Colorado Rockies

Former Colorado Rockies first baseman Todd Helton has entered a treatment facility, according to the Knoxville News Sentinel's Hayes Hickman. 

Hickman reported Helton was cited for driving under the influence on March 18, when he drove his truck into a telephone pole. His attorney, Stephen Ross Johnson, released a statement about his decision to start treatment.

"Todd is currently in a residential treatment program outside of East Tennessee, receiving the care he needs," Johnson said. "He realizes there are parts of his behavior that need to change, and he is focused on doing just that. While there has not been a final court decision about his citation, Todd is still taking action." 

According to Blair Miller of Denver7 News, police were unable to perform a field sobriety test on Helton the scene because he had been taken to a local hospital for injuries he suffered in the crash. He submitted a blood sample at the hospital.

Helton pleaded guilty to driving while ability impaired in May 2013. Under the terms of his plea deal, he was placed on probation for one year, received a $400 fine and had to perform 24 hours of community service.

Helton spent 17 seasons in MLB, all with the Rockies. The team retired his No. 17 jersey in August 2014. He was the first Rockies player to have his jersey retired at Coors Field.

Nolan Arenado is off the market after the Colorado Rockies signed their All-Star third baseman to an eight-year contract extension, the Rockies announced Tuesday.

According to USA Today's Bob Nightengale, Arenado will receive $260 million over the life of the deal. ESPN.com's Jeff Passan provided more of the details:

Arenado was set to become one of the top free agents available after the 2019 season. The 27-year-old set an arbitration record in February when he received $26 million for one year.

After the Rockies were able to secure a one-year deal with Arenado, owner Dick Monfort said he was optimistic the two sides would find common ground on a long-term extension.

"I'm optimistic that we are close enough that something will come about," Monfort told Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post. "It's in Nolan's hands, but my last impression with him is that this is something he wants to do."

The Rockies haven't been shy about handing out long-term deals in an attempt to extend their playoff window. Charlie Blackmon agreed to an extension in April that runs through at least 2021. They tried to fortify their bullpen before the start of 2018 by signing Bryan Shaw, Wade Davis and Jake McGee.

Even though Shaw, Davis and McGee struggled in their first season in Colorado, the team advanced to the National League Division Series. The Rockies have made the playoffs in each of the previous two seasons, though they're still looking for their first postseason win since 2009.

Arenado is Colorado's franchise player and will lead the team as far as it is going to go. He has won the Gold Glove in each of his first six seasons, been named to the NL All-Star team four times and finished in the top 10 of MVP voting every season from 2015 to '18.

Rather than take the risk of being outbid for Arenado's services next offseason, the Rockies secured a commitment from their superstar.

He's at an age when a long-term extension figures to age well, and the front office can now focus on adding players around him to keep the team among the best in the NL for a long time to come.

Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado will reportedly be paid a record-breaking amount before he even hits free agency, as the team announced its reached an eight-year contract extension with its star third baseman.

Jeff Passan of ESPN first reported the eight-year offer from the National League West team, and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic noted it is worth $260 million with a full no-trade clause and opt-out after three seasons.

Passan provided additional details:

Bob Nightengale of USA Today also reported the extension plans, noting it will replace the contract that was set to pay him $26 million this year. The new deal will break Miguel Cabrera's $31 million record for annual salary for a position player.

Arenado has been with the Rockies his entire six-year career and didn't seem in a hurry to leave, per Nightengale:

"It's such a great place. I really enjoy the fact there's a comfortability here. You know the coaches. You know the players. Some of my best friends are on this team.

"I grew up here in this organization, so it feels like home in a way. I've been here since the tide has changed, and that's a really good feeling. I was part of that change.

"You want to win in a place where you've been all of your life."

Locking down Arenado makes sense. He's the face of the franchise and is just 27 years old with plenty of time remaining in his prime. He is a four-time Silver Slugger, four-time All-Star and six-time Gold Glover, and is one of the league's best two-way players.

Colorado reached the playoffs the last two seasons in large part because of his presence.

Arenado has played at least 156 games in each of the last four years and averaged 40 home runs and 126 RBI per season in that span.

Signing this extension also allows him to avoid free agency, which has been slow to develop this offseason for notable names such as Bryce Harper, Dallas Keuchel and Craig Kimbrel. Each is still unsigned with spring training games underway.

