Rockies, Blue Jays Swap Star Shortstops

The sixth-year GM repeatedly called the 30-year-old Tulowitzki the best shortstop in baseball, and when one writer suggested the team was better offensively, Anthopoulos interrupted him to say, “Defensively, too”. Here’s the quick thoughts, pro/con style. That hot streak is surely boosting his trade value, which is good for the Rockies if they want to move him, and he has also played in 90 of 97 games after missing more than 90 games in 2014.

Tulo is headed to the Blue Jays according to reports. Using OPS+, a park-and-league-neutral statistic, Tulowitzki through age 30 ranks eighth in baseball history, just below Cal Ripken Jr. and Lou Boudreau, and just ahead of Vern Stephens and Derek Jeter. As FanGraphs notes, improving the team’s strength – power – is a positive. He was acquired by Toronto in a 2012 blockbuster trade with the Miami Marlins. At the same time, you can’t really argue that they have had one of the most talented everyday rosters in the league over the last two seasons.

Trying to win games 8-7 or 10-9 every night is stressful on a manager’s stomach lining, but fun to watch from the stands if you’re a fan.

The contract also includes a clause that guarantees a $2 million bonus if he gets traded.

For years, Tulowitzki was nearly considered untouchable, especially in the eyes of owner Dick Monfort. Toronto still maintains payroll flexibility into 2016, but Bautista and Encarnacion are both free agents after 2016.

But make no mistake about it: Tulowitzki will be the biggest difference-making position player to change teams this summer. Toronto apparently didn’t think so. He will likely take over the leadoff spot for Colorado, and could end up running a little more than he did in Toronto, provided he can stay healthy. Puig’s always a good target, but I do secretly appreciate his game. Although he’s avoided any serious injuries his OPS (.818) would be the lowest since 2008.

Late Monday night, the Blue Jays and Colorado Rockies agreed on a trade that would send Rockies’ star shortstop Tory Tulowitzki to the Blue Jays in exchange for Jose Reyes. Castro, only 20, closed some games for Toronto earlier this year.

Hoffman was a first-round pick in 2014 who’s coming off elbow surgery. Tulowitzki was at the center of trade talks in May but said at the time that he was not looking to leave the Rockies.

Reyes, a four-time All-Star, is two years older than Tulowitzki and will give the Rockies a boost in offense though his defense has waned in recent years.

Hawkins, 42, is a two-month rental in an area where, despite moving Aaron Sanchez back to the bullpen, Anthopoulos believes they needed help.

Reyes had recently begun to turn things around offensively, his on-base percentage (OBP) up to.

“I’ve been traded twice before so whatever happens doesn’t surprise me”, he said. Acquiring Gonzalez is obviously not an incremental move, but I think the Angels should look to move the needle a bit more than the acquisition of Victorino does.

[RELATED: A Petition to the New York Mets: Please Bring Jose Reyes Home]. At minimum that issue is deferred for a couple of years with Tulowitzki, who’s under contract through 2020. The obvious knock on Tulowitzki throughout his career has been that he misses way too much time with various injuries.

Toronto is taking a gamble, but it’s a gamble the franchise is worth taking.

Can the Jays go 35-27 down the stretch?