Though Todd Helton will not play a meaningful game in September for the ninth consecutive season, he remains encouraged by the progress of the team's young players and insists he's not looking to be traded. "I want to be part of what we are doing here. I am part of it," said Helton, who hit his 12th home run in Thursday's 11-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates. "I wouldn't be as actively involved as I am if I didn't think it was getting better. And it is." Helton has had a difficult season, suffering through an extended hitting slump, an annoying calf injury and pedestrian numbers. He admitted he has "gotten down," but his frustration doesn't match that of years past. "With veterans at this point in the season, guys are sour, wondering where they are going to be next year," Helton said. "We have still had a lot of player movement this year, but the majority of these guys are going to be back. They have a lot of energy and they never give up."