Today in Blue Jays History: Jays trade for Tulowitzki

Eleven years ago today:

The Blue Jays made a blockbuster trade for Troy Tulowitzki. You know you are getting old when things you think happened a few weeks ago actually happened 11 years ago.

The deal sent Tulowitzki and LaTroy Hawkins to Toronto in exchange for Jose Reyes, Jeff Hoffman (I wonder what ever happened to him), Miguel Castro, and Jesus Tinoco.

At the time, the trade worked: the Blue Jays finally returned to the playoffs. Tulowitzki batted .250/.313/.414 with 36 home runs in 238 games over three seasons for Toronto. After his release, he signed with the Yankees but managed only 13 at-bats before landing on the injured list, then retired soon after.

One can only wonder how Tulowitzki’s tenure in Toronto would have unfolded without the devastating ankle injury he suffered—also on July 28th, in 2017—when he rolled his ankle slipping off first base. At 32, he still had the potential for a few more strong seasons, possibly building the numbers needed for a Hall of Fame case.

When healthy, he was a joy to watch—his signature sidearm throws from shortstop were things of beauty.

Hawkins appeared in 18 games for the Jays in 2015, posting a 2.76 ERA over 16.1 innings before retiring that offseason. The playoffs were less kind: in three appearances (1.2 innings), he surrendered seven earned runs.

As for the players sent to Colorado:

Reyes finished 2015 with a .259/.291/.368 line for the Rockies. He was suspended at the start of the 2016 season for violating MLB’s domestic violence policy and released at the end of his suspension. Reyes then signed with the Mets, played three unremarkable seasons, and was released after 2018.

Hoffman was considered the key prospect in the deal, but unfortunately never reached his projected potential in Colorado. He spent parts of six seasons with the Rockies before being traded to the Reds, where he spent two years. Now, he has made his way back to the Blue Jays.

Castro made minimal impact with the Rockies, pitching in 24 games over two seasons with a 7.20 ERA. He was traded to the Orioles, then to the Mets after three and a half seasons. Since then, Castro has pitched for the Yankees and White Sox, totaling 11 seasons across seven teams with a 4.24 ERA in 425 games.

Tinoco has bounced between teams in his six-year career, logging time with the Rockies, Marlins (twice), Rangers, and Cubs. In 100 games, he holds a 3.98 ERA.

At the time, the trade was popular: a poll showed 75% approval, 18% neutral, and only 7% opposed.

It’s still difficult to judge the trade’s ultimate value. The Jays needed to move on from Reyes, and this was the available deal. They did make the playoffs twice—would they have done so without Tulo?

To move on from Jose Reyes’ hefty contract, the Jays took on Tulo’s even larger one. But as they say, pennants fly forever.

Seven years ago, the Jays called up Bo Bichette and traded Marcus Stoman

Bo hit .311/.358/.571, in 46 games that year, his best OBP and Slugging of his career up until now. In seven years with the Jays, he hit .294/.337/.469 with 111 home runs in 748 games. He’s not having a great season with the Mets, but it seems like every Jays beat reporter has suggested the Jays trade for him, which makes little sense to me.

That same day, they traded Marcus Stroman to the Mets for Anthony Kay and Simeon Woods Richardson. (Woods Richardson, along with Austin Martin, would later be traded to the Twins for José Berríos.)

Looking back, keeping Marcus might have been the better play, but management didn’t expect to re-sign him. Stroman’s big personality may also have played a role in their decision.

Twenty-One years ago, the Jays played a marathon 18-inning game to edge the Angels 2-1.

Pete Walker earned the win with three shutout innings in relief, after Dave Bush started and went 8.1 innings, allowing just one run. The bullpen also featured Scott Schoeneweis, Justin Speier, Vinny Chulk, Jason Frasor, and Miguel Batista.

The walk-off run was scored by Alex Rios, driven in by Orlando Hudson.

That night’s lineup was something special:

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 7/28/2026.

And, not Blue Jays, but 35 years ago Dennis Martinez threw a perfect game for the Expos. I remember watching it. Dave Van Horne’s call was great: