Colorado Rockies, Garrett Atkins Strike a Deal and Avoid Arbitration

The Colorado Rockies and Garrett Atkins agreed today on a one-year deal worth $7.05 million. The Rockies have successfully avoided arbitration with all seven eligible players this offseason.

Atkins had asked for $7.95 million, and the Rockies had offered $6.65 million. Generally speaking, teams and players who avoid arbitration usually settle at the mid-point. The Rockies won that battle, with $7.3 million being the mid-point.

Last season Atkins hit .286 with 21 home runs and 99 RBI. He is coming off his third straight season with at least 20 home runs and 99 RBI's.

The Rockies and Atkins were scheduled to have an arbitration hearing on Friday in Phoenix. The agreement allows Atkins and the Rockies to focus more on the upcoming season. Arbitration hearings are generally not fun for either side.

The Rockies are well known for their ability to deal with arbitration eligible players before the hearing. The franchise has only gone to court three times, winning two of the three, most recently against all-time saves leader Brian Fuentes.

The deal may be the last one negotiated with Garrett Atkins. It seems inevitable that the team will deal him at the end of the season, or sooner if they fall out of contention in the National League West.

With the emergence of Ian Stewart, and Todd Helton being healthy again and locked in to a high dollar contract through 2013, the Rockies may not have a spot for Atkins and his rising salary. 

Atkins was successful at moving to first base when Helton went down with a back injury that essentially ended his season on July 2. This allowed Stewart to mature at third base, his natural position, where he proved ready for everyday action in the Majors.

The Rockies recently have made a habit of signing their young stars to long-term deals that take them through their arbitration years, and sometimes into free agency. Unfortunately for Atkins, it seems that he may have been the last of the up and coming stars to miss out on this kind of deal.

Atkins reportedly turned down a long-term deal two seasons ago, and again last offseason. In a recent Denver Post article, Atkins made it clear that he feels he should start getting paid for his past performance. 

This will not happen with the Rockies, as they feel that Stewart will be a better 3rd baseman, and even if Helton proves not to be healthy, the club has youngster Joe Koshansky waiting in the wings in Triple-A, Colorado Springs.

The deal also includes a $125,000 if he reaches 700 plate appearances.