Jan. 4: The Yankees have officially announced the signing. Tulowitzki’s contract comes with a full no-trade clause, Jon Heyman of Fancred tweets.
Jan. 3: Tulowitzki’s physical with the Yankees is taking place today, tweets USA Today’s Bob Nightengale.
Jan. 1: The Yankees have agreed to a deal with free-agent shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, pending a physical, Jeff Passan of ESPN reports. It’s expected to be for the league minimum, Passan adds, meaning the Yankees would pay Tulowitzki $555K, as the Blue Jays are on the hook for the remainder of the two years on his contract after releasing him. Tulowitzki is a client of TWC Sports.
The 34-year-old Tulowitzki will remain at shortstop with his new team, suggests Passan, who reports that the Yankees still haven’t ruled out signing free agent Manny Machado. Rather, they simply couldn’t pass up Tulowitzki on such an inexpensive salary. The Yankees were in position to land the five-time All-Star for a minimal fee because the AL East rival Blue Jays released him last month and ate the remaining $38MM on his contract in the process.
Tulowitzki was among the majors’ premier players with the Rockies from 2009-14, and he remained a solid contributor with the Blue Jays for two seasons after they acquired him in July 2015. Now, though, the oft-injured Tulowitzki is essentially coming off two lost seasons. He batted a career-worst .249/.300/.378 across 260 plate appearances and 66 games in 2017, which he missed most of on account of hamstring and ankle injuries. Tulowitzki then sat out all of 2018 because of bone spurs in both heels, and after the Blue Jays released him, general manager Ross Atkins called it “unlikely” Tulo would return in ’19 to play an “above-average” shortstop over a long season.
While Atkins and the Blue Jays were no longer interested in dealing with Tulowitzki’s injury issues, the ex-superstar drew plenty of looks from other teams after they cut him. In addition to the Yankees, at least 10 other clubs were on hand to watch Tulowitzki work out on Dec. 18. At the time, Tim Brown of Yahoo Sports reported Tulowitzki wanted to sign someplace where he could receive regular at-bats at one position. It seems he’ll get his wish in New York, where he’s in line to fill in for injured shortstop Didi Gregorius, who underwent Tommy John surgery on his left elbow in October. Gregorius is expected to return sometime during the summer.
Gregorius is coming off his second straight season of at least 4.0 fWAR – a mark Tulowitzki hasn’t reached since 2014. Realistically, Tulowitzki won’t come close to replicating the production a healthy Gregorius would have put up in ’19. Nevertheless, for a low cost, the Yankees are gambling that Tulowitzki’s a higher-upside play than the other shortstops available in a weak free-agent crop (Machado excluded).
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
no Manny after all?
Because of a minimum salary deal? Don’t think so for a second.
Exactly. Was hoping Boston signed him. If he shows nothing in spring training, he gets cut or put in the DL. Only cost will be a 40 man roster spot.
With such a deep farm system, every 40 man spot is huge!
So which Yankee is on the bubble to be DFA’d assuming Tulo passes his physical?
Bird!
LOL
Lol. “Deep”.
Realistically it’s stashing the guy on the roster until the trade deadline to be able to turn him into something they need from a surplus position.
If he’s successful and stays healthy and plays above average, great he’s worth a veteran at a needed position to fill for injury or underperformance.
If he’s not, minimum salary means he can just be free anyway.
It’s a high upside low risk move that every team should have tried their best at.
Ken, expect more trades that will involve 40 man players like Gray or even minor leaguers in exchange for promising lower level talent that doesn’t need protecting.
Agree but if he is healthy and the roster remains as is, he could share 3b/DH with Andujar should there be an outfield injury or two.
lol
Shrewd move by da Yankees!
Machado is theirs. The guy has no intention of signing with the White Sox or Phillies long-term. Why be stuck there for years when he can play with a real championship contender?
Now the issue is salary. Both sides posturing. So what do da Yankees do?
AH-HA!
They sign a SS that can cover till Didi gets back. Meaning that Machado’s reps cannot negotiate his salary as a SS, but rather as a 3B….where defensive ability is no where near as important. Add on that now they don’t HAVE to have Mighty Manny – i.e. da Yankees are no longer over a barrel.
lol some more!
So for $555K, da Jankees can negotiate that contract down tens of millions of dollars.
Kudos Cashman!!!!
_ _ _
Of course I could be wrong. Preller could swoop in and give Mighty Manny a billion dollars for 5 years…..
2019 – $25m
2020 – $30m
2021 – $35m
2022 – $420m
2023 – $490m
Preller can then trade Manny at the deadline in 2021 for prospects.
To keep Pedroia company on the DL? No thanks.
It was deep a few years ago but not anymore. They traded or promoted most of their studs. Good no risk move. I didn’t want Tulo until I saw they essentially got him for free.
That one is pretty easy. Probably Locatro or Heller or one of the many redundant 24-27 year old middle relief guys
AJ Cole is the guy who got DFA’ed
There once was a GM named Cashman
… Who had too much dough up his ashman
…… When he pulled it all out
…… To extinguish all doubt
… His career was a pan in the flashman
Full no-trade contract per the updated post.
I honestly can’t discern whether this is a precursor to something they’ve been aware of or just something too good to pass up as suggested. I can’t imagine Cash would go into 2019 with Tulo being option “A” to start at SS. Health aside, he’s 34 and coming off of surgery to both feet. I would feel more comfortable signing Adeiny or Iglesias to play SS. At least you can count on superior defense from one of them. Would rather they sign Harper anyway.
Well I’m assuming he’s betting on Didi coming back fully healthy around mid-season so for how little this costs. Even if he provides just replacement level value it’s still a steal of a stop-gap until Didi is ready. Also even though they’re saying he’s going to start at short… they still have Glayber at 2B who could always shift over to short if needed. I’m a Red Sox fan but I think this was a really good value signing by the Yanks I have to admit.
“Glayber”
“Glay”
I am amazed at how often I see Gleyber Torres misspelled. One moment it is “Glaybar”, the next “Gleybar”. Then sometimes you get a “Glayber” curveball thrown at you and you dont know what to think.
Coming from the guy who can’t spell Benjamin
Mattimeo09………
Begamin is a surname. Guess that didn’t board your train of thought.
Hi. I’m “knickscavs”. My point is’t that Tulo was a bad signing. As you mentioned, it’s league minimum. My thinking was that this really can’t be the answer to Didi’s replacement. Can Tulo be counted on to even make it to the All-Star break let alone can he still perform league average defensively at SS.
If he is the answer and he gets hurt then where are we after that besides other in-house alternatives that obviously the Yanks must not be too thrilled with as Wade, Holder, Estrada weren’t even options when Didi went on the DL in 2018. I’ll view Tulo the same as we view Ellsbury in that you really can’t expect them to he healthy for too long. How long is to be determined. But like any good team what the backup plan if he get’s hurt in March? April? May?
I see this as a “why not” move as opposed to satisfying the search for Didi’s replacement.. I still want another SS and his name need not be Manny. Would be happy with Adeiny or Iglesias.
the last time tulo played close to a full season was 2016 and his defensive metrics were above average. The guy has never relied on range. He never makes a mistake. He was dealing with heal issues in 2106. He might actually be in better physical condition now. I wouldn’t worry about his defense.
You misunderstand. I’m NOT saying that the signing is, in any way, a bad one. League minimum is not a big deal. I’m just wondering what’s plan B should he go down before Didi returns? A championship team can’t go into the season unprepared for the likeliness that he might get injured and if he does and the likes of Wade, Estrada or Holder are the replacement options then that would be a fail.
Hey bully-thanks so much for taking the time and investing in the travel expense to see the workouts. Your firsthand observations are very well respected as we all know how you are such a well respected talent evaluator.
I agree. It works for them. The Sox have a need for relief pitchers and are going hard on low/no risk options, the Yanks are doing that with the infield.
You didn’t read the article but you still thought you should post a comment?
