January 30th: Martinez had "microfracture surgery and repairs to both the medial and lateral meniscus in his left knee on Friday," announced the Tigers. The Tigers expect him to have ACL reconstruction surgery in about six-to-eight weeks, which will sideline him for all of 2012. After losing Martinez, the Tigers moved quickly to sign Prince Fielder to a nine-year deal.
January 17th: Catcher/designated hitter Victor Martinez suffered a torn ACL in his left knee during his off-season conditioning last week, according to the Tigers. Surgery is anticipated, which the Tigers say would cost Martinez the 2012 season.
The Tigers are holding a conference call in about a half hour, at which point we should hear about their plans to replace Martinez after the unfortunate injury.
paging Vlad Guerrero?
a possibility i suppose
Gross.
Carlos Pena makes the most sense. He plays great D and Cabrera does not. Pena can be the 1st baseman and Cabrera can DH against righties playing 1st against lefties.
Clearly you do NOT watch the Tigers. The proof is your asinine statement that Cabrera doesn’t play good D, which is false. Cabby’s D has been getting better and better each season, and he’s made some fantastic plays very routinely. He may have been a lousy third-baseman, but that’s not the case with his first-base play.
I feel the same way…his FPCT was just .002 less than Pena’s, and his range factor was actually higher.
But how good is he at the most important aspect of 1B defense–receiving throws and saving bad ones from going by him?
He’s not the best, but he’s not the worst either.
Pena is seen as a pretty good guy on that front. I’ve sen him save quite a few throws. Since this is the biggest thing a 1B deals with defensively, I’d rather have the superior receiver than a minute increase in range.
The Tigers would never DH Cabrera just for 1 year for a guy not much a better defender than him
Cabby had 5 more errors than Pena with 300 more plays on the season. On top of that, Miguel hits closer to 300 when he DH’s vs 330 when he plays 1B.
Maybe so, but i’d rather .330 to .190….
Improving is the not the same as being good.
Still was 4 runs below average last year … and that was his good year. Cabrera is a subpar fielding 1st baseman. Fact is nobody cares because his bat is so freaking amazing.
It’s really not much of a stretch to say that Cabrera is not a good defender. I think your opinion is more a product of seeing Cabrera far more than any other first baseman rather than being based on actual comparison. Players like Adrian Gonzalez, Mark Teixeira and Derek Lee are excellent defensive first baseman. Cabrera may have improved over the course of time, but a good defender he is not. He is obviously slow and, like the poster below stated, he does not excel at saving bad throws. Cabrera is a great player, don’t get me wrong, but let’s not pretend that defense is one of his specialties.
For what it’s worth, his four year UZR/150 (a significant sample size) ranks as the 5th worst figure among players with 2500 innings played at first base.
People forget that Cabrera was a SS in the minors. A shortstop.
…and people like you neglect to mention that he has put on at least 55 pounds and wasn’t a good shortstop or third baseman to begin with. This isn’t the gold glove voting, guys, offense doesn’t beget good defense.
Are you sure that SS is a shortstop?
Are you sure you didn’t mean “BACKSTOP”? Sorry, couldn’t pass it up…
Seth Smith for Turner
Seth Smith is already gone….
oh it would be Beane on that trade, DOD hates Smith, realistically Manny would be an interesting DH replacement
It was always Johnny Damon’s dream to do a second stint for the Detroit Tigers.
Jacob Turner to the Jays for Adam Lind and one of Bret Cecil or Kyle Drabek
That’s horrible news. V-Mart is an awesome player. Best of luck to him in his recovery.
wow!
Sorry for V-Mart and sorry for the Tigers. That sounds like a freaky injury.
That is a huge bummer! let’s go Damon!
o hell no not again
That’s aweful. He was so huge for Detroit. I hope his recovery goes well.
That sux. Glad I traded him from my fantasy team.
Nobody cares about anyone’s fantasy team.
No, it doesn’t sound like it. You be sure to let everyone know that.
Carlos Pena!
a possibility…
OMG We’re screwed!
Hey Tigers…we have this guy, Olivo…he’s a catcher and he hit like 20 homers last season! Yeah he sucked at everything else, but you’re in no position to to complain. So what do you say?!
