Troy Tulowitzki says he will not demand a trade from the Rockies
Colorado Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki will not ask the team to trade him, according to the Denver Post.
Reports surfaced earlier in the week saying Tulowitzki would meet with his agent Thursday to discuss the possibility of a deal. While Tulo confirmed the meeting took place, he stressed that he’s not going to demand a trade.
This is a pretty diplomatic response from Tulowitzki. He says it wouldn’t be fair to his teammates if he demanded to be dealt, and adds that he’s focused on helping the team win now.
While he won’t request a deal, Tulowitzki doesn’t really commit to the Rockies long-term. He may prefer to be traded to a contender, but realizes nothing good will come out of him forcing the issue. As he says in the video, his relationship with the organization is still strong, and neither side benefits if he presses them into a deal.
For now, things will remain cordial between the two sides. That said, the possibility that Tulowitzki gets dealt this season remains high. The Rockies entered the year with low expectations, and the team is currently in the midst of an 11-game losing streak.
Tulowitzki is one of the few players who could bring back a strong return should the Rockies decide to rebuild. The 30-year-old is hitting .303/.310/.477 over 113 plate appearances this season. While he’s been better at home, Tulowitzki is not a product of Coors Field. He owns a career .275/.348/.469 slash line during away games.
One potential hindrance in a deal might be Tulowitzki’s contract. He’s making $20 million in 2015, and is owed at least $98 million from 2016 through 2021. That figure could increase based on whether his $15 million club option is picked up in 2021.
Elite up-the-middle players like Tulo rarely become available, so the market should be strong once the Rockies decide to put him on the block. Though the price may scare some teams off, a healthy Tulowitzki is among the top players in the game.
For teams desperately in need of help at short, like the Mets or Padres, Tulowitzki would represent a massive upgrade.
Tulowitzki says he won’t demand a trade, but it’s clear getting him out of Colorado is going to be the best option for both sides moving forward.
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Chris Cwik is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Chris_Cwik