I don’t like this
Cheap stop gap. CHEAP, and if he stays healthy and is a shadow of his former self, this is actually a great signing.
At 34 is he worth losing the player coming off 40 man to make room for him? We’ll see.
The Rule 5 isnt tomorrow. If push comes to shove they can cut Tulo before the next Rule 5
You still need to give him a roster spot
Rule 5 was 3 weeks ago. He’ll be a FA by then.
Considering they need somebody to play shortstop, yes it’s worth a roster spot. It’s a low-risk, high-reward move.
Sonny Gray’s spot for now.
Well could do worse for Torreyes replacement
Ronald Torreyes was an accomplished defensive 2B, 3B and SS. Troy Tulowitzki has never played an inning at any defensive position except SS in his 12 year MLB career.
Tulowitzki is a wise and cheap investment for the Yankees to fill in for SS Didi Gregorius until he returns from his TJ surgery later next summer. Gregorius is also the captain of the Yankees infield and likely a good bet to get an extension before becoming a potential FA following the 2019 season. His extension would also be considerably cheaper than the expected record breaking deal that Manny Machado figures to sign in the coming days.
This move doesn’t necessarily signal that the Yankees are bowing out of the Machado sweepstakes but it could have been made with the knowledge that the Phillies or White Sox will or have come in with better offers. Machado would be a better long term fit at 3B anyway considering Gregorius’ acumen as a defensive SS, not to mention his needed left-handed bat in the Yankees lineup. A Machado signing in NY would likely mean a change for current 3B Miguel Abujar, either an internal move to 1B or a trade to another organization to shore up their pitching staff.
There’s no such thing as captain of the infield..lol
Are you serious right now?
If this was meant for me than no there’s no such a thing!
NEW YORK (Oct. 17th, 2018)– As Didi Gregorius begins his recovery from Tommy John surgery, the Yankees are optimistic that they will have their ‘captain of the infield’ back at shortstop in 2019. Exactly when that will occur, and how they should proceed in the meantime, is still very much up for discussion. mlb.com/yankees/news/didi-gregorius-has-tommy-john…
Clearly Derek Jeter held that role in a more “official” capacity, the captain of the infield as well as the designated team leader.
Rofl, you’re are basing an argument on what a writer calls a player in an article. There is no title in baseball “captain of the infield”!
Teccchnically, SS is always the captain of the infield. CF is the captain of the outfield. As far as who is supposed to get the last call on flyballs, positioning…few other things.
Other guys like Stanton, Votto, Pedroia, Pujols…you get the idea, would be “leaders” of the clubhouse, but that’s never an official thing.
Did u play baseball? SS is absolutely the leader of the IF. He makes the alignment calls and if he’s playing in or double play depth. Is in charge of the cut offs. Lower levels he backs up the throws to the pitcher from the catcher. Takes most of the throws to second on steal and pick off attempts. He’s the captain of the IF. Baseball for dummies book may help u out
you lol’d yourself, the perfect poster who makes fun of anyone doing that.LOL
Tulowitzki was a premium fielder for most of his career prior to his age and injuries slowing him down.
Yeah, but unless you’re Ozzie SMith or something most regular shortstops aren’t great fielders well into their 30s, let alone guys with as many injuries to his lower body as Tulo. He doesn’t cost anything really, and he could probably fill in at third and second and first if he wants to get at-bats as a utility guy. I would assume this is a precursor to the Yanks going after Machado and then dealing Andujar for pitching; maybe as part of a package for Robbie Ray?
Getting away from that turf in Toronto will help him quite a bit. I am sure that didn’t help with the injuries much. Most people seem to want to be pessimistic on Tulo. I am going to go in the opposite direction. I think playing on real grass for his home games will help keep his legs fresh and they can DH him when they go to Toronto and other turf stadiums. For as cheap as they got him it’s pretty much a can’t lose situation. The 40th man he bumped off the roster probably would have been DFA’d in the coming weeks anyway. Having a player with the history of Tulowitzki as the 40th man on your roster is a great thing.
Welcome TT. Cashman once preferred him over Jeter
Fakenews
Tony (and 6 downvoters of Acarn)– Instead of being emotionally attached to Jeter, you could have looked up the story and found that it is indeed a true story. Of course it wasn’t JUST Tulo but a good a half a dozen or more shortstops that Cashman said he would rather have. It was in 2010. It is easy to look up. ABC reported the story and Sports Illlustrated may have been who initially broke the story. According to a writer for SI, Cashman told Jeter, “We’re not paying extra money for popularity. We’re paying for performance.”
To be fair, Cashman also said of Jeter: “[He] was the greatest player I will have ever had.”
Thanks trillaryhump16
I’ve never seen that story, but i can see preferring the far better defender.
The conversation went like this..
“According to a Sports Illustrated story, Cashman had this exchange with Jeter during contentious contract negotiations in 2010:
“Who would you rather have playing shortstop this year than me?” Jeter asked Cashman.
“Do you really want me to answer that?” Cashman said.
When Jeter told him to respond, Cashman mentioned Tulowitzki, who was with the Rockies.
“We’re not paying extra money for popularity,” Cashman said. “We’re paying for performance.””
nypost.com/2019/01/02/yankees-reach-deal-with-troy…
Thank you for the link. Interesting.
Jeter was a great hitter but couldn’t get a ball to his left to save his life. I’m a big fan of defense and agree with Cashman here, although he did end up extending Jeter.
My pleasure. I stumbled across it while surfing MLB news articles.
It makes sense; Tulo from 2010-2014 was worth about 25 wins, even missing almost the entire 2012 season, while Jeter in that same timeframe was worth about 6 wins. A lot of that is defense, of course – by the end of his career Jeter was a truly terrible defensive shortstop. I always wonder what his career arc might have looked like had he been moved to third early in his career – he certainly had the arm for it. While Jeter is a no-doubt first-ballot possible unanimous HoF player, who knows how he would have done at the less challenging defensive position.
I wondered why he didn’t go the Yount route and move to the grass. Even at third his inability to quickly move to his left would have been a problem.
Wow! Did not see Tulo coming to the Yankees at all. Should be interesting to see him hit in Yankee Stadium. Even if for only a few games…
Troy accomplishes his lifelong dream in his idol’s footsteps.
Low expectations, no-harm minor league deal.
It’s a major league contract
It’s a league minimum contract.
Yes, Yanks pay him league minimum. But Jays are still liable for his original contractual big bucks. Ouch!
For what the Yankees are paying him you might as well call it a minor league contract
With a very real Major League 25 man roster implication.
Classy, Yankees.
Gave him a major-league contract instead of MiLB.
This has no risk. Worst case, what, Enjoy the DH?
He’s. It DH’ing full time with Stanton on the roster.
No way Tulo DH’s. That spot will be occupied primarily by Stanton with Judge, Sanchez, and Andujar amongst others getting chances
I usually don’t mind your posts, but wtf are you talking about right now? How is it classy to offer him a major league deal when it reports that there were “at least ten different teams” interested in him, who all would’ve gave him the league minimum contract? You posted so fast that you didn’t even know the contract type, because you didn’t read the article.
Lol
Lmao. This is the type of stuff that gets him blasted. A lot of it is undeserved but then you get one of these sprinkled in.
Worst case scenario is they release him. Lets be honest he was far below average the last time we saw him on the field and age isn’t exactly on his side…… Nothing classy at all about the Yankees doing what was required to sign the guy by giving him a ML minimum contract. That’s a comment out of LF.
He is on a major league contract – the same multi-million dollar he had with the Blue Jays. The Yankees are responsible for only the MLB minimum and Toronto pays the rest for the length of the contract.
