Eric SorensonRockies star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki insisted Thursday in Los Angeles he’s not trying to force a trade out of Colorado.
In the end it may not matter who did, or didn’t, say what with the Rockies continuing to slide down the National League West standings through the first 30 games or so of the season.
Colorado hasn’t been a contender for a number of years so a pending divorce seems imminent even if the Rockies’ front office haven’t publicly commented on the speculation.
The New York Mets have been a popular team linked to “Tulo” in trade speculation.
Is it worth the Arizona Diamondbacks picking up the phone and kicking the tires on trying to keep the four-time All-Star shortstop not only in the west but in the same division?
Absolutely.
Unfortunately for D-backs’ fans the puzzle may not fit for the pitching-starved Rockies who rank at or near the bottom of baseball in several key categories including ERA and quality starts.
“I don’t know if the Diamondbacks matchup with them…if the Rockies do want to trade him,” ESPN baseball insider Pedro Gomez told Sports360AZ.com’s Brad Cesmat in a recent phone interview. “They’re going to want pitching in return and they’re going to want elite-level pitching.”
Arizona Managing General Partner Ken Kendrick has proven he will pay for talent but dealing with a team like the Mets, who may be willing to part with someone like 2014 National League Rookie of the Year Jacob deGrom to bring the 30-year Tulowitzki to New York, appears more likely if Rockies general manager Jeff Bridich look to make a trade.
Arizona’s starting shortstop Nick Ahmed is hitting .153 with no home runs and just three runs batted in entering their weekend series against the Phillies in Philadelphia.
