Blue Jays land Tulowitzki in blockbuster trade with Rockies
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The league's best offense just scored one of the biggest superstars in the sport.
The Toronto Blue Jays acquired All-Star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki and reliever LaTroy Hawkins from the Colorado Rockies in a stunning blockbuster trade that was confirmed Tuesday morning.
Colorado will receive shortstop Jose Reyes and pitchers Miguel Castro, Jeff Hoffman, and Jesus Tinoco. Hoffman and Castro were ranked the Blue Jays' third- and ninth-best prospects, respectively, by Baseball America before the season.
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reported Monday that Tulowitzki will secure a $2-million assignment bonus for being dealt and his contract converts to a full no-trade clause for the duration of its term.
Tulowitzki, arguably the top shortstop in baseball over the last several seasons, has been the subject of persistent trade rumors in recent years due to health concerns and the Rockies' inability to field a contender. The 30-year-old superstar is owed the remainder of his $20 million salary for this season and at least $98 million through 2020.
| SINCE 2009 | G | HR | wOBA | OPS | WAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Troy Tulowitzki | 766 | 155 | .396 | .926 | 29.4 |
| Hanley Ramirez | 843 | 131 | .365 | .844 | 22.5 |
| Jhonny Peralta | 955 | 106 | .330 | .753 | 20.2 |
| Jose Reyes | 760 | 54 | .330 | .773 | 19.8 |
Despite his injury history - he's played in more than 126 games once since 2009 - Tulowitzki has firmly established himself as one of the premier all-around players in the league. The five-time All-Star leads all qualified shortstops in home runs (155), RBIs (506), average (.308), slugging (.544), wOBA (.396), and wins above replacement (29.4) since 2009, while providing exceptional defense at one of the game's most important positions.
Tulowitzki, who spent parts of 10 seasons in Colorado, hit .300/.348/.471 with 12 home runs and 19 doubles in 87 games this year for the last-place Rockies.
The late-breaking deal sent shock waves throughout baseball.
News of the reported trade stunned the Rockies clubhouse as players and staff awaited official word from the team. Tulowitzki had previously expressed a preference to play for the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, or San Francisco Giants, according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, but recently said he wanted to stay in Colorado.
He'll instead join an imposing Blue Jays offense that's scored 72 more runs than the next closest team this season.
In exchange for one of the greatest players in Rockies history, Colorado receives Reyes, a four-time All-Star whose play has steadily diminished on both sides of the diamond over the last two seasons. The 32-year-old Dominican is posting his lowest OPS (.708) since 2005 and has appeared in just 305 games over the last three years.
The veteran shortstop is under contract for $22 million in each of the next two seasons with a club option valued at the same figure for 2018. His option includes a $4-million buyout.
There was increasing speculation following the trade that Reyes could be moved by the Rockies in a subsequent deal prior to the deadline, though nothing appeared imminent, according to multiple reports.
Hawkins, meanwhile, is in the final season of his 21-year career. The 42-year-old right-hander owns a 3.63 ERA with 20 strikeouts in 22 1/3 innings.