Some news items from the Motor City….
- "The Tigers were not involved in the bidding for Jamey Carroll," reports MLB.com's Jason Beck. The Tigers are willing to give a multiyear deal to a second baseman but weren't willing to offer such a contract to the 37-year-old Carroll. The Twins signed Carroll to a two-year, $7MM contract today, pending a physical. Carroll was seen as a fit in Detroit by several contestants in the MLBTR Free Agent Prediction Contest, including both myself and Tim Dierkes.
- Also from Beck, the Tigers have begun negotiations with some free agent targets but "no deal is believed to be close."
- Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski told Jim Bowden on MLB Network Radio (Twitter link) that his club is looking at second and third basemen, "but doubts" the Tigers will pursue such big names as Aramis Ramirez, Jose Reyes or Jimmy Rollins.
- Dombrowski also confirmed to Bowden (Twitter link) that the club will tender a contract to Delmon Young. Matt Swartz projects Young will earn $6.3MM in arbitration this winter, Young's third time through the process. Young was on pace to be non-tendered by the Twins but after being dealt to the Tigers in August, Young hit reasonably well down the stretch for Detroit and posted a 1.170 OPS in the Tigers' ALDS victory over the Yankees.
We need a more speed, with the size of Comerica.
True statement.
I’d take speed, sure, but it’s not as much of a priority. Who cares if they’re a slow team. Fast teams, slow teams, as long as you hit and pitch, you’re good. That being said, they need a solid infield bat and probably another solid bullpen arm.
Looks like if the Tigers are satisfied with Sizemore’s health he will be a Tiger next year on a one year deal, since that is all he is looking for. I think it would be worth the risk. Just look at how all of the other former Indians have done for the Tigers….
What would the Tigers do with Sizemore since Young, Jackson, and Boesch have those spots locked up?
Trade Young or rotate the four. Brennan Boesch is the closest thing the Tigers have to a “complete” outfielder, and his defense isn’t much to write home about.
The Tigers aren’t satisfied with Dirks or Raburn. Even if they don’t sign anyone, I wouldn’t rule out a trade – they’ve had their names attached to too many people.
Why not Aramis Ramirez? Leland would keep him focused and he would drive in a ton of runs in the middle of the order.
If not him, what do the Tigers have in mind for 3rd base in 2012? I’m guessing not Betemit or Inge.
I wouldn’t take everything DD said, as far as who they are and aren’t pursuing, in a MLB radio interview as gospel.
Agreed. DD likes to keep things close-to-the-vest.
As for 3B, I’m thinking Betemit is gone. Inge/Kelly platoon for this year. Hope that Castellanos is ready for 2013, but he’ll probably need one more year – guessing they sign someone to a one-year deal for 2013 to bridge that gap.
2B is where they really need to go – maybe Aaron Hill (can play 2B/SS/3B), can spell you for a year or two until Hernan Perez is ready. And Hill won’t cost you a draft pick (Kelly Johnson will, so forget him). Agreed on Sizemore – that would be a nice pickup for a year – make the contract incentive-loaded. He’s still relatively young. At that point, I might consider dropping Delmon – good bat, but defensive liability at the CoPa. If you have to spell Sizemore, you still have Dirks, whose probably not going to make the Opening Day roster, with having to carry a backup catcher.
Grab a left-handed #5 starter and one more middle reliever, and you’ll be good to go.
Of course, it’s not my money being tossed around…
That’s the thing, it’s Mike Ilitch’s money and he’s already mandated that he wants a big sign or two.
Dombrowski’s trying to low ball agents and temper people’s expectations, but then again, Mr. Ilitch pretty much mandated that we sign Damon last year, and overpay him to boot.
Never count anything out.
That’s the thing, it’s Mike Ilitch’s money and he’s already mandated that he wants a big sign or two.
Dombrowski’s trying to low ball agents and temper people’s expectations, but then again, Mr. Ilitch pretty much mandated that we sign Damon last year, and overpay him to boot.
Never count anything out.
Here’s what I’d like to see the Tigers do.
