5:14pm: Tigers president and GM Dave Dombrowski told reporters, including MLB.com's Jason Beck, that the Tigers didn't discuss Soriano with the Cubs (Twitter link). "Not once. … We did speak with the Cubs, but we did not speak about Soriano," Dombrowski said.
2:24pm: Soriano will stay with the Cubs at least this week, tweets Nightengale.
2:14pm: The Cubs say Soriano is likely to stay put, though an August deal is possible, tweets Bob Nightengale of USA Today.
2:04pm: The Tigers and Cubs are hard at work on Soriano, tweets David Kaplan of CSNChicago.com, but he's not sure if they can make the money work. Soriano is owed $42.3MM through 2014.
1:18pm: Manager Jim Leyland thinks the Tigers may be done on the trade front, tweets Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe.
10:57am: The Tigers have considered Alfonso Soriano, but don't think he's a great fit, Knobler reports (on Twitter). They asked about Scott Hairston, but the Mets wanted one of the Tigers' top five prospects in return.
10:24am: The Tigers are seeking a middle-of-the-order hitter in the wake of discouraging news on Victor Martinez's recovery from knee surgery, writes Danny Knobler of CBS Sports. Martinez is said to be 50-50 to return this year, so the Tigers are "looking hard" for another bat.
Alfonso Soriano?
LOL…because with Cabrera and Fielder, they don’t have one.
Nothing wrong with wanting more they need to get their lineup to match texas’s and the yankees.
There isn’t anyone they can acquire that makes their lineup be like the Yankees
There are 4 teams with more runs scored than the Yankees…….
And your point? With the bats on the market the Tigers lineup isn’t going to be as good as the Yankees if with another bat
Because you pointed out the Yankees like they were so far above everyone else. Clearly that is the Rangers and there is no one the Yankees can add that would make their offense as good as the Rangers.
Runs isnt the only stat to rate an offense…. For instance the yankees have a higher Woba and Wrc plus then then the rangers….
Well the only thing the Yanks lead in are HR based categories. Which, obviously is helped out by their stadium. I wasn’t saying the Yankees don’t have a good offense, they obviously do. Just that the Yankees aren’t exactly the dominant offensive team it seemed like he was making them out to be.
the rangers play in the best hitters park in the Al so i dont see your point… Not to mention the .005 difference between how the two teams obp isn’t that big… Two weeks ago the rockies scored more runs than the yankees i wouldnt of said they had the better lineup then and i certainly wouldnt say it now.
Scoring more runs doesnt mean you have a better lineup… Besides i dont think i would have to say every single team they arent gonna make a trade to compete with the jays now are they?
It kind of does though. The name of the game offensively is to score runs. They aren’t the best line up in the game.
That’s great and all but considering the yankees lead the rangers in Woba and Wrc plus id be more confident in their teams ability to score runs than the rangers. The rockies didnt have a better lineup than the yankees at the as gm even though they had more runs.
We could acquire a ton of aging former stars and see what happens
Middle of the order is 3-4-5. They currently have Delmon Young as their #5 hitter. They do need a bat.
please be soriano!
No. He will cool off and become nothing but another Delmon Young.
Please be Carl Crawford. Please be Carl Crawford. Please?
Edit: Obviously, I’m being facetious.
“middle-of-the-order bat”
Well, 6th is kind of the middle.
“bat”
I’m a White Sox fan and I want the Tigers to get Carl Crawford too. He’ll look good next to Victor Martinez on the DH while recovering from Tommy John surgery and getting paid all of that money.
Brett Myers looked really good last night!
Morneau – then they can up Escobar and Gardy can fulfill his dream of starting an entire infield of scrappy light-hitting utility guys.
They already have enough 1B/DH types on the Tigers
How can you say that when Young is the DH? I’d switch those two.
Because Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder are also 1B/DH types. And then Martinez who might come back is also. The team is loaded with them.
Cabrera is a 3B type, since he plays 3B. Fielder has played ONE games at DH so he’s a 1B type. VMart has played ZERO games at DH this year, in fact he has played ZERO games this year. He probably won’t be back either.
