The St. Louis Cardinals are currently debating whether to pay big money to their top starting pitchers, so it would seem odd rumors have surfaced that they are interested in Troy Tulowitzki. Tulowitzki is currently the most expensive player on the Colorado Rockies' roster, but according to sources, the Cardinals have been in contact multiple times to discuss a potential trade to get the shortstop.
Tulowitzki is currently signed through 2020 with a contract that will pay him $157.57 million over ten years. Eight years remain on the deal with $144 million left in salary. That is a high-priced contract for the Cardinals to take on. However, the team could make it work. They have several large contacts that will end after the 2013 season. With big named players like Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright in the final years of their contracts, the Cardinals could end up freeing up $53.75 million, which could be enough to get Tulowitzki at his $20.5 annual average salary.
The Rockies could be interested in dumping the hefty contract for top prospects that have been coming out of the Cardinals' farm system. The one snag in the trade could be the injury Tulowitzki suffered. He missed the bulk of the 2012 season with a tear in his groin. The Cardinals are already stalling on giving ace pitched Adam Wainwright a contract extension as he recovers from Tommy John surgery. They may wait and see how healthy Tulowitzki is before even considering a trade.
Tulowitzki is certainly wort the risk and the price tag that comes with him. He is a .292 career hitter who averages 28 home runs over the course of a season. He has been in the top eight in National League Most Valuable Player voting three times and has earned a pair of Golden Gloves.
The Cardinals will have to decide what is going to be their focus with off-the-field dealings. With several of their top pitchers needing new contracts in 2013, will they first try and get one of the best all-around players in the league or put their money towards who is on the mound.
