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Blue Jays Acquire Troy Tulowitzki, LaTroy Hawkins From Rockies For Jose Reyes And Pitching Prospects

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The Blue Jays have officially struck a stunning deal to acquire Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki and veteran reliever LaTroy Hawkins in exchange for Jose Reyes and a trio of minor league pitchers. Promising young righties Jeff Hoffman, Miguel Castro, and Jesus Tinoco make up the key components of Colorado’s return. Needless to say, the move constitutes one of the most stunning deadline deals in recent memory.

Tulowitzki will pick up a $2MM assignment bonus and a full no-trade clause by virtue of being dealt. No money is changing hands other than the differences in the contracts, but the financial component of the deal was certainly significant.

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Both of the primary pieces in this deal are playing under significant contracts. Tulowitzki is owed $20MM annually this season and from 2016-19, before a $14MM payday in 2020 and a $15MM club option ($4MM buyout) in the following campaign. Reyes, meanwhile, is on the books for $22MM annually from 2015-17, and comes with a $22MM club option that also includes a $4MM buyout. All said, then, Reyes is guaranteed $50MM less in total following the present season (before tacking on the additional $2MM assignment bonus and the remainder of Hawkins’ $2.25MM salary).

Tulowitzki, 30, has long been one of the game’s best overall players. And he is as closely associated with his franchise as is any other player. There has been near-constant speculation as to whether Colorado owner Dick Monfort would consider parting with his club’s superstar, but it appears that a series of disappointing seasons has finally brought matters to a resolution.

While the long-time Rockies franchise face has been quite good this year, he hasn’t played quite to his own lofty standards. Over 346 plate appearances, he’s registered a .305/.353/.478 slash. With the effects of Coors Field factored in, that’s good for a 111 wRC+. His defense has rated out more as good than excellent. The net is that he’s racked up 1.4 fWAR and 1.9 rWAR on the year. Through this approximate point last season (375 plate appearances), Tulo had already compiled 5.3 fWAR and 5.5 rWAR.

Of course, the biggest question with his long-term value lies in the arbitrary stopping point just noted. Tulowitzki never again took the field in Colorado after mid-July, as he ultimately underwent hip surgery. Since becoming a full-time regular in 2007, Tulo has averaged just 114 games a season.

With the first major move of his tenure, GM Jeff Bridich opened an array of questions about the team’s intentions over the coming days (and beyond). It remains to be seen whether Colorado has intentions of plugging Reyes into its lineup or, instead, moving him to a third club to add other young pieces.

Colorado does not have a deal in place currently to move Reyes elsewhere, Joel Sherman of the New York Post tweets. But a move seems quite plausible. The Rockies have highly-regarded shortstop prospect Trevor Story playing well at Triple-A, and just used the third overall pick in last month’s draft to select top-rated high schooler Brendan Rodgers, though he’s obviously a ways from the big leagues.

Then, there’s the matter of Carlos Gonzalez, long considered the twin-bill feature alongside Tulo at Coors Field. He’s rebounded from a long rough stretch to enhance his value, and a move to shed his remaining obligations while adding young talent now seems more plausible than ever. Having parted with Tulowitzki and Hawkins, Gonzalez and other veteran assets (such as reliever John Axford) could conceivably change hands.

Regardless whether Reyes is ticketed for another destination, he offers his own blend of upside and downside. At age 32, he’s fallen back to a .285/.322/.385 slash line and is no longer the outstanding defender he was early in his career. Still, he’s a solidly above-average regular in a position of some scarcity (at least, in terms of established veterans) around the league. This becomes the second time that his contract — originally signed with the Marlins — has changed hands, and it may not be long until it moves again.

As for the young pieces, the 22-year-old Hoffman fell to the Jays in last year’s draft after undergoing Tommy John surgery. That he was still taken ninth overall speaks to his talent, of course, and he’s already moved to the Double-A level with Toronto. Having cracked many top-100 leaguewide prospect rankings before the season, the high-upside right-hander shot up to 33rd on Baseball America’s mid-season list after showing his old stuff with a new UCL. He’s said to have a big fastball, excellent curve, and promising change. Over 67 2/3 innings, mostly at High-A, Hoffman has worked to a 2.93 ERA with 6.1 K/9 against 2.3 BB/9.

Castro, 20, has a more projection-dependent future outlook. He opened the year in the big league pen after finishing off 2014 at High-A. The righty struggled somewhat in that cameo, but still pitched beyond his years and has shown a live arm. He entered the year rated the #9 prospect in the Jays organization by Baseball America, which noted his lofty upside and need to develop reliable secondary offerings to factor as a long-term MLB starter. Kiley McDaniel of Fangraphs had him in the sixth slot this spring. With his quick ascent, Castro has moved to the fourth position on BA’s list and number five on MLB.com’s latest ranking.

Finally, Tinoco has enhanced his stock by working to a 3.54 ERA over 81 1/3 innings at the Class A level this year, striking out 7.5 and walking 2.4 batters per nine. Even before that promising showing, he landed 16th on the pre-season Blue Jays prospect list of Kiley McDaniel of Fangraphs. Tinoco can run his fastball up into the upper nineties and has two promising secondary offerings with good feel on the mound, per McDaniel, who indicates that the youngster has a good deal of upside.

As eye-opening as the transaction was for the Rockies, it’s arguably just as shocking — for different reasons — from the Jays’ perspective. Toronto has struggled with pitching all year, but has a highly productive lineup. Reyes was earning big money to play shortstop, and the rest of the infield was filled with productivity, including recent major trade acquisition Josh Donaldson — who rates as the game’s best third baseman — and first baseman/DH Edwin Encarnacion. (Notably, those sluggers, outfielder Jose Bautista, and numerous other key contributors are all right-handed hitters, as is Tulowitzki.)