“Cabrera is a 3B type, since he plays 3B.”
No.
Just because you’ve been playing a position does not mean you are suited for it. Cabrera is not a long-term 3B option. He and Fielder are both defensive liabilities, and Fielder isn’t going to be able to play the field by the end of that contract. A “3B type” is someone like Chipper Jones who can actually play third base long-term.
The Tigers aren’t in need of a long term bat right now. They’re in need of a rental because V-Mart’s return this year is questionable.
Earlier in the season it was said that he was going to return in September. Now that seems doubtful, and it seems the front office was counting on that return.
This discussion evolved (devolved?) into more than I meant it to be. A rental bat for DH (or 1B or 3B) is indeed what the Tigers need, this is absolutely true. But, regardless, my statement holds that their roster is going to be full of 1B/DH guys next year.
If by that you mean Fielder and Martinez have those spots locked up for next year, yes. But Cabrera isn’t one of them. Cabrera hasn’t been close to being the Tigers worst fielder. He’s fine at 3rd for next year too.
That very fact is why the Tigers recently moved Castellanos to the outfield.
For a first-baseman, he has handled third admirably, but he’s still been one of the worst defensive third basemen in the league.
And the best offensively. That makes up for the other. :p
That was NEVER a question 😛
Do you have numbers to back that up? Or are you just spouting off about it. I don’t have any numbers off the top of my head and don’t have the time right now to research it but he’s been admirable at that position. Fielding percentage is hardly the best way to judge but I know he’s right around .966 and league avg is .949. Also his RF is at 2.63 and the league average at 3B is 2.57 so as far as people saying he has below average range that just hasn’t been true. Annoying to keep hearing people say he’s one of the worst at that position cuz it’s false and as FunkyTime said he’s the best offensively at that position by a mile. So avg fielding percentage and slightly above avg range and the best hitter in the game let alone that position. He can play for me anyday at 3B or any position. Adrian Beltre who I think most consider to be one of the best if not the best at that position has a fielding percentage of .969 so barely higher than Cabby and a RF of 2.40 quite a bit lower than Cabby’s. There are currently 6 players at 3B with a higher fielding percentage than Cabby and only 4 players with a higher RF. Also has turned the second most double plays 6 other players have committed more errors he’s seventh in assists which also speaks to his range and first in put outs and 4th in total chances so he gets to a lot of balls, and he’s reliable and has played the 2nd most innings at that position which shows that for a big guy he’s still in great shape and isn’t wearing down IE look at his offensive numbers and that will tell the same. He’s been in the upper third and even higher truthfully at that position defensively.
Nah, I just spout of stuff without doing any research, totally.
By which i mean yes, I have numbers: fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=3b&stats=fld&#…
(I hope this lets me link to fangraphs…)
Also, being a good hitter at a position has nothing to do with how well you play it. It’s great that Cabrera is willing to play third because it lets them get his bat as well as another first baseman’s bat in the lineup. But it doesn’t make him a good defensive third baseman.
Well no I never said it made him a better defender.
All I *ever* said was that Cabrera is not really a third baseman, for the record 😛
Response caught in moderation limbo.
Not sure what that is supposed to mean but alright.
If you use this website for long enough you will know all too well. My response should pop up at some point, but spoiler alert: yes I have numbers.
I’d like to see them.
Well, they were in a fangraphs link in the limbo comment, but the gist of it is that according to UZR/150, only Hanley Ramirez (also not really a 3B), A-Rod, and Chris Johnson have worse defensive numbers at third. For Cabrera (unsurprisingly) it’s all about his range.
Okay fair enough I can’t really argue that point. The link never showed up before. Anyways though we do agree on one thing as you had stated earlier he’s been admirable and i’d even go as far as saying more than sufficient at that position. His bat certainly helps us forget some of his defensive deficiencies. That being said his defense isn’t what has caused the Tiger’s problems this year. They need another consistent bat. I don’t care about a power guy but someone who can consistently produce is so badly needed. We have had 3 consistent hitters all year. AJ, Prince, and Cabby.
That stat is all but meaningless for one season.
