Wonder if we're targeting Estrada? Joey Bats? Doubt Donaldson can be had...even if he could, is he worth the cost of prospects with Bregman on the way?
Martes doesn't even enter the conversation unless the Astros are getting someone BIG back, and I'm sure the Blue Jays know this. Color me intrigued.
Here are the only players I think would warrant Martes: Tulowitzki, Donaldson, Pillar, Sanchez, Stroman, Osuna. I could maybe see Toronto unloading Tulo and Houston using him in at 3B, but it still doesn't make a ton of sense. With a good number of important pending free agents, the Blue Jays need to try to win this season so any trade that weakens their 2016 roster just doesn't compute. I'm not buying this rumor and if it is true I think the deal would involve a 3rd team.
Stroman has been terrible this season. I don't really want any part of of Tulo at this point in his career either, he's really struggled this year, in a great hitter's park and lineup no less.
I think a similar prospect package to what Toronto gave up for Tulo (Reyes, Hoffman, Tinoco, Castro) would be Valbuena, Martes, Gustave, and Bostick. I would definitely be willing to give that up to add Tulo to Houstons lineup, especially since it would probably mean Toronto would eat some of his salary (he has $80M/4yrs remaining).
If the Jays trade for Martes, it is for him to pitch in the big leagues as either a starter or a relief pitcher. As such, I don't see a trade for Martes necessarily being viewed as weakening the 2016 roster by the Blue Jays. It would be them betting on their scouting department that Martes has turned the corner. From Astros point of view, the Blue Jays would have to overpay to get him if MLB talent isn't included as there is no pressing need to trade him.
I would be floored if the Blue Jays viewed a 20 year-old in AA with a 4+ ERA as ready for the big leagues, but I've been wrong before.
There is no way I would give up that package for Tulo. Granted Martes is the only "gem" in that group, you are talking about acquiring a SS who is signed through 2021 at 20 Million a year the next few of those years, and adding him to a team that has Correa at SS and Bregman sitting in AAA looking to be a 10 year younger version of Tulow himself Even if Toronto was willing to eat some of the contract, no way I would want to tie myself into 4-5 years of a guy who long term we would not likely have a place for. Not to mention he is hitting .238 this year after hitting .239 after the trade to Toronto last year. Not saying he brings nothing to the table, but no thanks on Martes in a deal for Tulow (unless MLB would allow him to take his at bats in Coors field somehow
I agree that it's unlikely they view him as an important major league piece this season. But the 4+ ERA is probably a little misleading, he got off to a horrible start and there is no telling what went into that. Could have been trying to work on something specific the developmental guys wanted, maybe he just didn't come into the season with good command. In any case, over his last 10 outings which dates to early May, his era is 2.87 with a K per inning, so no doubt he would be highly wanted by other organizations. Toronto also has had some very young pitchers at the mlb level, using them in the pen while still viewing them as starters long term.
Tulo is only guaranteed 4 more seasons (2021 is a club option). He's the type of player who could easily shift to 3B, 1B, LF, or DH, so it's not like he couldn't contribute on a roster that included Correa and Bregman. Now, if you think he's on the rapid decline or can't hit outside of Coors, or Martes is going to be an ace, that's harder to disagree with. But Tulo could definitely find a place to play with the Astros.
Would you view a sub 3 ERA pitcher in AA as potentially MLB ready? Martes has been sub 3 ERA and sub 3 FIP for 2 months now. His first month was an ERA of 9. It just comes down to whether or not their scouts think the last two months are representative or statistical anomaly...but to do that, you would need to send scouts to go see him. As the Blue Jays have sent scouts to see him supposedly, it seems they want to know if he has turned the corner.
I just don't see how Tulo fits this team. Our left side of the infield is set for the next decade. Why pay Tulo's 80MM when he doesn't have a clear path to playing time? You really want to transition him to OF? He already cannot stay healthy. I'd rather allocate that money to Gourriel or another player. Heck, I'd rather save to pay the core we already have. Maybe Tulo would fit if we didnt have both Correa and Bregman, but I just don't see the match. Getting Tulo for ages 32-35 is honestly mind-boggling when you look at his injury career (140+ games 3 times in 11 years), let alone that we already have a cheaper, likely more productive left side.
RF Springer LF/3B Bregman 2B Altuve SS Correa 3B/LF Tulowitzki 1B Reed/Marwin C Gattis/Castro DH White/Tucker CF Marisnick/Kemp Pretty sick lineup. Hell even if they don't get Tulo, any elite bat in that slot makes the lineup insane.
I think that's the point others are making. (a) any elite bat really works given the team's positional flexibility right now (b) Tulo hasn't been an elite bat outside of COL in a while, and (c) Tulo has been injury prone for a longer while. Can't see a reason to go after him unless the cost is incredibly low--which it won't be if we want them to pick up a lot of the now silly contract.
Based on what he's done since getting to Toronto (both at the plate and on the trainer's table), no chance in hell IMO At age 32, I'd assume he'd get 3 yrs / 30-40M as a long-term, or play a 1 yr / 15M type prove-it deal if he was confident in himself.
Don't underestimate how much FA's get. I think he would get paid. The combination of injuries and production drop would prevent it from being a crazy deal, but 4 years $80M isn't a giant deal in MLB's financial landscape. I don't think we would pay that much though. Probably be a bigger market team.
