The Royals aren’t yet set on Omar Infante at second base and could consider using Christian Colon in a starting role or as part of some sort of time-share, MLB.com’s Jeffrey Flanagan reports. “I don’t know if Omar, at this point, is going to play 162 games,” says Royals GM Dayton Moore. “I just know we’re going to put the best team out there each and every night, and I know Omar is capable of being that guy. But we like Christian Colon, too.” The first two years of Infante’s contract have been disappointing, and the Royals owe him $17.75MM over the next two. Last summer, Infante’s struggles were a key reason for the team’s acquisition of Ben Zobrist, who received a significant amount of playing time at second base down the stretch. Zobrist, of course, signed with the Cubs this winter. As disappointing as Infante has been, it’s possible the 26-year-old Colon won’t be an answer to the Royals’ second-base problems, either — Colon hit .281 and had a .353 on-base percentage at Triple-A Omaha last season, but with virtually no power. Here’s more from the AL Central.
- The Tigers continue to look for outfielders and relievers, FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal and Jon Morosi report (via Twitter). They’re likely looking for “complementary pieces” rather than major acquisitions. The Tigers acquired Cameron Maybin and Francisco Rodriguez in November to bolster their outfield and bullpen, respectively; in December, they also added relievers Justin Wilson and Mark Lowe. The Tigers do still appear to be somewhat weak in the outfield and had been connected to Yoenis Cespedes this winter, although GM Al Avila has downplayed the possibility that the Tigers could sign Cespedes, and a report in late December indicated the Tigers had already made their key moves for the winter.
- The opportunity to trade both Michael Bourn and Nick Swisher in a single trade was a one-time opportunity that the Indians had to seize, the Plain Dealer’s Paul Hoynes writes. Even though the Indians only acquired infielder Chris Johnson, who was later released, they saved a bit of money and cleared the roster spots of two players who merely would have been very expensive bench options.
The Tigers have done a decent job of filling the holes this off season. They have acquired 2 starting pitchers (Zimmermann and Pelfrey), a closer (K-Rod), 2 late inning set up guys (Lowe and Justin Wilson), an OF (Maybin), a backup catcher (Saltalamachia), and a utility player (Aviles). All while dealing with in a restrained payroll. For a first year GM, Mr. Avila has been more active than I anticipated.
As to the quality, I am extremely happy getting Zimmermann and K-Rod, especially at the cost. At a time when the prices for premium starters and relievers was going thru the roof, in retrospect, both were acquired very affordably.
Why the Yankees wanted to move Wilson, I don’t know. I am just glad he came out way. It has been too long since the team had a reliable lefty in the pen. Lowe is a good gamble, and should at least be better than Al Al.
At this time, I will give the benefit of the doubt to both Pelfrey and Maybin. Hopefully, Avila knows something that the numbers don’t show. Neither has been impressive at any point of their careers. Maybin may have been an opportunistic acquisition (who knew Kroll had any type of value?). Pelfrey, he went after! He signed him to a multi year contract at 8MM per. It seemed like it was too early in the off season to settle for someone, who on many levels, did not pitch as well as Randall Simon did.
The Tiger fans are hoping for one more OF acquisition (Cespedes), but I believe he will require a contact beyond their comfort zone. I am hoping for a legitimate leadoff hitter to be on base in front of Miggy and company. I’d be fine with Clippard, too.
Great thoughts! Thanks for sharing.
I think the RP is now a strength of the team and Avila outflanked DD but getting 3 guys for the trade/salary collective price of just KImbrel. None of the three are as good and Kimbrel, but the Tigers got three innings of coverage instead of one. And three guys to spread the injury risk across.
I’m thinking you meant Alfredo Simon rather than Randall, even though at times one would think AS pitched worse than RS would have if he were a pitcher! LOL
Great assessment of Avila’s off season. I remember reading that some,(or one), of Detroit’s scouts have had lots of info on Pelfrey and felt he would be a good fit for Detroit as a back end starter. I sense Maybin was a high upside/low cost on a short contract pickup that they felt would not hurt them in CF or LF. He does not fill either the lead off or power hitter role they needed.
I am still lost as to what a “complementary piece” means for Detroit’s OF. Maybin has upside but is at best an average pickup with Collins,Gose, and Aviles as his “complementary piece”. Why would they add a “complementary piece” for a complimentary piece? Anyone that is not better than those three options will not work and an upgrade would be a replacement piece. Collins can be shipped back to Toledo in 2016 but they lose the LHB with pop he would provide off the bench.It seems Gose is the benchmark for who ever they get as a starter or his “complementary piece”.
They still could be just waiting in the weeds for a big LF signing and keep Maybin in center.They want to lock in J.D. for several years. But if they can’t get a deal done, going big now could be their best option.
Everybody pitched better than Randall Simon, but few worse than Alfredo Simon.
I’m sure Pelfrey could actually outpitch Randall Simon but not so sure if he could be better than Alfredo. LOL
I could see a platoon of Gose and Maybin in CF with the Complimentary piece being someone to platoon with Collins. I would think they would want someone decent defensively, with some pop. If Steve Pierce could field, he would be a nice fit.