The Troy Tulowitzki trade rumors are still swirling even though the shortstop told the media he does not plan to ask the Colorado Rockies to move him before the deadline. Nonetheless, is it possible one of the top teams in the MLB looks to make a move for the All-Star?
It didn't look like the Washington Nationals would need a shortstop moving forward until Ian Desmond rejected a $107 million extension last offseason. The two sides have yet to re-enter negotiations and it appears as if the 29-year-old will hit free agency after the season.
Although that may change, it likely won't be until later in the season and the Nats may not want to risk letting him walk and receive no value for him - unless he remains a part of the "all-in plan" to win the World Series. However, after the club traded for San Diego Padres' shortstop prospect Trea Turner and acquired infielder Yunel Escobar, general manager Mike Rizzo indicated he's preparing for life without Desmond.
If that's the case, could a trade for Tulowitzki still be in the cards if the Rockies make him available?
"The Nationals have come to the conclusion that they are not going to re-sign shortstop Ian Desmond, after he turned down a $107 million dollar offer last year, and he is expected to leave after the season via free agency," writes ESPN Insider Jim Bowden. "If the Rockies eat $30 million of Tulo's deal, the Nats might have interest in him at the $95 million range. The Nats could deal the Rockies Ian Desmond, along with pitching prospects A.J. Cole and Jake Johansen. Colorado could then take Desmond and trade him to the Mets for one of their pitching prospects and Wilmer Flores. This is more of a long shot, but I wouldn't put anything past Nationals GM Mike Rizzo."
Bowden had the Nats fifth on his list of five teams that could trade for Tulo.
Jon Heyman of CBS Sports had them first on his list of 11 teams, but the list wasn't in any sort of order.
"GM Mike Rizzo has at different times made it clear to Colorado that they'd want to be involved if Tulowitzki talk really got serious, and Nats starter Ian Desmond is months from free agency. Washington likely wouldn't want to part with top pitching prospect Lucas Giolito, but they also have A.J. Cole, Reynaldo Lopez, Erick Fedde and Joe Ross. They are also known for pulling surprises."
If the Nationals have already come to terms with Desmond leaving, then parting ways with him shouldn't be a big deal to Rizzo. However, surrendering a couple of talented pitching prospects while inheriting the $100-plus million on Tulowitzki's contract might be what Rizzo deems onerous here.
Starters Jordan Zimmermann and Doug Fister are expected to hit free agency after the season and Stephen Strasburg's future with the team is unclear at this point, especially after his inauspicious start to this season (he can become a free agent after 2016). Would they want to dip into their pitching reserves to acquire a high-priced shortstop?
Who knows, but Rizzo considering the idea isn't too farfetched.
"Prices to pay and not having a need hasn't stopped Rizzo in the past, writes Chase Hughes of CSN Washington. "Many said the same things this offseason when rumors broke out about the Nationals and Max Scherzer. Then they signed him."
