In a roundabout twist of fate, Troy Tulowitzki’s first big-league hit — in his second game, on a warm August night at Coors Field in 2006 — was a screaming line drive that tripped up the New York Mets’ shortstop.
That Mets shortstop was Jose Reyes, who will now replace Tulowitzki at shortstop for the Rockies.
“We feel very confident that we are receiving a bona fide veteran, major-league shortstop,” Rockies general manager Jeff Bridich said. “And from everything we know, he’s a very positive and well-received teammate.”
WATCH:
Reyes, 32, is expected to report to Chicago on Wednesday to join his new teammates and wear a Rockies uniform for the first time.
The Rockies appear to be getting a player in decline from star status. In 2006, when Tulowitzki debuted, Reyes was ascending toward elite status among major-league shortstops.
He was an all-star in 2006. He won a Silver Slugger award. He was an MVP candidate. He hit .300 and stole a major league-best 64 bases. Reyes was in the middle of a four-year run as one of the game’s best shortstops and most dynamic players.
But since hitting .337 in 2011 and signing a long contract with Miami, Reyes has slipped. After one year in Miami, the Marlins traded Reyes to Toronto in a 12-player deal that included Josh Johnson, Mark Buehr le, Jeff Mathis and Yunel Escobar.
Last year, Reyes hit .287 with nine home runs, 54 RBIs and 30 stolen bases. This season he’s hitting .285 with four home runs and 34 RBI.
WATCH:
“We feel like we understand the present major-league value of Jose Reyes and who he is and what he’s done in this game and what he can do for us,” Bridich said. “We weren’t running away from him being included in this deal.”
Colorado manager Walt Weiss talked with Reyes late Monday after the trade was completed.
“He strikes me as a high-energy guy who plays the game with a lot of passion, a lot of joy,” Weiss said.
Weiss said he doesn’t know where he will bat Reyes in the lineup, but he expects it will be near the top.
“I don’t know him personally, but I’ve seen him from the other side of the field quite a bit,” Weiss said. “I am looking forward to seeing him.”