Tigers have Alex Avila as their catcher. Gerald Laird is the backup
No. No. No. No. NO!
You know you want him and it will only cost you is a bag of balls and some chewing gum.
Miguel Olivo to Detroit
Uh oh, Spaghetti-o’s!!!
enter cespedes
That’s exactly what I thought. Either that or a possible return of Damon or Mags for a year. Detroit is going to need to replace that bat if they have any serious thought of winning the division
they’re still the favorites for that division, but they need to prepare for a deep playoff run
i don’t know how close they are to their spending limit, but sliding delmon to DH for the year and giving the job to cespedes seems like a viable solution. that way delmon can’t hurt them in the field and who knows maybe hitting full-time will help his discipline
for detroit’s sake, i hope they don’t panic and pull the trigger on a lopsided garza trade
There was a plan to make a serious run at Cespedes anyway. Move DY to the DH spot. Now the batting order is another matter.
You realize he has like 4 hits in the Dominican league. He is more likely going to be a bust
i have never been into cespedes, but i wouldn’t dare try to use a performance sample like that one against him
(expletive deleted)!
WHAT?!?! NOOOOO
Sorry to hear about V Mart .. he is all class individual as well as a ball player..Speedy recovery Victor!! We miss you in Boston
Go get Prince.
You can’t sign Fielder to a massive 6 year deal just because V-Mart will be out for one year.
Yes you can. Give Prince seven years with an opt out after 3. Place him at DH for this year. Tell Cabrera he has a year and a half to lose 30lbs. Put him at third for 2013, Prince at 1st, and V-Mart at DH. Money is the only (large) factor.
You want Miggy playing 3B? That would leave opportunities galore open to opposing teams.
Plus, the Tigers would have to convince Fielder to be a DH (even for a year).
It’s not as crazy as you make it sound. Prince could DH for one year with a guarentee of being at first for a while. Cabrera has played third before and if he loses 30 lbs. in the next 1.5 years, he should be fine.
The only problem with that is that Fielder would never sign in Detroit as he hates his dad and well, we all know Cecil around these parts..
That makes no sense. Do you have a quote or are you just speculating?
He definitely hates his dad, and I also think that would prevent him from wanting to come back.
I mean, they did cross promotions all over town when he was a kid. I think he would prefer to avoid always being compared to pops..but thats just speculation on my part.
I don’t think that’s a factor.
Opinions are always welcome :)…I just think a guy that gets angry when you ask him about his Dad would likely avoid a town that worshipped the guy.
That’s the past. I never hear about Cecil.
Jason Beck just tweeted this exact point btw…comparisons to his Cecil would come uup
I’m just saying that it won’t be that big of a factor when looking at everything els.e
I’m just saying that it won’t be that big of a factor when looking at everything els.e
I’m just saying that it won’t be that big of a factor when looking at everything els.e
Big Cecil started out in Toronto, and he’s not opposed to going there. Your logic is not logical.
Cecil never led the Tigers to the playoffs. A Miggy/Prince tandem (or Mart/Miggy/Prince core) could take the Tigers to the World Series.
Guess who the Tigers fans worship then.
I doubt losing 30 lb. will turn Cabrera into a good defender at third.
We don’t need good. We just need servicable.
Look, I love Cabrera, but he’s not serviceable at third either.
Over his career, Cabrera has a -10.9 UZR rating. UZR/150 has him at -4.5 for his career.
The only defensive position where he’s at least tolerable is 1B—and he’s not a very good defensive 1B either.
Is there a stat that can show how one players offense can compare to anothers offense? What I’m getting at is if Fielders offense could make Cabrera’s defense tolerable.
Cabrera is the superior player, both on offense and defensively at 1B. I doubt Prince’s offense could offset the disaster Cabrera would be at third.
Seriously miggy at 3rd? There is a reason why he was moved to 1st him and prince would cause
More errors than their bats could make up for
Says who? There’s no salary cap in baseball and V-Mart has pretty much exclusively been a DH for the Tigers and even more so now when he comes back from being off for a year from a torn ACL. Fielder could come in and be a HUGE bat for the Tigers and a decent glove addition as well.
Not saying the Tigers are in trouble now but this guy is one hell of a piece to their team. Good luck to V-Mart and the Tigers in trying to get over this hurdle.
