The Tigers have discussed signing a variety of bats in an effort to bolster their production from left field, including Justin Upton, Yoenis Cespedes and Dexter Fowler, reports Jon Heyman (links to Twitter). Detroit has even talked about Chris Davis and Ian Desmond as possible options in left field, Heyman adds. However, there’s also the possibility that the Tigers simply go a more affordable route, adding a platoon bat such as Ryan Raburn to pair with the left-handed-hitting Anthony Gose. (Raburn represents a highly familiar name for Detroit, as he spent parts of seven seasons in a Tigers uniform.) Any additions made by the Tigers will come down to the financial requirements, Heyman notes, as money is a “real question” for the Tigers. Of course, earlier this winter, owner Mike Ilitch flatly told reporters that he “[doesn’t] care about spending money,” so agents may be hoping to pitch directly to Ilitch as opposed to GM Al Avila, who has preached a more measured approach to spending thus far.
Here’s more from the AL Central…
- Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press also weighs in on Detroit’s outfield search (Twitter link). Fenech hears that the Tigers would need an impact outfielder to settle for a short-term deal in order for said player to be a realistic option at this point. Raburn, Fenech reports, is indeed in play for the Tigers at this time, however.
- The Indians have added a pair of recent big leaguers to their player development staff, naming defensive wizard John McDonald their new minor league infield coordinator and lefty Bruce Chen their cultural development coordinator (hat tip: MLB.com’s Jordan Bastian, on Twitter). McDonald spent seven seasons playing for the Indians, batting just .229/.268/.305 but playing brilliant defense, as was his calling card over the life of his 16-year career. Chen logged just 6 1/3 innings in an Indians uniform at the end of his career, but the veteran was long praised for his clubhouse demeanor. Chen appeared on the MLBTR Podcast to discuss his retirement as a player last May and was an excellent guest with many fascinating stories for those who are interested.
- The Royals’ decision to re-sign Alex Gordon is the exact type of move that the Indians should have made (or should still make) this offseason, opines Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Hoynes writes that the Royals have made a statement by exceeding their comfort levels to not only retain Gordon but bring Joakim Soria back into the fold on a three-year contract. Meanwhile, Cleveland has operated on the fringes of the market, adding Mike Napoli and Rajai Davis on one-year deals. Hoynes feels that while ownership has every right to be a bit hesitant after the Nick Swisher and Michael Bourn contracts turned into busts, it’s difficult to construct a team capable of making a deep playoff run with this approach to the offseason. Hoynes argues that Cleveland should be taking advantage of the AL’s top rotation, the league’s second-best bullpen ERA and a markedly improved defense by aggressively pursuing their greatest need: a run-producing outfielder to slot into the middle of the lineup.
- After years of struggling, the Twins received respectable, albeit unspectacular results from their rotation in 2015 (16th in the Majors in ERA) and now have depth heading into Spring Training, writes MLB.com’s Rhett Bollinger. Per Bollinger, Ervin Santana, Kyle Gibson, Phil Hughes and Tyler Duffey can probably be penciled in for rotation spots. Competing for the fifth spot will be Tommy Milone, Trevor May, Ricky Nolasco and top prospect Jose Berrios. While Berrios isn’t expected to open the year in the Majors, he should debut at some point this season, Bollinger notes. He also adds that returning to the rotation is May’s preference, but his excellence in transitioning to a bullpen role out of necessity last season has manager Paul Molitor leaning toward keeping May in the bullpen. Nolasco is still owed $25MM through 2017 and will have every opportunity to earn a rotation job this spring, but he could end up as a very expensive long reliever as well, Bollinger adds.
Any one but Raburn. Aside from his lack of plate discipline he can’t play the field.
Raburn is not a bad platoon option at all. Last year he hit .325 with 8 HR and a .415 OBP against lefties in 176 PAs. If the Tigers don’t get a big name bat he seems like a decent option.
I’d rather take my chances with Aviles in LF, than Raburn.
What’s the point of adding a platoon bat such as Raburn when it’s not an upgrade over Tyler Collins?
Collins is a lefty, Gose is a lefty. Raburn is a righty that has a significant platoon advantage against LHP. It remains to be seen whether Collins will struggle against LHP, but Gose certainly has in his time in the majors. That said, Raburn provides a significant offensive boost against LHP even if Collins doesn’t present platoon splits.
The Tigers have worked hard to become a decent defensive team. Raburn does not fit that move. Besides, since he had a decent year last year, that means Raburn WON’T hit this year. Avoid this move!
How does his success last year mean he won’t hit well this year? That doesn’t make any sense.
Look at his history. Every other year.
If you actually look at his stats from year to year you’ll find that isn’t the case.
Using your logic do you also believe that the Giants will win the WS this year because it happens every other year? There are more important factors to consider than a small sample size trend.
Hoynes is correct. Indians are blowing a real opportunity here. I realize they don’t have a huge budget, and I also realize they don’t want to trade their primary asset, their current starting rotation. However, they have a solid farm system and they could easily go get themselves a solid run producing outfielder in a trade. Cargo comes to mind, but there are others available as well.
If the Tribe were willing to take on the $17M and $20M still owed Carlos Gonzalez in 2016 and 2017, while also having to part with some combination of young MLB ready talent or high level prospects in return, they might as well just wait out the FA market (like everyone else, lol) and hope they can ink a Yoenis Cespedes or Justin Upton to a comparable annual salaried contract for less years than what was originally predicted for the two remaining premium FA outfielders.
