Troy Tulowitzki hasn’t played an MLB game in more than 500 days, but the five-time all-star has a chance to resurrect his career with the New York Yankees in 2019.
The Bronx Bombers agreed to a contract with the veteran shortstop earlier this week and it turns out Tulowitzki’s former Toronto Blue Jays manager, John Gibbons, is a big fan of the deal.
“It is as good a move as you can make,” Gibbons told Joel Sherman of the New York Post Wednesday night. “You have almost nothing to lose and if he stays healthy, you have one of the best shortstops of all time.”
The Blue Jays released Tulowitzki in December with two years and $38 million remaining on his contract. Tulowitzki’s 2019 salary is $20 million but the Yankees landed him on a $550,000 league-minimum deal, meaning the Blue Jays will pay the remaining $19.445 million.
The Yankees are making a minimal financial risk by adding Tulowitzki, and paying the 34-year-old the league minimum won’t prevent GM Brian Cashman from pursuing coveted free agent Manny Machado.
Gibbons managed Tulowitzki for more than three years when the two were members of the Blue Jays. Tulowitzki was acquired by the Blue Jays from the Colorado Rockies in 2015 and Gibbons said the addition was essential to that year’s ALCS run.
Injuries have plagued Tulowitzki since July of 2017, but Gibbons is confident he can still get it done – especially defensively.
“I have no doubt about his defence if he is healthy,” Gibbons added. “If he gets to it, you are freaking out. He will make the backhand play as well as anyone I’ve ever seen. His off-balanced throws will be on the money. I can’t say enough good things about him.”
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