Yeah c’mon this is a pretty pathetic post… Tulo could only sign for the league minimum because he’s still being paid by the Blue Jay’s. there’s nothing “classy” about this. There are 10, maybe even 15 teams that all would’ve been happy to sign Tulo for $555K and all for a ML deal… at least have some clue what the situation is before you post… this isn’t even a new storyline… Tulo rumors have been cropping up weekly for a month now…
I for one am upvoting the comment because, well, someone has to. All you people ganging up on Xabial. Wait, Xabial is usually a huge jerk to me. Maybe we just got off on the wrong foot. Okay. Water under the bridge, I will still upvote.
Let’s just squash the Up/down vote nonsense. This was a bad comment if it had 100 upvotes. X has guaranteed himself more downvotes than your average commentor on reasonably decent posts but this sure doesn’t qualify. It just shouldn’t matter. Come here to talk baseball logically. I enjoy the banter, not the BS that has nothing to do w it like this though.
Make stupid comments, get ganged up on. That’s how it works, but, yeah, go ahead and up vote stupidity.
If you’re going to call someone a moron, you might want to learn the difference between “you’re” and “your”.
Sense of humor and playfulness are sorely lacking by many on this site. I am looking at you Cubs fan. I will make it up to you. One upvote coming your way.
You are polluting this site
Tulo holds reasons for not giving big contract older guys. Union has hard time making labor case. Toronto still strapped.
Like pick up but honest? No expectation. Maybe survive spring then quick dump for Yankee uniform deserver.
What did you just say?
It’s prehistoric slang!!
Butch — are you talking to me? Polluting the site? In what way? Was it when I told a number of fans how to look up a story they thought was fake news? Is that the pollution you are talking about? Or is it the banter? Your banter is okay, you know MANLY banter, but mine is not? I can’t wait to give you a big internet hug.
Exactly
Now we can focus on pitching!
What’s not to like – lots of upside and minimal cost
This signing clearly makes no sense if they plan on signing Manny. Hopefully Manny sticks to his word and posts his decision now that the new year is here
Because the Yankees have whom at backup in the infield? Tyler Wade?
Boone as player-manager
Of course it does. Check out our depth chart.
It looks like that Manny Machado will sign with the Phillies or White Sox.
I believe the Phillies will overpay for Manny’s services. As they said they will be stupid about signing a mega contract
Don’t think for one second that this signing has any bearing on Machado. Tulo is only a depth piece with lots of experience, and as cheap as a rookie.
If you think this has anything to do with Machado you’re delirious
Machado is going to play 3B and Andujar is going to be flipped for an arm. Tulo is a great fill in until Didi comes back.
Or the Yankees keep Andujar play him at 1st , sign Keuchel or Gio Gonzalez and still sign Machado
Keuchal you can forget he’s in decline his agent is greedy Boras his best shot is Reds as Phillies won’t give him long term. Goo Gonzalez??? That a joke
Goo
Gooo
What arm? None are available? Flip him for declining Kluber? He’s 23 a talented hitter he stays . No Manny
What arm? Well the RoY who is 23 and a talented hitter is now available for real.
Just how is Corey Kluber declining?
Because he only finished third in the Cy Young voting last year. Clearly he’s slipping.
Has just finished in the top three in Cy Young four of the last five years…who wouldn’t want a player like that. Seriously, I still think he goes to a NL team. The dodgers still make a lot of sense.
Honestly Kluber has more trade value than Andujar right now. Kluber was one of the best players in MLB last year and has been durable, without much mileage for a 33 year old. Even if Andujar avoids the sophomore slump he is a DH worth at most 4 wins/year.
You’re crazy
Last year kluber was 15-3 vs sub 500 teams and 6-4 against teams at or above 500. In his last two playoffs against actually good teams he had an ERA approaching 10. That’s ten
Let someone else take that chance. The Indians played 76 games in division where the opponents were on average 66-96. I wouldn’t trade Andujar for that
Don’t you ever research?
If you’re going to pluck a small sample size of Kluber and attempt to give it any validity at least give me a useful number. How about his ERA v those winning teams? It’s only natural that a pitcher would have less wins against better teams because well you know they’re actually better teams. He could’ve lost 2-1 or 3-2 or the bullpen imploded on him. That tells me nothing at all
Or Tulo is going to the bench
Ig-pay Atin-lay;
You’re probably right, assuming Machado goes to NYY.
why would he sign there w/o knowing what machado’s doing? he gonna ride the pine?
IF the Yankees sign Machado, it’s not to be a long term solution at shortstop, for which they obviously have Didi Gregorius.
He’s there as an insurance policy for Didi. In case his recovery doesn’t go as well as expected.
Either (1) The Yankees are out on Manny. They roll with Tulo at SS until Didi returns and Andujar at 3B. OR (2) they still hope to sign Manny and if they do Manny is opening day 3B and Tulo at SS until Didi returns and Andujar is traded.
League minimum deal so there’s really nothing to not like about the deal. Definitely gonna be interesting to see where the other shoe drops
Andujar is going to HOF as an elite hitter for the Yankees. Not going to be traded
@tonydepalma ok
I don’t understand why people are upset if they don’t sign manny. He was crap in the playoffs. Not clutch. Don’t need to get stuck in another ridiculous long term contract again
For a 25 year old superstar?
Look at his numbers outside of Camden Yards. They’re good, but not super star.
And he’ll most likely be playing 81 games at either citizens bank park or yankee stadium. Hitters heaven. He’ll put up superstar numbers
The playoffs are a small sample, that doesn’t concern me too much. What would concern me is signing a player to a ten year contract with a career .335 Career OBP.
Not that small of a sample. Manny has only one season where he’s cracked a .900 Ops and then he barely did it. He’s probably more of an Adrian Beltre than an Arod. He’s a very solid player but not the superstar people are making him out to be. On top of that he seems like he’s becoming less mature and intelligent over time.
I completely agree he’s more beltre than A-Rod. Beltre isn’t a bad comp for Manny and he’s a no doubt HOF and arguably a top 5 3B of all time. If Manny resembles Beltre over the next 10 years he would be an excellent signing
Niched not sure I understand your point. Beltre is a hofer. Were you trying to say Machado not worth signing.If so that’s a strange way to do it
Perksy……
It cracks me up when people use “he sucked in the post season.” Was he good? Nope, but compare his 2018, 66 AB slash of .227/.278/.394 to the entire Yankees 131 AB slash of .214/.295/.321 against Boston.
You can keep bringing it up but it’s not like anyone on the Yankees lit the world on fire except Judge.
I’m not a Manny fan, but I won’t cry if/when he signs with the Phillies. I just find that “excuse” for not signing him chuckle-worthy.
It’s not an excuse for not signing him, but an excuse for not signing him at the ridiculous numbers being thrown around
So, he didnt suck…because the whole NY team did?
wrigleywannabe…….
Tell me where I said that. Go ahead and copy/paste. Can you?
Re-read what I wrote and you will find no such thing nor will you discover a logical path to your interpretation.
What I was pointing out is the irony….I am sorry it went over your head.
Why do people think Andujar has to be traded if he’s not playing 3B?
Just make him a DH and keep all the great bats in the lineup. Play Stanton in the OF.
2B Torres
3B Machado
RF Judge
CF Hicks
LF Stanton
C Sanchez
DH Andujar
1B Voit
SS Tulo
Thats a pretty strong batting order..
One LH bat, no thank you.
And a batting order with a ton of strikeouts
Seems weird to be paying Gardner as much money as they are to have him ride the bench. The reasoning for DHing Stanton is that he he’s rarely been healthy and that taking the fielding equation out gives you a 50 home run/.340ISO guy who can stay healthy for the full year.
Not you Dust
sorry, Judge is second, Hicks leading off
That’s exactly what I was hoping for. Great signing. He can fill in for Didi while he is recovering from his surgery. If he plays well, he can be used as trade bait.
Minimum salary deal for good bench depth, me like !!!!!
Good now I hope the phillies get Machado
Phillies? why not the Angels An4lf? You better get a real team around Trout or he’ll be going to the Phillies as a free agent in a couple of years.(hometown).
You’re half right.
