Todd Helton won't make retirement decision until after winter workouts

Colorado Rockies icon Todd Helton isn't making any guarantees about returning for the 2013 season -- not yet, at least.

Helton, who underwent surgery hip surgery in August, won't make a decision on whether or not he'll return in 2013 until he tests his surgically repaired hip during winter workouts later this year.

Helton appeared in just 69 games for the Rockies in 2012, batting just .238/.343/.400, with seven home runs and 37 RBI.

Helton has spent his entire 16-year career with the Rockies, and boasts one of the all-time great batting lines of .320/.419/.545. Helton has belted 354 career home runs and 570 doubles, while driving in 1,345 runs.

A five-time All-Star, Helton will be a borderline Hall of Fame candidate. Though his numbers rank among the best of all-time, Helton had the benefit of playing in Coors Field for half of this games through his entire career, which may mar his candidacy.

If Helton does retire, the Rockies will likely turn to internal options to fill the void at first base in 2013. The Denver Post speculates that Jordan Pacheco, Michael Cuddyer and Tyler Colvin would receive time at first base -- even if Helton returns.