Toronto will add a reliever to its mix in Hawkins, but he’s more of a sturdy presence than a shut-down arm. The 42-year-old owns a 3.63 ERA with 8.1 K/9 against 1.6 BB/9 over 22 1/3 innings on the year. It’s hard to believe at his age, but he’s compiled a 3.11 earned run average over 237 2/3 frames dating back to 2011.

Despite the fact that the Jays dealt away two promising young arms, it seems likely that the seemingly all-in club will use additional pieces to add a starter. But with one out-of-nowhere move now completed, it remains to be seen whether something even more creative could go down.

Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos has pulled off his share of stunners over the years, with the deal that brought Reyes to Toronto ranking high among them. But after dealing for Donaldson, signing Russell Martin, and now adding one of the game’s best-known stars in Tulowitzki, Anthopoulos and his club are fully committed to win now in a manner not previously seen.

Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports first reported the deal (links to Twitter). Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com was first to report that no money would be exchanged (Twitter links) and that three minor leaguers were in the deal. Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun first noted Hoffman’s likely inclusion, via Twitter, with Thomas Harding of MLB.com tweeting that he would in fact be in the deal. Jon Morosi of FOX Sports was first to suggest that Castro was likely going to Colorado, on Twitter, with Heyman tweeting that he was a part of the package. Heyman tweeted Tinoco’s involvement. Rosenthal noted on Twitter that Tulowitzki would receive an assignment bonus and no-trade protection by virtue of being dealt.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

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Comments

  5. Umm,anyone think we’re going to get a bigger trade than this in the coming week? because based on last yr’s wild deadline, we very well could

        • No, but almost every year something like that happens. If the Phillies are asking a ransom from Hamels….checking on Kluber makes sense.. And it makes sense for Cleveland to listen. Kluber isn’t young but has control on contract. Hes certainly interesting

    • Seriously. Tulo with all of that other hitting and protection around him is going to be a monster.

    • Rumors are saying Rockies aren’t getting any of the Jays top prospects and are eating $6M. If true, I’d watchout when they deal for those pitchers.

    • Tulo should play better D than Reyes (who has been awful) so this does help improve the pitching.

      • The vision of Tulo on that new turf in Toronto is frightening. Possibly the worst place for him to stay healthy

        • Read some interesting stuff on Tulo and other players injuries being related to high altitude more than anything. Still can’t get that turf out of the dome soon enough! Come on 2018!

          • The US Olympic Training Facility is in Colorado Springs…if anything the altitude makes for better conditioning. I’d buy into the altitude issue if the.issues were more grossly prevalent.

    • Run is a run is a run. Whether it is a run created or a run prevented.

  11. what happens to reyes? might be part of package going back to rockies?

  12. This all but guarantees the Jays go hard after acquiring a legitimate starting pitcher, possibly even an ace. Anything less would make zero sense in context. They are going for it.

    • Definitely agree. We’ll see what they paid for Tulo, then it’ll give us an idea of the ace. I’m thinking more of a rental than Hamels because they likely paid a decent amount to get Tulo. Not sure they’d want to part with what would be required to get someone like Hamels, but Price perhaps?

      • Price would probably be their first option, but that may or may not be available depending on what the Tigers decide to do, though I imagine they will be sellers like everyone else is. I’m thinking the Jays are REALLY hoping that is the case, as the other arms available aren’t as great fits. Samardzija has homer problems. Shields has a bloated contract as well. And most of the other options are solid but not elite (Cashner, Latos, etc). They would help somewhat obviously, but their rotation could really use an ace rather than a simple upgrade.

    • Maybe? Not sure this trade makes much sense, unless there is more to come. Maybe move Reyes to 2B and Travis will be traded? But…so much salary. Just unreal. Good job AA, as always pulling a totally unexpected trade.

    • No thanks. We need a run producer, not a oft-injured aging player whose value is tied to his declining speed.

        • Not really. Reyes has a 95 wRC+ and scratch defense for $22 million per year. Tejada has a 93 wRC+ and above average defense. Tejada is entering his peak; Reyes is declining. One costs about 10x more than the other. You’re letting “hype” and name recognition get in the way of reality.

      • But…who will want Reyes and his 22 million in salary? That’s almost untradeable. Reyes only value is getting on base, and using his speed…if he goes, who bats leadoff for Toronto? Not that it will matter if Tulo is in the lineup. I’m just at a loss for explaining this deal. But I love it! To all those who said AA had no money to spend, finally they can have faith in him.

        • Travis did well during his time batting in the top half of the lineup. I’m assuming they move him back there and slide everyone else down a spot with Tulo’s insertion.

          • So Travis, Tulo, Donaldson, Bautista, Edwin. Is there a better 1-5 in all of baseball in the last like…I don’t know. In a really long time.

            • They just said it; Travis to bat lead off tulo will slide into the 5th spot behind edwin

              • I’m still in shock. Batting him 5 will give EE some protection too, he’ll see better pitches. Any news on who the minor league players involved are?

              • The 5th spot? Really? It’s nitpicking but I’d rather have him batting higher up in the lineup. At the very least he should be batting in front of Edwin, as he gets on base more and so that they actually pitch to him.

                • That’s why I thought #2 would be a good spot for him, if he’s hitting .305, he’ll be on base for Bautista and EE to drive in.

            • And that’s not even counting Colabello. Sure there are better options for a number 6 but not on the jays. Unless the go after a real first baseman

    • Reyes is 33 with an expensive contract and is having a down year. I’d imagine the Jays would have to eat half and they still wouldn’t get any of the elite SP.

      Edit: Disregard that, Reyes headed to Colorado

      • Good, Niese and an A ball prospect for Reyes and Bluejays eat half his salary. I’ll take it.

