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Troy Tulowitzki Back On The M’s Trade Radar?

By James Silberman

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In what has become an annual occurrence, Troy Tulowitzki trade talks are heating up again. The Seattle Mariners are in win-now mode, need more production at SS and have the prospects to make this kind of a deal happen. Could they, and should they make a serious run at the game’s best shortstop?

Here is a Q&A session I did with Andrew Dill from Mile High Maniac a while back regarding Tulo-to-Seattle rumors.

Emerald City Swagger: Troy Tulowitzki’s injury issues are sure to lower his trade value in the eyes of teams looking to acquire him. Do the Rockies judge Troy Tulowitzki’s value based on the fact that when healthy, he is the best SS (and possibly position player) in baseball, and will that be the major hitch in a possible deal?

"Mile High Maniac: In my opinion, Troy Tulowitzki is the best shortstop in the game when healthy – easily. Heck, even one of the top five players in the game. Last season prior to getting hurt, Tulowitzki was putting up ridiculous numbers. In just 91 games played, Tulo hit .340/.432/.603 with 18 doubles, 21 home runs, 52 RBI’s, and walked 50 times. Let me reiterate, that’s in 91 games folks. Tulo was well on pace for 40 home runs and 100+ RBI’s.Knowing Colorado’s management, they will brush off the fact that he was and has been injured, expecting a top-notch deal to even considering trading their franchise player. If Tulo were to move, Colorado would have to eat some – if not a good chunk – of his contract. In the offseason of 2010, Colorado agreed to a seven-year extension giving the shortstop $157.57 million guaranteed through 2020."

ECS: Do you see his injury issues as something that will continue to be a trend in his career, or has he just had bad luck in 2012 and 2014?

"MHM: As far as Tulo’s injury history goes, it seems like it’s an every year occurrence. Colorado starts out smoking hot nearly every season until Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez magically get injured at the same time, if not the same month."

ECS: What would it take for the Rockies to part with him? 

"MHM: In order for Seattle to acquire Tulowitzki, it may take the likes of Taijuan Walker and a few other top prospects. I’m very fond of Walker and have kept my eye on the 22-year-old throughout the past couple of seasons. It appears he still needs a little tune-up in his game, but overall I like what I’ve seen. Walker has had injuries set him back, which may lead to second thoughts."

ECS: Ultimately, do you see a deal getting done for Tulowitzki? And how do the Mariners compare in terms of what they have to offer compared to other teams vying for Tulowitzki?

"MHM: Colorado has been linked to the two New York teams in trade talk this past season. In order for Seattle to land a player like Tulo, they must make an offer Colorado simply couldn’t refuse. It would be hard to see Seattle trump an offer from the Mets, who have oodles of pitching in the farm and in the bigs – which Colorado desperately needs."

It really does depend on what the Rockies are looking for in return, and how much of his contract they’re willing to pay. Tulo is due $20 million per year from now through the 2020 season, and the Mariners already have three huge contracts on the books long-term, as do most contending teams. Then throw in the injury history, and you’re looking at a risky player to trade for.

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If Andrew is right, and the Colorado front office won’t budge from their huge asking price, it is unlikely a deal will get done with any team. Anyone with that high of a salary and that severe of an injury history isn’t going to get anyone to part with elite prospects, no matter how good they are.

A couple years ago, I would have said give ’em Taijuan and Brad Miller and let’s get Tulo a jersey. But at 30 years old, with all the red flags, Tulowitzki just doesn’t have that kind of trade value anymore in my opinion. If the Rockies will make the deal for Patrick Kivlehan, Edwin Diaz and Miller/Taylor, or a similar package, while also covering part of the contract, then the Seattle Mariners should pull the trigger.

However, the final thing that would have to happen to make the deal work is a reality check from the Colorado front office.

Next: Mariners Ranking Low In Latest MLB Power Rankings

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