TORONTO -- It appeared the Toronto Blue Jays needed to add starting pitching to help their playoff push. Instead, they traded for a star shortstop.
Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos said acquiring five-time All-Star Troy Tulowitzki from the Colorado Rockies was "the rare chance that one of the best at his position was available."
"We're getting the best shortstop in baseball in our minds," Anthopoulos said. "We're just thrilled."
The Blue Jays also obtained reliever LaTroy Hawkins from the Rockies for shortstop Jose Reyes and minor league right-handers Miguel Castro, Jeff Hoffman and Jesus Tinoco.
Toronto (50-50) began the night tied for second in the AL East, seven games behind the New York Yankees. The Blue Jays lead baseball with 528 runs but their starters have a 4.38 ERA, third worst in the AL.
"Getting better doesn't have to mean a reliever or a starter," Anthopoulos said. "When you have a chance to get the best player at a respective position and a guy that also brings some intangibles as well, it's a rare opportunity and we wanted to take advantage of it."
Toronto has not reached the playoffs since winning the 1993 World Series -- the longest drought of any major-league team.
"We're within striking distance," outfielder Jose Bautista said. "We have a chance to make something special happen this year."
Asked whether Tulowitzki's offensive and defensive contributions would be enough to end Toronto's postseason skid without an upgrade to the rotation, Anthopoulos said he could't answer until after Friday's non-waiver trade deadline.
"You can save that one for Friday," he said. "Hopefully, we're not having that discussion."
Royals land Zobrist
in deal with Oakland
CLEVELAND -- The Kansas City Royals made another big addition for the season's stretch run on Tuesday, acquiring the versatile Ben Zobrist and nearly $2.6 million from the Oakland Athletics for right-hander Aaron Brooks and minor league left-hander Sean Manaea.
The 34-year-old Zobrist, an infielder and outfielder, batted .268 with six home runs and 33 RBI in 67 games for the A's, who are in last place in the AL West after three straight playoff seasons.
He joins a Royals team that leads the AL in wins and has an eye on winning the World Series after losing in seven games to the San Francisco Giants last October.
Just like that, Zobrist went from a 56-loss team to a title contender. It's the second big move in three days by the Royals, who acquired ace Johnny Cueto from Cincinnati on Sunday.
"I'm already joining a team that's already a great team," Zobrist said. "And the addition of Johnny Cueto, you gotta believe there's going to be a lot more wins coming over the next couple months. I'm super excited about it."
Phillies push back
Hamels' next start
TORONTO -- Cole Hamels is being pushed back one day in Philadelphia's starting rotation and is not scheduled to start for the Phillies again until after Friday's trade deadline has passed.
Hamels threw a season-high 129 pitches in Saturday's no-hitter over the Cubs at Wrigley Field. He is 6-7 with a 3.64 ERA in 20 starts.
The decision gives Hamels an extra day of rest, and prevents him from getting hurt before Friday's 4 p.m. deadline to trade players without securing waivers.
Hamels, who remains the subject of various trade rumors, was due to face Atlanta at home on Thursday. If Hamels is still with Philadelphia after the deadline, he would face the Braves on Friday night.
Sports on 07/29/2015