Tulo, Travis far from sure things for opener
With the Blue Jays’ opener against the New York Yankees just 50 days away — and based on the information available — the chances would seem slightly less than 50-50 that Toronto’s middle infield on March 29 will feature Troy Tulowitzki at shortstop and Devon Travis at second base. The Jays have prepared the roster for that eventuality.
Much of GM Ross Atkins’ early off-season roster moves, despite more glaring needs at corner outfield and on the pitching staff, were focused on shoring up the depth in the middle of the infield, where the two acknowledged starters are coming off season-ending injuries.
Tulowitzki twisted his right ankle and collapsed at first base on July 29; Travis bruised his right knee and had season-ending surgery, last seeing action on June 6. So Atkins made sure the Jays became more athletic and deeper if they needed to take a conservative approach with the incumbents to start this season.
First came a minor trade with the Pirates for Gift Ngoepe, 28, on Nov. 17. Next Atkins acquired 28year-old shortstop Aledmys Diaz from the Cardinals for young minor-league outfielder J.B. Woodman on Dec. 1. And then he obtained veteran utility infielder Yangervis Solarte from the Padres for a second young outfielder, Edwin Olivares, and a low-level reliever.
That trio of newcomers in the middle infield join young shortstops Richard Urena, 22, and 24-year-old Cuban Lourdes Gurriel, already signed to a major-league contract in 2016 but just catching up to the others after being slowed by injuries last season. Gurriel’s comeback included a stint in the Arizona Fall League, for top MLB prospects.
“I know that those guys played a full season and that makes me work harder,” Gurriel said, via a translator, during a January visit to the Rogers Centre. “We’re all different, but it’s not like we don’t hang out together. We’re all competing with each other but, at the same time, we have a good relationship.”
The Jays are not being overly negative regarding the immediate future of Tulowitzki and Travis as much as they are being realistic.
Tulowitzki spoke to the media late last season about the long, hard grind he saw for himself in the offseason. Even if his ankle and its horribly damaged ligaments may seem healed and he is able to join his teammates at spring training and play exhibition games, having him start on March 29 is a gamble.
The Jays know they would be smart to err on the side of caution, because Tulo is still guaranteed for three years, plus an option, at $58million (U.S.). Clearly, the month of April 2018 pales in its importance. And the fact Atkins reached out to obtain a former all-star shortstop, Diaz, will allow them to take their time with Tulowitzki.
And the Jays are not about to allow the younger Travis to do anything to jeopardize his long-term career. When healthy, he has been one of the best young offensive second basemen in the game. After a slow start last year when he hit .130 in April, he rebounded with a stunning .364 average in May. If he is healthy by the end of March, why not have him regain his game legs and timing out of the spotlight in the minors? He may not agree.
“Every single thing that they’ve asked me to do, everything they’ve put in my workout, I haven’t had any setbacks,” Travis said at the Rogers Centre during the recent Jays Fest. “I’ve been able to do everything. I feel good. I have more steps that I have to pass going forward . . . (but) I don’t understand why I wouldn’t be able to continue to progress.”
If Travis is not physically ready, or if the Jays choose to proceed in a safer direction, making sure he is 100 per cent in a minor-league stint, they have the veteran hitter Solarte ready to step in for at least a short stretch. Solarte was not obtained to be the Jays starter but, in four seasons in the majors, he has ranged from 443 to 511 plate appearances, more thanks to his bat than his glove. If he needs to fill in for a month or two, he is quite capable.
If the Jays’ acknowledged starters are indeed healthy, then Diaz and Solarte form a solid bench. If the two utility infielders must start, the Jays still have options. The organization is teeming with young, quality middle infielders, including 19-year-old Bo Bichette, Urena, Gurriel, Logan Warmoth (22) and Kevin Smith (21).