The Yankees officially announced the signing of free-agent SS Troy Tulowitzki to a one-year deal on Friday.
As the Bronx Bombers continue to wait on the decision of free agent Manny Machado, Tulowitzki will join the Yankees on a league minimum contract -- $555,000 -- after he was released by the Blue Jays, who will pay the remaining $20 million owed to him this year, earlier this offseason.
The Yankees will likely insert Tulowitzki in at shortstop while Didi Gregorius recovers from Tommy John surgery.
Time for Tulo. pic.twitter.com/7pW3tCzWUx
- New York Yankees (@Yankees) January 4, 2019
As SNY's Andy Martino pointed out earlier Friday, Tulowitzki was sought out by multiple teams after his Dec. 18 free-agent showcase. There were about 16 teams that showed interest or issued on offer Tulo's way. The Cubs, for one, wanted him to be their starting shortstop with the absence of Addison Russell. The Angels and Pirates were also on the long list.
Tulowitzki's signing also doesn't take the Yankees out of the Manny Machado sweepstakes, although the team continues to remain silent on the matter.
But Tulowitzki ultimately chose the Yankees, and it doesn't come as a surprise considering his baseball roots. He grew up idolizing Derek Jeter and attended a game as a fan during Jeter's final season while a member of the Rockies.
Tulowitzki, a five-time All-Star with the Rockies, did not play the 2018 season because of heel problems. In 2017 with Toronto, he hit .249/.300/.378 with seven home runs and 26 RBI in 66 games.
The 34-year-old last played in 100 games in a season in 2016, when he hit .254/.318/.443 with 24 home runs and 79 RBI in 131 games.
With the Yankees needing to clear space for Tulowitzki on the 40-man roster, the team decided to designate RHP A.J. Cole for assignment.