Post by Captain America on Feb 8, 2013 15:23:03 GMT -5
Vinny Castilla became the highest paid player in Rockies' history.
While the 1997 Colorado Rockies have gotten off to a great start, the front office has been even more successful as the Rockies have now locked up their entire starting infield for the near future.
GM Shale Briskin made a promise to Rockies fans to keep all the Blake Street Bombers together, which began on May 1 by giving a lucrative 3-year $21 million contract extension to slugging third baseman Vinny Castilla. An original Rockie and two-time All-Star, Castilla batted .295 with 32 home runs and 120 RBI in 1996 and narrowly missed an NL Silver Slugger Award to Bill Mueller of the Giants.
Speaking at his press conference before that day's game, Castilla told the media, "I'm very happy to stay here in Colorado because I think this team is special and can be successful for a long time. Thank you to all the fans for all your support over the years!" Castilla will earn $7 million per season through 2000, which makes him the highest paid player in Rockies' history.
That very same day, the Rockies and second baseman Eric Young finally ended long negotiations and came to an agreement of a 3-year $18.72 million contract extension. Young led all of baseball in steals last year with 64 and was also second in the National League in runs scored (134) and hits (224). He batted .331 with 42 doubles, 7 home runs and 85 RBI from the leadoff spot as the catalyst of the Rockies' powerful lineup. Young will make $6.24 million per season through 2000.
Shortly after Castilla spoke to the press, Young took the stage and said, "You know, I was thinking of testing the market to see how much I could make, but once my agent told me the Rockies really wanted to keep me around and help lead this team to a championship, I was sold. And to top it off, I got a nice payday too. Thank you to the Rockies and Shale Briskin for giving my family and I the long-term security we needed!"
Briskin was not done though. His third and final signing of the day was giving longtime backup outfielder and first baseman John Vander Wal a one-year $700 K contract for 1998.
Andres Galarragga's salary will be the highest in franchise history.
Exactly a month later on June 1, the extensions for the other half of the Rockies' infield were complete. The Rockies and first baseman Andres Galarragga ended their own long negotiations with Galarragga getting a 2-year $17.2 million extension. Galarragga's new $8.6 million salary is now the largest single season salary in franchise history.
In his press conference, Galarragga told the media, "I'm happy this was able to get done and I will do my best to help bring the Rockies a World Series for as long as I can." The 35-year old slugging first baseman (who will be turning 36 in a matter of weeks) had one of the best seasons of his 13-year career in 1996 with a .326 average, 39 home runs and 108 RBI. Galarragga was also second in the National League behind teammate Larry Walker in both slugging percentage (.617) and OPS (.987).
Questions lingered over Galarragga's age and whether he will decline with time, but Briskin says he and the Rockies are not concerned and believe the "Big Cat" can still produce.
"Andres is a dime a dozen. There are a lot of good first basemen in the league, but Andres is in the cream of the crop. He hits, he gets on base, he hits long home runs, and he provides a strong veteran presence in the clubhouse. That's something that cannot be replaced, so we knew we had to keep him here," Briskin stated.
Last, but not least, veteran shortstop Walt Weiss joined the party by agreeing to a 3-year $11.1 million contract extension. Weiss' extension silenced any rumors of him being let go and Edgardo Alfonzo becoming the shortstop of the future.
The 1988 AL Rookie of the Year with Oakland, Weiss was as good of a No. 8 hitter as there was in the league last season. He made his first ever trip to the All-Star Game and batted .334 with 9 home runs and 63 RBI. His .403 OBP ranked 6th in the National League as well.
"I'm very happy to be staying here in Colorado and will do everything I can to bring Denver at least one championship," Weiss stated at his press conference.
As time goes on though, a platoon at shortstop with Weiss and Alfonzo might not be out of the question. Briskin, who also happens to be the manager wants to get Alfonzo and fellow utility man Butch Huskey larger roles within the team.
"We acquired both Fonzie and Butch from the Mets for a reason. I've always liked both of them and feel that they can contribute notably to our success. We will look to give our veterans some more rest and work Fonzie in at second base, third base and shortstop. As for Butch, he will get some time in at first base and the corner outfield positions. The very last thing I want right now is for them to think that they will not play much at all because that is far from the truth. They are young and talented and our veterans will need periodic rest. That is what Fonzie and Butch will be here for. And if someone gets hurt, we know we have good depth in our organization. I'm very excited for our future," Briskin told reporters at the end of the press conference.
All these signings have now given the Rockies long-term security at all positions aside from catcher. Center fielder Ellis Burks is signed through 1998, while left fielder Dante Bichette and right field and reigning NL MVP Larry Walker are both signed through 1999. All three will be due for large paydays during their contract years.
The Rockies are currently tied with the Giants for the lead in the NL West and will try to get back to the postseason this year after an unfortunate September collapse in 1996.
Hopefully, the Blake Street Bombers can bring a second championship to Denver this year, with the Broncos already having won the Super Bowl over the Packers.