If the Phillies don’t sign Machado __and__ Harper then Trout will be going to the Yankees when he’s a free agent.
Tulo could fill in at short until Didi comes back. Once back, why not try him out at first? Maybe he stays healthy playing a less active position.
He said he wanted playing time but won’t get it when they sign Machado…
Imo, Tulo wouldn’t sign with them unless he knows that Machado won’t. I’ve always thought that the Phillies would overpay for Machado. But, don’t worry Yankees fans. I think you guys still overpay and get Harper.
So Manny will play third and Andujar will be traded. When/if Didi comes back, Tulo can move to the bench and DH.
I doubt Tulo is going to be a full time player…he hasn’t been able to stay healthy or even get on the field in the past 2 seasons…sure proves what I mentioned a while back tho…when Cashman gets his sights on someone he’s like a dog with a bone…won’t stop until he gets him (even if it’s 7 years later)
Yeah, it’s really hard to count on Tulo being a full season guy, but I’m sure the Yankees signed him on a what-if scenario. No loss if he doesn’t look good in Spring Training or if he flounders at the plate at any point during the season.
I think they should sign Marwin. Left handed and can play anywhere on the field. A good compliment to the lineup. Plus being with the Astros he’s a winning player.
Marwin Gonzalez would be the smart economical move for the Yankees over a huge contract for Manny Machado. He would be a significant and long term upgrade over departed utility infielder Ronald Torreyes.
Gonzalez can play all the infield positions along with the outfield corners. He also provides a nice switch-hitting power bat that could be used semi-regularly in the Yankees lineup as a supersub, a role he held with the Astros and akin to that of Ben Zobrist and former big leaguer Tony Phillips. He could garner near regular PA’s as a once a week replacement for all the starters around the infield while also supplying an insurance policy in case of an injury to any of those players.
Signing Gonzalez over Machado would also free up dollars to pursue another quality starting pitcher and/or additional bullpen depth. Machado would be a luxury for a Yankees team that already has quality young cheaper options at SS and 3B.
I think this signing makes a ton of sense.
I’m sure the Yankees talked to Tulowitzki about their plans to utilize him and Tulo probably expects to be able to earn a starting job in Spring Training if he looks good. I’m sure the Yankees also did their due diligence on Tulo’s medical records and physical conditioning.
Machado isn’t a quality shortstop. He can technically play the position, but barely. Tulowitzki is just a year removed from a positive UZR at SS, and considering he had elite defense before, if Tulo has recovered from bone spurs, there’s no reason to think he can’t play SS at a league average level.
No team with a brain is going to rely on Machado being a starting shortstop over a significant portion of his contract. Even if a team wanted to try and sweeten the deal and tell Machado he would play SS this year, his numbers will probably be so bad that it’ll force his move to 3B in 2020+ anyway.
Either the Yankees have moved on from Machado entirely or they’re sending a message to Machado’s camp about the massive change in leverage.
Tulo doesn’t scare Machado… I feel the plan is to have Machado play 3B and move Andujar to 1B
you’re high if you think machado can’t play ss
Machado plays SS in the same way Rhys Hoskins plays outfield.
(i.e. he takes a dump all over the field)
Manny Machado graded out as a fine defensive SS in LA to compare him to Hoskins is a joke. He’s capable at SS but elite defensively at 3rd. 5 years from now? Yeah, you might want him at 3rd but I don’t see any reason he couldn’t play SS. I think you’re maximixing his value when he’s at 3rd but if you need a SS and have a guy at 3rd he’s capable
No he didn’t. He’s a poor shortstop.
Is that right Mac? The numbers would say otherwise.
Here’s a link to his fangraphs page. I suggest you take a peek at it before forming your opinion. Scroll on down to that “Advanced Fielding” section and take a look.
Over his career, Machado owns a -4.7 UZR/150 rating. That means he costs his team 5 runs a year by playing SS compared to an average SS. and it was -6.9 runs last year. Machado is getting older, bigger and slower. To further verify that, look at his ratings at 3B. Once an elite 3B (a solid SS would be expected to be elite at 3B), Machado’s fielding at 3B has declined dramatically across the last few years as his waist expanded. The writing on the wall for Machado as a SS is very clear.
fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=11493&posi…
He was horrific in Baltimore. He was the worst SS in the majors defensively. How about his UZR when he went to LA? I’m not arguing for his work in Baltimore. It was obvious he was significantly better in LA and is capable of playing passable defense there for the short term.
I doubt the Yankees did serious due diligence on his medical records. It’s a major league minimum contract. We all know the medicals don’t look good but there’s no risk in giving him this. What’s 500K to the yanks? Odds are if they cut him someone else will give him another shot if it’s not injury related and they’ll owe less than that. It’s a no risk gamble on a guy who might be a capable fill in.
Of course they did their “due diligence”. They know exactly what they’re getting.
I mean no more than any other player. I don’t think they sign anyone blind. My post sounds to the contrary though. Definitely didn’t mean that. I’m sure they know all the risks, like most of us can imagine
So now you believe the Yankees did do their due diligence. Glad you changed your mind and agree with me.
If the medicals didn’t look good, they wouldn’t have given him a MLB contract and nobody else would, either. If the medicals do look good (and they undoubtedly did) then there’s the expectation Tulo will be able to show what he can do on the field and earn a roster spot in Spring Training.
If Tulo looks good, he’ll be the starting SS until Gregorious is ready. After that, the Yankees will either use Tulo as a platoon player or they’ll flip him before the deadline for value.
Yes. As is in is he healthy right now? Sure, no one is signing Tulo if he can’t get on the field in ST. The injury risk is obviously exorbitant but for 555K is that a major concern? No, it really is not. If this is the Yankees only plan in their infield I’d be pretty upset if I were a Yankees fan. This is a cheap band aid move if this is plan A for replacing Gregorious. Last time we saw a healthy Tulo he put up a 80 OPS+ ANd he was two years younger.
Tulo would only sign if he will be the shortstop for the first half of the season. If Yankees sign Machado it won’t be to play shortstop.
Wrong till has wanted to be a yankee since before he was drafted.he’s betting on himself and saw gregorious was out source Rosenthal.
It’s unlikely Tulo will make it to 100 PA’s before he gets hurt or released.
Tulo does ZERO with the Manny signing. This is my thinking…..Torres, Manny, and Didi are regulars, They aren’t utility guys, and sure, a few of them CAN play multiple positions in a pinch. But why would you want them playing out of position for half a season?
Signing Tulo allows Torres to remain at second, where he still needs to develop his instincts at, seeing he was converted there from SS. This also allows Manny to come in and take 3B over, which is what the Yankees were signing him for all along. I am hoping they keep Andujar, because trading a bat like that which hasn’t even fully developed (imagine the power numbers as he matures) does not come along very often, especially with years of cost control. So with that thinking, this allows him to slide to first base practically full time.
Tulo is a low cost signing that allows them to not overpay for a utility infielder like Marwin, and slide him between SS and 2B. This is a rather smart move by Cashman, knowing Wade is NOT a good MLB option, and even if they do not sign Manny, having viable options there on the ready.
What makes you think that an aging and injured Troy Tulowitzki could suddenly develop into a valuable utility infielder after spending every one of his innings defensively at SS over his 12 year MLB career? He’s never played 2B or 3B in the big leagues…never.
Tulowitzki is a cheap investment to fill in for Didi Gregorius as the Yankees starting SS until later this summer. He also provides an insurance policy in case Gregorius sustains a setback to his surgically repaired throwing elbow in his TJ rehab.
Even in the event the Yankees sign Manny Machado in the coming days, the Yankees are still likely to bring in an upgrade to replace versatile utility infielder Ronald Torreyes. Their preference would be to keep Gleyber Torres at 2B and sign Gregorius to a long term extension and remain their core SS.
