The Toronto Blue Jays own the best offensive team in baseball and it just got better. It was announced in the wee hours of the morning that the Colorado Rockies had traded Troy Tulowitzki and relief pitcher LaTroy Hawkins to Toronto for Jose Reyes and prospects, Miguel Castro, Jeff Hoffman and Jesus Tinoco.
Analyzing the Blue Jays/Rockies Blockbuster
In 2005 with the 6th overall pick the Blue Jays had a chance to draft Troy Tulowitzki, but then Jays general manager, J.P. Ricciardi opted for pitcher Ricky Romero instead. We know how Romero turned out, essentially had a few good years then became a bust, while Tulo became one of the best shortstops in baseball. Now 10 years later, he finds himself in Toronto.
The Jays did have to pay out some top prospects in Jeff Hoffman and Miguel Castro. Hoffman however has already had Tommy John surgery and the Jays saw a little bit of Castro in the majors, but he wasn’t quite ready yet. If these guys turn into something big it could rub people the wrong way, but if the Jays can make the playoffs and win some games it will be worth the price. Just look at the Josh Donaldson trade, they sent a few prospects to Oakland, but it was worth it with the production Donaldson has given this team.
Toronto will miss Jose Reyes and his smile; he was good for the club and played his heart out for the Blue Jays, but Tulowitzki is an upgrade offensively and defensively. In the past three seasons Reyes had a .289 average, .334 OBP, .404 SLG, 23 homeruns and had statiscally cost the Jays 13 runs defensively, while Tulowitzki has had an.316 AVG, .390 OBP, .537 SLG, 58 homers and has 28 defensive runs saved.
The Blue Jays get a player that is two years younger than 32 year old Jose Reyes and has a cheaper contract over the next two seasons, and is signed for longer term. Reyes is making $22 million this season and for the next two while Tulowitzki is making $20 million this year and over the next three years. His salary drops to $14 million in 2020 and there is a team option 2021 for $15 million. The Jays as many people know have had issues with payroll, because Rogers doesn’t want to break the bank so they must be happy with the fact that they will be saving some money in this deal. ASccording to Ken Rosenthal because the Rockies traded Tulowitzki he now has a full no trade clause.
This trade indicates that the Blue Jays aren’t done at all; it allows the Blue Jays to potentially make a bigger splash in getting a top starting pitcher. There is an offensive log jam with the addition of Tulo and there could potentially be a trade involving Jose Bautista and/or Edwin Encarnacion. By adding an all-star player it shows that the Blue Jays should be all in this season and they can prove it if they can get the much needed stop starter for the team. Overall this trade is a fantastic move by the Blue Jays.
Many people have questioned Tulowitzki and the past injuries, but Reyes was the same case sustaining injuries here and throughout his tenure with the Jays. There is also the question of the turf and how will he feel about playing on Toronto’s turf, those questions can only be answered by how he plays in Toronto. For now on paper it’s a fantastic trade they have also added an experience arm to the bullpen which is a bonus for the Jays.
Tulowitzki and Hawkins will bring experience and leadership to this team, this should help motivate the Blue jays to win more games and go the distance make the playoffs for the first time since 1993.
The trade deadline is slowly approaching and the Jays need a pitcher, and we are still hearing rumblings that Alex Anthopoulos is trying to add a much needed starting pitcher to the rotation. One should expect the unexpected though, as while the Blue Jays are sure to be active, it may not be the names circulating in social media. This Tulowitzki trade is yet another in a long line of moves that are not in the rumors before the deal is made. While you can say there were wispers that Tulowitzki was available, there were not many (if any) reports that he was headed to Toronto until the deal went down. Anthopolous has a history of making moves that no one saw coming, and while he’s expected to add a starting pitcher, don’t be surprised if its a name we have not seen making the rounds.
