The Colorado Rockies are atop the NL West division, but it's much too early in the season to predict where they'll be come July. By then, the club may find a formidable suitor for shortstop Troy Tulowitzki.
Colorado is off to a fast 6-2 start and has taken two series against the Milwaukee Brewers and San Francisco Giants. However, can they rely on their star players to stay healthy? Tulowitzki and outfielder Carlos Gonzalez have been severely limited over the past two seasons, which drastically affected the team's ability to make a run at the postseason.
What would be even more troubling is if they both manage to stay healthy and the Rockies don't appear to be in the playoff picture come July. At that point it's certainly possible general manager Jeff Bridich opts to trade his expensive stars and get value for them to begin a small rebuilding process - we say "small" because the Rockies were still able to produce runs without Tulo and Cargo last season, with many of their problems coming from the pitching staff.
"Is this the season Tulowitzki gets traded? Despite their fast start, if the season goes as expected and the Rockies are in or near the cellar by the trading deadline, there will be suitors for Tulowitzki," writes Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe. "However, one American League GM said, 'There would be a lot of work to get that done. The money remaining on his salary [$110 million] and the player acquisition cost. Not as easy as it seems. The Rockies need to get a ton for him and I doubt they'll pick up the money.'"
The Rockies will have a difficult decision to make if they're offered a favorable trade package for Tulowitzki - even if they are contending - because they have other areas to address on their roster. Tulo may be the best shortstop in the game when he's healthy, but he's already 30 years old and he accounts for over 20% of the Rockies' current payroll with a $20 million salary for 2015.
Colorado was said to have received offers for the shortstop prior to last year's deadline and throughout the offseason, but the problem was that he suffered a hip injury in July that required surgery. Teams were likely trying to lowball the Rockies and get Tulowitzki for a bargain deal as he was on the shelf for an extended period of time for the fourth time in the past five seasons. He has averaged just 88 games per year from 2012-2014.
Although New York Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said the team was never close to acquiring Tulowitzki over the course of the offseason (it was said New York offered a trade package centered around top prospect Noah Syndergaard), this could change if incumbent shortstop Wilmer Flores underperforms through July. He's currently batting .160/.250/.200 with three runs scored in his first eight games.
The Mets have other pitching prospects such as Steven Matz, Rafael Montero and Marcos Molina that may interest Colorado if they were to contemplate a deal for Tulowitzki. It just all depends on what other clubs are willing to offer and if Bridich is willing to strike a deal.