After leading the team to the postseason in each of his first two seasons on the job, Colorado Rockies manager Bud Black has been rewarded with an extension. 

The Rockies announced Monday they have signed Black to an extension through the 2022 campaign.

Colorado was in the midst of a seven-year playoff drought and was coming off a 75-win season when Black was hired. He led the team to a 12-win improvement during his first year as skipper and helped the team (91-72) come within one victory of tying a single-season franchise record en route to its second consecutive playoff appearance.

The Rockies tied the Los Angeles Dodgers for the best record in the NL West through 162 games but were unable to capture the division title in a tiebreaking Game 163. They would, however, go on to defeat the Chicago Cubs in the NL Wild Card Game before ultimately being swept out of the National League Division Series by the Milwaukee Brewers.

Black has been named an NL Manager of the Year award finalist in each of his first two seasons in Colorado. He previously won the honor back in 2010 while he was with the San Diego Padres.

At 178-147 (.548 winning percentage), Black is the winningest manager in Rockies history. In fact, no other Colorado skipper has ever finished his tenure with a winning record.

The 61-year-old Black has a career 827-860 record, going 1-4 in the postseason, in 11 years as a manager in the majors.

Third baseman Nolan Arenado agreed to a one-year, $26 million deal with the Colorado Rockies through arbitration, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.

That's the most money one player has received through the arbitration process, according to Rosenthal. Per Dan Gartland of Sports Illustrated, the previous high was the $23 million that third baseman Josh Donaldson earned with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2018.

Arenado has led the National League in home runs three of the past four seasons. A six-time Gold Glove winner and four-time All-Star, Arenado had 38 home runs, 110 RBI and a .297/.374/.561 slash line last year. He's finished in the top 10 of NL MVP voting four times and is entering his age-28 campaign.

The Rockies had made the playoffs just three times in their first 24 years of existence, but Arenado has helped Colorado reach the postseason in back-to-back seasons for the first time.

The future will be bright in Colorado as long as the team inks Arenado to a long-term deal during next year's offseason, when he'll become a free agent. Jon Heyman of Fancred, who reported that the club and player were $6 million apart before the sides met close to the middle, also mentioned that "it's very hard to see [Arenado] signing before free agency.

As far as the 2019 season goes, the Rockies should be playoff contenders once again. While they did lose second baseman D.J. LeMahieu and relief pitcher Adam Ottavino (and potentially Carlos Gonzalez, who is still a free agent), the Rockies added Daniel Murphy, who has slashed .326/.375/.542 over the past three seasons. Also, southpaw Kyle Freeland looks like a bona fide staff ace after he went 17-7 with a 2.85 ERA last year.

Colorado opens its 2019 campaign on the road against the Miami Marlins on Thursday, March 28.

The Colorado Rockies have not given up on retaining Carlos Gonzalez.

Jon Heyman of MLB Network reported the Rockies are among the teams that have reached out to the veteran outfielder.

Gonzalez, 33, spent the last decade in Colorado. He was a three-time All-Star and 2010 NL batting champion. Injuries somewhat derailed his trajectory; he's spent extensive time on the disabled list throughout his career.

Gonzalez hit .276/.329/.467 with 16 home runs and 64 runs batted in last season. He bounced back to post a 1.7 WAR after an ugly -0.1 mark in 2017, per FanGraphs. The two sides agreed to a one-year, $5 million deal for the 2018 season.

"A lot of people (were) counting me out six years ago," Gonzalez told Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post in September. "I'm still showing up. I never think about it. I always think about the opportunity I have in front of me. Just being here is a tremendous opportunity for me.

"I try to take advantage every night. I try make my family proud. My fans, everybody who supports me every day and this franchise. I've been here for so long. I do it for everybody. That's all I think about."

Wherever Gonzalez lands, he'll likely have to be satisfied being part of a platoon at first. The Rockies tapered off his playing time later in the regular season, though he was a fixture in their postseason lineups. His age and mostly middling production of the last two years likely means he's going to have to settle for another short-term contract, whether it's in Colorado or elsewhere. 

Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado is going to get paid and will reportedly set a record in the process. 

According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, Arenado asked the Rockies for $30 million in arbitration. While the Rockies countered at $24 million, Rosenthal noted the four-time All-Star would set the record for arbitration salary even if the two sides settled on the Rockies' number.

Bob Nightengale of USA Today confirmed the report, calling Arenado "the biggest prize in next year’s free agent market."

