The New York Yankees have taken a flier on former Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Troy Tulowitzki for one year and will pay him the major league minimum of $555,000.
Tulowitzki will not be pressed for money however. The Jays, who released Tulowitzki last month, owe him nearly $40 million in salary. After 9½ seasons with the Colorado Rockies, Toronto unexpectedly acquired Tulowitzki in July 2015 and was a driving force to the team's first post-season appearance since winning the 1993 World Series. Tulowitzki was also part of the Jays AL East championship team in 2016. Injuries limited him to 66 games in 2017 and did not play in 2018 due to a bone spur in his right ankle. The five time NL All-Star who has only played more than 140 games thrice in his 12 year big league career.
However, a Yankee uniform might be just what Tulo needs. An acolyte of Derek Jeter, Tulowitzki has worn 2 his entire career. With Jeter's number retired, the best Tulo could do would be is 22. At the moment, Jacoby Ellsbury (who also did not play in 2018) wears that number. Will the Yankees dump Ellsbury and free up 22? Or would Ellsbury give it to Tulo as a good will gesture?
Regardless of what number he wears, Tulowitzki will fill in for Didi Gregorius at shortstop for an indeterminate part of the season as Gregorius recovers from Tommy John surgery. That is unless Manny Machado signs with the Yankees. On the other hand, if the Yankees trade Miguel Andujar then Tulo could play short while Machado plays third. Naturally all of this assumes that the 34-year old Tulowitzki can stay healthy. But if he does then he is a shoo in for AL Comeback Player of the Year in 2019.
No comments:
Post a Comment