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Tigers Rumors: Polanco, Rodney, Lyon, Everett

By Ben Nicholson-Smith [June 25, 2009 at 10:59am CST]

Lynn Henning of the Detroit News predicts how the Tigers will handle four impending free agents this offseason:

Placido Polanco "will likely be allowed to chase free agency" as the Tigers look for another second baseman.
The Tigers are thinking about Joel Zumaya as their 2010 closer, but they'll likely offer Fernando Rodney arbitration anyways. Henning says Rodney's a good bet to sign a multi-year deal elsewhere.
Henning expects Brandon Lyon to receive an offer of arbitration.
The Tigers love Adam Everett and want him back, so much so that they may offer him a contract before he hits free agency.

Comments

"The Tigers love Adam Everett and want him back, so much so that they may offer him a contract before he hits free agency."

And this is what burns Dombrowski. Giving out extensions to mediocre players already on the team. See: Robertson, Willis, Miggy, etc.

Posted by: melonis rex | June 25, 2009 at 11:03 AM

Rex, are you calling Miggy a "mediocre player"?

Posted by: allstarlineup | June 25, 2009 at 11:07 AM

Polanco sounds like he's destined to be overpaid by the Mets. As a fan of that particular NY team, I don't know if I like that idea or not. Wish I had him 3 years ago.

Posted by: Rootdown | June 25, 2009 at 11:11 AM

Maybe he averaged them out...Miggy=great balanced out by Nate and Willis=horrific???

They won't have to look far for the second baseman...he is in Toledo and goes by the name of Sizemore.

Posted by: gipper77 | June 25, 2009 at 11:11 AM

"And this is what burns Dombrowski. Giving out extensions to mediocre players already on the team. See: Robertson, Willis, Miggy, etc."

I think that the right price would be overpriced contracts for players with limited value.

As good as Cabrera is, he's still just a mediocre defensive first baseman that can't really play anywhere else, so 8/140 is an awful lot of money for such a one-dimensional player.

And then of course there's all that money that he's handed to Willis, Robertson, Sheffield, Bonderman, Ordonez, Guillen and Inge.

Inge might live up to his deal if he continues to play this way, and the Cabrera and Ordonez deals are alright because those guys have/will mostly live up to their deals.

But Dombrowski has wasted a lot of money.

"The Tigers are thinking about Joel Zumaya as their 2010 closer, but they'll likely offer Fernando Rodney arbitration anyways. Henning says Rodney's a good bet to sign a multi-year deal elsewhere."

The Tigers should think long and hard about giving the closer job to a guy who is walking 4.81 per 9 and giving up 1.48 homers per 9. Even if his average fastball velocity is 99.2 MPH, and a guy who regularly throws legitimate 100+ MPH fastballs, I'm not sure if he's got the command and offspeed stuff to be a great closer yet. And his arm could still blow off.

Posted by: scribbletone | June 25, 2009 at 11:22 AM

scribble, i think you should watch Miggy defensively at 1st now. He is much better than before. But i do agree with you on the Zoom situation

Posted by: allstarlineup | June 25, 2009 at 11:34 AM

Does anyone else in here get a little queezy when Polanco takes of his hat or helmet? That man has to have one of the most deformed looking heads Ive ever seen. Not trying to insult the guy but geez...

As for the Tigers and their concerns. They have so much depth in their organization for position players. I agree that Polanco needs to be let go but I dont think Rodney should be let go because Zumaya has SO many injury problems. Letting Rodney go to make Zumaya the closer would be jumping the gun in my opinion since he has struggled with injuries and also control as well.

Bring Everett back forsure, Lyon as well as I feel theyre both solid and reliable players.

But when you look at the depth chart in the Tigers system you have to be fairly excited about a lot of the young players in the organization.

Dusty Ryan for example. If I was the Tigers coaching staff, I would pull this guy out of the catcher position right away and move him to another position, he is too valuable and athletic to be a catcher long term. But with Larish being the future 3B and Cabrera locked up long term at 1B, would Ryan be mobile enough for the outfield? Inge could probably move to 2B when Polanco leaves so Larish has a spot open.

Overall, it would be nice to be in the Tiger's management and be able to see all those options and all that depth.

Posted by: xethicx | June 25, 2009 at 11:40 AM

"Rex, are you calling Miggy a "mediocre player"?"

No, I'm not. Bad wording.

Miggy is really, really good. That's not the problem.

Problem is that Miggy's contract is a massive market aberration for the type of player he is, which is a poor defensive 1B/DH type. If he moves to full time DH, there is no way he will come close to being worth that contract.

