He couldn't possibly ... There's no way ... Could general manager A.J. Preller be considering the unthinkable?
Is a trade for Colorado Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki in the works for the San Diego Padres? Joel Sherman of the New York Post initially broke the news of Tulowitzki planning to meet with his agent on Thursday in Los Angeles to discuss if it was appropriate to ask Rockies' management for a trade, and the Padres were on Sherman's list of potential destinations for the shortstop.
Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times further drove home the possibility of Tulowitzki to the Pads, even though that would mean Colorado would be trading the All-Star within the NL West division.
"Although [the Padres] rank second in the National League in runs -- trailing only the Dodgers -- their shortstops are batting .200. Alexi Amarista, a utility player who has drawn most of the starts at shortstop, is batting .183," he wrote.
"The Rockies might not relish the thought of trading Tulowitzki within the NL West, but trade partners might be limited for a 30-year-old with $118 million left on his contract through 2020. The four-time All-Star is batting .307 with two home runs in 28 games. His .812 OPS -- his lowest such figure since 2008 -- remains elite among shortstops."
Shaikin has a point. Although Tulowitzki is considered to be the best shortstop in the MLB when he's healthy, there probably isn't a big market for his services given the remaining dollars on his contract coupled with his extensive injury history. From 2012-2014 the 30-year-old averaged 88 games per season due to various injuries, including one that required season-ending hip surgery last year.
However, in 91 games last season, Tulo batted .340/.432/.603 with 71 runs scored, 21 home runs and 52 RBIs, which clubs in need of a shortstop may see as a worthwhile risk. He's batting .303/.310/.477 with 16 runs scored, 2 home runs and 11 RBIs in 30 games this year.
Earlier in April trade rumors suggested the Padres could look to explore deals for Washington Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond or Chicago Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro, so it's clear Preller is likely weighing his potential options on the market. Despite their 18-17 record and seventh-ranked offense in the MLB, the Pads have struggled a bit as of late.
"...in a moment of clarity, you think, 'Actually, Mr. Preller, maybe you should just back away from this one,'" writes Matt Calkins of U-T San Diego.
"But then again...
"The Padres' offense needs help. That may sound ludicrous when we're talking about the second-highest scoring team in the National League, but it's true.
"Yonder Alonso, who leads the Pads with a .333 batting average, is out with a shoulder injury. Wil Myers, who leads the Pads with 28 runs, is out with a wrist injury.
"Heading into Wednesday's game vs. the Mariners, Matt Kemp was 3 for his last 39 while San Diego has been shut out three times during this nine-game road trip."
Preller tried to trade for outfielder Josh Hamilton when the Los Angeles Angels made him available, so the Padres really can't be ruled out of any rumored trade discussion. However, a deal for Tulowitzki could fall under the "one too many" category and really handicap the Padres financially moving forward.