Thanks for proposing an alternate.
Cabrera has not been a defensive liability.
You do know that Chipper Jones isn’t a very good third baseman anymore and was never a super star defensively and also this is his last year. Now where I come from that is not a long term option.
yes, CLEARLY I meant that Chipper is *presently* a long-term option.
“Cabrera is not a long-term 3B option.”
Yes, he is. Will he play it when he’s 36? probably not. But he will be there for a few years.
He will, because VMart is signed for two more seasons, and it’s really, really non-ideal, defensively.
” A “3B type” is someone like Chipper Jones who can actually play third base long-term.”
You don’t get to make up the definition. Unless your name is Merriam-Webster?
I admit that Chipper wasn’t the best example (I’m at work, so cut me a little slack), but under no definition is Miguel Cabrera a 3B-type player. This is the ultimate truth.
What Willis said. That’s an outdated line of thinking from the off-season.
Cabrera has played 100 of 103 games at 3rd base this year and has done much better than expected. He’s below average but is fine there, and is never even lifted for a defensive replacement.
If Martinez isn’t coming back this year DH is the hole they’re actually looking to fill, although getting an outfielder and moving Boesch to DH may be the best possible move of all.
Miguel has really proven the pundits wrong at 3B. He’s better their than he has been at 1b in recent years.
Look at the numbers-he’s middle of the pack defensively at 3rd
You and I are looking at some very different numbers.
Fielding percentage? Seriously?
You do realize there was an entire sortable table associated with that link, right?
Other than range, there hasn’t been much to knock Cabreras defensive efforts. Which is why I gave you a link with multiple sortable stats for you to browse.
I saw it set to fielding percentage and then mlbtr killed it.
Also, you can’t just say “other than range.” Range is a BIG PART of playing third base.
Sure I can. It’s the only issue he’s had at third. E makes the plays he’s supposed, throws well, and has not been an issue inthe field at all. In fact, going into it even further, his horizontal range really has been his only downside. He leaps fine and remember all those comment made about teams just “bunting it at third”? How’s that worked out for them.
My point is this; Miggy at third has been in no way a horror show this year. He has even much better than expected and the numbers point to him being in the bottom side of average. I’m just not sure why people are still beating this dead horse. He’s more than adequate at third and when you add in his offensive contributions, can you seriously name one guy you’d rather have at 3b?
There are few people, if any, I’d rather have in my lineup. There are a lot of people I’d rather see at third base, specifically. The fact that the Tigers lost their DH and still had both Prince Fielder and Miguel Cabrera in the field pretty much every day has always struck me as kind of strange.
I laughed
Hunter Pence?
Oh, I guess Cabrera and Fielder left the team.
Oh geez I forgot that rule that says a team is only allowed to have two middle-of-the-order bats, despite the “middle” of a nine-man lineup being three spots long (3-4-5). Thanks for the reminder.
But if 3 is in the “middle”, then I guess 6-7 are too!
Well that’s why I put “middle” in quotes 😛
I think it’s pretty widely accepted that 1-2 is the “top,” 3-4-5 is the “middle”, 7-8-9 is the “bottom”, and 6 is the weird cousin people “forget” to invite to the family reunions
haha. I knew what you meant, I’m just bored because my Cardinals are not rumored to be involved in anything!
How do you think I feel, I’m a Red Sox fan 😛
sorry that I just find it slightly amusing that a team has 40M+ invested in the middle of their order but it’s not enough. almost like how Anaheim needs four aces to keep pace with the Rangers and Athletics.
They need quality to surround their 3-4 hitters, but hearing the headline makes me assume they are going after a high quality 3-4 hitter since that’s what you usually think of with middle of the order hitters.
Soriano! give up a guy with upside and you only have to pay 2-4 mil a year!
I like how the 3 posts in order right now sound like a conversation.
Irish: Please be Soriano!
Donjuan: Alfonso Soriano?
Wrigley: Soriano!