If Machado does sign, he would become their 3B for the next decade. Common sense in the current MLB economy would suggest that the Yankees will not offer Machado the record breaking deal he is reportedly seeking, along with Bryce Harper. If Machado signs with his favorite team it will likely be at a discount because it makes far more economic sense for the Yankees to roll with a core of Torres at 2B, Gregorius at SS and Miguel Andujar at 3B. Brian Cashman has already indicated a belief that Andujar has the physical tools to at least become a competent MLB third baseman with more reps.
Machado is clearly an elite 3B but I don’t see him playing in NY if either the Phillies or White Sox offer him a deal approaching or exceeding the record $325MM total value contract that Giancarlo Stanton currently owns. The Yankees would be better served to give Andujar another full season at the hot corner in 2019. If he continues to struggle they can always throw big dollars at Nolan Arenado next season who is the the premier 3B in all of MLB.
Why would a once elite, and now probably at least average SS be unable to play at 2B or 3B? Help me out with that one.
*Requirements for SS – Elite glove, Quick reactions, Strong arm, Speed is a plus.
*Requirements for 2B – Elite glove. Quick reactions. Speed is a plus.
*Requirements for 3B – Quick Reactions, Strong arm. Elite glove is a plus.
If you can play SS, you can play 3B or 2B.
Side note. Tulo is not injured, but he’s Tulo so I’m sure he will be. I find most of your points to be valid, but you sure seem to be holding a grudge and it weakens your position.
Zack Cozart would disagree with you. The last sample we saw of tulo he was trending in the wrong direction. I doubt at 34 years of age that’s going to correct. He’s never played 3rd or 2nd. Can he handle them? We’ll see. That’s anyone’s guess. Would you have thought Cozart could handle 3rd? Any good SS could in your estimation and that wasn’t the case at all there.
Tulo could handle 3B or 2B because….
A) Good Hands
B) Good Glove
C) Although slowing down, excellent foot work
D) Great routes to ground balls
E) Plus Arm from SS when he has to unload
F) Never has to unload that much from SS because of point D
Tulo’s game would work at 2B, but his range works better at 3B.
Hopefully Passan is right on his assessment that Machado is still in play. Signing Tulo is a good buy-low move but would be a pitiful excuse to pass on a superstar. I still think Cashman is not done, he’s got some tricks left in the hat.
To those who say this means the Phillies get Manny…. if Philadelphia is going to spend “stupid money” and go all out, shouldn’t we have already heard of a contract finalization? Both Machado and Harper have been rumored to say that they’re down on Philly. I don’t think either one is going to don the red “P”
HaHa, For once Cashman showed sense not signing the dirty player n take a good player. I wish T well.
I think this is a good move gives the Yankees all the leverage in the world they now need pitching. And they don’t have to stop at free agency. They have people that they could use for trades
What a great move by the Yanks!! Tulo comes in, cheap, fills a need for a short term fix a Short, if Tulo works out then trade him at All-Star break for much more than what he cost them. It pulls the Yanks out of the Machado sweepstakes, they keep their 3rd base intact, now go sign Kimbrel,,,,
Typical NY response. “ Tulo now a MVP and Cashman a Genius”. Tulo will get hurt getting on the bus to get to the airplane to go to spring training. If you think Didi will be anything but below average fort he first 6 months after TJ you are dreaming. Nobody is training for a injured Tulo and Andujar a HOF is laughable. Andujar at best is Mark Reynolds. I remember when Gary San Strike Out was the next Johnny Bench and being enshrined after 40 games.
Yes this means simply 2 things. While Tulo who signed to league minimum is no risk for the Yankees the fact he stated he’s only going to a team that will play him reveals Cashman told him SS is his to lose and that means either Andujar is a keeper and has impressed Yankee brass enough down in Tampa the last few weeks or Andujar will he moves with Sonny Gray to Sam Diego and prospects will go to Cleveland with an arm coming to NY along with Manny signing. I have a feeling perhaps Phillie will Pay Manny a ton and the Yanks already are in big on Harper.
speed demon he’ll challenge ellsbury for swiped bags
Tulo hasn’t stolen a base since Obama was president
Bubba, way to live up to the name pal. If someone thinks Tulo will be vintage Tulo you are right, but I doubt many think that, but rather 60% of that which is still better than 1/2 the league at that position.
And to those thinking this makes the Yankees out on Manny really should think twice I in no way think Manny IS signing, bit do believe the odds are still there they will.
Last time we saw Tulo on a baseball field he put up an OPS+ of 80 and he was 2 years younger than he is today. If the Yankees are out on Machado it damn sure shouldn’t be because they signed Tulo to a league minimum deal. He’s just a name at this point. I’d like to see him produce again but I sure wouldn’t bet on it
So, if he hits .180 you’re okay with it? That’s 60 percent of .300
@bubba. Hope things work out for you better in 2019.
Low risk high reward
I hate the Yankees and I have to say this is a great pickup. Zero Risk. Great insurance and can flip him. They can still sign Manny if they are dumb enough to do it at 10 years and $350m.
I hope he has an ok year for us. I think signing someone like to Tulo to give the infield even more of a veteran presence is good. I would rather him that spend so much money on Machado. It doesn’t make any sense that we need to replace an injured SS with another All-Star SS just because of an injury. Get someone that like Tulo so when DiDi is heathy, you’re infield will not be crowded.
the Yankees aren’t looking to replace Didi with Machado.
they want Machado to play 3B
Tulo was once a 26 year old worth 6-7 WAR per year just like Machado.
What if he got signed to a 13 year contract like MLBTR’s writers predict?
That would be a nightmare! He’d still have 4 years left and he’d be making superstar money either sitting on the DL or playing below average ball.
Anyone who wants Machado better realize the same thing could happen to him.
This signing has a Youkilis-feel to it.
this is a no-risk deal paying a total of $555,000 for a guy to fill in until Didi returns, not
not a deal paying an above-market rate to a guy like Youkilis to be the starter for the season.
there’s certainly a chance that Tulo might get injured again, but that doesn’t hurt the Yankees very much
Good pick up. Gives the Yankees some insurance at SS until Didi gets back. The team is already stacked enough that if Tulo produces next to nothing like he did when he last played, that they shouldn’t suffer too badly. If Tulo is able to even have flashes of who he was, the Yankees win.
I don’t think this takes them out of the Manny sweepstakes either. If they do sign him, I’m sure Tulo will ask to be released, and the Yankees will grant it to him to free up the roster spot.
I also disagree with people who think this somehow gives the Yankees an edge in bargaining with Manny. Boras and company know this to be the low cost insurance move that it is.
(Boras doesn’t represent Machado)
Great point. That’ll teach me to write posts late at night. Still, the point is valid in that no agent would see this as leverage.
the yankees do NOT need manny. the line up is fine. They need pitching. They are not going to trade andujar for a Kluber, not a youngster under team control. There are other ways to get starting pitching than trading him. They also can wait until the deadline as well if they feel they will stick neck and neck with the red sox
The Red Sox will take a step back this year, no way they get close to what they did in ’18.
The Yankees typically prefer players with class, Machado doesn’t have any. I doubt Machado will be a Yankee.
the Yankees put up for quite a while with the utterly classless Billy Martin.
Great counter point. But that was 25 years ago.
Roid user after roid user. Clemens throwing a bat at Piazza, ARods karate chop, Johnson attacking a cameraman, etc. Organization is known for low class.
Ortiz, Ramirez, Pedro, Nixon, etc…. that’s real class???? Steroids were rampant in the sawx locker room but the difference is the media covers it up because we can’t have anyone mess with the championships or the fans will revolt on that paper and reporter.
Whatever you want to say about other organizations the point remains the Yankees aren’t known for class.
Speaking of ‘classy’ …
NYY fans have been known to throw batteries at opposing players.
When I asked, “Why batteries?”…
the answer came back, …
“Because they hurt more.”
Yankees prefer players who will shave that’s for sure. Class? You could provide some counterpoints for that one.
