There’s a debate that’s raging in my head when it comes to the Blue Jays' otherworldly offensive output in 2015.
I can’t decide which was more shocking: that the Blue Jays dominated baseball in nearly every offensive category, or that, after being traded to Toronto, shortstop Troy Tulowitzki had nothing to do with it.
And as I try to reconcile that adding one of baseball’s best hitters did nothing to boost an already-potent Blue Jays offense, I can’t help but think Toronto will only look better at the plate in 2016 with Tulowitzki in a Blue Jays uniform the entire season.
Last year, the Blue Jays led the league with 570 walks, a .340 on-base percentage, 232 homers and 891 runs scored, which were 127 more than the second-place Yankees. Toronto’s .269 batting average was second to Detroit’s league-leading .270.
Tulowitzki stood between Toronto and the team batting title.
After a trade on July 28 sent him to Toronto, Tulowitzki hit .239/.317/.380 in 41 games with the team. It was a shockingly poor output for a player who had hit .300/.348/.471 in the 87 games prior with the Rockies.
Yet, still, Toronto’s offense served as the league’s benchmark—in name only. The numbers the Blue Jays put up seemed far too unattainable for any other roster.
But the fact that Tulowitzki did nothing to help that effort makes it seem as if the team is adding an All-Star to its 2016 roster. That’s the kind of player Tulowitzki has proven to be over his 10-year career, save those 41 games last season with the Blue Jays.
Tulowitzki’s struggles at the end of last season brought his average down to .280, which was his worst mark since hitting .263 in 2008. Clearly his performance after the trade was an outlier.
We’re likely to see the version of Tulowitzki in 2016 that can hit .300 as easily as Justin Bieber can find his next girlfriend. Remember Tulowitzki is the same player who hit .340 just two seasons ago.
Switching leagues may have had an adverse effect on Tulowitzki. An offseason to study the American League pitchers he will face regularly should allow him to round back into the hitter he was before he was traded to Toronto.
The offseason might have helped ease his psyche a little too. Tulowitzki deserves criticism for having brought his issues with the Rockies to Toronto.
A nasty, public split with Colordao ended with Tulowitzki and Rockies manager Walt Weiss getting into a verbal altercation after the shortstop was pulled from a game and told he was traded to Toronto.
Tulowitzki’s understanding was that he would be consulting about any potential trade. Apparently that did not happen.
He was so fumed about the situation that it has continued into this spring training. Just a few weeks ago, Tulowitzki engaged in a wide-ranging rant on the Rockies organization in an interview with USA Today’s Bob Nightengale. Tulowitzki not only criticized the way in which his trade was handled, but he also knocked the Rockies’ spring training facility and his frustrations with being the leader on a young Colorado team.
But most importantly to Toronto, Tulowitzki vowed that he was done rehashing the situation. Whether justified or not, the aftermath of the breakup with Colorado weighed on him in Toronto.
The passing of time should give him relief.
The reality, though, is that regardless of the reasons, I can’t foresee Tulowitzki struggling as he did with the Blue Jays last season.
Even if he doesn’t return to being the .300 hitter he was for so many seasons with the Rockies, he is certain to hit better than .239. His history suggests it.
It’s impossible to look at last season’s Blue Jays output, presume that Tulowitzki will be better and dismiss the idea that Toronto will be even better offensively in 2016.
Given the numbers the Blue Jays posted, it seems hard to believe. Insane even.
But considering the Blue Jays traded for Tulowitzki to rely on him offensively, it’s clear that the team didn’t even reach its potential. Without a star player playing as such, the team couldn’t have done so.
Even the slightest improvement from Tulowitzki means that even more is possible for this team.
Looking at Toronto’s 2015 offensive numbers, even now, stuns me a little bit. Then I realize how much more is possible in 2016 with a Tulowitzki unencumbered by all that comes with being traded midseason.
And if he returns to form, what shocked me in 2015 could turn into something historic this season.
Seth Gruen is a national baseball columnist for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter @SethGruen and like his Facebook page.
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