The Colorado Rockies are reportedly exploring the possibility of trading away the core of their offense.
According to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, the Rockies recently started telling teams to keep their “eyes and ears open” for potential trades involving shortstop Troy Tulowitzki and outfielder Carlos Gonzalez. Rockies owner Dick Monfort previously stated that he wanted to keep both players in 2015 and “always.”
Perhaps new general manager Jeff Bridich has convinced Monfort to reconsider.
Both Tulowitzki and Gonzalez underwent season-ending surgeries last August. The Rockies went on to finish the season 66-96, their fourth straight year with a losing record. Colorado has not been to the playoffs since 2009.
Prior to his hip injury, Tulowitzki was hitting .340 and having one of the best seasons of his career. The Rockies will likely have to convince teams that the 30-year-old is 100% healthy if they want to deal him, as he is still owed $114 million over the next six seasons. Gonzalez, 29, is owed $53 million over the next three seasons and would require far less commitment.
Rosenthal reports that the Rockies would likely not offer a “discount for injury,” meaning any interested teams would have to pay whatever price Tulowitzki and Gonzalez would bring if they were healthy. Unless they soften that stance or eat some signifcant money, a trade for either player will be unlikely.
