Forget About Tulo: Mets' Alderson Says He's Not Looking To Acquire Shortstop
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki might soon be on the trading block.
But don't expect the Mets to get him.
General manager Sandy Alderson told the New York Daily News on Wednesday that he doesn't plan to make a change at shortstop at this time.
"Nothing has changed," Alderson told the newspaper.
The Mets could certainly use a shortstop, though there are risks involved and acquiring the four-time All-Star doesn't seem practical. Tulowitzki, 30, has played more than 140 games just three times in his career and is coming off major hip surgery.
He's also expensive. Entering the 2015 season, the two-time Gold Glove Award winner had six years and $118 million left on his contract. Would the Mets take on that deal? It's hard to imagine. Rockies general manager Jeff Bridich would likely want a wealth of young pitching in return -- including Noah Syndergaard -- something Alderson has been hesitant to part with in the past.
And just like Hanley Ramirez, Tulowitzki might be forced to change positions sooner rather than later due to his advanced age and injury history. There's also a question as to how the veteran's bat would translate away from the friendly confines of Coors Field.
The Wilmer Flores experiment has been a failure thus far for the Mets. In 29 games, the 23-year-old is hitting .237 with four home runs and 10 RBIs. He's posted a very poor .288 on-base percentage and has struggled in the field, committing seven errors.
Tulowitzki, meanwhile, hasn't exactly been playing like his superstar self this season. He's hitting .303 with two homers and 11 RBIs, and has uncharacteristically made four errors in 27 games.
Alderson did tell reporters that a potential deal with the Cubs, who have a surplus of infielders, could happen.
Down on the farm, the Mets have two very promising shortstops that they believe have bright futures. Matt Reynolds, 24, had an excellent spring training and is batting .300 for Triple-A Las Vegas. And the Daily News reports that 19-year-old Amed Rosario, who is currently at the Advanced Class-A level, is seen by many as the organization's shortstop of the future.