        • Why? Reyes isn’t really better thab Tejada at this point in their careers.

      • Can either one of them play LF? Maybe? LF seems to be the new place to bury defensive liabilities.

    • Ruben Tejada is 90% the player Reyes is at 1/40th the cost. No way the Mets consider Reyes unless another team covers nearly all of his salary. That ship has sailed.

  18. Can’t imagine how these teams could possibly match. Both are very strong on offense and severely lack pitching. Also, Jays budget issues. Is money involved? Tulo playing on turf is an injury waiting to happen. What do they do with Reyes? so many questions

    • I understand colorado’s motivation – tulo is a roadblock to rebuilding, you hope you can move reyes but if not then you have him till 2017 and can buy him out – or move him if his numbers go up – which they pretty much will in colorado…. they were on the hook with tulo till at least 2020

  19. I would have to figure that they’ll be DHing him, right?
    This just seems like an odd use of whatever resources the Jays have.

    *Unless Reyes is going to be traded.

    • They are actually saving money in the trade. Reyes is paid more than Tulowitzki.

      • Tulo is owed $109M+whatever is left of 2015 ($20M)
        Reyes is owed $48M+whatever is left of his 2015 deal ($22M)

        Please don’t tell lies.

        • $22 mill annually is more than $20mill. So yes there is more to spend right now.

          Please go back to school

          • Actually you are wrong. They also have to pay LaTroy Hawkins and his salary is 2.5 mill this year so that just takes away any saving.

              • That is his total salary. But your point was Tulo makes 2 mil less this year. What ever they save will have to pay the remaining salary for Hawkins.

                • True, didn’t even consider that. Even still I would think that there’s probably only $1m or so left on his contract, might give Toronto just enough room to add a starter seems they were already willing to spend for one

                  • If they dont add a front line starter and another quality bullpen arm this trade may not help them this year. There starters have been the ones to let them down this year. Not there bats. You can average 6 runs every game but if your pitching averages 6 runs every game you are still a 500 club.

                    • I agree, I just don’t feel that this deal and acquiring a starter are mutually exclusive, given that they are in the same or slightly better position financially than before and were already actively looking for pitching. Plus with Buehrle and Dickey off the books at the end of the year they’ll have a boatload of cash to throw at quality pitching over the winter, whilst all their bats are still controlled through next year (I think).

                    • Sorry, I don’t think my reply ended up posting…

                      Basically, I don’t think this deal and acquiring a starter are mutually exclusive. Given that the Jays are in a similar position financially, possibly slightly better and were already willing to add a starter. Also with Buehrle and Dickey being free agent this year they’re going to have heaps of cash to upgrade the rotation whilst I’m pretty sure all their bats are signed through next year

                    • Run is a run is a run. Equally valuable whether you added it on offense or prevent it on defense. Now they just need to add a half decent starter (anyone better than Durbont and Hutchison) rather than an ace and they will be significantly better of than before. Remember a position player plays everyday and a starter only 1 in 5.

  24. Something tells me this will lead Reyes to SD and Kimbrel and/or Ross to Toronto

    Or perhaps Reyes back to the Mets for a SP?

    Edit – Or Not

    • Which starter? Because Harvey, Thor, deGrom and Matz are staying put, especially for a guy like Reyes.

      • My mistake. Since being traded, Tulo NOW has a full NTC. He didn’t have a NTC before.

  28. Yeah, it’s gonna be Reyes and prospects going to Colorado. I don’t get it, but maybe they figure they can’t get pitching, so they’re just going to go into the rest of the season loaded on offense.

    • I can’t imagine Reyes is at all pleased by this development.

      • The easier move would of been to fire gibbons for not sitting him late in games

  29. Please let this mean we can bring Reyes home again. We need that Jose chant at Citi…

      • So far it looks like not much considering we are getting probably the best SS in the league right now. If everything so far is true, its Reyes, Castro, and probably another prospect (not named Stroman, Sanchez, Hoffman, Norris, Pentecost). No cash exchanging hands apparently.

  35. Reyes and minor leaguers for the Rockies. I’m guessing it doubles as a bit of a dump on the Jays part, being able to part ways with Reyes and that contract, while simultaneously being a big upgrade for them. What a crazy deal.

    Now the Rockies just need to hope they can flip Reyes before he gets hurt again. Then again, knowing them they’ll inexplicably hold onto him and watch his value plummet further.

    • You can’t call it a dump when Toronto ADDS 50m in salary.

      • Tulo’s AAV is $2mill less than Reyes’. Gives them payroll flexibility to add a rental starter. If they’re going to add Tulo one has to think they go all in and get a starter…..

      • As a Jays fan, I’d suggest Reyes is done – destined to be below average the rest of his career and dramatically overpaid. Given that, it’s a dump of dead salary. Tulo should at least come closer to earning his.

  36. So this Troy Fellow, is he going to pitch as a starter or a reliever?

  37. So the oft-injured Tulo is gonna play on turf?? What are the Blue Jays doing. Rockies better get a big arm.

  38. I was starting to forget why we used to call Anthopoulos “The Ninja”. Not anymore.

    • I hope they keep him for a day or two. I’m having difficulty visualizing him in their uniform.

    • He was the center piece of the deal lol.. Maybe he’ll put nicer stats in toronto tulo.

    • Perfect landing spot for him, since he’s such a groundball machine. Oh wait…

      • Weren’t people just as skeptical about the Jays’ acquisition of Marco Estrada? That move has paid off pretty well and Estrada was probably the most homer prone pitcher in baseball coming into this year.

        • True, but Estrada’s always had loads of talent, while Hawkins is in the twlight of his career. I’m not arguing against the acquisition though. Can never hurt to have too much bullpen depth.

