Troy Tulowitzki

[notin]

According to Tim Brown and Jeff Passan from Yahoo, the Red Sox were one of the teams with a representative in attendance for Tulowitzki’s fielding and hitting audition. More surprising, according to Brown, Tulowitzki was impressive.

 

No idea beyond maybe due diligence why the Sox chose to attend...

[mvp 78]

His agent stated that some people were there that wanted to convert him to a super utility role, but that Tulo only wants to go to a place where he can start.

 

They either see him in a utility role, or just want to know what a backup plan would look like if they got a crazy offer on Xander.

[notin]

His agent stated that some people were there that wanted to convert him to a super utility role, but that Tulo only wants to go to a place where he can start.

 

They either see him in a utility role, or just want to know what a backup plan would look like if they got a crazy offer on Xander.

 

The presence of a minimum wage Tulowitzki who can perform well reduces the likelihood of a crazy offer on Xander...

[fxkatt]

Would Tulo switch to second-base? That was my first thought... we're looking at him as a solid backup for Pedey.

[Dojji]

Bringing in Tulowitzki would cost us Holt, so consider me nonenthusiastic. Honestly at this stage in their respective careers I find myself preferring Holt. He isn't a great player but he's consistent year to year and produces at a reasonable level.

 

Why do I think it would cost Holt? because my personal opinion is you can't just cut Pedey without at least giving him a look in Spring, and Nunez brings a better power bat, making Holt the player easiest to cut to make room for him.

[moonslav59]

I like Holt better than Nunez, but I don't see anyway Tulo is in our plans, unless we trade Nunez, Holt or Pedey.

[notin]

I like Holt better than Nunez, but I don't see anyway Tulo is in our plans, unless we trade Nunez, Holt or Pedey.

 

 

Or Pedroia goes to the DL...

[notin]

Bringing in Tulowitzki would cost us Holt, so consider me nonenthusiastic. Honestly at this stage in their respective careers I find myself preferring Holt. He isn't a great player but he's consistent year to year and produces at a reasonable level.

 

Why do I think it would cost Holt? because my personal opinion is you can't just cut Pedey without at least giving him a look in Spring, and Nunez brings a better power bat, making Holt the player easiest to cut to make room for him.

 

But why would they cut Holt? He still has an option left and can be sent to Pawtucket until needed.

 

The Sox aren’t signing Tulowitzki anyway, not as long as shortstop-bereft Pittsburgh and Detroit are in the picture....

[moonslav59]

We did end up signing Kinsler and had Phillips in AAA last year, so I guess the idea is not illogical.

[notin]

We did end up signing Kinsler and had Phillips in AAA last year, so I guess the idea is not illogical.

 

 

The difference here is Tulowitzki can’t sign a minor league deal like Phillips did. He’s still in the middle of a Major League contract with Toronto. All he can do is decide what team is going to pay him league minimum while he collects the balance from Toronto...

[Emp9]

I know it won’t happen but I’d love Tulo on our team. Our infield seems to always be a injury concern or question mark is some way. Adding depth there or even stacking depth there in this case seems justified.

[moonslav59]

The difference here is Tulowitzki can’t sign a minor league deal like Phillips did. He’s still in the middle of a Major League contract with Toronto. All he can do is decide what team is going to pay him league minimum while he collects the balance from Toronto...

 

Okay, but he'd be cheaper than Kinsler.

 

The problem is, he wants to play FT, and he'll know if Pedey is healthy, he won't.

[moonslav59]

I know it won’t happen but I’d love Tulo on our team. Our infield seems to always be a injury concern or question mark is some way. Adding depth there or even stacking depth there in this case seems justified.

 

What about trading Nunez for some salary relief ($5M) and getting Tulo at min wage? We'd still have Holt, Lin, Hernandez, Swihart, Chavis, Travis & maybe Dalbec for infield depth.

[notin]

What about trading Nunez for some salary relief ($5M) and getting Tulo at min wage? We'd still have Holt, Lin, Hernandez, Swihart, Chavis, Travis & maybe Dalbec for infield depth.

 

It would probably be easier to find a taker for Nunez if he wasn't coming off an injury-plagued season.

 

I think I'd rather have Nunez anyway. This isn't 2014 anymore where Tulowitzki was a dominant offensive force in the game. From 2015 thru 2018, Tulowitzki has an OPS+ of 97 and Nunez has a OPS+ of 98, so this seems like a lateral move at best.

 

Not to mention, Troy's desire to play 2B is not known, but I can believe he would prioritize an opportunity to play SS over it, even on a bad team...

[moonslav59]

It would probably be easier to find a taker for Nunez if he wasn't coming off an injury-plagued season.

 

I think I'd rather have Nunez anyway. This isn't 2014 anymore where Tulowitzki was a dominant offensive force in the game. From 2015 thru 2018, Tulowitzki has an OPS+ of 97 and Nunez has a OPS+ of 98, so this seems like a lateral move at best.

 

Not to mention, Troy's desire to play 2B is not known, but I can believe he would prioritize an opportunity to play SS over it, even on a bad team...

 

Lateral move but $4M cheaper.

 

With RP'er costs sky rocketing, we may need that extra $4M.

[notin]

Lateral move but $4M cheaper.

 

With RP'er costs sky rocketing, we may need that extra $4M.

 

But if Tulowitzki is available for minimu wage, it does make trading Nunez and his contract more difficult.

 

If it does come down to needing to shed $5mill, then Dombrowski will have done a poor job anticipating the market against his budget when he exercised Nunez’ option...

[moonslav59]

But if Tulowitzki is available for minimu wage, it does make trading Nunez and his contract more difficult.

 

If it does come down to needing to shed $5mill, then Dombrowski will have done a poor job anticipating the market against his budget when he exercised Nunez’ option...

