Signing aging veterans in the twilight of their career isn’t always the most efficient move, but the New York Yankees were forced to do so after starting shortstop Didi Gregorius succumbed to Tommy John surgery.
The Yankees signed experienced infielder Troy Tulowitzki on a veteran minimum deal, while the Toronto Blue Jays pick up a majority of his $20 million yearly salary. In other words, Toronto is paying for Tulo to feature on the team he’s always imagined himself on.
With the two-time Gold Glove winner acting as the stop-gap at shortstop, the Bombers can sleep easy knowing they have a capable player filling in for Didi in his absence.
Troy Tulowitzki starts off his Yankees career with a bang:
You can really tell how exciting Troy is to play for the men in pinstripes. In his first at-bat on his new club during spring training, he launched an opposite-field homer into the right-field porch. To make things even better, it was against his former club’s ace pitcher.
If this impressive home run means anything to you superstition folk, you’re probably excited to see what Tulo can do in the months ahead. Hopefully, this foreshadows ultimate success.
Troy Tulowitzki HOMERS in his first at-bat in pinstripes. pic.twitter.com/lbyht9TWlT
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) February 25, 2019
After the game, Tulo stated:
“It was the biggest spring training homer I’ve ever hit in my life.”
Troy Tulowitzki: “It was the biggest spring training homer I’ve ever hit in my life.”
— Bryan Hoch ?? (@BryanHoch) February 25, 2019
The animation on the veteran’s face as he rounded the bases was simply elevating, as he did it in front of his old and new club. Tulo mentioned that it has been a long road to recovery and to hit a homer in his first at-bat was something special.
Troy Tulowitzki's first Yankees home run was "extra special" for a variety of reasons. pic.twitter.com/3jHaZtTqRO
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) February 25, 2019
The New York Yankees have faith in Tulo:
Tulowitzki missed all of 2018 with injuries to his right heel and foot. Surgery was required to fix the ailment, but it seems as if he’s finally back to full health and ready to make an impact in 2019. In 2017, the last time he hit at the professional level, he finished with a .249 batting average with seven homers and 29 RBIs.
The last time Tulo was a genuine threat at the plate was in 2015 when he batted .300, hitting 12 homers and 53 RBIs. Hopefully, he can regain his form and provide solid offensive production and defensive value in an upgraded Yankees infield.