LOS ANGELES — The Colorado Rockies might decide at some point that the best thing to do for the franchise’s future would be to trade star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki.
However, Tulowitzki insists they won’t have to do it at his request.
“Whatever happens on the Rockies’ end happens,” Tulowitzki said before Thursday’s game at Dodger Stadium. “But for me to sit here and try to force my way out of here, that’s not the case. I don’t think it’s fair to my teammates and the relationships I’ve built here to take that route.”
Tulowitzki spoke with reporters after meeting with his agent, Paul Cohen, earlier in the day. Cohen was quoted in a New York Post article earlier this week saying of a trade demand, “To say that is not a possibility would be silly.”
Cohen told the Post “it doesn’t take a rocket scientist” to see why the question of Tulowitzki demanding a trade might come up. The Rockies haven’t had a winning record since 2010, losing at least 88 games each of the past four seasons. After starting this season 7-2, they lost 17 of 22, including an 11-game losing streak that finally ended Thursday in a rain-interrupted, 5-4 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers.
“The one thing I do want to make clear is that I don’t know where the talk came from of me demanding a trade,” Tulowitzki said Thursday. “There is no talk like that and never has been.”
Nonetheless, Tulowitzki has been linked with both New York teams in trade speculation. The 30-year-old’s contract runs through 2020 with $113.7 million still owed him. He would also be due a $2 million relocation bonus if traded.
“Bottom line, play better baseball,” Tulowitzki said. “That’s kind of vague, but it starts with myself. … Be the guy I know I can be, and in (the clubhouse) keep things loose and make these guys realize just because we’re off to a bad start doesn’t mean we can’t rebound and win games.”
He went 0-for-5 with three strikeouts Thursday, dropping his average to .289. Tulowitzki has a .297 on-base percentage, a .456 slugging percentage, two homers and 11 RBIs in 31 games this season.