Troy Tulowitzki, the supremely talented but oft-injured shortstop, is now a free agent.
The Toronto Blue Jays announced on Tuesday that they had realeased Tulowitzki from his contract.
ROSTER MOVE: We've released SS Troy Tulowitzki, making him a free agent.
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) December 11, 2018
Toronto GM, Ross Atkins, was reportedly very high on Lourdes Gurriel, making Tulo expendable.
Last week, Atkins said Tulowitzki would have to "earn" his spot at short and that right now Lourdes Gurriel would be #Bluejays starter. Done deal now.
— Rob Longley (@longleysunsport) December 11, 2018
Atkins spoke glowingly of Tulowitzki yesterday but today said this in a statement: “Through many conversations with Troy and his representative Paul Cohen, and with consideration to what is in the best interest of both sides, we made the decision to release Troy today.”
— Rob Longley (@longleysunsport) December 11, 2018
The Blue Jays acquired Tulowitzki at the trade deadline in 2015. He helped Toronto win the AL East that year. In 2016, he hit .254/.318/.443 with 24 home runs as the Blue Jays returned to the postseason.
But the 2017 and 2018 seasons have been much different for both Tulowitzki and Toronto. He played in only 66 games in 2017 and none in 2018, both losing seasons for the Blue Jays.
We do expect to see Tulo sign somewhere. He’s finished in the top-10 in MVP voting three times and made five All-Star teams in his career. Even in his prime years with the Colorado Rockies, health has always been an issue. But his potential should be enough to get him at least one more chance, albeit at a much cheaper rate than what he’s been playing at.