Trade a low-level prospect for Chone Figgins and 8-10MM. For his potential speed and defense, he’s worth a two-year 6MM risk and won’t cost much in terms of prospects. It’s rare to find a switch-hitting 2b/3b with plus defense that can steal even 20-30 bases, let alone 40. Worse comes to worse, they have the revolving door at 2b or 3b that they had last year.
Trade some midlevel prospects for Martin Prado. The Tigers add a versatile everyday player that can play and produce offensively at literally every position that they are weak at. As an added bonus, he’s Venezuelan like MCab and VMart.
And…if possible
Trade Delmon Young, Rick Porcello/Jacob Turner and a midlevel prospect for Andre Ethier before a new owner comes in and locks him up. Preferably, sign him to an extension afterword. Although it hurts to lose one of Turner/Porcello, the Tigers have 4 righties in their rotation for the forseeable future in Verlander, Fister, Scherzer, and one of Porcello/Turner. They have many pitching prospects on the way and they really need a lefty for the fifth spot, possibly one of the 3 in their top 5 prospects.
Additionally, Ethier is a sound upgrade offensively and defensively over Delmon Young and likely won’t be available when a new owner arrives in LA. He also hits LH and always has an OBP around .360 and hits around 20 homeruns when healthy despite playing in one of the toughest hitter’s parks and hitter’s leagues with (Dodger Stadium, Petco Park, and AT&T) for the majority of his games. I’d be much more comfortable with the Tigers extending him rather than Delmon Young.
P) Verlander, Fister, Scherzer, Porcello/Turner, Crosby/Oliver/Smyly
Even if Figgins doesn’t fully rebound, its clear that this lineup looks great on paper
2b/3b) Prado
LF) Boesch
RF) Ethier
1b) Cabrera
DH/C) VMart
SS) Peralta
C) Avila
3b/2b) Figgins/Inge
CF) AJax
I’d be really happy if this happened, and none of it is that unreasonable.
Not very likely though, as the Tigers have been talking about how they’re not looking to make major moves this off-season.
If it came down to it, I’d rather trade Porcello than Turner. I think his upside is a lot higher, and he’s more likely to develop into a #1 or #2 starter.
I agree with you on the Turner vs. Porcello. I was simply trying to give reasonable offer and I am not sure how much value other GMs give Porcello as opposed to Turner. He flashes brilliance at times and then at other times looks like a scared child.
Either way, Ethier is probably off the table. I doubt Delmon Young gets dealt or replaced though. For as much as fans, including Tiger fans, don’t like him, the guy proved himself as a clutch hitter in the playoffs and really stepped it up on a contending team. He is going to be looking to prove himself worthy of a contract this year and I think he will take advantage of the opportunity.
As for Figgins and Prado, I could very easily see the Tigers acquiring both and I hope they take that route. I don’t like Aaron Hill, the injury history and inconsistency are enough to scare me away from him. He reminds me of Brandon Inge, a guy capable of hitting for power but not much else. The Tigers need to add speed and pesky hitters that wear down opposing pitchers and I think Prado and Figgins would fit that route.
Agreed, I could see them going the Figgins and Prado route.
Dmitri Young = an albatross with an albatross around its neck.
i thought delmon young played well in his time in Detroit but i would rather see them give him the arbitration deal and go out and sign sizemore too. That way if young does well again and jackson plays like he did this year you can slide Grady sizemore to center. its a win win you cant go wrong with 4 potential all star outfielders
I also think the tigers should go after aaron hill give him a 2 year 14 mil deal and go out and trade for chone figgins to play 3rd base till castellanos is ready.
i think we should trade porcello and another top pitching prospect (not turner or crosby) for Gio Gonzalez!
herse how i see the starting lineup
1.Chone figgins 3b
2.Austin jackson/ grady sizemore cf
3.brennen boesch rf
4.m cabrera 1b
5.v mart dh
6.delmon young lf
7.Alex avilia c
8.aaron hill 2b
9.jhonny peralta ss
rotation
1.jv
2.fister
3.gonzalez
4.scherzer
5.turner
Agree with you on acquiring Chone Figgins, not sure I would lead him off right away. No way they platoon Austin Jackson though. His defense is too valuable for him to split time. I like the Sizemore signing to platoon with Delmon Young, but I don’t see it happening. Sizemore wants a starting job, not a platoon. Aaron Hill would be fine, but I’d prefer them to acquire Martin Prado, who they can play in LF, 2b, and 3b, three arguable positions of weakness.