    • Hoffman, Pentecost and Norris aren’t involved according to Baseball Tonight.

      • If that’s true someone should give AA the GM of the year right now. I mean this moment

        • For adding the polar opposite of what the team so desperately needs?

          • Run is a run is a run. Whether created on offense or suppressed by defence. Tulo addition brings as much of upgrade as a SP addition. You just have to think a little.

        • Could just be a massive salary dump by the Rockies. They clear almost 65M by dealing Tulo for Reyes

          • All previous indications were that a Tulo trade was not going to be for the purpose of a salary dump…

    • Reyes makes $50 mil less, milb pieces arent significant. Corresponding move expects from Toronto toMorrow. Rockies trying to flip Reyes

      • Why would you trade Tulo for insignificant minor league pieces and with the plan of flipping an older and worse SS with a larger AAV?

      • Brandon Morrow would indeed be an upgrade for the Blue Jays rotation if he were healthy…

  46. ESPN seems to think there is a bigger picture here. Possibly another deal on the way.
    Reyes for Zack Wheeler and Jon Niese?
    Tulo for Shields, Kimbrel and a decent pitching prospect?

    • Why would the Mets trade Wheeler and Niese for an oft-injured, declining, 32 year old Reyes on a massive contract?

      • Because Wheeler isn’t a sure thing to ever pitch in the majors again, and Niese isn’t that good. Reyes can help the Mets win the World Series this year.
        Wheeler isn’t even the teams 4th best starter if hes healthy, and Niese isn’t even in the rotation if everyone is healthy.

        • You’re forgetting the issue of $$$. No way the Wilpons take on that kind of money unless the Rockies eat most of it, which I can’t see happening. And besides, Wheeler can get the Mets a bigger return and a better fit me thinks. Playing in Toronto and in that lineup masked Reyes’s declining output. I wouldn’t touch him for anything unless he was the last possible offensive upgrade on Earth.

      • It is entirely possible that the Jays then flip Tulo to the Mets for one of DeGrom, Harvey, Syndergaart or Matz and Niese heads to Toronto with Tejada to play short. That would be an interesting trade.

    • An interesting situation would have Toronto flip Tulo to the Padres for Ross, Cashner, and Kimbrell, which would give them the closer and two starters under team control. Ryan Goins then takes over at SS like he does every time Reyes got hurt. lol.

  50. Toronto will be the 11th team Hawkins has pitched for in his career.

  51. Including Reyes must mean that the prospect haul for the Rockies is going to be incredible

  54. WOW just WOOOW! I registered just so I could comment on this trade lol

  55. Rockies better be getting more than Reyes. Jose Reyes is just a shell of himself.

  56. Is it weird that as a Mets fan I now want to watch every single inning the Blue Jays come to bat? It would feel like a crime not to take in such a glorious offense with every opportunity.

    Mets pitching half-inning and Jays hitting half-inning. I can dig that.

    • Can’t Manfred just merge the two teams into one absolute powerhouse? Now that would be fun

      • LOL Could you imagine the teams merging to look something likeL

        Lineup:
        2B Travis, 3B Donaldson, RF Bautista, DH Encarnacion, SS Tulowitzki, C Martin, 1B Smoak, CF Granderson, LF Pillar

        Rotation: Harvey, DeGrom, Syndergaard, Buehrle, Colon

        Bullpen: Familia, Clippard, Mejia, Parnell, Osuna, A. Sanchez, Schultz

        Bench: Colabello, Murphy, Navarro, Tejada

        • You think the Jays would trade their entire offense to us if we give up every prospect we have? Lol

  60. This has to be a Mike Piazza to the Marlins type move. The Rockies should flip Reyes by Friday for some pitching prospects.

  61. Could a position change for Tulo be in order? Can’t imagine him playing SS on the turf. Worst case scenario is hes the 1B and EE DHs.

    • there are already four dh’s on the Jays: EE, sometimes Collabella, now and then Navarro, Valencia once or twice; oh, Bauts, esp with his shoulder problem; five; so, Tulo will be playing SS, sans dout.

  63. oh hey it’s our annual reminder that the alleged “experts” don’t actually know anything

  64. Even though Toronto should be more focused on acquiring pitching, I guess if your offense scores 15 runs each game, you won’t need pitching.

    So there you go, Toronto. Easy tasks at hand.

    • Teams focus is to score 1000 runs, playoffs are secondary… In hard talks with Padres and j upton

    • Upgrading the already-best offense in the game with another MVP-type guy. They have what, 4 MVP candidates now? EE, Joey Bats, Donaldson and Tulo?
      If hard to score 10 runs every game and not make the playoffs.

      • I agree. It’s just hard to think coherently about it right now, what with my crippling case of the head explodies.

  67. I don’t really see what the Rockies are getting out of this besides a shorter albatross contract and reduced production, must be a bigger picture we will have to wait to see

    • A trade piece? Tulo’s contract was tough to move, so perhaps moving Reyes, who has a shorter contract, would entice a few more teams in need of a shortstop, such as SD or NYM who might not be comfortable making the commitment on Tulo.

      • I could see that’s what the Rockies would be thinking. The way I see it though is you have a higher AAV player who older, just and injury prone, and is an inferior player. Seems like Reyes would be nearly impossible to trade. Your point about teams being more willing to take on Reyes contract because it is shorter is something I hadn’t thought of, good point. For the Rockies sake I sure hope you are right!

  71. Talk about a stunner!!!!!!! I have to think that the Jays flip Tulo for a quality starter and I bet Reyes is flipped for prospects as well. Otherwise this trade doesn’t really make sense.

