San Diego Padres Present At Troy Tulowitzki Workout

The San Diego Padres were present at a workout held by free agent Troy Tulowitzki on Tuesday.

Despite missing all of 2018 and playing in only 66 games back in 2017, at least 11 teams, including the San Diego Padres, sent representatives to Long Beach State to watch former Toronto Blue Jays and Colorado Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki workout as he attempts to land with a new organization and continue his playing career.

Tim Brown of Yahoo Sports reported after the workout that at least six organizations believe “Tulo” could be starting for them in 2019, but no teams have emerged as favorites to sign the 34-year-old five-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glove Award winner. The San Diego Padres did have representatives in attendance for the workout, no word on who specifically was there. San Francisco appears to be the most aggressive in their pursuit of Tulowitzki, sending President of Baseball Operations Farhan Zaidi and Bruce Bochy to Long Beach.

Brown’s report indicated that the 34-year-old looked much like his old self, even after coming off surgery on both of his heels to remove bone spurs.

More from Friars on Base

• Padres fighting with hated rival to sign quality veteran relief pitcher
• Jurickson Profar free agency update likely rules out Padres reunion
• Fernando Tatis Jr. may not take to outfield move after Xander Bogaerts addition
• Padres News: Fernando Tatis Jr. trade rumors, Seth Lugo chase, Manny Machado
• Padres barely missed out on high-end veteran starting pitcher

Tulo is sure to have multiple offers waiting for him after his workout, especially with the Toronto Blue Jays paying the rest of the $38 million owed to him over the next two years. Any franchise that signs Tulowitzki will have to pay only the league minimum to take a gamble on him returning to the field healthy.

It has been well documented that the San Diego Padres are in the market for a third baseman. Tulo’s agent has stated that his client is open to playing positions other than shortstop for a new team, including third base. Could the Padres be a fit?

This seems like the exact type of signing AJ Preller would jump on. A cheap, stopgap option as they figure out longterm plans for the hot corner. Over the past seven seasons, Tulowitzki has appeared in at least 100 games in only three of them, however, any sort of production at the plate would justify the pickup, for any organization that signs him.

Across parts of 12 seasons, Tulowitzki has posted a career slash of .290/.361/.495/.856 with 224 home runs, 263 doubles, 779 runs driven in, and a 44.1 bWAR.