MLB Trade Rumors: Top Potential Suitors for Troy Tulowitzki, Carlos Gonzalez
As the MLB offseason kicks into full swing, there will be no shortage of rumors that surface on both the free-agent and trade fronts.
That being said, a big one popped up on Wednesday evening when it was reported that the Colorado Rockies were willing to listen to offers for both Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez.
That according to an article from Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports.
"The Rockies are telling clubs they are keeping their 'eyes and ears open' for potential deals involving both players, according to major-league sources," wrote Rosenthal.
"The mere willingness to discuss Tulowitzki and Gonzalez is a departure for Colorado, which previously refused to entertain deals for its two stars."
There is no doubt a lot of distance between this rumor breaking and an actual deal being hatched out, but it's never too soon to start speculating where these two star-caliber players could wind up.
What follows is a look at the top potential suitors for both Tulowitzki and Gonzalez, based on team needs and tradable assets.
Overview of the Candidates
1 of 6
Carlos Gonzalez
Age: 29
Remaining Contract: Three years, $53 million
2014 Stats: 70 G, .238/.292/.431, 15 2B, 11 HR, 38 RBI, 35 R, -0.7 WAR
After four consecutive 20/20 seasons, Gonzalez was limited to just 70 games last season, as he was limited by finger and knee injuries.
From 2010-13 he averaged a line of .311/.370/.556 with 27 home runs, 91 RBI and 22 stolen bases as one of the most complete offensive players in the game.
His remaining salary is not as much of a burden as Tulowitzki's, but his deal is backloaded so he'll make $20 million in the final year of his contract.
As a left-handed power bat capable of playing left or center field, he is an attractive trade target, especially in a market that is thin on legitimate everyday outfielders.
Troy Tulowitzki
Age: 30
Remaining Contract: Six years, $114 million (2021 option: $15 million, $4 million buyout)
2014 Stats: 91 G, .340/.432/.603, 18 2B, 21 HR, 52 RBI, 71 R, 5.5 WAR
When he's healthy, Tulowitzki remains one of the best players in all of baseball. Prior to suffering a season-ending torn labrum in his hip last July he was having arguably the best season of any position player.
He has averaged just 117 games per season since becoming an everyday player in 2007, topping 140 games just three times along the way, but at this point 110-120 games of Tulowitzki is better production than you will get out of most shortstops over an entire season.
Don't let the injury history and high price tag fool you into thinking the Rockies are going to take a discounted package of players just to dump Tulowitzki.
He's the face of their franchise, and they are not going to trade him unless they are absolutely blown away by a trade offer.
Also, let's go ahead and say it here before it gets brought up: The Dodgers have a need at shortstop and the money to take on his contract, but the Rockies would never deal their star to a division rival.
Gonzalez Suitor: Chicago White Sox
2 of 6
The White Sox have made it clear they are looking to add another power bat this offseason to pair with slugger Jose Abreu.
Bruce Levine of CBS Chicago tweeted in August that the team is expected to pursue Victor Martinez in free agency, but he may very well wind up re-signing with the Detroit Tigers, and CarGo could be a nice fallback option.
The team has a hole in left field after moving Alejandro De Aza in August and with Dayan Viciedo perhaps on his way out as well, so the trade makes sense in more ways than one.
Putting together a competitive package to land Gonzalez might be the sticking point. The White Sox have done a nice job adding to a good young core at the big league level over the past few seasons, but their farm system is still relatively thin.
Last year's first-round pick Carlos Rodon is probably untouchable, and he would not be eligible to be moved until June anyway. Shortstop Tim Anderson is probably off the table as well, as he is viewed as the heir to Alexei Ramirez, leaving them without an elite prospect to build a package around.
Right-hander Francellis Montas enjoyed a breakout season in 2014, posting a 1.44 ERA and striking out 80 hitters in 81 innings while reaching Double-A as a 21-year-old.
Packaging him with someone like right-hander Chris Beck, who reached Triple-A last season and is on the cusp of contributing, and one of their other middle infield prospects between Micah Johnson and Carlos Sanchez could be enough to at least serve as the groundwork for a deal.
Gonzalez Suitor: Detroit Tigers
3 of 6
Even if they re-sign Victor Martinez, the Tigers could still be in the market to add another bat with a hole to fill in the outfield.
Incumbent right fielder Torii Hunter is headed for free agency and Rajai Davis remains better suited to platoon duty despite manning center field on an everyday basis following the trade of Austin Jackson.
That leaves J.D. Martinez as the team's only sure thing to occupy a starting outfield spot next year, and he has spent the bulk of his career playing left field.
Top prospect Steven Moya is also an option in the outfield after hitting .276/.306/.555 with 33 doubles, 35 home runs and 105 RBI to win Eastern League MVP honors.
However, adding a proven left-handed power bat like Gonzalez to a lineup that includes the right-handed hitting Miguel Cabrera and J.D. Martinez and potentially switch-hitter Victor Martinez could make that lineup lethal.
The Tigers have a decent amount of pitching talent in the minors led by Jonathon Crawford, Robbie Ray, Kevin Ziomek, Austin Kubitza and Buck Farmer, so they have some chips for a pitching-starved Rockies team.