Oh man, that sucks. Get well soon v-mart!
This division just got a whole lot closer.
My thoughts as well. BEFORE the V-Mart news, I was envisioning the Tigers running away with the division this year and the Royals as a surprise 2nd place finisher. AFTER this, I’m wondering how close Kansas City could get if they were to sign Oswalt or E-Jax.
Check this out and let me know if you think they could get close:
Oswalt / Jackson
Hochevar
Sanchez
Chen
Paulino/Duffy
No. Maybe in a couple of years.
I don’t like the Royals pitcing but their young offense could make things interesting. I still see the Tigers winning the division though… just not by 10 or so games.
Snap. Get well V-Mart.
tigers have acquired kurt suzuki and chris carter for jacob turner.
Wow DD is like a ninja, needs filled.
Because Kurt is better than Avila? HAHAHAHAHAHA
Totally and utterly ruined my day.
From a guy whose team has had bad luck for 103 years and counting (I really need to update my username), I’m sorry dude.
Huge blow for the Tigers.
Good news for Tribe fans ehhh?
I’m far from a Tigers fan, but even I know with or without V-Mart, the Tigers have that division under wraps.
You must not be very smart.
Yea, you got me.
Doubtful. For example if beckham and Dunn bounce back and if sale can pitch like he should the sox could easily win the division. The twins need mauer like production and morneau to bounce back they could win. The royals are the royals but could surprise people same with the Indians. This is a easily winnable division. From any team. Even before the vmart injury it was a Winn able division for all the teams
Give it a rest the tigers will still win the division by 10 games and I am not even a tigers fan. The tigers still have the best offense in the central and pitching staff. If the tigers played in any other division it would be oh snap but its the central which is the weakest division in baseball.
Is it still “bouncing back” for Beckham when he’s been terrible for 2 1/2 years? Maybe DTrain will bounce back soon…
Detroit would still need to lose Cabrera and others to match Cleveland’s sad sack offense
Tigers have been quiet and now lost a big bat. This is a sleeper team for Fielder. Also, I wonder what V-Mart did but I doubt it’s in his contract…
He was working out.
Prince Fielder and Scott Boras just jumped in the air and did two handed high fives.
Is that why my TV fell over?
BOOOOOM!!!
Like the Brewers walk off celebration?
Could be. They’d have to abandon Cespedes but this may put DD in a situation to sign Fielder and allow Boras to save face.
You can’t sign Fielder to a 6 year deal just because V-Mart will be out for one year.
Not saying they will. But they can overpay to all hell for one or two
The only way Fielder makes sense is on a short term deal, one or two years maximum. If Fielder is ready to do that then expect more bidding.
Ok, for all the special people: THE TIGERS WILL NOT BE INTERESTED IN PRINCE FIELDER. You don’t pay a DH 250 mill.
What do you mean by “special”?
PRINCE…?
Doubtful. What happens when V-Mart comes back? Then you’ve got nowhere to put Prince.
Yeah, Im not really serious..I mean I LOVE me some Prince- but I think he would never really consider D-town because of his Father’s legacy.
Correction: then you’ve got nowhere to put Martinez.
Quality person and baseball player, any chance of return this season?
That’s really going to hurt…
Sorianos a cancer. Damon, paging Johnny Damon. Please pick up the white courtesy phone. Mr. Johnn Damon, please pick up the white courtesy phone. Hmm, does Prince Fielder want to be a DH? Cabrera and him switch positions depending on righty/lefty. Mr. DAmon, please give the phone to Mr. Fielder. Raise the price of pizzas to $6. Think of the incentive for Prince to show his old man who the best Fielder in Detroit really is. The marketing would be unbelievable.
I’d offer Prince a 1/28 if I was Detroit. But I see Pena as a better fit for them. A 1/8 or something like that.
Wow that sucks sort of. We’ll trade you Montero for….oh wait.
There wouldn’t be a need for Montero anyway in Detroit (Please see Avila and Laird). LF and SP is in need…
Montero is as much of a catcher as Cabrera is a 3rd baseman.
An unfortunate set back for both the Tigers and Martinez. However it could have been much worse if Verlander or Cabrera were out. I still wouldn’t bet against the Tigers in AL Central.
