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Tigers Shopping Nate Robertson

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The Detroit Tigers are looking for a suitor for Nate Robertson, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. Morosi tweets that three different sources have told him the Tigers are shopping the left-hander.

Robertson is entering the last year of a three-year $21.25MM contract, and will earn $10MM this season. While the 32-year-old has struggled over the last few seasons, he posted a 3.84 ERA over 208.2 IP in 2006. It's possible that there are teams out there willing to roll the dice that Robertson could regain that form, but as Morosi suggests, the Tigers would have to take on a significant chunk of his 2010 salary.

In a second tweet, Morosi adds that the Tigers' willingness to move Robertson could be a good sign for Dontrelle Willis' big league prospects.

Heyman On Willis, Dunn, Dukes, Berkman

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Jon Heyman covered a number of topics in his latest piece for SI.com, and here are a few of the hot-stove highlights…

  • While Dontrelle Willis' "$12MM salary is one impetus to take him north," Heyman writes that the left-hander has pitched very well this spring and could earn a spot in Detroit's rotation on his own merit.  Heyman didn't discuss Willis' future with the club, but it would take a huge season for Willis to earn anything close to $12MM in a free-agent contract this winter.  Even if he does have a big rebound year, his first two seasons in Detroit were probably enough to close the door on him remaining a Tiger past 2010.
  • Heyman writes that the Nationals have told Adam Dunn that he won't get a contract extension from them (no matter his offensive numbers) unless he proves that he can play a decent first base.
  • Elijah Dukes' release from Washington is "a shame."  Heyman says "while there was no one incident that triggered his release, the Nationals felt it would improve clubhouse chemistry for him to be gone."
  • Heyman praises the Astros for not giving in to the "public pressure" that Lance Berkman put on the club to pick up his 2011 option.  Houston's decision looks wiser, Heyman says, in the wake of Berkman's recent minor knee surgery that may keep him on the DL for the first few weeks of the season.

Odds & Ends: Cardinals, Brewers, Willis, Guardado

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Links for Sunday….

Detroit’s 2011 Payroll Situation

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Once the Tigers traded Curtis Granderson and Edwin Jackson for four pre-arbitration eligible players, the thought was that owner Mike Ilitch was trimming payroll after the recession hit Detroit especially hard. However, he then approved a massive extension for ace Justin Verlander as well as the signing of Johnny Damon, and now his team's Opening Day payroll is expected to be somewhere around $130MM, up from $115MM last year.

Lynn Henning of The Detroit News wrote about the payroll savings GM Dave Dombrowski will enjoy after the season, which are pretty significant. Here's a look at the money the Tigers have coming off the books after the 2010 season…

That's $57.025MM in savings right there, and the team would be wise to avoid letting Magglio Ordonez reach the 540 plate appearances needed for his $15MM option to vest.

Ilitch isn't shy about spending big on the free agent market, and he'll have the money available to add a big bat to complement Miguel Cabrera (Jayson Werth, Aramis Ramirez if he declines his option?) as well as another elite starter to a rotation that already includes Verlander, Rick Porcello, and Max Scherzer (Josh Beckett, Cliff Lee?) after the season. Keep in mind that I was just throwing some names out there off our 2011 free agents list, and that the Tigers have not been linked to any of those players in any rumors we've seen.

The Tigers are already in a position to compete in the AL Central, and once they shed some dead money after the season, they'll have a chance to jump ahead of the pack if they spend wisely. 

Olney On Potential Non-Tenders And Bradley

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In today's blog post at ESPN.com, Buster Olney indicates that there is belief among general managers that the "financial restructuring that has been occurring across the landscape is about to hit the arbitration-level players like a tidal wave." He mentions underperforming, but well paid players like Garrett Atkins and Kelly Johnson are prime non-tender bait, especially since their clubs have replacements ready and it's unlikely they'll be able to trade them. Make sure you check out MLBTR's list of non-tender candidates.

Olney also talks about some bad contracts the Cubs could acquire in exchange for Milton Bradley, adding that this morning's Vernon Wells rumor "would be a stunner" if it happened. Some of the players he mentions as possible fits include Carlos Silva, Derek Lowe, Gary Matthews Jr. (who said he wants out of Anaheim), Barry Zito, Aaron Rowand, Oliver Perez, and Dontrelle Willis, among others. Any other ideas?

Tigers Notes: Rodney, Perry, Polanco

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It took 163 games to determine the AL Central title in 2009.  The Detroit Tigers were, of course, on the losing end.  After leading the Tigers to the 2006 World Series in his first year as their skipper, Jim Leyland has been unable to steer the club back to the postseason.

