Your First Pick: Tulo Or Cargo?
DENVER (CBS4) - Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez are competitive to the core and they're slated to be teammates through 2017. They're two of the best players in the game today. As for starting a baseball team, who would be your first pick? It's a nearly impossible choice.
"That's a tough one. I know that I'd get in trouble, so I'd pick both," joked Rockies' ace Ubaldo Jimenez. "That's a tough one. I don't know."
The question becomes easier when Tulo and Cargo are asked. Both, as might be expected, see the remarkable talent in the other.
"It's a tough question. He's probably the most skillful player I've ever played with," Tulowitzki said of Cargo. "If you talk to people around the league; owners and general managers; I guarantee you they'd probably say him just because you talk about a five-tool talent. I can't run much. I can play some defense, but he can steal you bags, he can do a little bit of everything."
"First pick? Tulo," Gonzalez said. "Because he's a leader. He takes a lot of responsibilities for that and you know everybody just follows him. He's the face of the franchise."
The Rockies have made long-term, big-money commitments to both players. Tulowitzki grew up idolizing Derek Jeter and some people considered him Jeter's heir apparent in 3 years or so when the Yankees star decides to call it quits. But the Rockies made sure that never became an issue. Tulowitzki said it crossed his mind that might have happened.
"At the same time I think that's why the Rockies approached me so early … they knew this Jeter thing was coming up. They knew probably about the time he was going to be done or at least not play shortstop anymore, I was going to be a free agent.
"Most thought it was only going to get better for my case. I think it would only get worse because I'd be getting questions about it each and every day. So the Rockies protected me and now I just worry about playing baseball and don't have to worry about all of that drama."
The Rockies also made Gonzalez rich beyond his wildest dreams. Most people in baseball think that if he had waited for free agency, he could have made much more. But Gonzalez wanted to take care of his family. Life is dangerous for wealthy, high-profile athletes in his native Venezuela. A few years ago Rockies catcher Yorvit Torrealba's son was kidnapped. Happily, he was returned safely. Gonzalez wanted his family safe, sound and secure in the U.S. with him.
"That's why it was a great opportunity for me because now I have to worry about playing the game and my family's future is all good now. Now I just have to concentrate on getting better," Gonzalez said. "That game is going to stay the same for me whether I'm rich or I'm poor. I'm going to have the same feeling for this game."
But if you had to make the first choice, who would you pick?
"I wouldn't want to answer that question," manager Jim Tracy said.
