In the dark of the night, Toronto Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos acquired Troy Tulowitzki along with reliever LaTroy Hawkins from the Colorado Rockies in exchange for Jose Reyes and pitching prospects Jeff Hoffman, Miguel Castro and Jesus Tinoco.
While the baseball world believed Anthopoulos was hunting for pitching help, he went out and grabbed a significant upgrade at shortstop. Like, a best-player-at-his-position upgrade. It was surprising, to say the least.
The Blue Jays’ starting rotation still leaves much to be desired, but there is no indication Anthopoulos is done yet. So for now, we’ll watch Tulowitzki join an offence that already includes Jose Bautista, Josh Donaldson, Edwin Encarnacion and Russell Martin.
Here’s a look at the Tulowitzki trade with a focus on numbers.
No. 7
The Rockies selected Tulowitzki seventh overall in the first-round of the 2005 amateur draft. The Blue Jays held the sixth overall pick, which they infamously used to take left-handed pitcher Ricky Romero under the leadership of GM J.P. Ricciardi.
$98 million
What’s owed to Tulowitzki between this season through 2021 (including a $4 million buyout in 2021).
Jose Reyes is set to make $48 million between next season and the end of his deal in 2018 (including a $4 million 2018 buyout). So we’re looking at approximately a $50-million addition to payroll in the long run.
The Blue Jays carry a $15-million club option on Tulowitzki for 2021, while the Rockies have a $22-million club option for Reyes in 2018.
.276/.359/.489
That’s Troy Tulowitzki road slash line over a three-year span from 2012-2014. To contrast, he’s hit .354/.437/.609 at Coors Field over that same timeframe.
11.8
Tulowitzki’s wins above replacement total from the beginning of the 2013 season to present day, which is the best mark in baseball among shortstops.
6.7
Jose Reyes’ wins above replacement total from the beginning of the 2013 season to present day, which is the tenth best mark in baseball among shortstops.
6.8 per cent
Tulowitzki’s walk rate this season. If the season ended today it would be a career low. The season, in fact, does not end today.
40.6
The combined WAR of Josh Donaldson (15.6), Tulowitzki (11.7), and Jose Bautista (13.3) from 2012-2014.
92.9 mph
LaTroy Hawkins’ average fastball velocity in 2015 at the age of 42.
95.8 mph
Miguel Castro’s average fastball velocity in 2015 at the age of 20.
22.5 per cent
Hawkins’ strikeout rate this season, which is currently his best rate since 2010 when he was with the Milwaukee Brewers and well above his career mark of 15.5 per cent.
20.5 per cent
Tulowitzki’s 2015 strikeout percentage. He strikes out at a 16.1 per cent clip for his career.
.299/.343/.459
Tulowitzki’s road slash line for 2015 (157 at-bats). By comparison, he’s hit .301/.352/.482 at home in Coors Field in 166 at-bats.
.240/.325/.425
Josh Donaldson’s road slash line, which pales in comparison to his .340/.380/.660 totals at home in Rogers Centre.
0.6
The difference in WAR between the Blue Jays’ all-time leader Tony Fernandez’s 35.1 career total and Tulowitzki’s 34.5 total. Tulowitzki has appeared in 1,110 fewer games and has 1,500 fewer plate appearances.