Source: Troy Tulowitzki now a Toronto Blue Jay

According to MLB.com’s Thomas Harding, there is an unconfirmed report that the Blue Jays have acquired Troy Tulowitzki and reliever LaTroy Hawkins for shortstop Jose Reyes and prospects. We’ll be tracking this story as it unfolds throughout the day.

Talk about righting a wrong. The Blue Jays famously picked Ricky Romero in the 2005 draft just ahead of the perennial all-star.This report is unconfirmed by both sides but if it turns out to be true then the Blue Jays offense and bullpen just got that much better. Could it be a precursor to another trade that will bring the much needed front line starter the Blue Jays so desperately need or are they just planning to pound the opposition into submission?

Talk about righting a wrong. The Blue Jays famously picked Ricky Romero in the 2005 draft just ahead of the perennial all-star.

Tulowitzki, 30, has spent his entire career with the Colorado Rockies and has been a proven leader both on and off the field. He sports a career slash line of .299/.372/.514 and this season is hitting .300 with 12 home runs and 53 RBI in 87 games played. He represents an upgrade over Reyes and one has to wonder what it is Reyes has done to get him traded out of town…hmmmmm….defense perhaps? Tulo is a much better defensive player but has also been prone to injury throughout his 10 year career.

The 32-year-old Reyes is a career .285/.322/.385 hitter with 471 stolen bases. He provided speed and leadership at the top of the Jays batting order but never seemed to settle into a nice groove as he to battled various ailments and never seemed truly fine physically.

The other half of the deal is LaTroy Hawkins. He is steady. He is a veteran but he is no closer. He will provide a much needed dose of veteran presence to a very young bullpen. Hawkins for his career is 74-94 with a 4.32 ERA and 126 career saves. This season he has been a rock as he is 2-1 with a 3.63 ERA.

It is a curious move to say the least but there is always one of those big deals around this time that seems to stun the other teams. The question now is what’s next? Who are the prospects that will be leaving Toronto to continue to ply their trade with the Rockies? Due to the needs of the team it would seem some young pitching and perhaps an Anthony Alford or a Max Pentecost.

Tulowitzki is under club control through at least 2020, with a $15 million club option for the 2021 season. There is also a $4M buyout after the 2020 season but this is the type of contract Alex Anthopolous likes….getting a guy who is controllable for a few years. Again it begs the question of who is going to be moved now in order to get the starting pitcher they so desperately need? Does Tulo’s bat replace Edwin Encarnacion? Jose Bautista? Does Tulo even stay in Toronto or will he be dealt before the deadline on Friday?

This move will have the pundits scratching their heads and wondering what’s to come. The speculation will not end until that deadline is met so until then enjoy the ride…this is the beginning of something big…I can feel it.