The Colorado Rockies’ decision to trade franchise icon Troy Tulowitzki on Monday night could have a serious ripple effect for the team.
Many expect the Rockies to follow the Tulo trade by dealing high-priced outfielder Carlos Gonzalez. Trading Tulo and then CarGo go could have a lasting impact on young stud Nolan Arenado, who said he was “shocked” and “hurt” by the Tulowitzki trade.
“I was shocked, we all were, by Tulo getting traded,” Arenado said via The Denver Post. “I’m hurt. Tulo’s been the one guy who has been by my side ever since I was in (Single-A) Asheville. It’s disappointing. That is not the guy I wanted to see go.”
Arenado added that he was disappointed in the return the Rockies got for Tulo, saying he hoped they would have gotten an ace pitcher in return. He also noted that the trade indicated the team is rebuilding “from the ground up.”
Why is this a concern? Arenado is in his second season with the Rockies and still under team control through 2019. If they do not make strides towards being more competitive before then, Arenado would probably avoid signing a contract extension with the team. However, keep in mind that his free agency is still years away, and the Rockies have plenty of time to improve. The players they got in return for Tulo are good first steps towards rebuilding.
If the Rockies show Arenado the big money, he’ll probably sign with them long term. If not, he’ll probably test free agency when the time comes. But we do know that he is experiencing his first real disappointment in baseball since joining the big leagues.
Photo: Twitter/Rockies
