The Tigers had interest in right-hander Will Warren during their trade talks with the Yankees this past summer, the New York Post’s Jon Heyman reports. The two clubs reportedly had a provisional agreement involving Jack Flaherty relatively close to being completed before New York backed out due to concerns over Flaherty’s medical records, though it should be noted that Heyman didn’t directly say that Warren was part of whatever trade package the Yankees were prepared to send to Detroit. Flaherty instead was dealt to the Dodgers for two position players, one of whom (Trey Sweeney) ended up playing an important role in the Tigers’ surprising late-season surge to a wild card berth.
Ironically, Warren ended up making his MLB debut on the trade deadline day of July 30, and he posted a 10.32 ERA over his first 22 2/3 innings in the big leagues. He also had a 5.91 ERA over 109 2/3 innings at Triple-A, though his minor league numbers were a little skewed by a nightmarish four-start stretch in May. Scouts and evaluators generally view Warren as a back-end starter or perhaps a long reliever at the MLB level, and while the Yankees naturally want to keep pitching depth on hand, Warren could be a relatively expendable prospect in terms of future trade possibilities (with Detroit or any other teams).
More from around the AL Central…
- Jerry Reinsdorf’s apparent willingness to discuss selling the White Sox has led to increased speculation that the team could be moved to a new city, though MLB commissioner Rob Manfred downplayed that idea in a recent appearance on FS1’s “Breakfast Ball” show. (Hat tip to Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times.) “Chicago is an anchor city for us. I think that the White Sox are in a difficult situation. I think the location of the stadium is tough, but I have confidence that things are going to work out in Chicago and that we’re going to continue to have two teams in Chicago,” Manfred said. This allusion to Reinsdorf’s desire to get a new ballpark built is another factor in the situation, and Van Schouwen hears that Reinsdorf “has grown increasingly skeptical” about the chances of civic and state officials signing off on a deal to built a new stadium for the White Sox within Chicago’s South Loop area. Of course, some gamesmanship could be at play here, Reinsdorf’s past threats to move the Sox to St. Petersburg in the late 1980’s helped get Guaranteed Rate Field built in the first place.
- Jac Caglianone’s power bat as a first baseman at the University of Florida helped make him the sixth overall pick of the 2024 draft, but the Royals prospect hasn’t given up on the idea of being a two-way player. “I’m the type of person where I get super driven and I get fixated on things,” Caglianone told The Athletic’s Noah Furtado. “So if I have the opportunity to do it, I’m going to jump on it. I won’t really accept failure. I’ll keep pushing at it until it clicks.” A Tommy John surgery in 2021 got Caglianone more focused on hitting and perhaps directed him towards Florida instead of entering the 2021 draft as a high schooler, and while Caglianone still showed premium velocity as a college pitcher, control is the big concern. The Royals have thus far used him only as a first baseman and DH during his brief pro career (in high-A ball and in the Arizona Fall League), but the club hasn’t entirely closed the door on Caglianone as a pitcher. As K.C. director of player development Mitch Maier put it, Caglianone’s potential is “a rare opportunity that has to be thought through.”
warnbeeb
Yankees did the Tigers a favor by backing out of that deal. Dodgers gave up more for Flaherty. Scott Harris did just fine on that trade.
Blackpink in the area
Tigers didn’t do just fine. Of course it’s with hindsight but they would have been better off keeping Flaherty. I understand why they didn’t but having made the postseason they kinda messed up by trading him.
Motor City Beach Bum
No they didn’tmess up Blackpink. They were effectively out of it and got back two very interesting pieces for the future. A number of recent reports predict Flaherty will resign with the Tigers in the offseason and he is a great fit there to slot back into the #2 spot. Harris was right to make the trade. I’m glad they didn’t trade with the Yankees as well.
Lloyd Emerson
Reinsdorf would doubtlessly be the worst owner in Major League baseball if it weren’t for John Fisher. That putz has a lot of nerve expecting this city to give him money for a new stadium when he’s too stinking cheap to put together a decent roster.
ueckerlele
Couldn’t agree more. I don’t even care if they leave at this point. Talk about a depressing franchise. At least he was nice enough to create a new network no one can access. That way even in my weakest moments I won’t watch this sad excuse for a major league team. Don’t let the door hit ya’ where the good lord split ya’, Jerry. Bye!
NWI ChiBears
Easy buddy. Anyone can access it in the Chicagoland area. It’s available on DIRECTV and over air broadcast. Pick up an antenna for $20 and presto. You got CHGO.
ueckerlele
You’re right. I should have rephrased. No one with modern technology can access. I got rid of DirecTV in 2014 because it was a nightmare. Antennas? What year is this?
Paul Sullivan also wrote an article where he jumped through all the hoops, only to find out he needed another $50 part because his TV was TOO NEW for this stupid channel.
A'sfaninLondonUK
@Lloyd Emerson
Even Reinsdorf enjoys competition. John Fisher provides it. I can only think 28 other owners breathe more easily with those two clowns on the block
stubby66
I think the city of Boston could put in an argument of the owner that sold Babe to the Yankees over a hundred years ago as one of the worst owners. I will be honest don’t know how anyone can live in the state of Illinois.
FartPocket
Mike Ilitch paid Rosa Parks’ rent for years without any fanfare.
John Fisher and Jerry Reinsdorf would have beaten her with a sock full of pennies if you offered them a Little Caesar’s coupon.
Dumpster Divin Theo
We’re all fans here! Love the woe is us camaraderie! A’s, White Sox, Red Sox, Angels, Pirate, Ray, Cub fans unite! Who else wants to pile on against their collective miserable ownership predicaments?
AHH-Rox
Don’t forget the Rockies in that conversation!
Something something Kris Bryant Ian Desmond Wade Davis something else.
Oldguy58
Dumpster, When fans see the owners going through the motions and doing more pretending than contending that’s what disgust the fans and gives us such feelings of hate towards the owners of the teams you listed. Reinsdorf and Fisher have taken it a step further and are giving the fans the extended middle finger
Serubian
not pitching Rodon against Houston in the 2021 playoff series. (smh)
Mikenmn
What’s the all-time record for one owner getting the taxpayer to stadiums for him? I think Reinsdorf is hoping to be a complier.