Yankees check in, but Mets remain best match for Troy Tulowitzki

Talks between the Mets and the Rockies regarding Troy Tulowitzki are still fluid but facing hurdles, and Jon Heyman of CBS Sports writes that the Yankees and other teams have checked in with Colorado about Tulowitzki:

"The Mets maintain interest in Rockies star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, but it’s clear there’s a major gap to bridge in negotiations between the teams, with differences in ideas of player compensation and financial considerations, as well.Meantime, a couple other teams — including the rival Yankees — are said to have checked in recently on Tulowitzki."

In his report, Heyman notes that while the Rockies were at one point asking for both Noah Syndergaard and Zack Wheeler as part of a potential deal for Tulowitzki, that may no longer be the case.

Although other teams have checked in on Tulowitki, Heyman said the Mets remain the “best match” with Colorado and that a deal could hinge on how motivated the Rockies are to deal him.

Tulowitzki, 30, is owed $118 million through the 2020 season.

Thoughts:

Troy Renck of the Denver Post noted on Friday that while nothing was close between the Mets and Rockies regarding Tulowitzki, it would be interesting to see what materialized between the clubs as the offseason continued.

While Tulowitzki is expected to be fine after undergoing left hip surgery last season, there are still concerns about his failure to stay on the field over the course of his career. That concern means an acquiring team would expect the Rockies to either accept a lesser package in exchange for Tulowitzki or eat some salary. Thus far, the Rockies are reportedly refusing to do that.

Still, if the Rockies have come off their demands that both Noah Syndergaard and Zack Wheeler be included in any potential package for Tulowitzki, that could certainly help move things in the right direction.