Blue Jays GM on Tulowitzki deal: 'We're getting the best shortstop in baseball'

Speaking with reporters shortly after finalizing one of the trades that will define his tenure with the Toronto Blue Jays, general manager Alex Anthopoulos explained why, rather than only pursuing pitching help, he couldn't pass up the chance to acquire Troy Tulowitzki.

"We're getting the best shortstop in baseball in our minds," said Anthopoulos. "Those opportunities don't present themselves."

Though trade discussions with the Rockies reportedly began over the winter, Anthopoulos said talks started to really "move along" once he showed a willingness to include Jeff Hoffman, one of three pitching prospects shipped to Colorado along with shortstop Jose Reyes for Tulowitzki and veteran reliever LaTroy Hawkins.

"We would have taken Tulowitzki in the offseason, we just couldn't get a deal done," said Anthopoulous. "This is not a July deal.

"I think we got better, for the short term and the long term," he said.

Related: Blue Jays help pitching by adding Tulowitzki to juggernaut lineup

Anthopoulos, as he's wont to do, defied industry expectations by acquiring Tulowitzki ahead of the trade deadline rather than upgrading his starting rotation, but the executive suggested adding a pitcher remains on his to-do list.

"I can't make any promises," quipped Anthopoulous. "Hope so."

Tulowitzki, who's expected to arrive in Toronto at some point Tuesday evening, will not be active for his new team's series opener against the Philadelphia Phillies at the Rogers Centre.