Time for the Mets to re-engage Colorado on Troy Tulowitzki

Jon Morosi of Fox Sports said on Thursday that the Rockies have had discussions with teams about a potential trade of shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, but that nothing is imminent on that front.

Tulowitzki, 30, is owed $114 million in a contract that runs through 2020.

While Tulowitzki hit .340/.432/.603 this past season, he missed the last two-plus months after undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left hip. Tulowitzki was also severely limited by injuries in 2012, when he played just 47 games.

According to Will Carroll, Tulowitzki’s chances of returning to form post-surgery are high.

The Mets reached out to the Rockies about Tulowitzki’s availability in early November, and the Rockies sent out feelers during the Winter Meetings about the Mets’ interest. However, nothing from the Mets’ end indicates they’re ready to seriously engage the Rockies in a deal for Tulowitzki.

Thoughts:

While some on the Mets’ end are saying flatly that Tulowitzi to the Mets is “not happening,” it’s hard to take that 100 percent seriously when it’s known that the Mets reached out to the Rockies about Tulowitzki a few months ago.

If the Mets truly had zero interest in acquiring Tulowitzki, why would they have reached out in the first place?

Presently, the Rockies are still demanding that any acquiring team absorbs all of Tulowitzki’s remaining salary while giving up three or four of their best prospects. That’s a steep and risky price to pay for a player who has been injured as often as Tulowitzki has.

Still, if a compromise can be found – either with Colorado absorbing some of Tulowitzki’s salary or a trade partner having to give up a bit less – Tulowitzki very well might be dealt.

The Mets are in dire need of a shortstop, and adding Tulowitzki would give them the answer at short and one of the best players in all of baseball in one fell swoop.

There are obviously severe doubts about whether the Mets would part with what it takes to land Tulowitzki while taking on a contract that massive. If the Mets want to be taken seriously, they should find a way to make it happen.

With that said, the Mets should not be the team that gives in to Colorado’s absurd demands.

The Mets giving up one of their top four pitchers plus perhaps Kevin Plawecki, one of Brandon Nimmo or Michael Conforto and another piece for Tulowitzki would be a reasonable but painful price to pay. Anything more than that (for example, two of the Mets’ top four starting pitchers) should be a non-starter.

Most signs point to Tulowitzki to the Mets being a dream, but the Mets can make it happen if they want. They simply need to pony up while not getting taken advantage of.