The Tigers have acquired minor league first baseman Dillon Paulson from the Rays in exchange for cash, tweets Chris McCoskey of the Detroit News. It’s the second cash swap that’s sent a minor leaguer from Tampa Bay to Detroit this week, as the Tigers also purchased outfielder Grant Witherspoon from the Rays a couple days ago. Paulson isn’t on the 40-man roster, so the Tigers don’t need to make a corresponding transaction.
The 25-year-old Paulson is a left-handed hitter who was originally selected by the Dodgers in the 13th round of the 2018 draft. He landed in Tampa Bay as part of the three-team trade that sent Jose Alvarado from Tampa Bay to Philadelphia.
Paulson has been productive throughout his minor league career and got out to a terrific start with the Rays’ Double-A club in 2021, slashing .340/.373/.396 but in a tiny sample of just 59 plate appearances. Unfortunately, he sustained a torn ACL that required surgery and wiped out the remainder of his ’21 campaign. He was limited to just 24 games in 2022, batting a combined .224/.382/.448 in 89 plate appearances between Rookie ball and High-A.
Paulson will turn 26 in June, but because of the canceled 2020 season and that ACL tear, he’s only played in 15 games above A-ball. He’ll give the Tigers a lefty bat to stash in the middle of their system in hopes that with better health, he can build upon his career .257/.374/.458 output in 214 minor league games.
Tampa Bay all in on sell mode apparently
Start of minor league season. Have to get to the roster limits. Sell, trade or release.
Too funny. The Rays have a super deep and talented organization from top to bottom, unlike the Detroit Tigers. Maybe by 2040, when my grandson graduates from high school the Tigers will be back in contention.
Anyone else the Rays want to send over? How about Wander Franco
If you ask nicely, I’m sure that you could work out a deal for Taylor Walls….please.
If Pat Paulson was still alive today I believe he would finally take the White House next year!!
I’d vote for him over the last 3 clowns in office (44-45-46)!
“His name is Robert Paulson!”
And how does little Dillon feel about that?
Is this how Harris is going to approach every series this year the Tigers play? Trade for a bunch of guys in their minor league system?
Buying advance men to spill scouting secrets!
Detroit landfill, unload your trash here!
Front office is already looking to replace Spenser Torkelson? Whether or not, it’s coaching or expectations? Torkelson’s not going to get any better in the Tigers’ organization. Why not shop Torkelson while he’s still young enough to be seen as a ‘prospect’.
As for Tampa Bay fans, they’re the worst baseball in MLB. They can’t even sellout home playoff games! Tampa Bay doesn’t deserve a MLB team!
Tigers acquired an outfielder yesterday, does that mean we should give up on Greene too?
No, because, unlike Torkelson, Greene has shown the promise of being an everyday major league player.
He has been there for ine season. Chill. He looked good in the spring. Give the guy a chance
Torkelson was brought up at the end of the ’21 season. He didn’t fare well then.
Mike Trout hit .220 his 1st year, you probably would have wanted to run him out of town too.
Not saying he is anywhere near Trout, but 1 year of baseball – cmon
Torkelson didn’t reach Detroit until 2022.
Mike Trout only had 123 AB’s, in 40 games in 2011.
Torkelson had 360 AB’s last year, in over 100 games.
If the Tigers trade Tork now, it will bite them where the sun don’t shine. I would give him until late May to show some progress. A demotion to Toledo would be recommended at that point. Torkelson should have not been brought up so quickly, as you can see from last year’s struggles. This was a horrible mistake that Avila and I’m blaming Hinch too, made during the disastrous 2022 season.
This rebuild is looking like it is never going to end.
Oh yeah, Tigers are right on track for those 110 losses.
Then so are half the MLB teams.
Tigers will end up at 75-87, or close to it.
Tigers can’t hit, as a team. Their pitching is average. And, their defense is suspect.
The team is worse than last years team. And, they lost 96 games.
Oh, and, why are the Tigers and Rays off today? Tampa Bay plays in a dome stadium. It’s not like the opener was going to be rained out.
They tired.
Be thankful, Tiger game are god awful to watch. They can’t hit.
Well, at least Harris didn’t give up any players.
The Tigers looked like the worst team in MLB opening day. I didn’t care if they lose but they don’t have to look so bad doing it.
No, I didn’t expect the new G.M. to go on a spending spree on a bunch of overpriced has been FA’s. But, I was, at the very least, expecting he’d put together a fairly competitive major league roster. When you’ve got a platoon system in place at C, 3B, LF and RF. Chances are your team is not going to be very competitive.
San Fran does it all the time.
Looking at the schedule. Tigers could be 0 – 6 by the home opener (Apr. 6).
Essentially season over before playing a game at home lol
The Tigers early schedule is brutal, I think they’ll win maybe 15 of their first 40 games. I also think they’ll win about 60 of their last 122 games. They could do somewhat better or worse depending on the frequency and severity of injuries.
Fun to make blanket statements about the tigers offense based on one game!
Seriously, the Tigers lost their first game 4-0 to one of the better teams in the league… That doesn’t automatically mean the Tigers are doomed to lose 100+ games.
Tigers don’t have the fortune of playing the other A.L. Central teams 19 times this season. Every team plays all 29 teams. After playing Tampa Bay and Houston on the road. They open at home against the Red Sox. So, no, pardon me if my excitement for the Tigers isn’t up to you apologists! And, from the lack of Tigers’ buzz on the local Tigers’ flagship, I’m not the only one.
Question: This is the 3rd player this week traded for “cash”, by the Rays. What is the amount that they would receive? With all three players is there a minimum cash trade amount or does it vary? BTW, went to opening day at the ‘Trop. One hot dog costs $8
TB is smart. If you are not going to use a player..get some cash. Why sit on them, wasting your time and hurting the player’s life? Good move.
ERod was great.
Wow
..now I understand about people complaining about.the TV guys….