I think the Yankees would be better off with more left handed hitting options. Still waiting for that Sonny Gray trade.
If healthy , he WILL be an All Star. But if tho..
Still wish he was an Angel …good luck Tulo!
Good signing for league minimum. Manny is not going to be worth the money. DiDi comes back too.
Bet Tulo can’t wait to shove it right up Atkin’s arse! Highly motivated lol
Manny back to the Dodgers on a discount!
Yeah, I hear he’s taking Puig’s spot in RF….
Not that I really expected him to play for Pirates, but hearing it’s the Yankees just makes it hurt just a bit more.
Now for sone relievers…
hmmm!
Troy has not had star level production in years as a Rockies member. He did not have two productive seasons for the Blue Jays as he played less than two season’s worth of games for them. Other than power output (though with minimal extra base hits like doubles), not anywhere near star production.
The fact that Troy selected Yankees show that not enough teams were willing to outright offer starting roles, and Troy selected potential audition time for other teams as Didi presence dictates starts until summer. That is with Yankees not attaining Machado.
Fragile aging player that did not have star production in years and production was mainly located as a Rockies prior to increased or new humidor use.
I’ll be a bit surprised if he’s on the Yankees opening day roster or ever plays a game for them. The poor guy has been riddled with injuries that get re-aggravated time and again and they’ve sapped him of his greatness in his early 30’s. The fact that the Blue Jays felt he wasn’t worth even a roster spot and were willing to eat $38mm is as telling as it gets. Once a player gets let go like that, knowing it’s a lack of performance issue and now they’re playing on a min. salary, their career is in serious jeopardy from that day forward. It’s so easy to let them go to clear a roster spot. I hope I’m wrong and he’s comeback player of the year, as I wish success for everyone, but the real question here is whether he is truly more valuable than the 40th best player on the roster?
Didn’t See This Coming. But a good move for the Yanks. . . Tulos happy, plays short till mid summer, opening the year. Didi will come back. Last year of contract to prove something. I don’t suspect Tulo will hold out all year as a Yank. Or he better get some time at Second and First in Spring as Well… Just in case. . . I like the deal for both sides. Good Luck. !
He’s your problem now New York. Wait until the local media chews him up and spits him out and he “isn’t comfortable”. Then his anticipated poor 2019 production gets even worse. Good luck!
Not a problem, just a stop gap. He was signed at league minimum.
You get what you pay for.
well, they are paying next to nothing, but judging by your theory, do you discount the fact he is worth roughly 38 million dollars the team is not on the hook for?
My prediction is Tulo will be released by July 1st.
I’ll take the under.
Any predictions for Tulo’s jersey number? Could he wear 02? Lol
I hope Tulo is healthy, makes the team and starts. I also hope he hits over .400 against the Blue Jays. The hate for him by Toronto fans is unwarranted. The way he was mishandled after the 2018 season by the Blue Jays was atrocious. His comments were absolutely taken out of context. I hope he succeeds and sticks it to the Jays.
When the Jays acquired him he still could swing the bat, but that gradually degraded and even by the postseason that SAME year his hitting was beyond poor. He never “fit in” in Toronto despite the success they had those 2 seasons. Now, he is washed up and desperate. I will gladly stand corrected and wipe the egg off my face if he has any above replacement production in his career again.
I hear you Coldbeer. I also believe Tulo was aided by the Colorado effect.
Regardless, Blue Jays have to pay him. I don’t believe he is/was the cancer some are making him out to be. I also believe he’d be a better mentor to Vlad than Morales. I do hope Tulo succeeds. Probably a long shot, but I hope he does.
Montoyo is the new mentor. Martin is still there (for now). They don’t need Tulo for that. They don’t need him at all.
The manager? I’ll take Tulo, the ex All-Star and best SS for a time, thanks.
Wow, lotsa Tulo stuff here to deal with.
I hope he makes it for the Yanks, it is his dream job and team.
His defensive range over the course of a year is going to be less than good. He may start off okay but that body is going to wear down fast. He belongs at 1B or 3B if he could still hit.
About his hitting, 2 years ago he was having trouble catching up to the fastball. His swing changes planes as the bat moves through the strike zone which means he has to line up the incoming heater and his legs have to regulate the changing height of the swingplane. That is a brutal thing to achieve at a young age let alone at 34. Sadly, he is too old for that swing.
To stay elite and franklly, just stay in the game Tulo is going to have to change his swing like Paul Molitor did, cut down of the step to nothing, spread out the stance, and level the swing plane. Can he do it? I doubt it.
The biggest problem for Tulo is all or nothing thinking. It’s in his head. It hasn’t registered that he is old and fading, he still wants to be elite. His ego is in being the man, the star SS and those days are gone.
I’ll be watching and hoping he does well, but I think after a fast start it is going to be painful to watch him and the pitchers and pitching coaches zone in on his weaknesses. I can’t see him in the league much longer.
Yes. Teams deploy the offspeed pitches, mainly curve/slider, early in counts to him. With Tulo’s stride it’s tough to keep the head still with the big lunge. Then they sneak the fastball in breaking ball counts and he’s behind on it. He has to spread out and shortened things up. He had plenty of pop left in the bat.
Agreed TrimReaper, hope Jays fans have to watch Tulo help lead the Yankees to the World Series like they did this last season with World Series MVP Pearce. It will only highlight again how useless Shapkins are at building a competitive Major League roster and how the Jays need a new ownership group. #FireShapkins
As a Rockies fan, 7 years ago this headline was in my nightmares. Now it is meh. It is just another sign of how quickly stars in this game can fade. Even the best of the best which Tulo was for a few years.
So if they still sign Machado, does that mean Didi is tradeable ? They wouldn’t need 3 shortstops would they? Or would Manny agree to play 3rd?
I like this move for the Yankees. I mean why not? As a Mets fan, this is the difference between the two teams. If the Mets signed him, they would be touting Tulo to solidify their middle of the lineup. For the Yankees, he is just an extra player.
What a bizarre choice. He’ll be DFA’d when Didi returns.
If he wanted a Yankees jersey with his name on it, he could have ordered one from MLB dot com.
If he wanted to play baseball, he should have signed elsewhere.
Unless, he’s hoping he can collect a ring while being on the DL.
What you guys are missing is he’s coming to the team he always wanted to play for and I’m hopeful he will platoon with Tyler Wade at SS until Didi returns and also provide insurance at other positions with his above avg defense. First base is also a possibility! This was a no brainer.
Love the signing for the Yankees. It gives Cashman a lot of flexibility going forward leaves the door still open for Machado this winter but also depending what happens with Machado they could go in a couple of different dirrections.
Makes sense,low risk,possible high reward.
Good sign Bryce!!!!!
Tulo likely had his choice of offers with several teams looking for middle infield players
While it was his choice (at that price), I think he had no choice.
1. Yankees can guarantee him early at-bats at his preferred position
2. Yankees play the Jays 19 times.
3. Yankees have outside chance at WS appearance/title
My guess? No one else on the short list hit on all three so he had to choose the Yanks.
I hope he plays well enough to show the Yankees that the Jays made the correct decision although I expect him to play well enough to question his release …again.
Should make the Yankees vs Blue Jays series this year more interesting.
This trade makes complete sense. This means Yankees now will trade Andujar. And still sign Machado. I kind of hate this but this is are reality
It’s not a trade. It’s a free agent signing. Do you understand the difference?
It doesn’t cost any real money, but is he worth the 25 and40 man roster spots? If he has enough in the tank to get the Yankees to midseason when Didi comes back, it’s a decent move.
Unless we are out of Machado sweepstakes, this deal makes no sense. He’s a shell of what he was, always injured, and to take a chance on him and put Machado at third and trade Andujar makes no sense at all
This is the type of deal the Orioles should have made. A hole at second or short, where Villamar doesn’t play, Tulo could have plug in there, and if he looked good, flipped at the deadline for a lottery ticket on a future player.