The Tigers still have it locked down.
i think carlos pena has to be the guy…28 homers and a .357 obp you can get for 5 million, and he’s an awesome clubhouse guy. he’s perfect for replacing a leader like v=mart
He’s not going to take a 50% pay cut and another one year deal. If he wanted 5MM he would have accepted arbitration with the Cubs.
Well lets see, half the pay… half the offense…???… NAH!
Well lets see, half the pay… half the offense…???… NAH!
Hey Dom!!!
Its neil Huntington on the line. Heard your’re having some trouble with the C/DH position. Wanna trade me Jacob Turner if I give you Pedro Alvarez?
Negative. I’d hope he wouldn’t pull that…
That is one of the worst trade proposals I’ve seen.
Hey Neil, Dave here, AYF nuts?
Wow! The other central division teams are breathing a sigh of relief. Martinez is a STUD with the bat, this is a substantial loss for the Tigers. In terms of clutch hitting I would place V-Mart at or near the top DH’s in the entire American League. VERY tough to replace especially this late in the offseason.
The Tigers took a step back, but the other teams are still in trouble.
Why do people keep bringing up the Tigers as being in on Fielder? It would only work on a very short term and if Prince is ready to sign a short term deal then you can bet far more teams will bid.
The Tigers would never want a long term $25M DH especially when you consider they still have one in the 2013 and 2014 season.
It would have to be a massive 1 year deal. I don’t think he’ll go for that though when the Nats and Rangers will throw 5-6, maybe 7 years at him.
Absolutely right. We have V-Mart for another 3 years. No need to pay so much money for at least one player to be on the bench — Inge is bad enough.
Prince could DH this year, play first until V-Marts contract is up (Cabrera would need to lose 30 lbs. over the next 1.5 years,) and then DH him again from there on out. This is there window to win a World Series. They need to make it happen.
I know miggy put on some weight, but when skinnier he was a bad fielder..how do you figure that he will magically turn into a third baseman?? This is a crazy bad idea…
And he’s not a great first basemen, either. Princes bat would make up for Cabrera’s fielding and more.
You say that like losing 30lbs is nothing for these dudes. If that was the case he would have already accomplished the feat.
Really i don’t get the math here, 3 guys, 2 positions-30LBS= What? Who? Where? & When?????
I doubt Prince would come to Detroit.
I’m pretty sure Carlos Pena is about to get a call.
Soriano is available to DH
So, Tim Tebow to the DH?
Well, we know he wouldn’t be able to pitch.
We disagree.
Sincerely,
Jesus and Pittsburgh DBs
We disagree with your disagreement.
Sincerely,
The Pats sorry secondary
Let’s be real–those receivers sucked as much as Tebow, if not more. There were two or three PERFECT passes that guys just flat-out dropped.
Also, the O-line sucks and the playcalling was pathetic.
Not to defend Tebow as a passer–he’s not a good one, that’s for sure–but those around him did him no favors.
Our sincere apology,
Broncos o-line
ESPN would go nuts for those ratings. It’ll be like Bond’s every AB when he was nearing the record. “We’ll right back to the Sox/Yankee’s 11th inning after this Tebow at bat.”
Lies…ESPN never leaves the Sox/Yankees….even if they are not playing
Auugggh comeon, surely you’re not suggesting “FAVORITISM” by ESPN? Say it ain’t so….
Manny, 1 year minor leauge deal with invite to spring training. If he sucks, you have internal options.
what do you do for the first 50 games?
what do you do for the first 50 games?
what do you do for the first 50 games?
what do you do for the first 50 games?
This is where the Tigers’ quiet offseason up to this point comes back to haunt them
Why? They pretty much ran away with the division by the end of last year and they division hasn’t really had any major changes besides the White Sox unable to decide if they’re rebuilding.
Tigers lost a good hitter but not their best. If they sign someone like Peña or Damon they’ll still likely take the division.
Tigers tried the Damon experiment a few years back and ended it for a reason. The reason why the Tigers ran away with the division is because they had a .330 hitter protecting Cabrera. Pena, while he hits 30 HR a year, hits around .190. I agree the majority of the division is weak but they cant have the mentality of “we lost one of the best hitters and veteran presences in our lineup, but we’ll be alright.” I don’t know what they are going to do now, but I’m sure we’ll know by the weekend. I think this makes them the far and away favorites for Cespedes over the MArlins or anybody else now.