I’d love Hunter Pence in an old english D
and we would love Castellanos in red pinstripes… there is the starting point… more would be included for sure
Wait, Castellanos and more for Hunter Pence? Um… no.
it’s past now but I meant Castellanos for Pence and more, either way no matter
Eh, Pence isn’t worth much.
LOL, I wouldn’t give up Castellanos for Pence. Maybe Castellanos’s jock strap.
TheTigers are “looking hard” for another bat.
That’s because they make “Cars” in Detroit, they don’t make bats.
Wocka, Wocka,Wocka 😛
They do not need a middle of the order bat, they are pretty set. I think a soriano or pence in the 6 hole could be allrigth.
Delmon Young has been bad behind Fielder. I’d be ecstatic if they could get another established hitter. Delmon Young is slugging .400 as a 5-hole guy, that’s just terrible.
you shut your mouth.
– padres, mariners, and giants fans everywhere
You do realize that the 6 hole is in the middle of the order? Middle of the order is 4-6.
If you don’t know a #3 hitter is considered to hit in the “middle of the lineup” I’m kind of shocked you’re on this website.
hunter pence maybe?
Outta nowhere: Upton for a package built around Catellanos?
i can’t even describe how thankful i would be to be a Brewer fan and not have to play the Tigers next year if that would happen.
Cabrera/Prince/Upton R/L/R 3-4-5? That would be absolutely disgusting.
(In a good way)
Don’t forget about V-Mart, but I don’t really want them to acquire Upton.
Wow, that’s right. If Upton was on, holy moly, that’d be murderers row.
I’m partial on this, but I don’t think the Tigers are giving up Castellanos for anyone as of right now.
I understand. I think if he does go it’s gonna only be for an Upton-like return. Up desperately needs a change of scenery, I wonder how motivated he would be playing with Prince and Miggy in the middle of a pennant race.
This was a complete guess outta left field, but it does make sense when first looking at it. D-Backs did acquire Chris Johnson, but they would be able to plug Castellanos either in the OF to take Upton’s spot or at 3B.
I would think Jacob Turner would have to be a part of any Upton deal. And he’s now in Miami.
Maybe the Tigers could send Mad Max back to Arizona and Garcia for Upton. However if we had to give Castellanos, which is reasonable, it would be fine because we would have nowhere to put him with Upton in RF and Miggy at 3rd
Upton is extremely talented but he concerns me. He’s been a bit inconsistent and I know he’s still really young but it’s a huge risk. One maybe worth taking though.
CHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
He isn’t getting traded in the division if at all
Hoping that it is Hunter Pence! AND that the Tigers don’t have to give up Castellanos in the trade!
paging ruben amaro…. i think we’ve found a suitor for juan pierre.
Chase Utley!!?!?!?!
Why the hell not? 😛
But seriously, a healthy and productive VMart would be great for the tigers offense, if he happens to make it back.
This has Carlos Lee written all over it. Very surprised no one below has mentioned El Caballo.
Maybe the Marlins will do better this time after completing messing up the Miggy trade
I hope not. He’s probably pretty cheap, but I don’t think he’ll have much success in Comerica.
we need pitching, VERLANDER IS A CHOKE ARTIST..
Listen to yourself you just called the MVP a choke artist.. smh
Ortiz and Padilla for Castellanos, Garcia, McCann and Crosby
go back to bed your not awake yet
Hey Red Sox…We’d like to give up our future for 2 aging salary munchers.
Signed,
-Nobody
Obviously unrealistic but that’s what the new rules have done. Sox would need at least 2 first round talents in return just to be at the same place in terms of compensating draft picks. Fielder, Cabrera and Ortiz in the middle of a lineup would be pretty insane though.
Pence for young and a crap player……drew for peralta……lowrie for peralta and have stanta play until hes back….better for the long run when vmart comes back
Phillies won’t give up Pence that easily, and nobody wants Delmon Young. Stephen Drew is not an upgrade over Peralta either.
Scott Hairston was a Stud last night! I wouldn’t mind if we shipped Avisail Garcia and another mid level prospect for him. I wouldn’t mind if we shipped off Boesch to get him for that matter.
But I would love to see us go all out and get Pence or Soriano.