I am not sure about the Gio Gonzalez trade. The guy had an awesome defense, division and ballpark that definitely helped his numbers. Though the Rangers are tough, facing the Angels and Mariners more often than not is not much of a challenge. He’d have the ballpark still in Comerica, but defense and division would be much worse for him.
i agree with you on the prado idea, he reminds me a lot of placido palanco with more speed and i was just throwing out gio gonzalez name because hes young and availble and we really need a lefty in the rotation.
what do you think of this lineup?
1 prado 2b
2 boesch Rf
3 cabrera 1b
4 martinez dh
5 young lf
6 avilia c
7 peralta ss
8 jackson cf
9 figgins 3b
i like cabrera batting 3rd especially with jackson and figgins at the bottom with speed and miggy could be up with them on base. that was just an idea but with those players what lineup would you use?
I am one of the few supporters of Delmon Young at the 3 spot actually. The guy is simply not a patient hitter and pitchers are not about to walk him to face Miguel Cabrera so he gets pitches to hit at the 3-spot and as you saw last year, he takes advantage of them.
I think you have to keep Miggy at cleanup. At the 3-spot, pitchers will gladly walk him to face VMart, knowing that he isn’t nearly as likely to hit one out of the park as MCab.
I would go with a lineup like this…
2b/3b) Prado (R)
RF) Boesch (L)
LF) Delmon Young (R)
1b) Miguel Cabrera (R)
DH/C) VMart (S)
SS) Peralta (R)
C/DH) Avila (L)
CF) Jackson (R)
3b/2b) Figgins (S)
i totally agree and i love boesch in the 2 hole he has speed and pop he has all 5 tools, i think he has a a chance to be great, look for him to have a breakout year possibly a 20hr 20 steal season? hes very capable of hitting homruns and he has the speed to do it. i see him hitting 25-35 homers next year if healthy the whole season.
do you think thats reasonable?
and what would you do for bullpen and a left handed starter?
and do you know how far casey crosby is away from the show?
Boesch definitely has the power potential for 20-25 HRs in Comerica but the stolen bases I’m less optimistic about. Leyland already rarely lets guys run and at 6’4 around 230 1bs, Boesch isn’t exactly a speedster. That being said, I wouldn’t be surprised to seem him nab 10-15 stolen bases, given his athleticism and good baserunning skills.
Bullpen, I think they have to give Zumaya one more shot on a minor-league deal especially since he wants to stay there. It’s a low-risk, possibly very high reward. I’d also bring in a guy like George Sherill on a low-risk deal. Wasn’t a long time ago he was a solid closer in the AL (not that they’d use him as one) and they may be able to get him at a discount considering he was overshadowed by Kimbrel and Venters in Atlanta this season.
As for a lefty starter, I’m a big fan of competition between Crosby, Oliver, and even Smyly. That being said, it wouldn’t hurt to bring in a veteran lefty for guidance and for around 120 innings on a one year deal. Despite the negative sentiment toward Erik Bedard, I think he would be a really good fit for the Tigers, not as a full-time starter, but as a 5th starter that shares starts with Crosby, Oliver, and/or Smyly.
i like crosby a lot and what do you think about johnaton broxton to pitch the 7th?
I am not sure he’s necessary unless he comes at the right price. With Valverde, Benoit, Al Albuquerque (I think he comes back?), Ryan Perry (who I think will improve), and possibly Zumaya, I don’t see the need to overpay. Some lefty relievers are where they need to improve, which is why I recommended George Sherill. Schlereth and Coke might step up next season, but I would bring in a guy like Sherill for insurance.
Delmon Young won’t reach arbitration. Since Dombrowski has been in Detroit he hasn’t had a single arbitration hearing.
He’ll likely be signed to a one year deal before then.