I think it’s a solid move by the Yankees. If he even provides replacement level play, and then gets flipped at the deadline, assuming Didi comes back healthy, it’s a win-win move for them.
Who is villamar?
Jonathan Villar.
My bad, Villar, whom they acquired in the Jonathan Schoop trade.
Great signing! I hope they don’t get locked into another long term deal. Ellsbury is still hurting them. Dont want Manny
The whole Tulo thing has been strange, but I love this for the Yanks. All teams should have been on him even for a flyer and bring him to spring training. In some weird way, should he play well in spring training and even hold a roster spot down in the start of the season, it makes releasing Ellsbury all the more palatable. I said early on a contract swap of the two made a ton of sense. I mean now the Jays are without anything and they could have at least slotted Ellsbury in the OF and gave him a chance too. The Yanks could have sent the imbalance of $8M to the Jays.
Why on earth would the Jays take on Ellsbury contract? They did Tulo a solid favor so he could try to continue his career, which at one point was quite impressive. Seems like taking back Ellsbury defeats the entire purpose of………the rebuild. Vlad is coming!!!
Joel Sherman in the NY Post quoting his former Rockies GM O’Dowd saying Tulo could be a two- or three-WAR player and if it really clicks you could see a four-WAR season from him once the rust works off. Nice move by the Yankees, and yet another boneheaded mistake by Shapiro and Atkins if he’s healthy. Why does Rogers keep them?
Hey Charles, Tulo is going to have to make some major swing adjustments or he’ll be batting .208 eventually.this year. And his body won’t likely take the day to day pounding of shortstop, even on Yankee grass. He’ll be negative War by the end of the season.
As for Shapiro and Atkins, I hear Rogers is in love with SHapiro and he is not going anywhere. But that is not the same for other executives in the Blue Jays org tho. I hear at least one major executive will be replaced by end of spring training.
A lot of people on here don’t really follow baseball but Troy’s favorite team is the Yankees he wears number two because of Jeter and his favorite player is Jeter.
Maybe he should have called the Marlins for a job?
This leads me to believe two things, if the Yanks do sign Manny it’s only to play 3B. Or they’re not signing him at all.
Glayber Torres will be the every day SS for the jankees no later than 2020. Didi can move to 2nd. Theres no guarantee Didi will stay in NY after this season.
I like it. Could become a decent hitter if hes healthy for a few years. Was a fantastic shortstop for many years.
I hope Neal Huntington (Pirates GM) did everything he could to get him, and that Tulo just preferred the Yankees. It would be very disappointing if they just passed him up. I guess Freddy Galvis will be a Pirate soon. : /
A switch hitter who never misses a game and plays good SS? I’d rather have Galvis.
My point was that Tulo has upside. Galvis being a switch hitter has little to do with anything if he is not an offensive contributer–which he isn’t, with an 85 RC+ last season and an 80 RC+ the season before that, he is a well below-average hitter. There are also no indications he is a candidate to improve in that area. Tulo might flop, but Galvis will NOT take them to the playoffs. Plus, Galvis will likely cost at least double that of Tulo.
It is unlikely that Tulo would play SS to Galvis’s level; I’ll give you that. With Moran, Frazier and Bell all having shaky reputations defensively, I can understand the appeal of having strong defense at SS. I just don’t believe that upside with defense from Galvis would make up for the potential upside of offense from a healthy Tulo.
I get your logic, but I just don’t think Tulo will stay healthy and I do think, with their pitching staff, the Pirates need a guy to shore up their defense to play more 3-2 games since upgrading the lineup enough to win 7-5 games consistently seems unlikely.
And galvis will cost more than the minimum which is probably why Huntington/Nutting was really intrigued. They’re always on the hunt for a bargain. I think Kang is the everyday 3B though. Moran is just “meh” to me. Average hitter maybe slightly above average but below average with the glove. Not much pop. Just a thoroughly unexciting place holder.
OK, let me start off with saying any team would benefit from taking a gamble on signing Tulo. League minimum contract and potential to be very good. That being said… the responses from Yankee fans is unreal…. you’re getting the 35 year old version, not the 25 year old MVP version. Unless of course he finds a misplaced package in ARod’s old locker.
Also, the Yankees are now at 41 players on their 40 man roster… someone is coming off… could it be time to DFA Ellsbury? Or do they risk losing a young prospect?
They have Didi and Montgomery as 60 day DL candidates, which would at least defer that problem until mid-season, assuming Tulo makes the team out of spring training.
Tulo is the gift beneath your Festivus pole.
I get why the Yankees made this decision but not sure why Tulo would choose the Yankees. Best case scenario for him is to hold down SS for half a season then be a bench piece or traded. He’s getting paid by Toronto regardless but theres plenty of other teams where he would have a much better chance of actually playing for the next couple years.
“Tulo holds reasons for not giving big contract older guys. Union has hard time making labor case. ”
And the owners and Front Offices have a hard case justifying keeping a minimum salary of $565 thousand when the league is getting younger and Kris Bryant won an MVP making the league minimum and Judge is hitting 40 HR seasons making $565 thousand.
Look what Realmuto made in 2018. He __lost__ his arbitration case where he asked for a few hundred thousand more.
When Realmuto hits the market he’ll be “A catcher on the other side of thirty”.
Please change headline to read, “Yankees throw money in paper shredder”
“The #Yankees informed Manny Machado days ago that they were signing Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki to minimum contract as a no-risk move. Tulo has played only 66 games the last 2 seasons.”
twitter.com/BNightengale/status/108047104553283174…
It’s a humorous timeline to think about…..Manny sitting at home and decides to follow YES Network…… ring….ring
Manny: Hello
Cashman: Hey Manny, just wanted to let you know we are signing Troy to fill in until Didi is back.
Manny: Ummmmmmm….OK Thanks
Un-follow YES Network…..click
Okay, at first glance I felt somewhat hopeful that this meant the Phils were in a better position to sign Manny Machado, but in reality it doesn’t change anything. Still, I think this is a good signing by the Yanks.
Yanks getting Tulo on the Min$$ is an great insurance move by CashMagic,
Low risk, low reward. Hard to be excited or upset about it.
I think what will happen is…
-Tulo will play SS until Didi gets back
-Machado plays 3B
-Andujar will be traded for Kluber
Yankees will have positioned themselves as the best in the Majors with an unstoppable pitching staff and I will hate baseball until Baltimore gets a MLB caliber team.
I don’t think Andujar is as valuable as you think he is.
I think if they sign Machado he becomes VERY available, but will only be dealt if they can package him with other prospects to get a top line pitcher back.
And I’m not sure they can do such a deal. Do the Indians even WANT Andujar? Would the Mets deal Syndegaard for Andujar/Frazier+?
I hope so, but it feels like wishful thinking to assume teams are lining up to trade an ace for Miguel Andujar.
I’m assuming you gave me the thumbs down. I wish you would have explained.
According to fangraphs, The Worst Defensive player in baseball last year was Castellanous. He ranked 1428. How much luck have the Tigers had trading him?
At 1,424 is Miguel Andjuar. .
I didn’t thumbs down anything. I don’t even know how to do that yet. I’m simply saying that he’ll be a key piece in the Kluber trade. He’s desirable because of his offense, he’s so young and under team control through 2020, then arbitration.
My gut feeling is that if the Indians wanted Andujar, they’d have already done such a deal. I doubt the Yankees are letting Machado’s decision stand in the way of dealing Andujar for an ace.
Andujar and who else? Going to take a huge amount more than a defensively deficient 3B to get Kluber. Especially considering that the Yankees are a team the Indians will have to go through in the playoffs.
The only way the Yankees sign Machado is a Yankee Opt Out clause which takes effect early in the contract. The Yankees will not put up with his narcissistic garbage. Not the least of which is he’s a 3rd baseman who wants to play short.
Out of the 22 ranked defensive shortstops, fangraphs ranked him last.
