Blue Jays: Some ideas on how to trade Troy Tulowitzki

Wei-Yin Chen- Marlins

I’m not sure that Tulowitzki would be thrilled to get traded to a team with almost no chance of making the playoffs next year, but there are worse places to live than Miami.

After selling off many of their best veteran pieces last offseason, the Marlins finished in the basement of the NL East with a record of 63-98. They are in the earliest stages of a rebuild, much like the Blue Jays, but are arguably further off from returning to being a contender, especially with a young and talented team like the Braves taking the division in 2018.

The Marlins may actually be a destination that could give Tulo a full-time opportunity at shortstop, and they have an equally expensive veteran that they could be willing to swap. Wei-Yin Chen has two years remaining on his deal, with 42 million guaranteed for 2019-20. He also has an option for 16 million for 2021 that would vest with 180 innings pitched in 2020, or 360 over the next two seasons. That’s likely a long shot though, as his 133.1 innings this season were his highest total since 2015 with he was still in Baltimore.

Chen did manage 26 starts in 2018, so the Marlins may be reluctant to part with him strictly due to his ability to eat some innings. That said, if the Blue Jays were to kick in some money or prospect value, the Marlins could likely be convinced to pull the trigger. It would also be convenient timing for the ownership group, as his salary is set to move up from 10 million, doubling up to 20 next season. Even if it means they’re taking Tulowitzki back in a deal, now is a decent time to move Chen’s contract as well, and Tulo could act as a good mentor for their young players.

Something about Derek Jeter’s club trading for Tulo also feels right, you know?