Jeff Passan of ESPN.com cited a source who said the likely final number will be approximately $27 million, breaking the $23 million record that Josh Donaldson set with the Toronto Blue Jays. 

It is no wonder Arenado, who made $17.75 million during the 2018 campaign, is asking for a significant raise since he's developed into one of the league's most dominant two-way and durable players.

He is a six-time Gold Glover and four-time Silver Slugger who is just 27 years old and coming off four straight seasons where he played at least 156 games. He slashed .297/.374/.561 with 38 home runs and 110 RBI in 2018 and has averaged 39.5 long balls and 125.8 RBI over the last four years.

Colorado has made the playoffs in each of the last two seasons, and he's a major reason why after it missed the prior seven years.

While Arenado's eventual free agency figures to generate plenty of headlines should he reach the open market next offseason, for now, he is looking for a record total in arbitration in what could be his last year with the only team he has ever known.

The Colorado Rockies announced Friday that they have signed second baseman Daniel Murphy to a two-year contract that includes an option for the 2021 season. 

According to Yahoo Sports' Jeff Passan, the deal is worth $24 million. The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal first reported news of the deal on Thursday.

This marks his third team since the start of the 2018 season. Murphy started the year as part of a Washington Nationals club that had World Series aspirations, but as their season fell apart, he was dealt to Chicago in August with free agency looming.

Overall, the 33-year-old hit .299 with 12 home runs, 15 doubles and 42 RBI in 91 games between Washington and Chicago.

With National League MVP candidate Javier Baez, former World Series MVP Ben Zobrist and Addison Russell already on the roster, the Cubs didn't need to make the deal for Murphy. However, they jumped at the chance to add depth in chase of their second championship in three years.

Murphy's career really took off after he signed with the Nationals after the 2015 season. He hit .329 with 54 dingers and 226 RBI in two-plus seasons in the nation's capital, making two All-Star teams, winning two Silver Sluggers and finishing runner-up in the 2016 NL MVP voting.

Now, Colorado is hoping he can continue to produce as he ages.

Murphy might serve as a replacement for second baseman DJ LeMahieu, who remains unsigned in free agency. MLB.com's Thomas Harding reported, however, Colorado viewed Murphy as a solution at first base.

In that case, Andrew Simon of MLB.com highlighted how Murphy would be a big upgrade:

According to Harding, the Rockies will likely move Ian Desmond, their everyday first baseman in 2018, to the outfield, with Ryan McMahon taking over at second base.

Murphy's track record speaks for itself. The 6'1", 221-pound infielder has become one of the top hitters in baseball in recent seasons. While this past season may not have lived up to the lofty standards he created in Washington, he still proved to be a reliable bat.

The Colorado Rockies are in the market for a first baseman and are pursuing numerous options, according to MLB analyst Jim Bowden:

The 91-72 Rockies made the postseason for the second consecutive year in 2018 but lost to the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Division Series.

Ian Desmond was the Rockies' primary first baseman last year, but it seems Colorado is intent about moving on. Desmond hit 22 home runs and knocked in 88 runners in 2018, but he slashed just .236/.307/.422 and finished with a negative WAR mark for the second straight year.

Cleveland Indians designated hitter-first baseman Edwin Encarnacion seems like the least plausible candidate to be moved to Denver simply because he rarely plays in the field anymore. That wasn't a problem in the American League, where Encarnacion can play DH, but it would be in the National League.

Encarnacion, who is entering his age-36 season, has only played 46 games at first base since the beginning of 2017.

Wil Myers of the San Diego Padres could work, though he's owed $73 million over the next four seasons. Still, he'll be just 28 on Opening Day and smacked 58 home runs in 2016 and 2017 before injuries curtailed his 2018.

Carlos Santana and Jose Abreu seem most plausible. Santana just got dealt to the Seattle Mariners in the Jean Segura deal, but the Mariners seem intent on blowing up their roster if that move and the Robinson Cano-Edwin Diaz trade with the New York Mets are any indications. The durable Santana will turn 33 in April, hit 24 homers last year and hasn't played fewer than 143 games since he was a rookie in 2010.

Abreu had a down 2018 for the Chicago White Sox with his OPS dipping to .798 from .906 in 2017, but he doesn't have a long-term deal and is entering his age-32 season. He could be a great fit in Coors Field after hitting in the pitcher's park that is Guaranteed Rate Field.