As Keith Law writes, "This one will be hard to get past."  Along with Baseball Prospectus and the ESPN Insider staff, Law takes a look at this past season and what the Tigs can do to improve in 2010.  An Insider subscription is required to read the article, but here are some of the key tidbits from the piece:

  • Law highlights the team's lack of production at the DH spot as one of its biggest shortcomings.  However, GM Dave Dombrowski recently said that the team is unlikely to employ a full-time DH next season.  If for some reason he has a change of heart, he will find more than a few candidates on the open market.
  • Bullpen staples Brandon Lyon and Fernando Rodney are headed for free agency.  Law says that Rodney "has the closer's mantle but not closer command."  Ryan Perry should be able to step into that role eventually, but currently lacks the control to do so.  if the youngster is asked to be the fireman and Lyon and Rodney walk, it'll leave a significant void in the 'pen.
  • Christina Kahrl of Baseball Prospectus points out the poor performances of mid-season acquisitions Jarrod Washburn and Aubrey Huff.  After posting a 2.64 ERA, 7.4 H/9 and 2.2 BB/9 in 20 starts with Seattle, Washburn recorded a 7.33 ERA, 10.7 H/9 and 3.3 BB/9 in eight starts.  Huff was supposed to strengthen the middle of the Tigers' lineup but instead floundered as he recorded an OPS of .567.
  • Tigers' second baseman Placido Polanco is a free agent after completing a four-year deal worth $4.6MM annually.  The article says that retaining him would require $6-7MM per season, a steep price for a player who is not likely to improve much on his 2009 season in which he hit .285/.331/.396 with 10 HRs.  Polanco, who turns 34 tomorrow, has been a $50MM value over the last three years according to Fangraphs. 
  • When Buster Olney polled six GMs asking if Detroit would keep Polanco, they were split.  Law & Co. think that there's a good chance that Polanco plays elsewhere next season.
  • Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus writes that 24-year-old Scott Sizemore is ready to take over for Polanco at second base.  Scouts feel that he will become a well-rounded offensive player who should be able to hit ".280-plus with 12-15 home runs, 60 walks and 15-20 stolen bases annually."
  • Because of high-priced commitments to Magglio Ordonez and Dontrelle Willis, the Tigers don't have much financial flexibility.  Expect Detroit to find their next closer on the cheap from within the organization.
  • Kahrl closes the piece by saying, "they need a major upgrade at DH or left if they're going to offensively afford themselves a luxury like a plus defender at shortstop."  Dave Dombrowski will have to get creative as he is handcuffed by several bad contracts.

Tigers Notes: Rodney, Perry, Polanco

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It took 163 games to determine the AL Central title in 2009.  The Detroit Tigers were, of course, on the losing end.  After leading the Tigers to the 2006 World Series in his first year as their skipper, Jim Leyland has been unable to steer the club back to the postseason.

As Keith Law writes, "This one will be hard to get past."  Along with Baseball Prospectus and the ESPN Insider staff, Law takes a look at this past season and what the Tigs can do to improve in 2010.  An Insider subscription is required to read the article, but here are some of the key tidbits from the piece:

  • Law highlights the team's lack of production at the DH spot as one of its biggest shortcomings.  However, GM Dave Dombrowski recently said that the team is unlikely to employ a full-time DH next season.  If for some reason he has a change of heart, he will find more than a few candidates on the open market.
  • Bullpen staples Brandon Lyon and Fernando Rodney are headed for free agency.  Law says that Rodney "has the closer's mantle but not closer command."  Ryan Perry should be able to step into that role eventually, but currently lacks the control to do so.  if the youngster is asked to be the fireman and Lyon and Rodney walk, it'll leave a significant void in the 'pen.
  • Christina Kahrl of Baseball Prospectus points out the poor performances of mid-season acquisitions Jarrod Washburn and Aubrey Huff.  After posting a 2.64 ERA, 7.4 H/9 and 2.2 BB/9 in 20 starts with Seattle, Washburn recorded a 7.33 ERA, 10.7 H/9 and 3.3 BB/9 in eight starts.  Huff was supposed to strengthen the middle of the Tigers' lineup but instead floundered as he recorded an OPS of .567.
  • Tigers' second baseman Placido Polanco is a free agent after completing a four-year deal worth $4.6MM annually.  The article says that retaining him would require $6-7MM per season, a steep price for a player who is not likely to improve much on his 2009 season in which he hit .285/.331/.396 with 10 HRs.  Polanco, who turns 34 tomorrow, has been a $50MM value over the last three years according to Fangraphs. 
  • When Buster Olney polled six GMs asking if Detroit would keep Polanco, they were split.  Law & Co. think that there's a good chance that Polanco plays elsewhere next season.
  • Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus writes that 24-year-old Scott Sizemore is ready to take over for Polanco at second base.  Scouts feel that he will become a well-rounded offensive player who should be able to hit ".280-plus with 12-15 home runs, 60 walks and 15-20 stolen bases annually."
  • Because of high-priced commitments to Magglio Ordonez and Dontrelle Willis, the Tigers don't have much financial flexibility.  Expect Detroit to find their next closer on the cheap from within the organization.
  • Kahrl closes the piece by saying, "they need a major upgrade at DH or left if they're going to offensively afford themselves a luxury like a plus defender at shortstop."  Dave Dombrowski will have to get creative as he is handcuffed by several bad contracts.

