockies All-Star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki is close to concluding a new megadeal that may, in the end, last as long as 10 years, according to sources.

The Denver Post reported that Tulowitzki had agreed to a seven-year, $134 million extension through the 2020 season, citing a source with direct knowledge of the negotiations.

Tulowitzki already is signed through the 2013 season, with an option for 2014. But given his importance to the Rockies' franchise, Colorado has worked to lock him up.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=5864835

That's like 165 million for the next 10 years. What do you think of the deal?

[Schad]

A ten-year deal is always a huge risk, and it's more so given his injury history. Kinda iffy, as much as I love Tulo; $19m/year on the extension isn't a huge discount from what he'd received if they waited until closer to his free agency period. Still can't knock getting the remainder of his career locked up, but it could be quite an albatross if something goes awry.

[SharoneWright]

I like Tulowitzki too, but if I've learned anything, its that these deals rarely come out smelling sweet in the end. Exception is ARod, although he is still overpayed. Zito, Rolen, Hampton, Wells, Griffey are or were dead weight for many years while being payed atronomical sums. Not to mention the fact that it hamstrings the club in terms of other moves if may have been able to otherwise afford. GL to the Rockies, but you are now married to Tulo till death do you part.

[Schad]

I like Tulowitzki too, but if I've learned anything, its that these deals rarely come out smelling sweet in the end. Exception is ARod, although he is still overpayed.

Even the A-Rod deal didn't work out well; the Rangers not only ended up jettisoning his salary after three years, they agreed to pay a large chunk of his deal...something like $75m of the ~$190m he was owed at that point.

Hell, they still owe him money, as he was listed as a creditor to the tune of $25m during their bankruptcy filing.

[U_Mad]

7 yrs $134 mill i heard on top of his 3 yr deal making it like 10 yrs 156 or something like that

[SharoneWright]

I like Tulowitzki too, but if I've learned anything, its that these deals rarely come out smelling sweet in the end. Exception is ARod, although he is still overpayed.

Even the A-Rod deal didn't work out well; the Rangers not only ended up jettisoning his salary after three years, they agreed to pay a large chunk of his deal...something like $75m of the ~$190m he was owed at that point.

Hell, they still owe him money, as he was listed as a creditor to the tune of $25m during their bankruptcy filing.

Great point - hadn't remembered that part until you brought it up.

Rarely is a single player irreplaceable in a team sport. Its a fluid market out there in which you can usually find solutions - provided you don't paint yourself in a corner. How's a team going to be successful in the Colorado market? You'd figure they would need to be a litte more creative in utilizing draft pick compensation, trades, rule5, and shorter term free agent options to fill holes and be competitive. I'm even OK with overpaying a key piece to your team, provided its to a reasonable length contract. Leaves you with outs and the chance to change on the fly. jmho.

[Schad]

It's especially true in baseball. In basketball, a superstar can turn an awful team into a playoff team, or a borderline playoff team into a top-notch contender. In baseball, you're looking at a maximum of 7-9 Wins Above Replacement over a season twice as long...basically, they can get you over the hump and into the playoffs, but only if you're already in the hunt. The Rangers made the mistake of assuming that A-Rod could carry a 25-man roster, but it weren't happening.

Colorado's in an odd spot. They can spend, but they aren't big-market spenders these days. They're fairly competitive, but they aren't world-beaters. And they have some talent coming through the system, but they not so much that they look primed to vault to the top of the NL West and stay there for some time. A couple busts and it could by Tulo, Gonzalez and Ubaldo vs. the world...and bad teams plus lifetime contracts can be a bad mix for everyone involved. Still can't criticize the deal, but it would make me pretty antsy were I a Rockies fan.

[DonYon]

I understand that his value is pretty damn high, but was this move necessary?

[luvtheteam]

This is the dumbest contract i've ever heard of. When do you ever give a guy 7/$134 when he's still got 3 years left on his current contract??? I'm just missing this totally. Don't get it, don't get it, don't get it.

They could have done something in a couple of years. Why Now????????????