Colorado Rockies: What if Troy Tulowitzki had never been traded?

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DENVER, CO – JUNE 28: Troy Tulowitzki #2 of the Toronto Blue Jays throws to first base for an out in the sixth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on June 28, 2016 in Denver, Colorado. The Toronto Blue Jays defeat the Colorado Rockies 14-9. (Photo by Bart Young/Getty Images) /

As I watched another episode of Amazon’s “The Man in the High Castle” last night and (spoiler alert) its look at alternate histories and multiple universes potentially existing at the same time, and then the new Avengers trailer coming out this morning, I thought about what the Colorado Rockies might look like if a franchise-changing trade hadn’t happened back in 2015.

Of course, Colorado Rockies fans know the trade I was thinking about, being the deal that sent Troy Tulowitzki and LaTroy Hawkins to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for pitching prospects Jeff Hoffman, Jesus Tinoco and Miguel Castro, as well as a shortstop who doesn’t deserve to have his name mentioned in this article.

It was a deal that surprised many Rockies fans as well as fans around Major League Baseball. Tulo was suddenly gone and Colorado was looking for who would take his place in the lineup and in the field.

As we know, it didn’t take long to find that person. Trevor Story came into the picture after the other shortstop who shall not be named found himself in legal trouble. Story has since become a Silver Slugger winner, one of the most feared hitters in the National League and a shortstop who sets the standard for his NL peers.

As for Tulowitzki, he was once again in the news this week … and it was once again for injuries. It’s possible he won’t be Toronto’s starting shortstop to begin the 2019 campaign, bringing up questions about just how much longer his career might be.

So what if? What if the Rockies had not traded Troy Tulowitzki on that fateful July day? What might that alternate universe look like? Here’s what it might have been like…

OAKLAND, CA – JUNE 29: Troy Tulowitzki #2 of the Colorado Rockies hit a single against the Oakland Athletics in the top of the eighth inning at O.co Coliseum on June 29, 2015 in Oakland, California. The single was Tulowitzki’s third hit of the game. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

Well, for starters, Story might be in the same position as Ryan McMahon, David Dahl, Raimel Tapia and others are currently in. He might be the shortstop who gets his chance when Tulo is out with an injury or might even get to play on certain days when Tulo needs a rest.

Think about it. In the alternate universe, in spring training 2016, Tulowitzki once again wins the starting shortstop position. At the age of 31, having a solid season, Tulo suffers an ankle injury late in the campaign that will force him to miss the rest of the year. Story gets his chance to shine, but has an up-and-down finish to the season. The rookie shortstop shows his ability to hit but his strikeout rate in limited plate appearances makes Rockies fans uneasy. They see the potential in Story … but they know Tulo will surely be healthy in 2017, right?

He will … but there is controversy in spring training. With Bud Black coming in as Colorado’s new manager, he wants to make sure that the veteran Tulowitzki is given every chance to win the position over Story. In a close race, Tulo wins the starting nod while Story gets his first-ever spot on the Opening Day roster.

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Tulowitzki plays in 130 games and hits 21 homers. A hamstring injury in June lands Tulo on the 10-day disabled list and gives Story plenty of playing time and he makes the most of it, showcasing his defensive abilities and smacking home runs in four straight games. However, when Tulo returns just before the All-Star break, he is back at shortstop. Questions swirl about if the Rockies will use Story as a trading chip with Colorado chasing a Wild Card spot but Rockies general manager Jeff Bridich hangs on to his young shortstop prospect through the trading deadline.

Story doesn’t see a lot of playing time as the Rockies clinch the Wild Card spot. Black decides to go with his veteran shortstop down the stretch.

Heading into the 2018 season, one of the biggest storylines for the Rockies is whether Story will finally unseat Tulo as shortstop. At 33, Tulowitzki is asked by reporters if he would consider playing another position, maybe even moving to first base. Tulo tells reporters he’ll “pack my bags and go home” if another shortstop is better than him and beats him out for the position. An uneasiness settles over Rockies spring training as fans know Black is somewhat backed into a corner with his veteran shortstop.

However, three games into the season, Tulowitzki pulls up lame running to first base and is diagnosed with a heel injury that will require surgery. Bone spurs force him to the bench and Story finally gets his chance to shine … and he does. His offensive outburst and defensive prowess pushes him into the All-Star conversation. He also helps the Rockies win another Wild Card spot.

Toward the end of the 2018 season, Tulo makes it clear he’ll be back for 2019 and ready to reclaim his position. Signed to a 10-year deal to 2010, the Rockies know they are paying him to play … but can he stay healthy enough? And can he really once again overtake the emerging Story for the shortstop role?

DENVER, CO – JULY 25: Troy Tulowitzki #2 of the Colorado Rockies reacts after flying out in the seventh inning of a game against the Cincinnati Reds at Coors Field on July 25, 2015 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

Just before Christmas 2018, Tulo announces he will need surgery on his other heel. His 2019 season is now in doubt and Story is securely in the lead for Opening Day shortstop honors, the first time he will be an Opening Day starter.

The extra surgery costs Tulo the 2019 season. Despite the Coors Field bias, Story finishes second in National League MVP voting. Tulo promises to be back and ready for the 2020 campaign.

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Tulo shows up for 2020 spring training and says he will do everything he can to win the shortstop position back from Story. At age 35, it quickly becomes apparent that Story has passed him in skills and on the depth chart. Faced with the prospect of being somewhat healthy but relegated to a backup role with the Rockies, Tulo tells reporters he feel he can still be a starter for another team. He also says he feels healthy enough to play out the final season of his guaranteed contract and make a difference for another team.

Bridich tries to find a trade partner for Tulo but no team wants to take a chance on his health and pay him $14 million in his final season. With just 58 at-bats on the season and another nagging hamstring injury, Tulo announces his retirement at Coors Field on July 1, 2020. His final at-bat will be a pop out to third to end a 3-2 loss to the San Diego Padres the night before with runners on second and third.

Tulowitzki not only retires as a member of the Rockies, but his contract also keeps Colorado from making other moves it would have made otherwise. Ian Desmond is never signed to a large contract. That money is used to re-sign DJ LeMahieu to play second, keeping Colorado’s infield of Nolan Arenado, Story, LeMahieu and first baseman Ryan McMahon intact through the 2019 season.

Next. How Trevor Story is setting the standards for NL shortstops. dark

That’s our alternate universe with Tulowitzki staying with the Rockies. What do you think would have happened? Let us know in the comments section below.

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