Posted by: melonis rex | June 25, 2009 at 11:41 AM

"scribble, i think you should watch Miggy defensively at 1st now. He is much better than before. But i do agree with you on the Zoom situation"

Haven't watched him much, but if his improvement in UZR/150 is a sign, then yeah, you're right, I underestimated him. Didn't see the improvement from -5.2 in 2008 to +6.5 this season, which probably isn't that pronounced but at least shows that Cabrera is surely getting better at first. That's probably where he's belonged for a while.

Posted by: scribbletone | June 25, 2009 at 11:43 AM

Tiger need a second baseman? No problem. How about Robinson Cano? I'm a Yankee fan but I'm tired of seeing Cano fade under pressure.

Posted by: Junior | June 25, 2009 at 11:44 AM

"But when you look at the depth chart in the Tigers system you have to be fairly excited about a lot of the young players in the organization."

I beg to differ.

Dusty Ryan was good in AAA last year but his BABIP was a big time fluke at .477, and his AA and 2007 numbers aren't nearly as impressive. He hasn't been remotely as good this year, and strikeouts have always been a monster issue for this guy, he's still striking out 34.7% of the time in AAA. Not sure what kind of prospect this guy really is.

Guys like Larish, Raburn, Thomas, Ryan, Santiago and Anderson can all be decent players but their upsides are all fairly limited, and none of them are particularly young anymore.

I'm not sure what there is to get excited about there outside of Miguel Cabrera, Curtis Granderson and the young pitching in Verlander, Porcello, Jackson, Zumaya and Perry.

Posted by: scribbletone | June 25, 2009 at 11:50 AM

"Tiger need a second baseman? No problem. How about Robinson Cano? I'm a Yankee fan but I'm tired of seeing Cano fade under pressure."

Heh..

Yeah, who wants a healthy 26 year old second baseman with a .301/.336/.488 line that plays solid defense?

It's not like the guy posted a 5.0 WAR season two years ago when he was 24 and he's on pace for a 3.5-4.0 WAR season this year..

Cano, psh, what a loser..

Posted by: scribbletone | June 25, 2009 at 11:52 AM

Scribble, i agree on Ryan. The big thing with Ryan is that he has not been able to have consistent contact. His future is a back up C. Which isn't bad. He has a lot of power and pretty good defensively and has a pretty good arm as well.

Posted by: allstarlineup | June 25, 2009 at 11:57 AM

'Joel Zumaya as Tigers 2010 closer, but they'll likely offer Fernando Rodney arbitration anyways. Henning says Rodney's a good bet to sign a multi-year deal elsewhere.'

An awful idea...I think that Rodney is a great closer and 15/15 sv/svo isn't hurting my argument. Joel Zumaya is just another case of fans falling in love with the radar gun. Just because his fastball comes in near 100 doesn't mean it is moving any, so when it comes in straight and a hitter gets a piece of it, physics says that ball will just bounce off the bat harder IF he throws a strike. Not to mention the guy won't stay healthy for a full season so it wouldn't be wise to set every close game's fate on a guy who will be on the DL. Keep Rodney plz.

Posted by: Lawya | June 25, 2009 at 11:58 AM

If I were Detroit I would go into the offseason with this checklist. This is assuming Magglio doesn't vest.

1. Resign Everett. He is a great defensive player at a key position and his offense is fair enough.

2. Give out only one nice sized contract and give it to Vlad. Put him behind Miggy to protect him and just let him DH with a few reps in the OF. He can be a much needed heart of the order bat to help out Miggy.

3. Let Polanco go and call up a much cheaper Sizemore from AAA.

4. Sign a reliable cheapish #4 starter type. Doug Davis, Washburn, or Marquis could fit this bill though they might demand too much cash. This would allow Galarraga, Robertson, Miner, or a farm product to fight for the #5 spot.

5. No idea what to do with the pen. See how it goes this year and to see if you need to invest in some veterans or just call up some kids.

1. Granderson..CF
2. Anderson.....RF
3. Cabrera.......1B
4. Guerrero....DH/LF
5. Inge..........3B
6. Guillen......LF/DH
7. Everett........SS
8. Laird............C
9. Sizemore......2B

Verlander
Jackson
Porcello
Davis
Miner/Galarraga

That has all the makings of a playoff contender with speed at the top of the order, power in the middle, very good defense, and a solid starting threesome.

