GM Annual Meeting: Is Troy Tulowitzki headed to the St. Louis Cardinals?

Yahoo Sports MLB columnist Jeff Passan reported late Sunday night that the St. Louis Cardinals have shown a serious interest in acquiring Colorado Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki during this week’s annual meetings in Orlando.
Sep 18, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki (left) is unable to make the tag in time as St. Louis Cardinals left fielder Matt Holiday (right) slides into second base for a double during the fifth inning at Coors Field. Image Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
What is known is that the veteran shortstop has a no-trade clause and has $134 million remaining on a seven-year contract. Publicly, the Rockies ownership has long said that they will not trade their shortstop but it’s possible, Passan reports, that they privately would like to get rid of a large portion of their future payroll.

Passan writes:

"It is unclear whether Tulowitzki would accept any deal, either to the Cardinals or other potential suitors, as his contract includes a no-trade clause. Cardinals outfielder Matt Holliday, a former teammate in Colorado, is a close friend, and with the Rockies languishing in last place for the second consecutive season, Tulowitzki could see St. Louis, coming off World Series appearances in two of the last three years, as the perfect landing spot."

Meanwhile, there’s the question of who do the Cardinals send over. With Todd Helton retiring, first base is open and Matt Adams sounds like an intriguing name that the Rockies would have to consider. With the rise of Oscar Taveras and outfielder Stephen Piscotty also making a fast rise through the Cardinals system, the Cardinals outfield would be very crowded so moving Allen Craig to right field is not going to be in the long term plans for the Cardinals, especially with his injury history of late.

It’s no secret that the Cards are loaded with power arms in the minor leagues. The Rockies would be interested in acquiring a few of them in a possible trade.

"Shelby Miller especially would fit that slot, with Lance Lynn a less-desirable option; the Cardinals, sources said, would not entertain a deal that includes rookie Michael Wacha. St. Louis likely would need to include either lefty flamethrower Kevin Siegrist or closer Trevor Rosenthal, and perhaps one more piece, depending on how hard a bargain Colorado plans on driving."

It will be interesting to see what develops.