As it turned out, the Cubs’ Kris Bryant’s walk-off two-run home run in the 9th inning wasn’t the most surprising event of the evening for the Colorado Rockies. Late Monday night shortstop Troy Tulowitzki was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays.
After much speculation that none of the Rockies’ stars would be moved, general manager Jeff Bridich really shuffled the deck in a big way with the Tulowitzki move. Along with Tulowitzki the Blue Jays also acquired 42-year-old reliever LaTroy Hawkins. In return the Rockies get veteran shortstop Jose Reyes, reliever Miguel Castro and two minor league pitching prospects.
Following the game, manager Walt Weiss was hesitant to speak of the trade to the media.
“Nothing’s official yet; if and when it does become official you’ll have to hear it from [Rockies media relations],” Weiss told the media. “There’s a lot of things going on right now.”
The minor league prospects will not become official until Tuesday, but Thomas Harding of MLB.com is reporting that Toronto’s No. 3 ranked prospect Jeff Hoffman will be included.
Hoffman was selected No. 9 in the 2014 draft after undergoing Tommy John surgery. He is a power right-hander, with a fastball that reaches 98 MPH. Between Class-A and Double-A, he is 3-3 with a 2.93 ERA in 13 starts this year.
Castro is ranked as the Blue Jays No. 5 prospect although he has spent some time with the major league club this year. He is a 20-year-old right handed pitcher who can start or come out of the bullpen.
The Rockies will be unloaded Tulowitzki’s remaining contract worth $113.7 million. He will receive a $2 million bonus for being traded.
It is unclear at this point if the Rockies will plan to move the veteran Reyes for any more prospects or keep him for the remaining two years of his contract.