Long and short of it: Tulowitzki happy if Yanks add Machado
NEW YORK (AP) >> Troy Tulowitzki would be happy if the New York Yankees add Manny Machado to their infield, even if the move costs the 34-year- old shortstop playing time.
“Hey, I signed up to be a Yankee because I wanted to play with the best players,” Tulowitzki said during a conference call Monday. “So if Manny is one of those guys, then I think that would be awesome. It would make the team that much stronger.”
If Machado signs with the Yankees as a high-priced free agent, he presumably would take over at third base. Tulowitzki is projected to start in an infield with Miguel Andujar at third, Gleyber Torres at second and Luke Voit or Greg Bird at first. The Yankees needed a replacement for Didi Gregorius, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery on his right elbow and is not expected back until June, July or August.
When Gregorius returns,
Tulowitzki might have a reduced role. If Machado and Gregorius are in the lineup, Tulowitzki might not get many at-bats.
“A lot can happen in that time,” Tulowitzki said. “So when that time comes, we’ll deal with that.”
Sidelined by heel injuries since July 2017, Tulowitzki agreed last week to a one- year contract with the Yankees for the major league minimum $555,000. That will be offset against the $20 million he is owed by Toronto, which released him last month. The Blue Jays also are responsible for $14 million in salary for 2020 plus a $4 million buyout of a 2021 team option.
“They were kind of headed in a different direction than I wanted to go,” Tulowitzki said. “They were going to go young and commit to the young players.”
A five-time All-Star, Tulowitzki has not played in the major leagues since July 2017. He started feeling problems with his heels around the time of his trade from Colorado to Toronto in July 2015 and spent last year recovering from April 2 surgery on both heels.
“I think it did allow me to hit that refresh button
with my body and really catch up in some areas where I was just taking the field and constantly not being able to be myself and be confident in my body at times,” he said.
He doesn’t think he was full fit until October.
“I started to say, oh, man, I’m feeling a lot better and excited about the upcoming year,” he said.
Tulowitzki topped .300 or better four times from 2010-14 and 90 RBIs from 2009-11, boosted by hitterfriendly Coors Field.
“There’s some extra motivation, definitely, with what I’ve been through. I think a lot of people have written me off and said that at times maybe I’m done,” he said. “There’s no doubt about it, there’s a chip on my shoulder but I would say my whole career I’ve kind of played that way and been that type of personality.”
He idolized Derek Jeter growing up, even wearing the No. 2 of the retired Yankees captain. He also emulated Cal Ripken Jr. and Nomar Garciaparra.
“The first thing that I think about when I think about Derek is his presence on and off the field,” Tulowitzki said. “I definitely saw that from afar as a young kid and tried to do those same things ... and then when he did have all the success, too, he didn’t let it get to his head.” lar numbers earned him an All-Star nod and two Silver Slugger awards, the first player to receive two in one season.
The Heritage Series bobblehead collection began in 2012, and pays tribute to those who have played professional baseball in New York’s Capital Region. Others to be immortalized into ValleyCats bobble lore include Martinez’ 2009 ‘Cats teammates Jose Altuve and Dallas Keuchel, along with George Springer, Hunter Pence and Ben Zobrist. Troy native Johnny Evers, and Albany- Colonie Yankees Derek Jeter, Bernie Wil- liams, Mariano Rivera and Ron Guidry are also part of the collection.
Drafted in the 20th round of the 2009 MLB Draft by the Houston Astros, Martinez joined the ValleyCats in July after beginning his career in Rookie ball. With the ValleyCats that year, Martinez was named a New YorkPenn League All-Star, capturing the league batting ti- tle with a .326 average.
Fans can view the ValleyCats 2019 season schedule, purchase ticket plans, and inquire about group outings by logging on to tcvalleycats.com.
For more information, call the ValleyCats administrative offices at 518- 629CATS (2287), or stop by the Joseph L. Bruno Stadium box office.