Tulowitzki could start at short, even if Yankees sign Machado - New York Post

If Troy Tulowitzki performs in spring training the way he did during his workout at Long Beach State last month, he could be the Yankees’ starting shortstop to begin the 2019 season — even if they do end up signing Manny Machado.

That’s what the Yankees told Tulowitzki before he agreed to a deal to come to The Bronx in a move that presents little risk, as the Yankees only will owe him the veteran’s minimum of $550,000, with the rest of his $20 million salary being paid by Toronto.

The Yankees need a shortstop for likely half the season, if not more, as Didi Gregorius recovers from Tommy John surgery.

Should the Yankees also get a deal done with Machado — which remains no sure thing, with the Phillies and White Sox still very much in the mix — Machado would play third, with Tulowitzki at short.

What that would mean for the future of Miguel Andujar remains to be seen, but Andujar’s situation would be up in the air with Machado in pinstripes once Gregorius returns.

The defensively challenged Andujar could be bumped to first base, where the Yankees only have Luke Voit — still unproven despite his stunning emergence late last season after a trade from St. Louis — and Greg Bird, who hasn’t shown he can stay healthy or productive.

Those are two things Tulowitzki hasn’t been able to do in recent seasons, either.

He didn’t play at all last season because of surgeries to both heels and he was limited to just 66 games in 2017 due to problems with his ankle and hamstring.

Those injuries led Toronto to cut Tulowitzki loose despite still owing him $38 million over the next two seasons.

But according to three scouts who saw Tulowitzki during his workout last month, the 34-year-old hardly looked like a broken-down former All-Star.

Instead, all three came away impressed with Tulowitzki’s form, both in the field and at the plate.

“I was skeptical going in, given how long it’s been since he’d played, but he didn’t seem like a guy who missed all of last year,’’ said one National League scout. “He was sharp at shortstop. His arm was strong and his bat had some life to it.”

The scout added, though, he remained unsure of Tulowitzki’s future.

“It’s been a long time since he’s been an everyday player and he’s at an age where you don’t know if that’s ever coming back,’’ the scout said. “But it’s not costing [the Yankees] anything, so why not take a chance?”

That was the feeling of several organizations following the workout.

“No one went there expecting to see the MVP, Gold Glove candidate from years ago,’’ another NL scout said of Tulowitzki, whose last productive season was in 2016, when he hit 24 homers and had a .761 OPS in 131 games.

“But if he can play like he did a few years ago, I think the Yankees would take it,’’ the second NL scout said. “And from what he showed in California, there’s no reason he can’t. The health stuff, you don’t know about until he gets out there.”

When he does get out there, will Machado be next to him?

— Additional reporting by Joel Sherman

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