Boesch, Garcia, Rondon and Crosby for Pence.
Boesch, Garcia and Crosby for Soriano, with Cubs picking up significant remainder of his contract obligations.
What would Tigers offer for Aramis Ramirez?
nothing since we have no place to put him since cabrera is at third and prince is at first.
Nothing… He plays 3b and were set there.
I think they’re looking corner outfield mostly.
Josh Willingham? Wouldn’t surprise me since they’ve made deals within the division over the past 3 years. I wonder if it would cost us Castellanos though?
I think Pence is a better option, since he’d be cheaper. Please stay away from Soriano…
Pence, Soriano, or Willingham makes sense, but who would the Tigers give up? Soriano would be the cheapest, but hes probably the worst option out of those three.
Doubt willingham is going anywhere this year. he is the sole brightspot on that team. They think soriano “isn’t a great fit,” but ddoes that mean that they don’t think he’s a fit at all. I think he’s a better fit than delmon young in all honesty
i’m confused. i was told delmon young was a great hitter…
His stats make him look better than he actually is. He slow as hell, plays terrible defense, and rarely ever gets a clutch hit…
The biggest knock is his poor plate discipline without the power numbers to make it excusable. He swings like Vlad but hits like Delmon Young.
Only Vlad hits balls out of the K zone and walked Delmon does neither
which of his stats make him look good? he’s awful, and tigers fans have spent a year denying it
Some Tigers fans. Others have known he was pretty much worthless from the start.
Since when is S.Hairston a “middle of the order” hitter – especially on the Tigers??
Why’s everyone wanting Soriano, Lee, or a Hariston? Has anyone ever heard of Josh Willingham? He’s having an amaing year not to mention a .274 AVG, 27 HR, 79 RBI, .386 OBP, and .957 OPS. Trade for him DD bat him after Fielder and Trade Young and Garcia for Josh who is signed a 3 year extension worth 27 million through 2015. GET HIM
Young and Garcia will not get Willingham, not even close. Why would the Twins want to bring Delmon back when they put him on waivers last season???
Garcia + Rondon + Crosby + Boesch might be enough…
The Twins have all but said they won’t be trading Willingham unless major prospects are involved. That was on this site about two weeks ago and I don’t think the stance has changed. Plus trading to a division rival the price would be a little steeper I would guess.
Bring Matt Stairs out of retirement DD!!!
I think it is pretty hilarious that the mets wants a top 5 prospect for Hairston who is an aging platoon player. Beast against lefties but average against righties. Silly Mets that is why you won’t be truly competing for a long time.
Bad defensive player who doesn’t walk much? Sounds like a great fit in Detroit.
Please not be so Leyland
Justin Upton.
I was hoping the Giants would trade for Hairston. I’m sick of that guy always hitting homeruns against us. I think he’s hit something like 20% of his career homers off of us, and always at crucial moments. Also would create a cool family rivalry with his brother on the Dodgers.
Boy you said it, Leyland. The Pirates have been buying for hitting since the mid may and all they could get was Travis Snider.
Are the Tigers trying to create the worst defense in the history of baseball?
Believe me, if Mike Ilitch/Dave dombrowski really want Soriano, they will make thee money work
Not sure if they can make the money work? Wasn’t the rumor that the Cubs would eat, you know, pretty much everything?
I’d love to see the Cubs drop Soriano, just want him off the roster. Release him for all I care.
Love watching espns deadline special. I read this thread ten minutes ago and Jason “I think know about baseball” stark just reports this.
Trade Soriano! its BJack time!!
It’s not like there’s a hurry on this one – no one’s gonna claim Soriano on waivers after today and the Cubs need to get something done on Dempster ASAP (and possibly Garza too)
So Dombrowski pretty much just called Kaplan a liar
Had Soriano been dealt, the AL is about the only logical place for him to go so he can DH. I can’t believe the Dodgers would have even considered him for a bat, just as an example. You would put him in that expansive outfield? No way. He can hardly play the outfield in Wrigley.
After putting up with Soriano’s mediocrity for years now, Tigers would be better off signing Manny Ramirez.