We don’t even know if Cespedes can hit major league pitching, but we know Betemet can out hit any mentioned except Fielder!
We don’t even know if Cespedes can hit major league pitching, but we know Betemet can out hit any mentioned except Fielder!
“the White Sox unable to decide if they’re rebuilding”
Please stop saying this people, you’re making yourselves sound uninformed and ignorant.
Not really, because no one left the FA market that would have really fit the need better than, say, Carlos Pena. They need a 1B/DH who can hit, and those are EVERYWHERE.
Well M.Cabrera prepared to be walked non-stop for another season. Over/Under on 120 Walks for Cabrera? Over.
Sign Carlos Peña, Dave.
Do you really think he can hit his weight in the american league?
We need DD to pull off a big time trade now!! Gonna be tough when other teams know we are desperate for bats … doesn’t need to be a DH – this could be the opportunity to address the offensive woes at 3B and 2B – and get a vet on the cheap to be DH (Vladdy, Damon, Mags)
that sucks
The only good news about this story is that Detroit still plays in the AL Central
Unite delmoln and dimitri
Here is your sucker pick for fantasy leages this year!
Well, the Tigers are in the AL Central and still have Verlander and Cabrera. They’ll do fine. What, are the Royals gonna kick them out of contention? LOL what about the Twins? LOL x2.
White Sox still have a good team, don’t count them out because a few had bad seasons last year.
the white sox do not have a good team
My point is the Tigers are a very good team in a very weak division. White Sox may be able to make a run at it with them but lets face it, the Tigers have this division title, cased closed.
I could be wrong, but I doubt it
The Indians have a better shot at competing with Detroit than the White Sox.
I agree, especially if Choo and Sizemore are healthy and productive. Still will be 2nd place to the Tigers.
No, I’m not a Tigers fan. I’m an Orioles fan wishing they were in the AL Central.
They should probably sign pena and let miggy dh.
Jesus flores is still on the trade market does vmart play first or catcher for detroit?
Jesus flores is still on the trade market
Note to the Seattle Mariners: V-Mart has 835 MLB and 364 minor league games of catching on those knees.
Don’t use Jesus Montero as a Catcher. He is not that good and the wear and tear is not worth it with the guy you are now building your offense around.
vlad guerro will be a tiger or magglio ordonez will be back.
We tried Maggs last year with a repaired ankle, what makes you think it would work out better this time? NO MAGGS, NO Maggs, No Maggs… PLEASE no MAGGS!
Well St. Louis lost Wainwright for the entire season last year, and we all know how they finished. So i guess all hope is not lost…still feel absolutely sick about it though…
The only difference being the Cardinals are a way better team than the Tigers.
If they don’t sign Cespedes, I would sign Vladdy. He hit .290 in 145 games last year and hits from the right side. Power numbers down a bit but had one more homer than Victor. Carlos can’t hit above .200, Damon didn’t do as well in the large Comerica Park, and Manny is a nut job!
Vlad was a below league average bat last season and cannot field whatsoever so he can’t even give another outfielder a day off. Pass.
Did i mention Wilson Betemet is a SWITCH hitter?
Garza and Byrd for Turner, Crosby and Oliver? Would that be a fair deal Tiger fans? Maybe another reliever such as Maine or Mateo would be decent throw ins.
Anyone else thinking they might try to pry away Trumbo or Morales from LAA since they signed Pujols?
I hope the Tigers come up with something that works. I like them as an alternative to teams I don’t like: Texas, LAA & NYA. I don’t dislike Boston or like Boston.
I would rather see the Tigers win or the Rays win than any of those other teams in the AL. My Mariners are in rebuild mode, so improvement is the goal and a serious Cinderella story is the best hope.
Hope the National League makes it three years in a row if the Tigers or the Rays can’t make it.
NYA????? Say what? Who?
Think this creates a gap for other teams in the Al central to perhaps catch up to the Tigers???
Not really. The twins will b bottom dwellers, Chicago looks like a mess. Cleveland is up and coming for sure, IMO they’ll still finish second. And while KC makes me nervous, they’ve still got a couple years before they get scary.
big blow for the Tigers. As a baseball fan who loves to see clutch players perform consistently, I hate to see this. Injuries stink…especially in this fashion.