 

It was a player option for Nunez with a $2M buyout.

 

Cots....

 

1 year/$6M (2018), plus 2019 player option

re-signed by Boston 2/18/18

18:$4M, 19:$4M player option ($2M buyout)

2019 option may increase $1M based on 2018 plate appearances

may earn additional $1M annually in performance bonuses

Nunez exercised 2019 player option at $5M 11/1/18

[Nick]

It was a player option for Nunez with a $2M buyout.

 

Cots....

 

1 year/$6M (2018), plus 2019 player option

re-signed by Boston 2/18/18

18:$4M, 19:$4M player option ($2M buyout)

2019 option may increase $1M based on 2018 plate appearances

may earn additional $1M annually in performance bonuses

Nunez exercised 2019 player option at $5M 11/1/18

 

Tulowitzki played 131 games his first full year with Toronto with OPS of arund .760. Then in 2017 he only played in 66 games. I believe he was out all last year. It's been a horrible contract for Toronto. And they're still on the hooks for two more years. Ouch.

 

I get it that he wants to start but he's got some nerve based on his track record. I would think he'd just want to be on a contender (Red Sox). Only f***ing reason anyone is looking at him is because someone else is paying his tab. Self absorbed much?

Edited December 21, 2018 by Nick

[Spudboy]

It ain't happening.

 

And rightfully so given his injury plagued career and demand to play SS.

 

I like Moon's idea to save money but the idea is just that. An idea.

[Northern Star]

Tulowitzki played 131 games his first full year with Toronto with OPS of arund .760. Then in 2017 he only played in 66 games. I believe he was out all last year. It's been a horrible contract for Toronto. And they're still on the hooks for two more years. Ouch.

 

I get it that he wants to start but he's got some nerve based on his track record. I would think he'd just want to be on a contender (Red Sox). Only f***ing reason anyone is looking at him is because someone else is paying his tab. Self absorbed much?

 

I'm not sure why Toronto decided to eat his contract without even bothering to see how he looks in ST. And yeah, hell of a nerve to want to start when you're coming back from major injury and you are a huge question mark.

[Larry Cook]

I'm not sure why Toronto decided to eat his contract without even bothering to see how he looks in ST. And yeah, hell of a nerve to want to start when you're coming back from major injury and you are a huge question mark.

 

Isn’t he coming back from bone spurs in both feet? Not sure how major that is?

[Dojji]

Isn’t he coming back from bone spurs in both feet? Not sure how major that is?

 

When you're playing an infield position and mobility and speed are a huge part of your game, bone spurs in your feet are pretty srs business.

[Bellhorn04]

Tulowitzki played 131 games his first full year with Toronto with OPS of arund .760. Then in 2017 he only played in 66 games. I believe he was out all last year. It's been a horrible contract for Toronto. And they're still on the hooks for two more years. Ouch.

 

I get it that he wants to start but he's got some nerve based on his track record. I would think he'd just want to be on a contender (Red Sox). Only f***ing reason anyone is looking at him is because someone else is paying his tab. Self absorbed much?

 

Yeah, I have to agree. The guy has ALWAYS had huge problems staying on the field. The Jays took the risk he might be able to stay healthy for them, and man did they pay for it.

[Bosock1]

Hello to all!

 

Ah well, shame Tulo went to the Bronx, he is a great lottery tic.

 

Even though he played in Colorado for most of it, had be played with us and put up his numbers, he would have been the greatest SS in our history in WAR....and even in dWAR, ignoring the Coors factor. Great with the bat and the leather.

 

Hope we don't see him down the road.

[Jack Flap]

Hello to all!

 

Ah well, shame Tulo went to the Bronx, he is a great lottery tic.

 

Even though he played in Colorado for most of it, had be played with us and put up his numbers, he would have been the greatest SS in our history in WAR....and even in dWAR, ignoring the Coors factor. Great with the bat and the leather.

 

Hope we don't see him down the road.

 

The Portland Sea Dogs might see him down the road on his rehab assignment...other than that, I'm not too worried.

[dgalehouse]

The Portland Sea Dogs might see him down the road on his rehab assignment...other than that, I'm not too worried.

 

With Gregorious out for maybe half the season , Tulowitzki is a good low cost, low risk pickup . It doesn't particularly worry me , but not a bad move by the Yankees.

[Jack Flap]

With Gregorious out for maybe half the season , Tulowitzki is a good low cost, low risk pickup . It doesn't particularly worry me , but not a bad move by the Yankees.

 

Oh, it's not a bad move by any means...as you said, low-cost, low-risk. I'm just skeptical he can be counted on for anything at this point. But who knows.

[moonslav59]

If we weren't so loaded with infield dept, some untradable, some injury riddled, some defensively or offensively challenged, I'd have liked to have seen us take a chance on Tulo.

 

Min wage with some nice upside: what's not to like?

[Bellhorn04]

If we weren't so loaded with infield dept, some untradable, some injury riddled, some defensively or offensively challenged, I'd have liked to have seen us take a chance on Tulo.

 

Min wage with some nice upside: what's not to like?

 

True enough.

[notin]

If we weren't so loaded with infield dept, some untradable, some injury riddled, some defensively or offensively challenged, I'd have liked to have seen us take a chance on Tulo.

 

Min wage with some nice upside: what's not to like?

 

He was signed as an insurance policy against not signing Machado.

 

If the Yankees sign Machado, they can release Tulowitzki before opening day and pay nothing.

 

So you might get your wish. I’m hesitant to think there’s any upside. Toronto didn’t release him wantonly. He’s their Pablo Sandoval.

 

If the Sox are going to gamble on a veteran middle infielder, I would prefer Neil Walker...

Edited January 3, 2019 by notin