    • Call me a liar…but I was suspicious after the incident when Tulos agent caused the press tizzy about a trade. Things became amiable since…but it seemed like maybe a meeting happened to discuss marketability. Colorado has LONG been trying to deal for high end pitching talent. That Tulo is traded wasn’t s shock….if you go back far enough I’ve suggested Toronto in the past. I’m maybe surprised they actually got it done and what it took…the particulars.

  74. Unexpected, even for a week when the unexpected is always potentially possible.

  76. What exactly is the logic behind this? I mean don’t they already have the highest rated offense? They have an opportunity to pull of a deal to get an ace but if they get a rental like Hamels and don’t win this year, what will happen next year with no solid ace and Tulo’s bloated contract?

    • Hamels wouldn’t be a rental, Price or Samardzija would be though.

  77. Did Tulo somehow turn into a decent pitcher overnight?? That offense is looking scary right now…..too bad the pitching staff looks scarier! I HOPE AA didn’t part with any of the top guys (Pompey, Castro, Norris), he should turn some of them into Kimbrel or Hamels now

    • Reading that Norris is not in the deal (that would be counter-productive).

  78. Sure, this is exciting and splashy. But I fail to see how scoring runs is remotely the problem for Toronto. Sure, it’s nice to stack offense,but it was already stacked as is. If I’m a TOR fan, I’m hoping there’s more to plan here, and that a deal for some pitching is in the works, because as nice as that offense is, there’s just no way they make a run without improving the pitching staff. I’m also hoping that no prime minor leaguers that would be needed for said arm were sent in this deal to COL.

    • Reyes was getting 22 million this year. Tulo 20 million. So basically…they save money by dumping Reyes and picking up one of the best SS in the game.

      • Yeah, I had brain gas until after I hit enter, I’m going to rework my comment

        • But you’re still right. It’s exciting and splashy. And you’re right, they need to address the pitching. I’m sure it will happen, still some time left before the deadline. The only questions are which pitcher will he acquire, how good will they be, and will it be a rental?

      • I can see what the Jays were thinking from a talent standpoint but they are actually making a bigger commitment to Tulo than they already had in Reyes. Tulo is signed through 2020 for essentially 20 million a year. Reyes is signed through 2017 for 22 million a year. So you end up pay much more for Tulo over the long run, though he is a much better player (when healthy) assuredly.

        • Oh from a talent stand point? Sure, Tulo is definitely the better player, I’d take him all day. But really, like I said, offensive output has hardly been the foremost problem the team has, they score the most runs in the league, by a wide margin as is, I don’t know how much more they expect to score. Add to that they gave up at least one prime trade chip that could have been used towards an arm in Castro, and this really just feels strange to me.

          • The more I sit and think about it I feel like the logic is they get a better SS in Tulo and save $2mill in AAV to free up some payroll and go after a rental starter, whether it be an ace or a couple of mid rotation upgrades

    • Reyes and tulo are a wash salary wise. The return is going to be inteteresting to see. Pompey, alford, reid foley and tirodo with cash?

  79. 1. Travis 2B
    2. Donaldson 3B
    3. Joey Bats RF
    4. Tulo SS
    5. EE DH
    6. Martin C
    7. Smoak 1B
    8. Corabello LF
    9. Pillar CF

    And in other news, every LHP in the AL East has retired from baseball.

    • I actually laughed to myself in my basement at your last comment. I still like the idea of having Tulo hitting 2 or 3. Gibbons will have an evil grin on his face as he makes his lineup cards every day.

      • Gibby could literally place the projected 2 through 5 hitters in any order at all and still have an awesome middle of the order.
        He should make it entertaining, like pull names out of a hat in front of the press to create the lineup and find out where they hit.

        To me it doesnt matter what order Donaldson, Bautista, Tulo, and EE hit that much.

  80. Morosi said Reyes is likely to be traded by Colorado. If so, that has Mets written all over it.

        • I think you’ll see the Padres simply swap short term pieces for more controllable ones and take another shot at it next year. Just seems to be more like Preller

      • Padres want to be free of large contracts. I’d be surprised if it’s them.

  82. How we are getting through this without reportedly giving up Norris, Hoffman or Pentecost is beyond me. If this is true though I won’t complain though

  83. 3 team deal with Carlos Carrasco going to the Rockies is my guess. Carrasco is as good a bet as anyone to succeed in Coors. Strikes out a lot of guys, and has a career 1.70 GB/FB ratio

    • I just read that somewhere that thats a possibility. Neither SS fit in Cleveland though. Maybe Lindor goes to Toronto and Tulo finally moves away from SS? Doesnt’ seem like much of a fit.

      • Are you suggesting that the Jays are getting Tulo AND Lindor or that Tulo is going to Cleveland? Because if it’s the former, the Jays would have to give up every top prospect they have and a few kidneys.

  84. How exactly does this help the Jays? Will Toronto be flipping him to the Mets or someone else to get some pitching?

    • I wonder the same thing about how it helps them. I get it, it’s Tulo, he’s arguably the best SS in the league. But that offense has already been stellar. I just don’t think this deal isolated makes sense, so we have to expect there to be a deal involving an arm is on the way. Otherwise, I’m lost at the point of this.

      • This happens every time a big bat joins an already good offense. Everyone thinks it will make them the 27 yankees. Has it ever worked that way? ever? Name one trade that has done that?

  85. What a brutal trade for Miguel Castro. Reyes, if healthy, should kill it in Colorado with all of the space in that outfield.

    • A lot of evaluators say Castros going to be a reliever for his career

      • No matter, that is the worst possible place to pitch for any pitcher.

        • Oh I thought you meant it was brutal for Toronto by giving up Castro. My bad

  86. Yay. More video game-like trades for AA!

    Hopefully this turns out better than the Miami trade from a years back.