Damon as DH and leading off and add Oswalt for one year.
I’d rather have Wilson Betemet as the DH, higher BA & more power!
Time to call Manny Ramirez. For a minimun I think he could be a heck of DH
Give my grandmother a chance first, she needs the money….LOL
the rundown
There is NO, NONE, ZERO chance Tigers brass tells their UBERSTUD to switch positions. He’s not super mature, he’s not physically able to play 3b or LF and you are begging to get him injured doing it. STOP with the bonehead ideas. You don’t mess with your best guy to patch a hole that can be patched in so many other ways
options
Manny-hit for no power at either if last 2 stops and no BA at last stop. He’s 1.5 yrs older, out of shape and has a 50 game suspension. Stop with this crap.
Any deal involving Turner and Castellanos- Not happening. Period.
Prince- Big Daddy Cecil took Prince’s signing bonus and lost it in the casinos, along with most of his MLB salary. Mom divorced him and Prince pretty much hates the guy with a burning passion. Coming to a place that loves the dad you hate? Heavily (heh) doubtful. Plus he’s a full time DH from the get go….plus DD has said about a jillion times he can only have 2 $20m/yr guys on his payroll and they are already there and better than Prince. Not Happening.
Vlad-power about gone, no OBP, righty Very meh option.
Damon-horrible in the field, power gone in CoPa 2 yrs ago. Positives are he’s a lefty with some OB skill and a little speed…we need both. Was not happy Tohgers didn’t re-up him…doubtful at best.
Trumbo- No OB% skill, young guys don’t like to DH and doesn’t fit long term.
Morales- Same issues as Trumbo except OB skill, but injury risk and again blocked long term unless a mid 20s guy wants to DH. Unsure how he bounces back from 2 yrs off. Nice idea but a lot of risk given it will take a guy like Smyly to get him…
Soriano- Urgh. horrible idea. No OB skill, non hit skill, just empty HR as a RH DH. Don’t care how much Epstein pays.
Abreu- Warming up- OB skill, some baserunning abiliyt left, lefty, Venezuelan….if he didn’t cost much in prospects to acquire he’s on the short list..cept his BA and power may have gone for good at age 38 (or older?)…meh
Pena- Even if he signed, he wouldn’t start at 1b (see above). power OB skill and can spell Cabrera to DH 1-2 times a week. Lefty….short list
Cespedes and DY2 to DH- They were gonna go hard for this cat anyways….he may need half a season to face AA/AAA pitching….but I hope he’s the Tigers LF for the next 4-6 years…
D Lee-Not bad…still has pop and some OB skill..good d at 1st… except a righty….not on short list but next option from it.
C Lee and Wandy -depends on the prospect cost and how much $ Houston eats…lefty SP would be nice, righty hitter? meh C Lee was what DY2 hopes he could become and now they are about the same guy….meh option
Laroche- Not short list but right there w D Lee if he’s healthy…LH power, 1 yr situation, 270 hitter with a little bit of walks..
I’d love it if Hafner were available…hittin bombs for the D against Cleveland would be awesome….
They need a guy to protect Cabrera…and to me that’s Pena with his power and eye or Abreu with his similar skills/results to VMart…
I’d bet on Pena right now unless someone drops a multi year deal on him…oh, and signing Cespedes and seeing DY2 moved at the deadline….
“There is NO, NONE, ZERO chance Tigers brass tells their UBERSTUD to switch positions. STOP with the bonehead ideas.”
Happened.
“Prince- Not Happening.”
Happened.
“They need a guy to protect Cabrera”
Check.
In fairness, logical thinking would not allow this move to happen. Nobody expected Mr. I to wake up feeling extra feeble one morning and make a rash, potentially franchise crippling move.
I know, I didn’t even think Prince was an option. I just find it funny to read through old comments like these where we are all so certain something won’t happen then it does.
Carlos Peña will never hit his weight. He will, however, hit a ton of bombs.
No, but he’ll hit homeruns and would probably be best used in a DH platoon with a right handed hitter.
Why?
NYA = Yankees. A = American League.
lol at all my orphaned comments. Thanks, Disqus.