The Tigers have acquired infielder Alexi Casilla from the Rays in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations, Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press reports (Twitter links). Per the report, Detroit made the move to bolster its organizational depth up the middle.
Casilla, 30, has not seen big league time this year and played in just one game last year for the Orioles. Before that, however, he was rather an active utility player, mostly from the Twins. All told, Casilla has taken 1,893 plate appearances and produced a .247/.302/.331 slash with 80 stolen bases. He has spent most of his time at second, but also has plenty of experience playing shortstop.
Though he’s yet to receive a call-up, Casilla has actually been quite productive this year at Triple-A. Over 142 plate appearances, he has slashed .315/.379/.449. Though a .363 BABIP has helped drive that productivity, Casilla is showing better patience and power numbers than he did last year in the upper minors.
Lost Suarez and Perez. I guess this makes sense.
Lots of talk about Price’s relationship with Ausmus. Not sure if it is that healthy after Price’s unprecedented “delay of game for thinking he was done” move after leaving after 99 pitches.
It was brought to my attention by a loyal Tiger poster that in the last 15 starts that Price had, he sat on the bench in uniform after coming out. Sunday he was no where to be seen. Miggy was giving JD an ear full in the dugout last week after he hit 3 homers. Something is going on inside the Tiger Den and I wish the Detroit media would dig into it. Looks like July could be an interesting, bumpy ride.
Miggy game JD an earful, meaning what? He was pumping him up? Or was saying something negative to him?
Price would give the Tigers at least 2 solid long term pieces if they decided to go that route. Let us see what happens.
JD got an ear full of grief. Verlander is seen walking up behind Miggy leaned in, and looked like he said something like “let it go” or “that’s enough”. Next camera view in the dugout showed Vmart with a hand on JD arm speaking to him. The body language seemed to show an attempt to soften the blow he just got from Miggy. It was just after JD came in from his 3rd homer of the night. He had a “deer in headlights” look about him like he just sucker punched verbally.
Travis left from 2B as well.
Is this for when they realize Josh Wilson can’t cut it forever as the 2nd utility guy? Or is this a “Toledo needs a shortstop” trade? Also what prospects does Detroit even have left to trade?
It won’t take a prospect at all to acquire Casilla. Either a bag of cash or a warm body.
I don’t really understand why they made this trade. If Kinsler were to go down, I would rather see Josh play everyday than have Casilla get the call. If its just for AAA, call up someone from AA. No future in Motown for Alexi
Actually, something could be happening here.
Perhaps this may be a precursor to Machado getting a promotion (moving to SS/3rd base backup behind Iglesias/Romine) and Castellanos getting a demotion. Or perhaps one of those two is getting moved. Any of those scenarios would point to a need for a AAA SS.
Weird they let a still-young Hernan Perez go so easily (who is now hitting .300 in Milwaukee) then need to trade for scraps like this.
Perez was out of options I believe. Their choice was either Perez or Romine, who is currently batting .303.
Romine is also a switch hitter. So is Casilla.