When Derek Jeter retired following the 2014 season, many pegged Jeter-Superfan Troy Tulowitzki as his replacement. While Tulo didn’t make it to the Bronx back then, it looks as if he’ll be donning the pinstripes for 2019.
According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, the Yankees have agreed to a deal with Tulowitzki believed to be worth the league minimum. Tulo was released last month by the Blue Jays with roughly $38 million remaining on his contract.
Passan noted that the acquisition of Tulo doesn’t take the Yankees out of the Machado sweepstakes; his low price tag was too good to pass up.
Troy Tulowitzki is expected to play shortstop for the Yankees while Didi Gregorius recovers from Tommy John surgery. Important: This does not take the Yankees out of the Manny Machado sweepstakes, sources tell ESPN. Tulowitzki at the minimum salary was simply too good to pass up.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 2, 2019
Passan’s second tweet above is very interesting.
Miguel Andujar‘s role with the Yankees will come into question if Tulowitzki can stay healthy (not likely based on his track record), and if the Yankees end up signing Manny Machado.
Would the Yankees try to move Andujar to first base, or could they flip him in a deal?
Tulowitzki, 34, was once considered one of the best players in all of baseball. As a member of the Rockies, he hit .299/.371/.513 over 10 seasons before he was dealt to Toronto in 2015. With the Blue Jays, he slashed .250/.313/.414 with 36 homers and 122 RBI in 238 games.
Tulo has had trouble staying healthy throughout his career, and most recently missed the entire 2018 season after undergoing surgery on both of his feet. The Yankees are hoping the pinstripes can perhaps give him a new lease on life on the backside of his career.
Number 2, however, won’t be available.
