Tigers To Acquire Armando Galarraga
Jon Paul Morosi of the Detroit Free Press reports that the Tigers are nearing a trade for 26 year-old righty Armando Galarraga. In return, the Tigers would send 24 year-old outfielder Michael Hernandez to the Rangers. Evan Grant explains how Hernandez, Joaquin Arias, and $21MM are what the Rangers have left to show for the Alex Rodriguez trade.
The Rangers had acquired Galarraga as part of the Alfonso Soriano trade back in December of '05. Galarraga, a Tommy John survivor, has a history of fragility. Baseball America says he profiles as a possible fifth starter. The Tigers will send him to Triple A.
Hernandez doesn't seem like a prospect; he hit .260/.326/.478 as a 23 year-old in A ball for most of '07.
That dude is an excellent defensive first baseman...
Posted by: jrfukudome | February 04, 2008 at 05:44 PM
Ha! I just glanced at that and thought it said, Andres Galarraga. Then I thought, "Wait, why do they have to trade for him?"
Posted by: giantsfan18 | February 04, 2008 at 05:45 PM
Dude. If Juan-Gone gets signed, you never know...
Posted by: jrfukudome | February 04, 2008 at 05:51 PM
I'm surprised this deal got its own post. Just a question for anyone that knows, but does either one of these players stand to make a difference on their respective teams in 2008? Would Galarraga be a long reliever in that shaky Detroit bullpen?
Posted by: scribbletone | February 04, 2008 at 06:08 PM
As a Rangers fan...this SUCKS!
Most of us were perplexed as to why he was DFA'd...when there were other sucko' fringe players on the 40 that could have gone. He is a good pitcher...he's not an ace by any means...but he's a good, serviceable 5th starter or reliever on a ML team.
And we got who? someone that is 23 and still in A ball??? f'n weak...
Posted by: ChrisH | February 04, 2008 at 07:26 PM
The one thing the Tigers need is bullpen help. We definately don't have a need to keep OF's who aren't producing so it's definately worth a shot.
Posted by: Fibonacci3 | February 04, 2008 at 07:34 PM
The trade in and of itself is a good one for the Rangers. Galarraga was gone and they got a power prospect to put in a system that isn't heavy on power. People put too much stock into age. Not everyone breaks into the bigs at 22. The guy may be nothing more than an organizational guy, but he has a power bat that has the potential to be groomed into something. He will start the season at AA and we will see from there. Now, as to why the DFA's Galarraga (who has an option left) and not Feldman is beyond me, but since they did it, this trade isn't bad.
Posted by: SteveBuechele | February 04, 2008 at 08:07 PM
The Soriano deal, overlooked as one of Jon Daniel's early mistakes in his career.
Posted by: gogopalehose | February 04, 2008 at 08:24 PM
"The Soriano deal, overlooked as one of Jon Daniel's early mistakes in his career."
Yeah I'll second that. It's never good when you trade a guy who goes on to sign a $136 million contract and all you get in return is crap. Man I bet everyone in Texas was really happy with that sweet Wilkerson/Sledge/Galarraga package. Thats totally worth a 40/40 threat. He was struggling at the time, but still. Jeez thats the best he could get for the guy that netted Alex Rodriguez.
Posted by: scribbletone | February 04, 2008 at 09:06 PM
That was a bad trade (not quite in the San Diego trade's stratosphere), and they should have just ridden out his deal and taken two draft picks like the Nats did...who, by the way, couldn't get jack for the $136 million man either.
Posted by: SteveBuechele | February 04, 2008 at 09:41 PM
Then again the Nats turned down offers far superior to that package though
Posted by: scribbletone | February 04, 2008 at 09:44 PM
"He is a good pitcher...he's not an ace by any means...but he's a good, serviceable 5th starter or reliever on a ML team.
And we got who? someone that is 23 and still in A ball??? f'n weak..."
A good pitcher? With a career A-AA ERA well above 4 and 8 bad ML innings with the rangers under his belt at the age of 26? He's a shaky 5th starter at A ball. I doubt he tops his ML IP this year either. This is an irrelevant trade. Neither will make an impact on their respective minor league teams.
Posted by: Year4theCUBS | February 04, 2008 at 10:49 PM
How is this getting a topic thing but nothing on the 5 year deal that Granderson got?
Posted by: Larsen101 | February 04, 2008 at 10:57 PM
Larsen101:
It's called scrolling down, try it.
But if you can't do that then just click this link
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2008/02/tigers-sign-gra.html
Just messing with ya by the way.
Posted by: SteveBuechele | February 04, 2008 at 11:09 PM
Andres Galarraga.....oh yes, how I miss watching the Big Cat.
Posted by: HoratioAlgae | February 05, 2008 at 12:06 AM