What Are the Colorado Rockies Trying To Accomplish?

I'm puzzled by the Colorado Rockies. What are they trying to do? Rebuild? Win? Just Lose? It's hard to tell what they're trying to accomplish. The team seems like it's not trying to win, but not necessarily getting younger players, either.

They got rid of Holliday on Nov. 12, and got a little younger by bringing in Street, Gonzalez, and Smith.

I thought when they did that, we were going in a different direction. But, we still have Helton on the roster. Don't get me wrong, I think Todd Helton's a great baseball player, but with Joel Koshansky and Jeff Baker both proving how good they were in the Rockies 2007 season, I think it's time for Helton to get out. 

As of Apr. 14, Helton is just 3-for-15 on the season. He is without an extra base hit on the year, and is getting paid over $16.6 million to perform in such a below average manner.

This is no longer the same Todd Helton who hit 49 home runs and drove in 149 RBI in 2001. Last year, Helton hit just .264, and had almost twice the amount of strikeouts at he did RBI. Surely the Rockies can see that Helton isn't performing to his level, and certainly not for about 1/5 of the ENTIRE TEAM'S total payroll.

Sure, Helton can be considered a city icon. When he put away the final out that would advance the Rockies to the Playoffs, he pranced around like a kid. I still get goosebumps thinking about that, and I still think he has the heart to play. I just don't think he has the performance to  justify his huge contract.

Based on the last 27 games of the Rockies' season in 2007, it's clear the players have the heart and desire to win. When the Rockies were winning, the entire state of Colorado was ecstatic, wondering when the streak was going to end? 

It started in mid September against the Florida Marlins. The Dodgers, Padres, and the Dodgers again would all get swept in just a 10-game span.

We dropped one to the Diamondbacks, but ended the Regular Season on a two-game winning streak. After the Greatest Game Ever Played at Coors Field, the Rockies were in the Playoffs. a 13th Inning, comeback win would even furthermore spark the Rockies fuel into October.

The Rockies were unbeatable from Mid-September to Mid-October, losing just one game, while playing the likes of the Phillies, and the Diamondbacks.

Of that 2007 Rockies team, only one of the "core" players are not on the roster today, Mr. Holliday. But I believe we should make it two, adding Helton to the list. He's not getting any younger, and our players other than him are performing very well this season.

It's obvious that the Rockies aren't going to win the NL West this year, or even next year. But if we could trade Helton now, and get whatever we can for him, prospects, pitching...whatever, I think this team can contend in 2010. 

Assuming we can keep our core players, we'd have Francis, Cook, Corpas, a developed Jimenez and Morales, and Huston Street on our pitching staff.  Then, we'd have Atkins, Hawpe, Tulo, Dexter Fowler, Seth Smith, Joel Koshansky, Ryan Spilbourghs, Ian Stewart, and Chris Ianetta in the batter's box.

Assuming the later of the six develop to their fullest potential, I don't see why these Colorado Rockies can't at least compete in a couple of seasons.