That dog won’t hunt. If Cespedes or Upton get to the point where they’re signing a two year contract or less, there will be a dozen or more teams offering, and you know neither will pick Cleveland. Not unless the Indians bid higher in AAV, which of course they won’t do either. No, the only way they’re pulling in a power hitting OF is if they trade. Even someone like Ethier wouldn’t be horrible (if the Dodgers cover some salary) but they can do better than that.
There will be more teams vying for the services of Cespedes or Upton if either opted for a one year “pillow” contract or a two year deal, but not the “dozen or more teams” you suggest. Between all the clubs in rebuild mode or as non-contenders, those facing luxury tax penalties or teams that simply don’t need a power hitting corner outfielder, the number figures to be significantly less, especially since we are still talking about an average salary in the vicinity of $2oM.
My point was that “Cargo” is already owed $37M for just two more years of team control, so why would the Indians or any other team want to pony up some package of quality young MLB ready talent and/or prospects that the Rockies would demand back in a trade for him on top of that financial commitment.
Besides, the Indians are a solid contender in the A.L. Central, the favorites at this point of the offseason per many sites that make predictions based on WAR. Why would a premium player discount the notion of being a key player for a possible World Series run in a contract scenario that might be for 1-2 years with a chance to take home some hardware as well.
Upton had the Indians on his no=trade list. Not sure if that is still the case.
I’m sensing a common theme w/ remaining FA OF….teams don’t want to pay them long contracts….I wonder if this is back lash from agents/players requesting/demanding opt outs….
May had very strong numbers out of the bullpen for the Twins, (2.87 ERA, 37 K in 31.1 IP), so I think that’s where he stays. Milone was mediocre (3.92 ERA; 4.30 FIP; 4.22 xFIP) but he was much better than Nolasco. Still, the Twins have to hope they get more out of the Nolasco contract than a very expensive reliever, so he’ll get every shot to make the rotation.
First time I have heard Chris Davis mentioned outside of Baltimore rumors.
It just says that the Tigers talked about him…..not that Davis’ agent had any conversations with the Tigers. But if Davis doesn’t do something very soon, I think he will be “looking for some new offers” cause the O’s are going to pull theirs for good, and sign somebody else!
What the hell is a “Cultural Development Coordinator”?
Water balloon coach? Tito sidekick?
He’s the guy who can’t speak English.
May had a 3.35 FIP as a starter last year. The Twins would be making a big mistake putting him in the bullpen because they don’t know what to do with Nolasco or Milone. Nolasco is a sunk cost, they would be better off cutting him than miniminzing Mays value to fit him on the roster.
I think a one or two year deal would be perfect for Detroit in the sense that they were to acquire Cespedes or Upton. Upton is only 28 and would still carry a ton of value after that contract expires. Plus, can you imagine that lineup?!
If Fowler takes a similar contract to Span, it would fill the need for a lead off hitter, I do hate that he would cost a draft pick, tho.
I agree he would fill the need for a lead off hitter but the Tigers don’t seems to worry about getting a lead off hitter . There has been little to no talk all winter about going after a lead off hitter except from us fans who feel they need one,(and they do!). They were not in on Aoki, Span,Parra or Fowler (except for rumors lately). They traded for Maybin, who has hit best in the 2nd or 8th spot. The only common threads between Maybin and Aviles joining the Tigers seems to be low cost and short contracts.
It seems they are making moves on the fly with no sense of plan.
Aviles is really an infielder who can also play corner outfield. Maybin is a center fielder and we had one in Gose. He hits RHP better than LHP but has the most even splits. His offensive numbers look more like an average CF and Gose’s numbers scream platoon. So Gose would have to move to LF since Collins cannot play CF, but both are LH.
A Fowler signing would give us 3 CF and no one who hits well enough or far enough to be called a Left Fielder. Either Gose or Collins would have to be moved or sent down and they started all of this with “saying” they need RHH to compliment Gose or Collins. Now I have a headache!
Gose is a below average player. The Tigers were going nowhere in 2015 so that didn’t matter.
Maybin is a bit better.
Cespedes likes Detroit. No draft pick so the “bottom five” farm system can slowly rebuild..
VMart has (gulp) three years left, but in 2016 with uninjured lower body he could be a force at the plate. What a lineup with Kinsler, Miggy, Cespedes, and an improving Castellanos. McCann may even avoid the sophomore slump. Where are the easy outs? Iglesias? Maybin? This team could score a lot of runs.
So….sign Cespedes (not Upton), hope to limit the term to four years with generous AAV, dispose of either Gose or Collins ( I vote for demoting Collins but let spring training decide), use Romine and Avila as utility players, let Salty and Doc Holilday duke it out for backup catcher and….
Do not even consider Raburn.
Mr. I doesn’t care about 2020.We Tiger fans are fortunate.
Tigers have enough veteran bit players that are 1 year players. Raburn doesn’t help. A real LF is what the Tigers need. Start with Cespedes and get a starter that isn’t a veteran low price fill in.
Imagine a healthy 2016 team including Cespedes:
Maybin
Kinsler
Cabrera
Cespedes
Martinez
Martinez
Castellanos
McCann
Igglesias
No holes offensively and very good defense. Anyway even without Cespedes its nice that our 8 and 9 hitters can hit .265 and .300 respectively.
Don’t forget about Steven Moya who is murdering the ball in Winter ball.