The Toronto Blue Jays announced Tuesday that they've released veteran shortstop Troy Tulowitzki http://www.giantsfanproshop.com/authentic-madison-bumgarner-jersey , thus making the 34-year-old a free agent.ROSTER MOVE: We've released SS Troy Tulowitzki, making him a free agent.— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) December 11, 2018Tulowitzki missed the entire season with bone spurs in his right ankle, and he was limited to 66 games the year prior because of a high ankle sprain. The Blue Jays decided it was time to cut ties with 'Tulo' and start rolling with their younger players for the 2019 season.As Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports points out, the Blue Jays still owe Tulowitzki $38 million Juan Marichal Jersey , making the release a little surprising. But the former Gold Glover admitted that he wouldn't want to stay in Toronto if they asked him to play a different position next season.advertisingThe Blue Jays acquired Tulowitzki from the Colorado Rockies in a blockbuster deal before the 2015 trade deadline. He was instrumental in helping Toronto end its 22-year playoff drought, and Tulowitzki guided the franchise to consecutive ALCS appearances in 2015 and '16. Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY SportsBut with top prospects in Danny Jansen, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. ready to take over, the Jays have decided聽it was time to start building towards the future.Veteran Yangervis Solarte was released earlier this winter http://www.giantsfanproshop.com/authentic-orlando-cepeda-jersey , while utility man Aledmys Diaz was traded to the Houston Astros for minor league pitcher Trent Thornton. Releasing Tulowitzki is just one of the many house-cleaning moves by the Toronto front office.advertisingWhat This MeansIf the Blue Jays were in position to contend, they would have likely kept Tulowitzki. But he's ageing, injury prone and well past his playing prime. And with so many young infielders to work with, the Blue Jays made the right call in deciding to more out another veteran.Tulowitzki's tenure in Toronto didn't last very long, but fans will surely remember him as the guy that helped them reach the ALCS twice. He will also be cheap in free agency Gaylord Perry Jersey , so Tulowitzki shouldn't have to wait long to find a new home. LOS ANGELES (AP) — Dave Roberts and the Los Angeles Dodgers agreed to a four-year contract extension Monday that would keep him as manager through 2022.The 46-year-old skipper led the team to consecutive World Series appearances for the first time since 1977-78. The Dodgers lost in five games to Boston in October, and lost in seven games to Houston in 2017.In three seasons, Roberts is 287-200 overall. The team has won three straight National League West titles under him and two straight NL pennants. Roberts was the 2016 NL manager of the year.“Keeping Doc as our leader on the field was a top priority this offseason and now that we’ve accomplished that we are excited to collectively shift all of our focus to doing all we can to bring a world championship to our passionate fans,” Andrew Friedman, president of baseball operations http://www.giantsfanproshop.com/authentic-dave-dravecky-jersey , said in a statement.The team had previously exercised Roberts’ option for 2019; the deal announced Monday gives him an additional three guaranteed years.Roberts is the first Los Angeles manager to lead the club to the postseason in each of his first three years.His low-key demeanor has played well in a clubhouse where some high-profile players have had to take lesser roles because of the overabundance of talent on the roster. Roberts has gotten them to buy into the big-picture goal of winning a World Series, something the team hasn’t done since 1988.Roberts drew the ire of Dodgers fans with some of his postseason decisions, especially in the World Series, but clearly ownership and the front office believe he is the person to lead the franchise.“When I was hired to lead this team three years ago, I said at the time that managing the Dodgers is truly the opportunity of a lifetime and I feel the exact same way today Brandon Crawford Jersey ,” he said in a statement. “We’ve worked hard to develop a team and culture that will put us in position to win the World Series every season, but we still have yet to achieve our ultimate goal and that is what drives me each day.”The extension gives the Dodgers a continuity they haven’t had since Hall of Famer Tom Lasorda managed the team from 1976-96.