Just Mets

The Rockies are 11-17 entering play on Tuesday, in last place in the National League West, and 8 1/2 games behind the Dodgers for first place in the division.

It’s the poor start they were hoping to avoid with a healthy Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez on the roster.

Given their bad start, Tulowitzki will be meeting with his agent, Paul Cohen, in Los Angeles on Thursday to possibly discuss formally requesting the Rockies for a trade, reports Joel Sherman of the New York Post.

“To say that it is not a possibility would be silly,” Cohen told Sherman.

Two people close to Tulowitzki told Sherman the star shortstop remains frustrated with the losing and wants out of Colorado.

Cohen did not classify his client’s thinking, according to Sherman, however the agent recognizes the value in moving out of his client moving on and playing in better conditions.

“It could get to the point for [owner] Dick Monfort and GM Jeff [Bridich] that the storyline every day with the team is when is Tulowitzki being traded,” Cohen explained to Sherman. “That is negative for the franchise as the idea of trading the face of the franchise. They are smart enough to recognize they don’t want that going forward.”

One team which is unlikely to be interested in acquiring Tulowitzki is the Yankees, Sherman says, as they are emphasizing defense and limiting long-term risk. However, Sherman believes the Mets, Pirates, Mariners and Padres all have needs at the position, and a market could therefore develop this season for Tulowitzki.

Regarding the Mets, I had heard back in December the two teams were talking about what it would take to get Tulowitzki to Flushing, but the price was astronomically high. It would’ve required the Mets to relinquish at least two top pitching prospects and possibly another top prospect as well. Aside from that price being way too steep, there was absolutely no way they could or would do this given they already had an idea Wheeler’s elbow would be a problem, which is why talks just presumably fizzled.

But that doesn’t mean they can’t and won’t pick up at some point in the near future, especially if there’s sudden motivation for Colorado to get a deal done. And, as Sherman points out, Tulowitzki’s value could diminish in the trade market as it’s conceivably he will have to move out from shortstop in the not to distant future.

Having said that, the Mets need to keep that in mind as well should they decide to pursue a trade for the star shortstop. Would they be able to get enough out of Tulowitzki to get them to Amed Rosario, who is still 2-3 years away?

Risk is part of the game, but given Tulowitzki’s age, injury history and salary, it would be a major consideration in the scenario.