Fansided

MLB Trade Deadline: Winners and Losers of the Troy Tulowitzk trade

By Kyle Franzoni

Jun 28, 2015; San Francisco, CA, USA; Colorado Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki (2) makes a play to first to end the eighth inning against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 28, 2015; San Francisco, CA, USA; Colorado Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki (2) makes a play to first to end the eighth inning against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next
Dec 9, 2013; Orlando, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos talks with reporters during the MLB Winter Meetings at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort. Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 9, 2013; Orlando, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos talks with reporters during the MLB Winter Meetings at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort. Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports /

Winner – Toronto Blue Jays

It can be difficult to imagine how a team that already paces the league offensively can be a winner in a deal where they added even more offense, but this could be the rare case where it happens. While this move has its short-term implications for 2015, you have to look past this season to see where the true win lies for the Blue Jays.

In swapping Reyes for Tulowitzki, Toronto adds $98 million (including a potential buy-out of Tulo’s option year) in guaranteed money over the next five seasons, but they also save $2 million per season over the next two seasons. Coupled with the guaranteed money coming off the books with Ricky Romero’s contract expiring ($7.5 million), a combined $25 million with impending free agents Dioner Navarro and Mark Buehrle, and another $11 million if Toronto buys out R.A. Dickey’s option for 2015, the Blue Jays could be flush with available cash heading into the winter. That will be big with a burgeoning pitching market this winter.

Outside of the money saved in the short-term, Toronto also adds another building block beyond the Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion years, with the team likely transitioning to the likes of Donaldson, Martin, and now Tulowitzki for the future. That gives Toronto some very valuable trade chips in Bautista and Encarnacion, especially when hitting is at a premium and the available bats on the market this winter don’t inspire a ton of confidence.

Winner – Colorado Rockies

Yes, the Rockies gave up the face of the franchise in the deal and the man they chose to build the team around after their run to the 2007 World Series, but there are significant benefits here.

First and foremost, Colorado finds a way to get out from under the massive contract they handed Tulowitzki in 2010 and carried through to the 2020 season. It was progressive thinking at the time, but given the market they play in, it has become an anchor for the team in the years since. In exchange for taking on two years of Reyes’ deal, the Rockies free themselves of three years of Tulowitzki’s contract.

On the flip side, Colorado gets three very good pitching prospects as well. Jeff Hoffman has the potential to be an ace and having an advanced feel for pitching, could come along quickly to help the Rockies rotation, potentially as early as 2016. Castro gives them a potential shut-down closer arm for next season, but also the flexibility of potentially starting if Colorado wants to give the 20-year-old further time to develop his off-speed pitches. Tinoco could be the mystery winner here, as the Venezuelan has a big fastball and the potential for a plus change-up and curve. He could develop into another mid-rotation starter or be a power reliever.

The three give the Rockies some much needed pitching depth in a system that is heavy in hitting back has struggled to develop pitching of its own.

Next: And now for the losers...

Home/Colorado Rockies