Tigers Rumors: Leyland, Farnsworth, Renteria

IF the yanks let abreu walk they should look into trading for maggs.

Tim, do you believe that the financial crisis will imapact the free agent market this winter? Do you see the contracts numbers going down?

The Yankees should not go after Ordonez if Abreu is let go. That would be a 2003 Yankees thing to do. They can't just keep replacing older highly paid veterans with other older highly paid veterans. An outfield with Nady, Damon and either Cabrera or someone else will be fine temporarily. They need to prioritize getting offense from first base and designated hitter, while hoping that Cano bounces back and Posada and Matsui can produce. Austin Jackson should be ready soon enough to take over in center long term.

I mean if they could get Ordonez without giving up prospects that would be acceptable but they just can't give up more young talent to add a guy like Ordonez who's on contract for $48M over three years.

"And maybe the Astros could muster up a package for Dontrelle Willis."

I sure as hell hope not.

Dontrelle Willis + Crawford Boxes = DISASTER

The Astros have enough back of the rotation starters, and they're all cheaper than Willis.
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I can't see Rentaria accepting arbitration, as he'd likely get a lucrative multi-year offer, and if he did accept on a 1 year deal and continued to slide next year, that multi-year offer will be gone in 2010.

I wouldn't mind seeing the Cubs go after Ordonez if the Tigers are going to try to move his salary. Reed Johnson could be brought back as the fourth outfielder, Edmonds could be told thanks and goodbye, and Fukudome could be moved to center where his bat would play better. Assuming a deep run in the playoffs the Cubs are likely going to have room in the payroll for him (though it's probably more important for them to resign Dempster if money is tight). Ordonez doesn't offer a lefthanded bat but he's still a pretty good hitter, and if the Cubs can send a descent prospect or two back while getting the Tigers to pick up a little salary then it could work out.

I think we have seen this year that opening up the checkbook is not what the Tigers need to do. Spend smart, not large. Detroit is not as far off as people make them out to be. Relief is our achilles' heel. Getting the lead hasn't been the problem; keeping after the 7th is the problem. Rodney is death to hope and Zumaya can't stay healthy more than a couple weeks. Casey Fossum and Bobby Seay as lefties? Horrible. If we trade Maggs or Guillen, collect RP's in return.