    • Please tell me that’s a joke. It has to be. I will die if he’s the “big” bat we landed.

  88. With the deadline fast approaching, you must be on your guard at all times. Avoid sleep if you can. Sleep…is for the weak.

  92. So The Rockies got no major prospect for Tulo? Meaning basically anybody could’ve done this deal if they took on Tulo’s entire contract??????????

  93. Bowden is a liar then. He said no Hoffman while he was on Baseball Tonight. lol

    • In the words of George Costanza. It’s not a lie, if you believe it.

  94. Jockety should pull another stunner. Swing a trade for Kimbrel and resign Chapman. Hoover in the 7th and they can fill in the rest. Who would ever want to face that team after 6 innings?

    • And the Mets can trade for even more pitching and go to an 8-man rotation. It’ll be like clash of the titans with each franchise specializing in one area. That’d be sick.

      • that would be nice. The Reds do have enough offensive talent (provided Mesoraco recovers and someone makes Hamilton bat only right handed and Votto does not completely fall apart again) and young pitching talent to make people wonder if it will work. The Royals had a brutal starting staff last season, but that bullpen made it work. It could be worse than; Hamilton, Suarez, Votto, Frazier, Mesoraco, Bruce, Phillips, LF. If nothing else, they would be fun to watch.

  95. It’s Reyes, Hoffman, Castro and another prospect for Tulo and Hawkins. A good haul all things considered, especially if they can flip Reyes for something of value.

    One thing worth mentioning is that Tulo is only 30 while Reyes is 33. I know some are going to call this a loss for the Jays due to what they ggave up and Tulo’s larger and more expensive contract, but he should still have several productive years left in him beyond this season. The real question is for how much of that time he is going to be healthy? I wouldn’t take that gamble, but it COULD pay off. And they could always move him well before then if he does indeed remain productive by eating some of that contract. Meanwhile, with Reyes you have a player whose skills are likely to fall off of a cliff in the realatively near future, who is also due a lot of money, and who has trouble staying healthy as well.

    Overall I still think this deal is a Rockies’ win, but I have a feeling many are going to slam the Jays for giving up so much.

    • If I were the Rockies I would try and flip Reyes to someone for more prospects given that they have some good MIF prospects already in the system that could see big league action in the near future

  96. Jays got to be about to trade a big righty bat or two for some serious starting pitching.

  97. Reyes moved to Mets or Yankees maybe? not sure how impressive Trevor Story has been but if they think he can handle SS until Rodgers is ready then might as well flip Reyes.

    • The Yankees were always going to go out and grab a good/great starter IMO. I don’t think this changes their calculus. They have to do something about that rotation regardless.

  99. For an FO that catches a lot of flack, the Rockies made out pretty well here, Castro and Hoffman+ is a nice pickup. As far as Toronto, I still don’t think this move was needed, especially at the cost of a few top prospects that could have been used for the arm that they desperately need. Sure, it’s exciting, but now it’s going to be awfully hard for Toronto to make that move for an arm now without either emptying the farm, or dealing from the offense.

    • I think their goal is to empty the farm honestly, at least in terms of the prospects who may be further away from reaching the majors. If you look at the players they have rostered, you see a lot of guys who are older and beginning to hit the downswings of their respective careers, if they haven’t already: Encarnacion, Bautista, Buehrle, Dickey, Reyes, Martin, etc. Many of them are going to be gone by the end of 2016 unless they are resigned, so obviously they are built to win within the next year plus. My thinking is that they are looking to move those pieces which may not be ready to truly contribute until 2017 (Hoffman) and those who may end up not sticking in the rotation (Castro). If that’s the plan, it makes sense in a way. Norris and Sanchez are much closer to helping them in the short-term and I would think they would be off-limits unless they are going into full win-now mode, which would also make some sense.

    • Maybe they get one or two pitchers from the Leake-Haren-Latos class. Wouldn’t cost them a Norris, Sanchez, or EE and could make a difference down the stretch.

    • No doubt… All the talk is on Toronto…when Colorado just altered course to pair with a nice farm system.

  100. So tulo and hawkins for Reyes, Castro, Hoffman and another prospect… If there isn’t a third team involved sending something to Toronto then AA got fleeced again like he did by the Mets.

  101. Man, as a Mets fan, it’s hard not to smile about a possible reunion with Reyes and the Mets especially with the news that Wright is about to resume baseball activities. What kills it is that we’d have to give up some nice pieces for the Rox to flip us Reyes and I don’t think that’s appropriate. Reyes won’t put this offense over the top, since no one will be able to drive him in and to get someone to drive him in will mean more nice pieces to give up ontop of his contract issues and of course injury history. As nice as it would be to see him in a Mets uni, would rather not give up a Matz or Wheeler, albeit both hurt.

  102. Questions marks regarding this trade…Tulo has been very good but also injury prone. I have to assume (and hope) there will be another trade involving a starter, maybe even a closer. Hawkins is not a closer. We need a starting pitcher and a closer. We won’t get both but with the Jays having the best offense in baseball, and now picking up Tulo, that may free up someone for a top pitcher. Bautista, Edwin? Not sure what the Jays have for minor leaguers that have huge value.

    • Looks like the Jays are going for it. Don’t be surprised if they empty out the farm just to win this year. They’re probably only a starter or two away from being serious contenders

  103. I think this may be about defense. It isn’t just pitching that prevents runs and the numbers on Reyes at SS the last two years are very bad. Tulo is a better offensive player than Jose, but he is a lot better defensive player and all the Jays pitchers will be helped by that. Still a lot to give up for a SS who has never played on plastic.

  104. Colorado acquires pitching prospects? Why bother? In 20+ years it’s been a place where pitchers go to die. Giving the nod to Toronto for this one.

