DENVER (AP) -When the winter began, Colorado Rockies infielder Garrett Atkins figured his next move might be more than just a trip across the Coors Field diamond from third to first base.
“Probably early on in the offseason you see things and I figured either me or Matty (Holliday) would end up getting traded,” Atkins said. “Maybe both, but probably just one of us.”
And once Holliday was dealt to Oakland for pitchers Greg Smith and Huston Street and outfield prospect Carlos Gonzalez, Atkins stopped thinking that he’d be packing his bags, too.
“When he got traded I was at the point where I thought the Rockies are going to need me to be a right-handed bat in the lineup,” Atkins said.
In his four full seasons in the majors, Atkins has hit .301 and averaged 37 doubles, 22 homers and 105 RBIs, the type of consistent production the Rockies will lean on more this year following Holliday’s departure.
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Atkins played 61 games at first base last season and although he’s returning to third, he’s not going to ditch his first baseman’s mitt just yet. Helton’s tenure as an everyday ironman is over and Atkins figures to be first in line to spell him when he does need a break.
“They’re both kind of fun, both present different challenges,” Atkins said. “I think of myself as a third baseman now. Going into spring training that’s my job. If things change with Todd, obviously he’s not going to be able to play the volume of games he has in the past, which I’m sure is frustrating to him. I’ll probably end up playing first a couple of more games than I normally would.
“But I still think of myself as a third baseman. I enjoy the position and I enjoy the challenges that come with playing over there.”
Before last summer, Atkins hadn’t played extensively at first base since his first season in the minors. Now, he’s going into spring training planning on getting some work at first base and realizing he’ll have to move over there perhaps once a week this season.
ason, (that) won’t happen,” Atkins said.
“That means the way the team is set up it would probably be best for me once or twice a week to go over there and play first base. I understand that challenge and I told him I was open to it and prepared for it.”
Atkins rejected a long-term contract offer a couple of years ago and with the state of the economy, the Rockies aren’t inclined to offer him another one anytime soon.
But money isn’t weighing on Atkins’ mind much these days.
After making $4.44 million last season, Atkins asked for $7.95 million in salary arbitration this year and the club offered $6.65 million. If the sides can’t agree to a deal, they’ll head to a hearing next month.
Much will be expected of Atkins, who just turned 29, as the veteran right-handed bopper in Holliday’s absence. Helton, Brad Hawpe and Troy Tulowitzki will be counted upon to bounce back from down seasons themselves.
“All of us have to kind of pick it up. Myself, Tulo, Hawper and Todd, and anybody who gets the left field job will have to produce,” Atkins said. “They’re not going to produce like Matty, that’s easy to say. He’s one of the best players in the league. We’re going to miss him, but we’re a better team going into spring training than we were last year, top to bottom.”
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