Seattle Mariners Offseason Prediction – If The M’s Had The Dodgers Budget

Seattle Mariners Offseason Prediction: Trade For Troy Tulowitzki

Colorado Rockies receive SP Taijuan Walker, SP Erasmo Ramirez, and SS Brad Miller in exchange for SS Troy Tuloqitzki.

When healthy, Troy Tulowitzki is the best shortstop in baseball. And there really isn’t a close second.

Tulo lead MLB shortstops in AVG, OBP, SLG and OPS (min 350 plate appearances). He had a WAR of 4 before any other player in baseball even reached 3.

He also was second in Home Runs despite only playing in 90 games. In terms of Home-Runs-per-at-bat, Tulowitzki is once again on a different planet than every other SS in baseball, averaging 15 long balls per at bat.

To put Tulo’s power into perspective, Nelson Cruz hit a HR every 15.3 at bats, Jose Abreu hit one every 15.4 at bats, and Mike Trout went yard once every 16.7 at bats.

He also lead MLB shortstops in fielding percentage with a .990 (minimum 88 starts).

The injury risk is definitely there, but Tulowitzki might be the best position player in baseball, and he would be an immediate answer at a position the Mariners have been struggling at for years. Chris Taylor could be a solid utility infielder, and then take over at SS full time when Tulo’s contract is up.

Tulowitzki is owed $19 million/year for the next six years.

Next up: Jack Z finally gets his power bat!