I guess it seems a bit strange to say this but I believe it to be true.

So here goes: The Rockies cut Troy Tulowitzki a check for $31 million yesterday and I actually think, by doing just that, they saved themselves a lot of money.

That may sound a little crazy. Then again, that's probably not the first time you've thought that reading this blog.

That said, just hear me out a bit on this topic.

The Rockies knew that their organization has two cornerstones that need to be retained. One is Matt Holliday, and the other is T.R.O.Y, the runner up for the National League R.O.Y.

They took care of Holliday with a short-term deal earlier this week. That does not necessarily increase the percentage of a long term contract for the NLCS MVP, but it may be a step in the right direction. If anything, it's a good faith gesture from the organization and it could be the first salvo or at least the extension of an olive branch to the Holiday camp, .i.e , "Hey, we may not be your highest bidder but we're doing everything we can to be competitive and hope you value that when you decide what your future will be starting in 2009."

So what is doing"everything we can do?"

Well, how about signing our 22-year old shortstop to the "richest contract ever given to a player with less than two years experience?"

The Rockies knew two things regarding Tulowitzki before they completed this deal:

1) Waiting to sign Tulowitzki would have only cost them more each and every year they chose not to lock him up.

2) It was not going to take a gigantic offer to lock him up. After all,Tulowitzki is not that far removed from five-hour bus rides throughout the minor leagues. Now, with $31 million in hand, he might as well buy a fleet of buses to compete with Greyhound.

Sure, this deal is a record setter but let's keep in mind, Alex Rodriguez, next season, will make almost as much as Tulowitzki will earn combined through the year 2014.

That is a great deal for the Rockies and with Tulowitzki in Denver for at least another six years, that may be great news to Holliday. The question remains: if they are saving a bit now with Tulowitzki, will they end up spending it later on Holliday?

-"Z"