Here’s an idea I had
Tigers acquire Ichiro, Chone Figgins, and 10MM from the Mariners for Delmon Young and one-two prospects. M’s get a complimentary RH OF power bat in Delmon Young, salary relief around 11MM. (Figgins 9MM+Ichiro 17MM=28MM)-10MM(included in trade)-7MM (due to Delmon Young)=11MM. This would give them extreme flexibility to possibly sign Prince Fielder, arguably the last piece of the puzzle for them long-term. My only concern is fan backlash toward losing Ichiro (even though he is on the decline), but if it means getting Fielder, I think fans will cope.
Tigers add 11MM in salary (what they paid Guillen last season) for two players that fill needs, are capable of leading off, and extremely upgrade their defense.
Tigers then acquire Martin Prado for OF prospects or instead include Delmon Young and cash in this deal and more prospects in the other deal. Tigers land their 2nd baseman or 3rd baseman for the next 3 seasons until either Hernan Perez or Nick Castellanos is ready.
Although its clear Ichiro is showing signs of decline, I truly believe that given the opportunity on a contending team in his contract year, we will see him finish his contract on a high note if he were to accept a trade to Detroit. Given an opportunity to win, I think he accepts a trade and makes the best of it.
RF) Ichiro (L)
2b/3b/OF) Prado (R)
LF) Boesch (L)
1b) Miguel Cabrera (R)
DH/C) VMart (S)
SS) Peralta (R)
C/DH) Avila (L)
CF) AJax (R)
3b/2b/OF) Figgins (S)
i dont like the ichrio idea at all hes old and delmon has his whole career ahead of him and i think he has a chance to break out next season with the tigers hitting in front of miggy.He hit 8 homeruns in 40 games if you do the math that would be around 25-30 homeruns in a full season and he is very capable of driving in runs as we saw last year with the twins! heres what i see the tigers doing for next season.
go out and get prado for raburn/dirks and outfield prospects(not fields)
also go out and get headley for maybe Ryan strieby and other prospects from the padres
1. prado 2b
2. boesch Rf
3. young Lf
4. miggy 1b
5. vmart DH
6. headly 3b
7. peralta SS
8. avilia C
9. ajax CF
I like Headley, but I’m afraid Headley would cost too much in terms of prospects if they traded for him. The Padres are intent on keeping him and will have a high asking price. I’m also not sold on him quite yet. He’s had one good year offensively and didn’t even hit for that much power in the process. I want to see him replicate that performance before committing to him for the next 3 years.
Ichiro, on the other hand, is no doubt a proven hitter. He is the closest thing to a guarantee to hit above .270 in a given season and that’s being modest. I do agree he is no doubt on the decline and up there in age, but the man still stole more bases than nearly the entire Tiger team (40), meaning his speed is still in tact. He also stole this many bases with a low on-base percentage. You also should consider that he played for the worst offense in baseball the past three seasons and would move to one of the best in Detroit.
Despite his age, Ichiro has proven himself among the most durable players in baseball. He has played over 150 games every season of his career except once, where he played 146 missing the mandatory 15 games for the DL. He knows what he has to do every offseason to stay healthy and he does so. He won’t cost much in terms of prospects, and a I say a one-year high salary gamble is worth it for a future HOFer that wants to win a championship.
7 former All-Stars in one lineup and the two former top-5 rookie of the year candidates as the other two members of the lineup. Not too shabby.
i heard that mark reynolds is possibly available and i know he has horrible stikeout numbers and batting average but 40 homeruns is nice and he has the power to do that in detroit no matter how big comerica is.i seehim batting 8th behind avila and ahead of jackson,
do you like that idea?
I am not a fan of Mark Reynolds. The Tigers need guys that can work the count. AJax and Peralta already strikeout enough that pitchers don’t have to throw as many pitches to them. The more pitches opposing pitchers have to throw, the sooner it is they wear down and make mistakes or have to leave the game. Then Detroit faces middle-relief pitchers that are much easier to hit.
Furthermore, Detroit already has an average to below average SS defensively in Peralta. 3b is where they should make up for some of that ground with an above average defender like Figgins or Prado in my opinion. If they were going to emphasize just power and no average there, they might as well play Inge there. He’d play better defense and hit 30 homeruns in 2009.
david wright?