Odds & Ends: Johnson, Dontrelle, Millwood

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Some links for the evening…

  • Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald hears that there's "some sentiment" within the Marlins organization toward offering Josh Johnson a long-term deal.
  • Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune wonders if the Tigers might decide to eat the $12MM they owe Dontrelle Willis.
  • The Rangers may skip Kevin Millwood's next start, according to MLB.com's Todd Wills. The 34-year-old is only 13 outs away from seeing his 2010 option kick in for $12MM. Millwood says he feels fine, so his option will likely vest whether he skips a start or not.
  • The Reds aren't making the playoffs this year, but, as manager Dusty Baker tells Hal McCoy of the Dayton Daily News, there's still "the personal stuff on the back of your bubblegum card" to play for.

Heyman On Pedro, Nats, Mets, Rangers

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Jon Heyman of SI.com says those closest to the Pedro Martinez situation expect him to sign soon. Heyman has many more rumors; here they are:

  • One GM thinks the Nationals are demanding too much in return for their players. He says they want "a dollar and a quarter for a dollar."
  • As Heyman points out, interim GM Mike Rizzo has an especially tough role, since his job isn't secure.
  • Heyman says the Nats will make an announcement on a full-time GM this season. Rizzo has a good shot at the position.  
  • Rival GMs say Omar Minaya is now looking to boost the Mets' offense.  
  • Adding a player who can handle first base and the outfield would allow the Mets to make room for Carlos Delgado when he returns later in the season. Mark DeRosa fits the bill, but the Indians are apparently asking for a lot in a potential deal.
  • The Rangers aren't likely to trade for Brad Penny, though they have considered him.  
  • Huston Street's one of the relievers who appeals to the Rangers. 
  • Texas can't add payroll, but can trade prospects. 
  • Chad Qualls and Heath Bell would both command big returns in a trade.  
  • Most contenders believe they need to add relievers, but the Red Sox are willing to trade one away.  
  • Heyman says releasing Dontrelle Willis would be a drastic move.
  • The Reds, Braves and possibly the Cardinals are looking for right-handed hitting corner outfielders. 

Odds And Ends: Crow, Willis, Bay

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More links for the afternoon…

  • Aaron Crow, the Royals' first round draft pick, told MLB.com's Rustin Dodd that this year, he's focused on completing a deal and beginning to play. Last year, he was drafted by the Nationals, but didn't sign.
  • Mike Hazen, the Red Sox Director of Player Personnel, told CMSB Media that the team has already begun working on the 2010 draft. Click the link to hear the entire interview. 
  • The most intriguing name in next year's draft class could be Bryce Harper. Sam Mellinger of the Kansas City Star says Harper should finish high school early if his "dream is to play pro ball, not flirt in homeroom."
  • Charley Walters of the St. Paul Pioneer Press would like to see the Twins try to acquire Robb Quinlan from the Angels.
  • Steve Kornacki of MLive.com wonders whether the Tigers would release Dontrelle Willis and eat the remainder of this year's $10MM contract, plus the $12MM he's owed in 2010.
  • Brett Perryman of the Dallas Morning News says the Rangers' number one priority should be to prepare players within the organization to carry the Rangers to the playoffs in "2010 and on."
  • ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick says it's hard to imagine Jason Bay signing for less than $60MM over four years or $70MM over five.
  • Jeff Gordon includes Reggie Jackson, Orlando Hudson and David Ortiz on his list of the best ever free agent bargains at AskMen.com.
  • Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel wonders what the Brewers will do with the slumping J.J. Hardy. 
  • MLB.com's Brian McTaggart reports that the Astros have signed 22 of the players they drafted, including their second rounder, Tanner Bushue.
  • MLB.com's Mark Sheldon has a corresponding list for the Reds, who also signed their second rounder.
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