Jays' blockbuster adds offense, but doesn't address pitching problems

Leave it to the Toronto Blue Jays to make an unconventional, off-the-charts trade before Friday's 4 p.m. non-waiver trading deadline. The Blue Jays have acquired shortstop Troy Tulowitzki and 42-year-old relief pitcher LaTroy Hawkins from the Colorado Rockies for shortstop Jose Reyes and pitching prospects. What's going on? The Blue Jays need pitching, especially in the rotation. Everyone knows about their high-octane offense. But this is a team that has a 50-50 record with a plus-95 run differential. So why trade for another shortstop to add money to the payroll and upgrade a position that is considered strong? Tulowitzki has $104 million left on his contract through 2020. He's coming off hip surgery and while he's an offensive force - one of the best bats in the National League - there are questions about his health. Reyes has $55 million left on his contract through 2017. The Rockies needed payroll relief and pitching prospects. They wanted to get rid of the entire contract, but there were no takers. So cutting their cost in half is the next-best idea. Tulowitzki takes over for Reyes, 32, a former NL batting champion, and probably the biggest difference is that Tulowitzki will give the Blue Jays more defensive range. Reyes, whose body is beaten up playing in the turf in Toronto, has diminishing range, especially to his left. Hawkins' experience in the bullpen will help the Blue Jays, who have rookies Roberto Osuna and Aaron Sanchez, who is just coming off the disabled list, at the back end. Hawkins can set up and close. The Blue Jays rotation, though, remains a question. Mark Buehrle has been outstanding and Marco Estrada has been consistent in becoming the Blue Jays' second-best pitcher. R.A. Dickey has 17 walks in his last seven starts. Drew Hutchison, struggling all season, and Felix Doubront, former Red Sox prospect, round out the rotation. This is classic move for Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos. He's constantly upgrading his lineup. He had Brett Lawrie and third base, but traded him for Josh Donaldson, who is going to be in the AL MVP conversation. He had Dioner Navarro catching, but signed Russell Martin. The Blue Jays, who have seven games left against the Orioles, including four during the final week of the season in Camden Yards, had Reyes, but now added $50 million to their payroll to get Tulowitzki. So it's a bizarre trade for the Blue Jays, but the conventional question remains: Will the Blue Jays find another starter?