Rockies GM Bridich Denies Tulowitzki Talks With Mets
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Colorado general manager Jeff Bridich says there's nothing to a report that the Rockies have discussed shortstop Troy Tulowitzki with the New York Mets.
Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports rekindled the Tulo-to-Flushing chatter on Monday, when he tweeted that the teams had talked about a potential trade involving the four-time All-Star.
Passan's tweet came on the heels of New York signing outfielder Michael Cuddyer to a two-year deal. The Rockies had previously offered the veteran a $15.3 million qualifying offer.
Bridich -- who replaced Dan O'Dowd in Colorado last month -- denied the report, and several media members added their own tweets that said the Rockies and Mets had no such discussions.
"We have literally not had one substantive conversation with the Mets," Bridich said Monday from baseball's general managers meetings in Arizona, according to MLB.com. "I talked to Sandy Alderson, he said congratulations on the job and he said, 'What have you got in store?' Then he told me what he had in store."
Colorado and New York are thought to be ideal trading partners, with the Rockies seeking young pitching and the Mets in need of offensive production, especially at shortstop. The Mets were linked to Tulowitzki and outfielder Carlos Gonzalez ahead of last season's trading deadline, but both players have question marks regarding their health, a big issue considering both are under contract for years to come.
The Mets have a glut of young hurlers: Matt Harvey, Zack Wheeler and Rookie of the Year winner Jacob deGrom are expected to anchor the rotation in 2015. And they have Rafael Montero and Noah Syndergaard ready to make their cases in spring training.
"We are choosing to keep our eyes and ears open on all business matters, which is something I said a month ago," Bridich said. "That isn't just specific to pitching."
Tulowitzki, 30, is locked up for the next six years at a price tag of $118 million. The 29-year-old Gonzalez is owed $53 million for three more years.
Both sluggers had season-ending surgery in August. Tulowitzki (hip) hit .340 with 21 home runs and 52 RBIs before a torn labrum ended his campaign. The more-affordable Gonzalez (knee) -- a two-time All-Star -- batted .238 with 11 home runs and 38 RBIs.
WFAN's Ed Coleman reported over the summer that, all things considered, the Mets were leaning toward Gonzalez.
"We don't have to move them, and we don't know if it's the right move to trade either one or both of those players who are All-Stars -- perennial All-Stars," Bridich said. "(Tulowitzki) plays a premium position and is the best shortstop in the game when he's healthy. That's not an easy bit to swallow for us."
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