I doubt he cares where he plays in 2019. He wanted to play short in 2018 because he wanted to increase his value heading into free agency.
Which is very logical and makes sense. He’s a 3rd baseman.
I heard from a source that I consider reliable, who I have know for 20+ years that the Yankees are “not in” on Machado.
In those 20+ years, he’s never been wrong. Either my source is wrong, or if he does become a Yankee, it will have to be for a contract that is favorable to the Yankees.
Mac — I think you mistake narcissism with confidence and brashness. Plenty of other (mostly Latino) players have been accused of the same thing (narcissism). Usually I find such comments from people (usually with pink skin) to be projections or an inability to understand cultural differences. I think the Yankees get Machado and I think his personality will be perfect for New York. And surrounded by other dangerous hitters, Machado will really bloom.
Maybe.. But there can be no mistaking what he did in October. He’s a wonderful talent and a wonderful 3rd baseman. No mistaking that either.
Other than Phillies, I have no clue who gets Machado.
I think narcissism is not whats wrong with Machado. His problem is lack of hustle. Not running out batted balls is a real problem.Standing at home plate and having a ball not leave the park is a real problem, The Yanks regularly got roasted in the press for Canos lack of hustle.I fear Machado will be more of the same
Teams can’t have opt-out clauses. They can have option years at the end of contracts, but they are not allowed to have opt-outs. You are making Yankee fans look bad.
Purely a bargaining chip move by the Yanks in hopes of finding a sucker to take him at the trade deadline. I’ll be shocked if Tulo plays another game in the majors. His body’s had it.
Just to be clear. He’s never going to play a mlb game again but will still be an asset at the trade deadline?!
Lol.
Why do you think he won’t play another game? I mean, didn’t he hold out a workout for the Yanks, and presumable other teams as well? I am not saying you are wrong because I certainly can’t be positive that any player will play again, well I mean besides that Cal Ripken guy who just won’t stop playing. My personal guess is that Tulo plays again . And my guess is that he plays like he has something to prove.
His injury history is why people think he won’t play another game. I’m concerned he won’t make it to mid season, but I won’t go so far as to say he’s toast.
And in New York he wouldn’t have to play every day. So that should help. I think Tulo has a comeback player of the year campaign waiting to happen. I can’t prove it though. I can’t even prove I’m not a robot.
I would gladly take your bet because Tulo will be the Opening Day SS for the Yankees while Machado mans 3rd. If anyone actually believes that there is the slightest chance of Machado signing anywhere else besides with the Yankees they are just kidding themselves because it’s a matter of when not if he signs. But Tulo is the Opening Day SS. See ya there.
This signing signing has very little to do with Machado. This signing has more to do with Didi being out for half a year then anything else.
My guess is the Yankees still sign Machado for third base and that Andujar is traded or moved across the diamond. I don’t see the Indians trading Kluber or Bauer at this point and agree with an earlier poster on this site that if the Indians wanted an Andujar fronted trade for either of them then it would be done already.
I will be surprised if Andujar starts the season at third.
Amazed at all the “if he can stay healthy…” “if his production is anywhere near…”
What about “if the player cut from the 40man becomes an allstar”, or “what if other teams passed were right”
I’m not saying it’s a bad signing or a good one. It just a very minor one, that should go under the radar. There is little upside and little downside. But certainly not worth close to 300 posts
You realize this is a yankee thread correct 100 posts right off the bat … Throw in it is signing a player + 100 ….. Another 50-60 if the player was in the majors at any point …. another `100 or so if they were an all star …. another 3-400 if they were a marquee name at any point in their career.
While this will most likely be relatively minor baseball wise … forum wise you have found a whopper here. Not sure if there were any grammar or spelling errors you can probably add about another 30-40 for that as well.
How is any of that the least bit important for a sports website comment section?
They aren’t going to have to cut anyone from the 40 man at the start of the season, they have Montgomery and Didi as 60 day DL candidates,
If he stays healthy this is just a depth signing. Anyone who logically believes this takes them out of the Manny race is obviously a Yankee hater just hoping he does not end up there.
Just logically, why would Tulo sign with any team that would not allow him to play? Does that make sense.
If he’s healthy enough to play, he’s going to play. Otherwise he would not have signed. He has a couple of months to prove he has something left, if he can’t the Yankees will release him or he’ll become a Jim Fregosi.
A hall of fame start to his career, then injuries, followed by moderate production and occasional starts at 3rd, 1st and DH.
What a great signing by Cash. I cannot believe that some team did not step in and offer Tulo a starting gig, but maybe Tulo is more interested in playoff baseball at this point in his career. No matter what the reasoning was, its a great deal for the Yankees.
At this point it was Tulo’s choice. All teams offered the same amount. Yankees make sense for him because there is a starting job.
Not true!
Agreed. The Jays pick up basically $38mn guaranteed to watch Tulo resurrect his career in the Bronx…. as per Joel Sherman’s article in the NY Post quoting his former Rockies GM O’Dowd and Jays Manager Gibbons, Tulo’s healthy now. And O’Dowd says, ”When Troy gets an edge to him because he has something to prove, his defined focus goes to another level. And he knows now he is fighting for his career. It is a good place for the Yankees to have him.” O’Dowd thinks he could be a two- or three-WAR player and if it really clicks you could see a four-WAR season from him once he shakes off the rust. Nice move by the Yankees, and yet another boneheaded mistake by Shapiro and Atkins. Why does Rogers keep them?
Maybe Tulo made an off-color comment about Shapiro and Atkins’ attire?
Tulo has to show he can play even half a season before you even think about 2 WAR. And really man, you want this guy taking time from Gurriel, Bichette, even Drury and maybe Urena have more upside at this point
Exactly. Resurrect his career?!?! Hehe
^JDGoat – No, I want all the young guys to play with Tulo serving as a mentor or just retire. Nobody said anything about Tulo starting over anyone on the Blue Jays except for your incorrect presumption. What else is new…
Tulo goes on the DL mid-season? Not going to be a problem. Hello Bichette.
I’m more up in arms over the Jays lack of desire to deal Smoak and their incompetence in believing Morales is a good mentor. Morales should have been the one released. At least that would allow for more at bats at DH for everybody and Tellez would be in the big leagues.
Brilliant signing for The Yankees. Low risk, high reward.
Tulo’s physical is today? They will be fudging the report a la James Bond in Skyfall.
“He’s ready.”
Question though, if Tulo were to rake this year would he be a FA again next year or the Yankees somehow retain his rights because of his Blue Jays deal?
FA next year too
A move to first wouldn’t be a bad idea for Tulo
It’s Tulo time!
They will def get the good defence, but his offense I’m afraid might be lost. Being a T.O. fan, he was significantly regressing with the bat in his time there. Now, with a year and half out of competition I cannot see how he will be able to be at or above replacement level. I suppose his bat will be covered off with that powerful lineup but I don’t think NYY fans should be expecting anything great with the stick.
A healthy Tulo is basically Machado. Steal of the off season.
If he’s so good, why did the Jays eat his salary just to get rid of him? He’s a shell of the player he used to be.
fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=bat&…
I stand by my statement.
I wouldn’t go that far but signing Tulo will probably be one of the best moves of the year. The Yankees signed him for literally peanuts! How could this be bad for the Yankees in ANYWAY????? They literally can’t lose with this and anyone that says otherwise is probably just an Extreme Yankee hater or just completely brain dead. What could they lose??????
Will be one of my 2019 Fantasy Sleepers. Will try to get him for $1.
Good tip.
Might have to drop him around All-Star break, but by then the cream of the new prospects will be rising to the top.
He actually went on the DL with a finger injury after signing the contract
If he stays healthy and that is a big if this is an absolute steal.
Absolutely amazing signing because the Yankees could only prosper from his signing. No way imaginable they could lose with this! They are paying him under 900K so good luck making any logical person believe this goes wrong for NY. Literally nothing to lose!