The other day, the idea that George of the Rose could be looking for three and $36M was discussed.  A lot of people expressed dismay that he might leave, or get too expensive.  Some said he would be worth the $12M/year.


But how much can the Rockies afford to spend on their pitching staff?  I was thinking, on the way home and without the numbers, that the starting staff budget would preclude signing DLR for that much.  The money would be tied up in Cook and Jimenez.  Then I actually looked at the numbers.

2010-2012 salaries:
Cook: $9M, $9.25M, $11M (mutual option)
Baldo: $1.25, $2.8M, $4.2M (2013:$5.75 option, 2014: $8M
Francis: $5.75M, $7M

So that's 2010: $16M, 2011: $19M, 2012: $15.2M

If JDLR has a great year, could the Rockies squeeze in another $12M to the starters' budget starting in 2011?  Maybe not at that salary, but at 3/$24M, it's pretty reasonable (assuming another jump in performance in 2010).

In 2012, the Rockies only have $42.933 committed with low-level arb increases and only Street and JDLR to worry about as FAs.  By 2013, the Rockies only have Tulowitzki's $10M, the $8M option on Baldo, and Hammel's 4th year of arb. 

I'm excited by this huge amount of flexibility, and that in three years, they are only obligated to players you should be obligated to: a top-tier shortstop and a front-end starter.  Nice situation to build around over the next two years.