Pairing a couple of those arms with Moya could be enough to get a deal done, though the Tigers offseason focus still needs to be on the bullpen first and foremost.
.png?w=256)
Gonzalez Suitor: Texas Rangers
4 of 6
The 2014 season was an absolute nightmare for the Texas Rangers, as they were bit harder by the injury bug than any team in recent memory on their way to a 67-95 record and last-place finish in the AL West.
Despite those dismal results, there is reason for optimism heading into 2015.
Healthy seasons from the likes of Prince Fielder, Shin-Soo Choo, Derek Holland and Jurickson Profar could go a long way in turning things around, and this team could be a mid-level starting pitcher and one more bat away from legitimately contending a year after losing 95 games.
The infield is essentially set with Fielder, Profar, Elvis Andrus and Adrian Beltre penciled in from right to left, and two of the outfield spots figure to be filled by Choo and Leonys Martin.
That leaves left field and catcher as the two obvious areas to upgrade, and with top prospect Jorge Alfaro pushing ever closer to taking over behind the dish, all signs point to a new bat in the outfield.
The team declined a $13.5 million option on Alex Rios after paying him $12.5 million last season to fill that left field spot, so they certainly have the money to bring CarGo aboard.
Alfaro and slugger Joey Gallo are likely the only prospects that would be off the table, and a deal built around fast-rising right-hander Alex Gonzalez could be an attractive one for the Rockies.
The 2013 first-round pick went 12-6 with a 2.66 ERA and struck out 113 in 138.2 innings last year, reaching Double-A in his first full pro season.
Right-handers Jake Thompson and Corey Knebel were acquired from the Detroit Tigers in the Joakim Soria trade, and they too could be of interest to the Rockies.
Two of those arms and a secondary piece or two could be enough to get a deal done, and for a Rangers team that is still looking to win now, it could be a price worth paying.
Tulowitzki Suitor: New York Mets
5 of 6
The asking price for Tulowitzki is going to be astronomical, but the Mets two biggest needs right now are a reliable shortstop and a right-handed power bat, so it's a price they may be willing to pay in their push to return to contention.
Ruben Tejada and Wilmer Flores are the incumbents at shortstop, and the team received a combined .236/.317/.312 line with eight home runs and 57 RBI from the position last season.
Fred Wilpon and the rest of the Mets ownership group have held the purse strings rather tightly in recent seasons. According to a report (subscription required) from Buster Olney of ESPN in September, they expect the payroll to be in the $80 million range once again this season.
However, the chance to add a player like Tulowitzki could be the exception to the rule that causes them to open things up.
The Rockies will be looking for at least two top flight prospects in any deal, and for the Mets that will likely mean starting things with big right-hander Noah Syndergaard.
From there, one of their young catchers in Travis d'Arnaud or Kevin Plawecki would be of interest to the Rockies, who would eventually like to move below-average defensive catcher Wilin Rosario to first base.
Add Rafael Montero or Steven Matz as a second pitcher in the deal and a low-level piece or two, and that could be enough to pry Tulowitzki from the Rockies.
Mets fans will no doubt say that is far too much to give up for an injury-prone player who is due north of $100 million, and I personally would tend to agree with them, but that's the kind of package the Rockies are going to be looking for.
They have the pitching depth to move someone like Syndergaard and still be in good shape long term, and their two young catchers are also a luxury few teams have, so using their chips to upgrade a major area of need makes sense.
Tulowitzki Suitor: New York Yankees
6 of 6
The New York Yankees have a number of questions to answer this offseason, and chief among them is who follows Derek Jeter as the team's next shortstop.
They really have no in-house options at this point, unless they are willing to completely sacrifice offense for defense and decide to go with veteran Brendan Ryan in an everyday capacity.
Making a run at free agent Hanley Ramirez is a possibility, though the more likely outcome at this point is the team signing one of the second-tier veterans from Asdrubal Cabrera, Jed Lowrie and Stephen Drew as a short-term answer.
The Yankees are one team that will not be scared off by the $114 million still owed to Tulowitzki, so that's something working in their favor.
Yes they are worried about the luxury cap, and yes they already have too many high-priced veterans, but for all intents and purposes the Yankees have infinity dollars to spend when it comes to throwing money at their roster so there's no reason to pretend that's a sticking point.
On the other hand, putting together an attractive enough package of prospects could be a problem.
Catching prospect Gary Sanchez, who has been hypothetically traded countless times over the past few years, would almost certainly have to be included.
The same goes for 2014 breakout prospect Luis Severino, who went 6-5 with a 2.46 ERA and 127 strikeouts in 113.1 innings while reaching Double-A as a 20-year-old this past season.
Those are the two elite prospects currently in the Yankees system, and odds are the Rockies won't even begin to negotiate if both players are not included in a deal.
Buying low on someone like Manny Banuelos or Jose A. Ramirez could be a gamble worth taking for the Rockies as a second pitcher in the deal, while first baseman and Arizona Fall League standout Greg Bird could also be of interest.
It all comes down to how bad the Yankees want Tulowitzki, and whether they are willing to gut a farm system they have slowly been rebuilding to get him.
All stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference, unless otherwise noted.
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