The guy is a 3b, one of the most demanding positions in the league, and is recovering from fracturing his back. He was an average defender at the position before the injury. They’d only get him for one season and he also strikes out a lot. Mets will not want to sell-low on him, so he will cost a lot. I don’t think he’s worth it.
Here is the best case scenario we go out and sign Reyes 6 years 90-100 million and slide peralta to 3rd and go out and trade for prado
here is how i see the order next season
ss reyes (s)
2b Prado (r)
Lf young (r)
1b cabrera (r)
DH vmart (s)
Rf boesch (L)
3b Peralta (r)
C avilia (L)
Cf Jackson (r)
I’d love to see Reyes signed around that price, but my gut tells me he’s going to demand Carl Crawford money (which is an overpay) and with teams like the Miami Marlins entering the frame, he’s going to get it. He’s without doubt going to get at least the contract you proposed and if you had a choice of playing in Miami or Detroit for the same price, where would you chose? I also think it’s a bad idea to shift Peralta back to third. He was extremely discontent in Cleveland playing 3b and that may have been one of the underlying causes of his diminished production his last couple seasons in Cleveland. Since he has shifted back to SS, he has been a top offensive SS in the league. While there’s no scientific proof that its correlated, I wouldn’t piss off a player who’s currently content playing in Detroit.
if i had the choice of playing for the Marlins or Tigers i would chose the tigers in a heart beat they just made it far in the playoffs and have a solid rotation and with the addition of reyes would make us one of the top 3 offenses in the mlb.If you had the choice of playing for a team thats a conterder wouldnt you chose them 1st?
As a Tigers fan, I’d pick the Tigers too. But Reyes is all about the money, and just seems like the type to just wanna take the highest paycheck or go play in Miami for a similar amount of money (i.e.) Chris Bosh
Its fun talking potential lineups with you so heres my lineup and predictions for next season.
1(R)Martin Prado 2B BA(.285) HR(10-15) RBI (60) SB(5-15)
2(L)Grady Sizemore LF BA(.280) HR(10-20) RBI (75-85) SB(25-35)
3(L)Brennan Boesch RF BA(.290) HR(25-30) RBI(85-95) SB(15-25)
4(R)Miguel Cabrera 1B BA(.340) HR(30-40) RBI(110-120) SB(2)
5(S)Victor Martinez DH BA(.320) HR(15-20) RBI (95-105) SB(0)
6(L)Alex Avilia C BA(.300) HR(20-25) RBI (90-100) SB(2)
7(R)Jhony Peralta SS BA (.290) HR(20-25) RBI(85-95) SB(3)
8(R)Austin Jackson CF BA (.280) HR(15-20) RBI(50) SB(30-40)
9(S)Chone Figgins 3b BA(.230) HR(1-2) RBI(30) SB(35-50)
Yeah potential lineups are always fun.
I think those projections are all very accurate except Sizemore. I would limit the expectations. He has had his fair share of leg and abdominal injuries, which I think will impact his speed. The power is legitimate and I would maybe project 15-25 given a full season of at-bats. But the speed and batting average are high. I don’t see him stealing more than 20 bases after all the surgery he has gone through on his legs. I also think his BABIP will be lower than his career mark, given a considerable drop in speed, making him more for a .260 hitter. He also has his fair share of strikeouts.
im not sure about you but i think austin jackson will bounce back and i think he has a chance to hit 20 HRs a year and will steal 40 if leyland lets him go on his own.
i honestly think we will be seeing a little bit of the 2010 austin jackson mixed with a more gaps/homerun power austin jackson! but thats just my opinion when going good he is one of the more exciting players in baseball to watch!!!
While I see him hitting 20 homeruns at some point in his career, I don’t think it will happen next year. Especially if the Tigers get a leadoff hitter and he winds up batting eighth or ninth. I don’t think he’d have enough ABs. 15 homeruns not out of the question and 40 Sbs would not be a stretch. 15-40 makes him a cheaper version of Shane Victorino
im not expecting it to happen next year but i wouldn’t be shocked if it did and he has way more upside than victorino in my opinion
i like the idea of getting a speedy guy that can play defense but im not sure figgins can be that guy