The Colorado Rockies reported on Wednesday that star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki will undergo surgery to repair a torn labrum in his hip. He was originally placed on the disabled list on July 22 after injuring himself in a game against the Pirates.
While he was on the disabled list, Tulowitzki commented about his team and said he was 'sick and tired' of losing and that 'something needs to change.' Well, the 29-year-old isn't getting any younger and the Rockies look like they might be far off from building a contender in the near future. So what might be 'changing' for Tulowitzki is that he could possibly be traded in the offseason. Teams inquired about him prior to the deadline, but the Rockies had no interest in dealing him at that point.
But now, the team might be inclined to send him off after the season ends. First of all, Tulowitzki suffered yet another injury that will significantly shorten his season. He has only played 91 games this year, just 126 in 2013, and a dismal 47 in 2012, and has averaged about 106 games per year for his nine-year career. Additionally, his recent comments (in regards to the Rockies direction) and antics (attending a Yankees game while he was injured, ostensibly to have himself viewed as Derek Jeter's eventual successor in New York) may have contributed to Colorado's front office thinking otherwise.
Prior to his injury, which will take up to five months for a full recovery, teams across the MLB would have salivated at the thought of acquiring the dominant shortstop. But his trade value might take a hit, and if the Rockies can't get all they can for him, they're probably not going to trade him. And they'll be content with keeping the best shortstop in baseball.
"There has been a lot of speculation that the Rockies might entertain a trade for Tulowitzki during the offseason," wrote Patrick Saunders in this Denver Post article. "That talk, obviously, will not take place now. Tulowitzki, considered the game's best two-way shortstop, will be due $118 million after this season on a deal that runs through 2020, with a club option for 2021."
The New York Mets were willing to offer a package for Tulowitzki prior to the trade deadline that would have included New York's top pitching prospect in Noah Syndergaard. But the Rockies declined and general manager Daniel O'Dowd said that he'll only trade the shortstop if he were to openly ask to be moved. Perhaps Tulowitzki has been doing it indirectly over the past few weeks, but we know for certain his trade value will decrease because he's turning 30 years old, has an extensive injury history, and is owed over $100 million.
You can read more about Troy Tulowitzki's injury in this ESPN article.
