Many baseball fans across the country were just falling asleep; excited to see what trades would be in store for them when the sun came up Tuesday. But as their heads hit the pillow, the Toronto Blue Jays and Colorado Rockies sent shockwaves through baseball, with Troy Tulowitzki headed to Toronto. FOX Sports MLB insider Ken Rosenthal first reported the deal.
This was certainly a shocker as the Blue Jays were almost entirely being connected to big-name pitchers like Cole Hamels and Tyson Ross, but instead they went out and upgraded an already potent offense. The Blue Jays were already first in baseball in runs scored (528), first in slugging percentage (.441), second in home runs (130) and second in on-base percentage (.330).
The 30-year-old Tulowitzki is a five-time All Star and was hitting .300 with 12 home runs, 53 RBI's and a .348 on-base percentage with a .831 OPS through 86 games. While many would have concerns about his departure from Coors Field, his home-road splits are very similar. Seven home runs, a .352 on-base percentage and .834 OBP at home, versus five home runs, .354 on-base percentage and .828 OBP on the road. Better yet, Tulowitzki's .375/.403/.583 slash line versus lefties fits well with a Blue Jays' lineup that hammers lefties.
Tulowitzki has six guaranteed years remaining on a $157.8 million dollar contract, and will be paid $20 million in each of the next five years and $14 million in 2020. The contract carries a 2022 team option at $15 million with a $4 million buyout.
Toronto had high expectations coming into the season but currently sits at just 50-50, seven games back of the A.L. East-leading New York Yankees. Starting pitching was the most glaring need for the Blue Jays and it will remain a glaring hole with hours ticking down until the trade deadline.
For the Rockies, they send Tulowitzki away and immediately fill the hole at shortstop with Jose Reyes going from Toronto to Colorado. The 32-year-old Reyes makes $22 million per season over the next three seasons with a $4 million buyout in 2018. In 69 games this season, Reyes has a .285 batting average paired with a .322 on-base percentage and .707 OPS along with 16 stolen bases.
Prospects are also being sent to Colorado but only one name has been mentioned there.
It's a bit of a curious move for both teams. Toronto's front line of Drew Hutchison, R.A. Dickey and Mark Buehrle don't exactly scream "playoff rotation". If Toronto holds on to their top prospects, it could still pursue more starting pitching, but as of now this team's odds of contending don't chain significantly. The Rockies sit at 42-55 on the season and more retooling could continue, so Reyes time in Colorado may not be long.
Fantasy Spin:
Those worried about Tulowitzki's fantasy value taking a hit should relax and take a breath. Toronto's Rogers Centre can be nearly as kind to power hitters as Coors Field, demonstrated by Coors Field 1.199 home runs per game to the Rogers Centre's 1.157 home runs per game. Tulowitzki will also now be in the midst of the best lineup in baseball with Josh Donaldson, Edwin Encarnacion and Jose Bautista surrounding him.
Reyes has never been a power hitter, so his numbers will not see the same fantasy jolt as a power hitter traded to Colorado would. The top of the Rockies lineup will remain strong with Nolan Arenado, Charlie Blackmon and Carlos Gonzalez, so Reyes won't have to deal with being pitched around.