Posted by: bbxxj | June 25, 2009 at 12:05 PM

If they lock up a great defensive guy like Everett for 2 years, 4-5 million, I see that as a good enough signing. He must be a relief to watch after Edgar 'The Abomination' Renteria. It doesn't look good when shortstops look like they need a cane to walk with.

If they have no internal option at 2B, why not keep Polanco for another 1-2 years?
Same goes for Rodney.

I agree on Miggy. He was in such bad shape for awhile there, that contract was looking especially dangerous. He makes 17.5 a year on average - that's a lot for eventual DH capabilities. But at the same time, he's still very young and if he stays fit, he'll be elite for a long time.

Posted by: www.homehalfway.net | June 25, 2009 at 12:06 PM

Amazing, it seems like half of the Yankee fans are the only ones who won't acknowledge Cano is a good player, one of the better 2Bs in the league. Thank god C-Money knows to keep him.

Posted by: B3NG4L | June 25, 2009 at 12:12 PM

What about Uggla for Lyon straight up? Coughlin is taking away Uggla's home in Miami, and they need relief. I bet the Marlins would take Maggs off the Tigers hands too, if Detroit "made it rain".

Posted by: DocBot | June 25, 2009 at 12:15 PM

Tigers have only themselves to blame if they cave in to Boras and allow Ordonez to get his starts/plate appearances in and don't hold firm in keeping him sat down enough.

Miggy is what Fielder will be in 3 years: An overpaid, non fielding DH playing 1B if he is still in the NL.

Posted by: johns | June 25, 2009 at 12:20 PM

Um, what?

A premier offensive and fairly affordable 2B for a reliever FA-to-be? Horrible.

And taking Maggs? Maggs' salary next year is almost what all the Marlins make altogether!!

Posted by: www.homehalfway.net | June 25, 2009 at 12:22 PM

"1. Resign Everett. He is a great defensive player at a key position and his offense is fair enough.

3. Let Polanco go and call up a much cheaper Sizemore from AAA.

5. No idea what to do with the pen. See how it goes this year and to see if you need to invest in some veterans or just call up some kids."

1. I agree on signing Everett. He's a good defensive player, and while his UZR/150 this season, +7.3, isn't close what it was in 2006-2007, +27.7 (!!!!!!!), he's still a solid player because of his defensive skills and low price tag. He's gotta keep his OBP over .300 though, but he's probably the best defensive shortstop of this decade.

2. I'm not so sure about Vlad, though. I agree that they need another bat to help Cabrera, but Guerrero can't do much else but play a below average RF or DH and the Tigers still have Carlos Guillen locked up through 2011. They'd probably be better off going after someone who can play a legitimately good left field, or go after a bat at second place and try Wilkin Ramirez and Clete Thomas in left field for a year, depending on whether or not they're forced to spend $18M to bring back Maggs.

3. I agree on Sizemore as well, although I'm not too familiar with his defensive skills, he looks like he could be ready for an everyday shot by next season.

4. I like this idea too, if they can afford it, unless Bonderman and/or Robertson emerge and show that they can be a solid starters again. They really can't tie up too much money considering how much they're paying Willis, Robertson and Bonderman. Giving Zach Miner another shot in the back of the rotation isn't a bad idea either.

5. I think that the plan has got to be to have Perry as the closer within a couple years. I would seriously hesitate to put Zumaya in the closer spot given his walk and home run tendencies. Bringing back Rodney and/or Lyon wouldn't be awful. I agree that waiting before making any rash decisions is definitely the right call.

Posted by: scribbletone | June 25, 2009 at 12:24 PM

""Polanco sounds like he's destined to be overpaid by the Mets. As a fan of that particular NY team, I don't know if I like that idea or not. Wish I had him 3 years ago. ""

IFFFFF we could move Castillo, why would we get Polanco when Hudson only signed a 1 year deal with LA??? He has indicated on more than one occasion he wants to be a Met...

Posted by: OhHeySlim | June 25, 2009 at 01:12 PM

Stop with the one-demensional nonsense.
Cabrera is currently rated the 3rd best defensive first baseman in the majors, just behind Adrian Gonzalez:

http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=1b&stats=fld&lg=all&qual=y&type=0&season=2009&month=0

Posted by: RatkoVarda | June 25, 2009 at 02:21 PM

First of all, Lynn Henning has conclusively proven that he is the LAST person that can be relied upon to predict what the Tigers are going to do. The single greatest predictor of Tiger organizational moves is to read Henning and go with the opposite of what he predicts. Nobody is more uniquely unqualified in this department.