    • Gross under assessment of the Rockies situation. It’s been a place where mediocre free agent and back end starters have gone to die. It’s where the Rockies won with homegrown talent in Ubaldo Jimenez and Jeff Francis. They have other talent coming offensively… And could conceivably deal CarGo for Kevin Gausman. Gausman-hoffman-butler-gray would be a nice rotation. Add that the bats always play up in Denver and you have something brewing

    • For that exact reason. Free agents don’t want to go there because they think it will make their careers look bad, so the best way to get good pitchers is via trade.

  105. So, I guess Cargo is going soon since it seems like the Rockies are going for a full teardown.

  106. So when are they trading one of Bautista or Edwin? This makes me think more than ever its going to happen. Tulo is obviously a great player, the kind of player who would replace one of these two. The offence just became really one dimensional as it now has virtually no speed in the lineup. The Jays have already somewhat proven that they don’t hit against the best pitchers in baseball.

    Not saying the move is a bad one, I think its very good value, but this didn’t address any of their pitching issues and it depleted just about all their minor league trade chips, basically Daniel Norris is all that is left. So I don’t see where the starting pitching is going to come from unless its through a trade of Bautista or Edwin. The reality is they each have one more year, and Tulo was probably acquired to keep the lineup dominant after at least one of them is gone.

  107. I think when it’s all said and done Tulowitski is going the Padres for pitching (probably Ross & Kimbrel), whether it’s right away or on Friday morning. Also, with Rendon, Zimmerman, Werth, and Span all off the DL or close to coming off, the Nats have pieces to move and are said to be high on Kimbrel. They could come in as a 3rd team, get Kimbrel, send Ian Desmond up to Toronto, and send Felipe Rivero and Michael Taylor to San Diego, along with the Jays sending Tulo there. The Jays would get Tyson Ross/James Shields from Pads. With the Nats involved sending Rivero & Taylor to SD, that can still leave them with the pieces to acquire another SP/reliever.

    No matter what I highly doubt Tulowitski is still in a Blue Jays uniform by the time their series with the Royals begins on Friday night.

  108. How in world does this deal make sense? I don’t understand what either side was thinking…

    • From the Jays perspective they get an upgrade at SS whilst saving $2mill in AAV to give them some payroll flexibility to acquire a rental starter. And take a real shot at the playoffs.

      From the Rockies POV you get a similar SS (whilst being a smallish downgrade) with a shorter contact obligation plus two legit pitching prospects

  109. I feel like both teams were losers in this trade.

    Colorado got back some live arms, but both pitching prospects come with questions. They also take Reyes and his contract back which puts them in the same boat financially for the next couple of seasons, but with a lesser player. I would have expected a better deal if I’m trading away the face of my franchise.

    As for the Jays, they are improved but only marginally. They traded away two of their better trade chips, but didn’t address either of their biggest needs, starting and relief pitching. IMO they would have been much better off trading Hoffman for Cueto. The improvement from their #5 SP to Cueto is so much larger than the improvement from Reyes to Tulo, plus they added $50mm in future salary to the team. After the shine of adding Tulowitzki’s name wears off I think fans from both teams will be disappointed.

  110. The team with the great offense and terrible pitching goes and gets…more offense.

    AA should be fired over this.

    • Unleeeeeeeess…… Hold on let me think….. Oh wait he goes and gets a starter and turns them into legit contenders. I think he keeps his job then

      • They have never been legit contenders/made playoffs in the 6 years he’s been in charge, and won’t make it this year. He’s the most overrated GM in the game, and this ludicrous gutting of the farm for an oft-injured guy whos moving to turf seals the deal.

        • You may be right but if he makes it this year all would be forgiven. Also Tulo is a far better piece to build around than Reyes and given there’s a tonne of salary (dickey buehrle) coming off the books this year he has plenty of cash to throw at quality FA pitching this winter making them even better next year. Plus whilst Hoffman and Castro are great prospects it hardly qualifies as clearing out the farm.

        • Love it for the Rockies. I questioned given Tulos contract whether he could get Gausman or Paxton…they offloaded the contract…took Reyes who they might deal….got back a Top 4ish draft pitcher to add to their young arms…other pieces. Still have CarGo to deal.

  111. obviously a lack of right handed power was Toronto’s biggest weakness. will the new turf in Toronto not be so bad on Tulo’s oft-injured body?
    good get for Colorado in Hoffman/Castro- i assume they will try to trade Reyes first chance they get?

  112. Reyes and Gonzalez to Mets? Maybe couldn’t get starter they wanted. Means the others in AL East are going to counter Yankees give up like Bird or others to get like Hamels.

  113. Interesting and different. Let’s wait for the next shoe to drop–where is Reyes going, or is he going. Smart deal by Colorado–they offload salary and get arms down the road. But this might be one of those odd transactions where’s there’s a potential imbalance in value, yet works for both side.

    • As far as Colorado is concerned, I believe we’ll have to judge on the basis of if Reyes is dealt now. There’s a potential that they offload Tulo and Reyes without sending much cash and stocking the system. They desperately need their arms to come from within

  115. So the Jays went out and acquired a very talented SS who’s been hampered by a number of injuries throughout his career. He’s in his 10th year in the majors and hasn’t played 150+ games in a single season since 2009 and now you want to play him in the AL East where the only two ballparks in the majors that have artificial turf exist — Rogers Centre and Tropicana Field. Good luck, Toronto fans.

  116. WHY????? Man I hope the Jays flip Tulo for some pitching to the Mets. That is the ONLY way this makes any sense to me. OMG. Terrible.

  117. really? I mean i LOVE Tulo but Hoffman….Castro, Reyes i can deal with but Hoffman….damn….I hope we dont gut the rest of the farm for a pitcher, maybe Tulo opens up a trade of EE or JB?

