Colorado Rockies finally done paying Mike Hampton

The Colorado Rockies are finally done paying one of their biggest mistakes in free agency.

Throughout franchise history, the Colorado Rockies have chased pitching. Dealing with the high altitude at Coors Field, and getting reliable results on the mound, has been a daunting task. This has led the Rockies to make a number of attempts to strengthen the rotation and bullpen, with varying degrees of success.

One of those ill fated moves in free agency came when the Rockies signed Mike Hampton to a then record eight year, $161 million contract during the 2000-20001 offseason. Despite being traded from Colorado two years later, Hampton has been getting a check from the Rockies every year since 2009. This year, the Rockies will finally be done paying for their biggest mistake.

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On Saturday, Hampton will get his final payday from Colorado, getting another $1.9 million, plus three percent interest. He has received the same check every year since 2009, giving him quite the substantial payout after his time with the Rockies lasted only two seasons. In terms of disastrous deferred payments, this may be right there with Bobby Bonilla and the Mets.

So, what did the Rockies get for that money? Hampton, who had been an All Star in Houston before spending the 2000 season with the Mets, posted a 21-28 record with the Rockies, along with a 5.75 ERA and a 1.677 WHiP. Over 381.2 innings, he struck out 196 batters, while issuing 176 walks and giving up 55 homers. His arsenal just did not work in Coors Field.

Naturally, once Hampton left Colorado, he was a decent pitcher again. Sent to the Marlins, he was flipped to Atlanta two days later. Freed of Coors Field, Hampton won 14 games in 2003, and was a solid piece in the middle of the Braves rotation. At least the Rockies took try to take some solace in the fact that he was a great hitter for his two seasons in Colorado, with a .315/.329/.552 batting line, hitting ten homers in 152 plate appearances.

As of Saturday, the Colorado Rockies are done paying Mike Hampton. They can finally close the book on what may have been their biggest mistake in free agency.