Tulo Joining Trout in LA?

Larry Rooney

With rumors swirling around the MLB about Troy Tulowitzki's impending trade request, the man himself sat down for a meeting with his agent to address the matter. Tulowitzki has confirmed that he has not requested a trade from the Colorado Rockies, nor does he have any intention to.

Tulo is quoted saying, "Whatever happens on the Rockies' end happens but for me to sit here and try to force my way out of here, that's not the case. I don't think it's fair to my teammates and the relationships I've built here to take that route". A very different situation for Colorado fans, anyone remember Carmelo Anthony forcing his way out of Denver a couple of years ago?

But what does this mean for the Colorado Rockies? Are they relieved their All-Star shortstop isn't demanding a trade from their organization? This is unlikely, as the Colorado Rockies find themselves at the bottom of the NL West with an 11-18 record, which leaves them 9.5 games out of first place. While it is still early in the season, team morale and fan support begins to dwindle with every loss the team suffers, and reality begins to set in. The harsh reality of the situation is that the Rockies are years away from contention, and it makes less and less sense to hold onto their aging star, Tulowitzki. Tulo is, or was, the type of player that could garner you some serious prospects in return. 

But, how long do the Rockies continue to hold on to him. The organization has already seen this devotion to a player back fire on them, remember former All-Star left fielder Carlos Gonzalez? Cargo, once one of the league's most feared and coveted hitters, has seen a steady and rapid decline from greatness. Last season was plagued by injuries for Cargo, but while on the field he hit for a low .238 batting average and saw a tremendous lack of power while only mashing 11 homers over 260 ABs. This works out to about a homerun every 24 ABs, which is significantly worse than the previous season where he averaged a homerun every 15 ABs. Cargo, coupled with his awful performance and even worse contract, is virtually untradeable.

So, how long will the Rockies hold on to Tulo before he too becomes virtually untradeable? Tulowitzki is still a productive player in the Majors, which is why the Rockies still have the opportunity to move him elsewhere. The problem with Tulo, however, is injury problems. He has been riddled with injuries throughout his entire career. He hasn't played in 140+ games since 2011, and before that since 2009. Tulo's most games played in a season is 155 in 2007, which is disheartening for teams considering a blockbuster trade.

Where Tulo lacks in total games played in a season, he makes up for in Wins Above Replacement. Excluding 2012 where he only played in 47 games, Tulo's average WAR is roughly 5.4 which believe it or not is the difference between October baseball and sitting on your couch in October for some teams. Tulowitzki's total WAR of 37.8 is ranked 23rd among active position players, where only two shortstops, now at the end of their careers, rank higher than him. Rafael Furcal and Jimmy Rollins are the only other shortstops who have posted a higher total WAR than Tulo, and each have played significantly more seasons than him. Despite questions of health during the season, Tulo is a game changer when he is on the field.

The Rockies decided to hold onto Tulowitzki last season, despite his trade value arguably never being higher. With this said, Tulo has gotten off to a far less impressive start to the season. While sporting a solid batting average of .307, Tulo has only slugged 2 homeruns this season. Even though this is concerning, teams should not shy away from a potential Tulo deal as he has already proven just how powerful he really is. Shortstops who hit for the type of power that Tulo can are rare. With this being said, Tulowitzki should be on the move despite his dedication to make this Rockies team better. At this point, the Rockies are too far gone, and the best thing he can do for this team is be traded. Here are 4 teams that should go after the All-Star shortstop.

1. New York Mets

The two teams have been in talks about Tulowitzki for a couple of years now. The New York Mets have the pitching that entices teams, like the Colorado Rockies, who lack solid, young pitching. This deal makes sense for the Rockies as they add two highly touted starting prospects to their roster, and they would be adding a back-end of the bullpen arm. Aside from the pitching aspect, the Rockies can ask for some other players to help this trade go through. This Mets team is said to be one big bat away from truly being in contention, and Tulowitzki could be that big bat. Tulo would instantly become the man in Queens behind David Wright and Matt Harvey. Not only this, but he would rejoin former teammate Michael Cuddyer. Cuddyer is quoted saying, "There's no question in my mind he could be a fit here". Of the four teams I've chosen, the New York Mets probably make the most sense for the Rockies organization.

New York Mets Receive:	Colorado Rockies Receive:
SS Troy Tulowitzki	LHP Steven Matz
LHP Rex Brothers	LHP Jack Leathersich
$25 million	RHP Rafael Montero
	2B Daniel Murphy
	SS Wilmer Flores
	SS Gavin Cecchini
	OF Cesar Puello

Decision: I feel the Rockies would accept this offer based on the strength of the pitching prospects. Stephen Matz is the Mets's #3 prospect and has shown great stuff so far in triple-A Las Vegas. Wally Backman, manager of the Las Vegas 51s, has said that Matz's stuff is MLB ready. He is simply waiting for the call to the Majors. Montero has shown quality stuff on the Major League level but seems to be the odd man out on this team. Leathersich has shown signs of greatness in the minors and is tabbed to be a back-end reliever. Also, Murphy is one of the league's best contact hitters, though struggling this year. Mets seem to have decided they are not resigning Murphy after this season, so it makes sense to move the expiring contract and to a team that is looking to avoid big and long contracts.