  118. First Melvin Upton and now Jose Reyes – big mlb trades are looking more like nba trades, where moving a bad contract is a major part of the equation, even in a sport without a true salary cap.

    Wonder if GMs will be that much more reluctant to offer big deals to guys who might decline (most are around age 30 when they hit free agency) – the number of hard to move contracts is moving up and the cost of signing a major free agent often includes a first round pick.

  119. I like it. I don’t think the Jays overpaid. I just hope this doesn’t piss off the other Dominicans on the team.

  120. This is a bold move the Jays made and I am sure if will help but they replaced a above average fielder with a slightly better bat. I thought there offense was GREAT already but they need pitching bad. With out a front line starter and a premium bullpen arm will this move make them to the PS? I see they still want to add a starter but I think they need more then 1 starter and more then 1 bullpen arm. Sounds like to me more a neutral move and I am not sure this puts them in post season contention.

    • Reyes has not been an above average fielder for many years. Nearly all metrics and my eyeballs suggest he is now ruinous at SS and the team has improved in the field and at the plate with this trade.

  121. Hoffman was successful this season but really not impressive to me. His K rate continues to be underwhelming and at 22 and recovering from surgery, it could still be years before he grows into the projection people have for him. He’s possibly a good fit for Colorado though with his ability to suppress HR.

    • It’s a win for Colorado to get young high end controllable pitching talent

  123. Flip Tulo to the Mets to bring Syndergaard back to Toronto.

  124. Reyes to NYM for a decent pitching prospect (maybe Rafael Montero)…?

  125. Win now?? They are 12th in the AL with a 4.07 ERA. Right now they remind me of the 2005 Red Sox, all offense, meh pitching

  126. I love this trade. It’s important to also remember the years of control we now have in Tulo, Donaldson and Martin. Still a strong core for the coming years which gives the Jays the flexibility to trade Bautista and/or EE for pitching in years to come if needed. It buys us the years to build the farm back up with prospects. AA is a Ninja and I love the direction he is taking the team. Sad to see Hoffman go, that guys will be a stud but the Jays need to be all in at this point.

  127. Well you can love or hate AA but as Oscar Wilde said “The only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about.” I like the deal because of the flexibility. Jays can keep Tulo for the long term or if a team offers some solid controllable starting pitching today or next year they will have gotten major league starting pitching for essentially Hoffman. Hoffman is a seriously good prospect. I would expect the Rockies to flip Reyes and eat some of his salary.

  128. AA Logic:
    Problem: We need a starter or two.
    Solution: Trade for Troy Tulowitzki and score 30 runs a game.
    Problem: We need a reliever/closer
    Solution: Place Aaron Sanchez in the bullpen. POOF: Insta-Closer.

    Non-Major Problem: Our offense
    Solution: Improve our offense in any feasible way.

    I guess since LF needs improving and our offense is right-handed heavy, we can expect a trade for a big lefty bat? This is the way AA seems to deal with improving the pitching staff.
    ay Bruce?

  131. Bad trade for the Jays, the get an old pitcher, and a SS Tulowitzki that injures himself too much and playing on that turf will affect him a lot. Also their need is a SP like Hamels or any other ace caliber pitcher. They needed a left handed bat.

    Colorado got Reyes that seems to be going to another team, and 2 good pitching prospects on Hoffman and Castro.

  132. As much as I love Tulo, I’m glad the Twins didn’t send Gibson or Berrios (plus additional players) for him. Those were the rumors. Tulo is awesome, but if the Twins want to compete they need pitching. They can’t throw that away.

    Twins starting pitcher ERA by year:
    2012: 5.40 (ranked 29th)
    2013: 5.26 (ranked 30th)
    2014: 5.06 (ranked 30th)
    2015 so far: 3.87 (ranked 12th)

    The Twins are in the spot they are in because of starting pitching and they can’t be giving it away any time soon if they want to compete for years to come. Gibson, May and Berrios should be/need to be a big part of 2016 and on in order for the Twins to keep this going.

    I’m still surprised Tulo was even traded. I just didn’t see it happening even with all the rumors. I hope he continues to succeed. He and Trout are my favorite non-Twins.

      • From guys who have connections and the rumors spread locally. Not sure if any national guys ever went with it. I’d have to go back and check.

        There were talks, but nothing was ever serious. It’s not like a deal was close. Word was that they wanted Gibson or Berrios, preferring Gibson because of ground ball tendencies and experience. The Rockies had a scout at Gibson’s 2nd to last start. Could just be a coincidence or they were looking at Angels guys. Never know.

        Sounded like they asked for Sano at first. Obviously the Rockies have Arenado, but it completely makes sense to ask for a top 15 prospect in all of baseball for the best SS in baseball.

        The last I had seen regarding the rumor, and this was a week and a half ago, was Gibson/Berrios, Meyer and Kepler.

        Again, it sounds like it never reached a serious point. Just talking. The Twins and Rockies have probably talked to all teams about all kinds of things. I’m glad the Twins didn’t do that package whether it was true or not. Twins can’t lose pitching.

  133. If they can flip Reyes and CarGo for even more pitching prospects, this team has the potential for a fast turn-around. They already have an All-Star 2b LeMahieu and 3b Arenado, and 2 great OFs with Blackmon and Dickerson (when healthy). Eventually Trevor Story, David Dahl, and Brendan Rogers have the potential to fill out the rest of the lineup really well. Pair the pitching prospects they receive with the ones they already have (Gray, Butler) and there’s something.

  135. I think Reyes will be flipped before the deadline. Cargo gone too via trade. The Rocks should build, build, build.
    So for Tulo & Cargo they could come away with a wealth of young players.

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