Henning writes that the Tigers have a huge dilemma whether to offer arbitration to Polanco. They don't. Offering arby is a no brainer. He wrote that Polanco would get a "big payday" if he were to accept arby. He wouldn't. 5- 6 million is about the range for a top second baseman that's not named Utley. It happens to be the lowest paid position on the field. Henning wrote that the Tigers couldn't risk offering arby to Renteria. Wrong again. Renteria had a done deal with the Giants, (as reported in this website among others), who just waited for the Tigers to be stupid enough to decline arbitration, and leave two top 50 picks laying on the table.
Polly is not in a position to start taking one year deals, and ALL arbitration awards are for one year. He'll get a multi year deal, no problem. Even if he accepts, the Tigers need his steady glove in the field, even if he doesn't still hit .320 every year.

Sizemore may be a very good prospect, but he has a dozen errors facing minor league competition. The backup option to Polanco is Santiago.
From the writer who told us in 2006 that the Tigers were seven to ten years away, who told us that Bonderman would be gone, and so many other fallacies, don't look in that direction for any clue as to what the Tigers will do. Henning has none.

Posted by: Tigerdog | June 25, 2009 at 02:27 PM

Miguel Cabrera's defense has been awesome this season. He could stand to lose 5 pounds.

Posted by: Will Smiff | June 25, 2009 at 02:37 PM

"Stop with the one-demensional nonsense.
Cabrera is currently rated the 3rd best defensive first baseman in the majors, just behind Adrian Gonzalez:"

That also shows several of the best fielding 1B in the game ( Tex, Youk, Pena) at the bottom as well. I guess the last 3 years GG winners in the AL just all of a sudden suck huh?

Posted by: johns | June 25, 2009 at 02:39 PM

"What about Uggla for Lyon straight up? Coughlin is taking away Uggla's home in Miami, and they need relief. I bet the Marlins would take Maggs off the Tigers hands too, if Detroit "made it rain"."

wow. WOW. Im not even a Marlins fan but GOOD GOD MAN! That could be the most lopsided proposed trade in MLBTR history!

Posted by: thenerbster | June 25, 2009 at 03:47 PM

"I guess the last 3 years GG winners in the AL just all of a sudden suck huh?

Posted by: johns | June 25, 2009 at 02:39 PM"

I usually think the GG awards are a joke, but all of those dudes are legit.

Posted by: 661dodgerblue | June 25, 2009 at 03:59 PM

"I usually think the GG awards are a joke, but all of those dudes are legit."

Yeah, Sometimes it is popularity. Tek won it in 2004, or 5. Too lazy to go back and look it up. Granted he can handle a staff as good as, or better than anyone, but the guy cannot throw out anybody trying to steal a base and that should disqualify any catcher outright.

Posted by: johns | June 25, 2009 at 04:05 PM

Actually prefer to use own eyes than UZR than the "fancy" stats like fangraphs for example anyway and after looking real closely at the ratings for CF and especially catcher? Just why do some posters here insist on continually using this stuff?

Tori Hunter near the bottom for CF, Joacoby Ellsbury as well. Todd Helton and Justin Morneau also near the bottom for 1B, PAUL KONERKO at the top! Jason Varitek at 2nd for catchers.

This Fangraphs could have a topic of it's own on this site for debating it's usefulness. here.

Posted by: johns | June 25, 2009 at 04:23 PM

What about Uggla for Lyon straight up?

------------------------

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHHAH

oh...oh jeez....

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Posted by: xethicx | June 26, 2009 at 09:32 AM

"Actually prefer to use own eyes than UZR than the "fancy" stats like fangraphs for example anyway and after looking real closely at the ratings for CF and especially catcher? Just why do some posters here insist on continually using this stuff?"

You've used your own eyes to look at every inning of every major league game and compared the defensive performance of all the firstbasemen?

Of course you haven't.

Using new school (UZR) or old school (feilding %, range factor) Cabrara is better than Carlos Pena (though Pena's zone rating is better). That is a fact. My own eyes have seen Cabrara over 40 times this year and he is a solid-to-good defender, which was my orginal point.

Is Jimmy Rollins better than Ben Zobrist? No, he's not. Maybe he will be in the 2nd half. Rollins almost certainly will be better in 2010, but not now.

Also, the Tiger have no use for Uggla. They have premier defenders as 2nd and 3rd and they don't need another RH bat.

Posted by: RatkoVarda | June 26, 2009 at 12:25 PM

Miggy is hardly mediocre. Lynn Henning, on the other hand . . .

Posted by: catswithbats | June 27, 2009 at 04:38 AM

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Tigers Rumors: Polanco, Rodney, Lyon, Everett

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