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Yankees Sign Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki…
I went to bed early last night and missed the news the Yankees had signed veteran shortstop Troy Tulowitzki. So, I woke up to the flurry of news this morning the Yankees had signed the one-time superstar. What does it mean? Nothing, nothing at all. A few years ago, this would have been major news but not today. The 34-year-old Tulo is a shell of his former self. But to his defense, it kind of reminds me of the old Toby Keith song, As Good As I Once Was, which goes on to say “I ain’t as good as I once was, but I’m as good once, as I ever was”.
This is simply another “dumpster dive” by GM Brian Cashman. He gets a player he coveted in years past for pennies on the dollar. The Yankees will only be responsible for paying the Major League minimum of $555,000 while the Toronto Blue Jays pay Tulo $38 million to wear the famed Pinstripes. I don’t think anyone has expectations or illusions Tulo will be ‘the man’ at shortstop during the absence of Didi Gregorius. If he plays, it is a bonus. A shot worth taking. Worst case, Tulo can’t make it back from the variety of ailments that have afflicted him over the last few years and the Yankees cut him. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. If he performs, there is the potential Cashman flips him at the trading deadline in July if Didi is back and healthy (assuming Tulo plays well enough to warrant a prospect or two) or they keep him around as a depth piece. For Tulo, it is an opportunity to rebuild value on Baseball’s biggest stage. I’m sure he’s talked to former teammates J.A. Happ and Matt Holliday about what it is like to play for the Yankees.
Tulowitzki, as we all know, was a huge fan of Derek Jeter growing up as we’ve been constantly reminded about over the years. Tulo has only worn the number 2 at the Major League level with the Colorado Rockies and Toronto Blue Jays but he’ll have to pick out a new number in the Bronx assuming he makes the Opening Day roster. My vote is for Number 12. Tyler Wade has not done anything of significance with the number and he seems like the best candidate for number re-assignment. Or I’d take Number 72 as representation for both Mickey Mantle and Derek Jeter.
I wish Tulo the best as he tries to make his comeback. I hope he’s successful. If he is, that means he outperformed guys like Tyler Wade, Thairo Estrada, and Hanser Alberto in spring training. But there’s no way anyone should be counting on Tulo as a savior for the drive to World Championship #28. He is a roll of the dice for pocket change. That’s all.
As for the real shortstop target, we should have resolution on Manny Machado this week…hopefully. I don’t know what I think at this point. I’ve seen the positive news such as Dan Clark’s infamous Twitter declaration that Machado will be a Yankee and other miscellaneous reports such as an alleged house hunting excursion in Westchester County to look at Phil Jackson’s old place. It’s no secret I am on Team Machado. I want the Yankees to sign him and I know that I’ll be disappointed if it does not happen. I did see a tweet by baseball writer Bob Klapisch this week who put the odds for Machado signing with the Yankees at 60/40. He mentioned Yankees ownership and front office are split on Machado. It seems like it could give the Philadelphia Phillies an opportunity to slip in with a revised significantly greater offer to snag the generational talent away from the Yankees. I know there are many Yankee fans that won’t be disappointed if Machado goes elsewhere. This is about as divided as I’ve ever seen the Yankees Universe or at least in recent years. Regardless of the guys who show up in Tampa next month, I hope the Yankees fan base will unite and support the players who break camp as the Opening Day roster even if neither Machado nor Harper are on the team. I think they will, but we’ll have to deal with the division a little bit longer until all of this plays out.
Even if the Yankees redirect and go after Bryce Harper instead of Machado, I’d still expect them to bring in another shortstop or second baseman to help fill the Gregorius void. Adeiny Hechavarria, Freddy Galvis, Jose Iglesias, I don’t care but I’d want other options besides Tulowitzki and holdover Tyler Wade. My preference has been to keep Gleyber Torres at second base but, in my opinion, he remains the best shortstop option despite the Tulo signing.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t express best wishes and congratulations to TGP Leader Daniel Burch. Today, Daniel and his lovely fiancĂ©e, Kari Ann, will finally say “I do” to become Mr and Mrs Greedy Pinstripes. As we’ve seen from his posts for a long time, Daniel has been so incredibly excited for this day to arrive (as I am sure Kari Ann has been too). We are equally as excited about their future together and wish them much love, extraordinary happiness and overwhelming success! Congratulations Daniel and Kari Ann!
Time for me to go back into Waiting for Machado mode. Hopefully we’ll hear something by the end of the week. I don’t think I could possibly stand this dragging into next week.
As always, Go Yankees! But today and better yet, Go Daniel and Kari Ann!
Thank you, Scott!
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