Colorado Rockies tune in to offers for Troy Tulowitzki, Carlos Gonzalez
The 2014 offseason has taken off with some trades, firings, new management and expected qualifying offers. Some of the qualifying offers made by teams hardly came as a surprise, with players such as James Shields, Pablo Sandoval and Max Scherzer all receiving one. One offer that came straight from left field was that made to Colorado Rockies right fielder Michael Cuddyer.
Cuddyer hit .332 this season in only 49 games after missing two months with a hamstring issue. He will be 36 in 2015, averaging 93 games his last three seasons with the Rockies. Colorado is clearly looking for a return to form from the outfielder to join the other six players active on the 40-man roster, including one of the faces of the franchise, Carlos Gonzalez.
According to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com, the Rockies are tellings clubs they are keeping their “eyes and ears open” for potential deals including both Gonzalez and shortstop Troy Tulowitzki. Gonzalez played only 70 games in 2014 due to a collection of injuries, undergoing season-ending surgery in mid-August. The outfielder managed to accumulate a batting average of .238 in those 70 games, and is a career .294/.351/.520 hitter. He will be 29 going into the 2015 season, and is set for three more seasons at Colorado at around $53 million.
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The Rockies could use some pitching help, and would likely trade Gonzalez for just that. The top two teams that could use the outfielder include the Cincinnati Reds, whose outfielders were ranked last in the majors in wOBA, and the Seattle Mariners, whose outfielders were ranked second-to-last in wOBA.
Tulowitzki was limited to 91 games this season, with his season ending in mid-August for hip surgery. He finished the season batting .340 and is .299/.373/.517 through his nine-year big league career. Tulo will be 30 entering 2015 and is owed $114 million through six seasons, along with a $15 million club option or $4 million buyout coming in 2021.
Jeff Bridich, new general manager of the Rockies, could entertain some creative offers for the two All-Stars. If both players return to health and showcase well during Spring Training, Bridich may find himself doing just that.