Rockies star shortstop Troy Tulowitzk wants to play for a winner, but Colorado might not be the place for that. (Andy Cross, The Denver Post)
Anaheim, Calif. — When I asked Rockies star shortstop and his potential departure from Colorado, he answered: “I really don’t have a clue — honestly.”
I believe him. Why? Because there are so many pieces to this puzzle: Tulo’s salary; his health; finding a realistic trade partner; and owner Dick Monfort’s willingness to pull the trigger and ship away the face of the franchise.
This is not a done deal, but it’s a key time for the franchise and for Tulo. In many ways, it’s a tipping point. The sooner it’s resolved, the better.
Contrary to what some Rockies fans think, Tulo, 30, likes Denver and he wants to win with the Rockies, but in my opinion, he doesn’t have faith that the Rockies will be ever be a contender while he’s still in his prime.
So, with the Rockies mired in a 10-game losing streak and having won just four times in their last 20 games, it’s no surprise that Tulo trade talk is starting to boil. Yes, it’s true that Tulo and his agent, Paul Cohen, regularly meet when the Rockies are in Los Angeles. But the fact that Joel Sherman, the highly-connected baseball columnist for the New York Post, was able (on the record) is significant. It was a way to get the trade wheels rolling and gauge the Rockies’ reaction.
So now what? Realistically, who might the Rockies talk to about a possible Tulo trade?
The New York Mets top the list. They talked during the offseason about Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez, but the talks didn’t go very far. The Mets need and impact shorstop, and they have some pitching depth they might be willing to deal. There is 2014 National League rookie of the year Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard and hot lefty prospect Steven Matz. But the Mets might have trouble absorbing Tulo’s salary, so Colorado might have to eat some of it.
The San Diego Padres appear to be all in to win under GM A.J. Preller, but they are only 17-17 after an extensive offseason makeover and their infield lacks offensive pop. Shortstop Alexi Amarista (.183/.302/.268), second baseman Jedd Gyorko (.215/.279/.329) and third baseman Will Middlebrooks(.194/.245/.337) have been huge disappointments at the plate.
The problem is, the Padres don’t have a lot of pitching depth, and the Rockies will want pitchers in exchange for Tulo.
The Seattle Mariners, expected to contend this season, are stumbling early. Brad Miller, just 25, is finding his way, but his numbers are tame (.239/.304/.380 for a 95 OPS+). Miller, along with a young pitcher such as James Paxton or Taijuan Walker could be part of a package deal.
It’s all speculation right now, but the Tulo trade talk heated up much sooner than I expected because the Rockies are playing so poorly.
Tags: Alexi Amarista, Brad Miller, Carlos Gonzalez, Dick Monfort, Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, Troy Tulowitzki
