There's little doubt that Troy Tulowitzki is the best shortstop in Major League Baseball, leading all players at the position in runs scored (71), home runs (21), and average (.340), among other categories. Could he be headed elsewhere due to the Rockies' inability to reach the postseason?
Tulowitzki landed on the disabled list almost three weeks ago after he suffered a hip flexor strain running to first base against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Rockies shortstop has chronically tight legs that he hasn't rested all season, which could have contributed to his injury since hip flexors play an important role in the movement of the hip and thigh. Perhaps his time on the disabled list has given him time to think about the future.
"Something needs to change. Hopefully that comes fairly quickly," said Tulowitzki in this Denver Post article. "You can't force it. But at the same time, we're all frustrated with this year - especially me. I think that's why I came out numerous times and said I want to win. It doesn't mean I want out of here. It means I'm sick and tired of losing."
Tulowitzki exacerbated speculation that he might want out of Colorado when he attended Yankee Stadium a couple of weeks ago to watch the Yankees close out their series against the Blue Jays. Derek Jeter was Tulowitzki's idol as an aspiring baseball player, and he figured he might as well go watch the game before his Monday doctor appointment for his hip flexor in Philadelphia. Many viewed it as a jab to the Colorado Rockies with Tulowitzki hinting he wants to be Jeter's successor in New York, especially since it was the day after the Rockies had a 'Troy Tulowitzki Jersey Giveaway' night at the ballpark and spelled his name wrong on 15,000 replica jerseys.
At this point, not much is known about Tulowitzki's future in Colorado, but he's under contract until 2021 and is owed over $120 million until then. If the Yankees do view him as Jeter's successor, they'll likely have to surrender a lot to convince the Rockies to hand over the 29-year-old. If not New York, most teams in baseball would be interested in acquiring Tulowitzki if the opportunity arose.
Speaking of Philadelphia, Phillies reliever Antonio Bastardo told the team he wants a trade. General manager Ruben Amaro failed to execute a trade before this year's July 31 deadline with a number of moveable players, including Bastardo. The talented lefty reliever has a 3.31 ERA and 259 strikeouts since undertaking a more significant role in 2011. The Yankees, Dodgers, Pirates and other contenders are looking for bullpen help, so the Phillies may have an opportunity to execute a waiver trade before August ends.
"For my career, it could be way better to be somewhere else," said Bastardo in this NBC Sports HardballTalk article. "If there was a team interested in me, I could be a part of a team and ... help more. Be more in the game, stuff like that. Help them, and it could help me in my career. I'm moving forward not to be a mop-up guy in the game. I just like to be in the [biggest] spot that I can get."
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