2. New York Yankees

If for nothing more than to spurn the Mets of a big name player, I could see the Yankees swooping in and trading for Tulowitzki. Realistically, this trade location would make a lot of sense for him and the Yankees and less sense for the Rockies. Tulo would immediately step in as the starting shortstop and fulfill the role as "Jeter's replacement" that Didi Gregorius has failed to fill. The move to the Bronx would make a lot of sense as the Yankees through the first month and a half are atop the AL East and looking to make it to the postseason. Tulowitzki is the missing piece that could put the Yankees well ahead of the rest in the AL East. Finally, the Yankees seem to have a never ending budget and seem to always win. Tulo should feel confident that a move to the Bronx would ensure superstar talent joining him in the years to come. He would be joining a team with a winning culture and a team managed by one the AL's best managers, Joe Girardi.

New York Yankees Receive:	Colorado Rockies Receive:
SS Troy Tulowitzki	RHP Luis Severino
3B Ryan McMahon	RHP Domingo German
	LHP Jacob Lindgren
	OF Aaron Judge
	C Gary Sanchez
	SS Didi Gregorius

Decision: Rockies decline the offer. The pitching strength isn't enough to get the Rockies to pull the trigger. While Severino is very intriguing, Lindgren isn't a starter and German's breaking stuff is questionable at best.

3. Kansas City Royals

Though the Royals have never been a team to fall into big contracts, this type of deal could potentially make them World Series contenders. A very young team, like the Royals, could use a veteran as good as Tulowitzki. He would couple with Alex Rios as the leader of this team and in the lineup. As well as Rios, the Royals lineup features some of the league's best young hitters, Eric Hosmer and Lorenzo Cain. Tulowitzki would help bolster this lineup providing a very formidable 1-4 or 2-5 group in the middle of the batting order. Like the New York Mets, the Kansas City Royals are setup for success for many years to come.

Kansas City Royals Receive:	Colorado Rockies Receive:
SS Troy Tulowitzki	LHP Brandon Finnegan
	LHP Sean Manaea
	SS Alcides Escobar

Decision: The Rockies accept this trade. If you remember, Brandon Finnegan joined the Royals at the end of last season and came out of the bullpen. Finnegan has the stuff to be reconverted back to a starter, while Manaea is a closer coming off a surgery on his hip. In short, the Rockies are getting two of the Majors' best left-handed pitching prospects. Also, they will be getting a quality shortstop in Alcides Escobar to fill the gap until either Cristhian Adames or Rossell Hererra is ready. This trade benefits both teams.

4. The Los Angeles Angels

The Angels seem to make a bit of sense for a trade matchup with the Colorado Rockies. The Rockies, obviously, have Tulowitzki, but they also have a couple of young pitchers who are Major League ready which the Angels need. These two trade partners make sense for each other. Tulo would join the league's best player, Mike Trout, Albert Pujols, David Freese, and early season stand out, Kevin Calhoun. Troy would help bolster this lineup and make it that more threatening.

Los Angeles Angels Receive:	Colorado Rockies Receive:
SS Troy Tulowitzki	RHP Jered Weaver
RHP Eddie Butler	RHP Kyle McGowin
	RHP Nick Tropeano
	LHP Sean Newcomb
	2B Alex Yarbrough
	2B Andrew Daniel

Decision: I'm unsure how each team would react to this trade offer. There are many bright sides to the deal, but complications do arise. This deal would restock the Colorado Rockies farm system, but are these kids worth trading All-Star talent for? On top of rebuilding the Rockies farm system, both teams would be filling their own needs. The Angels have a "win now" mentality, so obviously acquiring Tulo's bat and Butler, who has proven he can handle his own, would benefit the Angels. Also, neither team would need to add any money to this deal, as they would each take a bloated contract. Weaver's deal is scheduled to be done by 2017, just in time for the Rockies to go out and sign a veteran bat or arm to couple with their younger guys, as they're called up. One major problem with this deal is it would require the Angels to give up two of their top three prospects. If the Angels are serious about winning now, they should look into a deal to bring Tulowitzki to LA.

Though I feel all of these teams matchup with the Rockies to make a deal, the New York Mets stand out the most. The Mets have the big name pitching prospects and other mid-level position prospects to force the Colorado Rockies GM's hand. The Mets are also in desperate need of a shortstop since Wilmer Flores has continued to struggle at the plate and on the field. Flores's poor play may force Mets's GM Sandy Alderson into making a deal with Colorado sooner rather than later. While I think it would be fun to see Tulo in LA or Kansas City, I don't think either team would be serious about trading for the talented shortstop. And again, I don't feel the New York Yankees have enough to offer the Rockies to bring Tulo to the Bronx. Anything is possible in this game. For all we know, Tulo could wind up in some other baseball city making other fans happy.