The Tigers, now just two wins away from advancing to the World Series, have the day off before hosting the Yankees in Detroit tomorrow night. Here are some links from the only division in baseball that did not feature a 90-win team in 2012…
- Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski built Detroit's starting rotation for the postseason and it's working, Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com writes. "These four guys have the capability of shutting down anyone when they're throwing good," Dombrowski said of Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer, Doug Fister and Anibal Sanchez.
- John Lowe of the Detroit Free Press examines the dynamic between Jose Valverde, the closer who can no longer be relied upon, and Jim Leyland, the manager who must juggle egos and matchups as a result of Valverde's poor performances. In my opinion Valverde's free agent stock has diminished considerably this past month. If MLB executives share this view, agent Scott Boras could have difficulty finding serious interest in his new client.
- Twins senior director of minor league operations Jim Rantz announced that he will retire at the end of the year, the team announced. Rantz, 75, has been a member of the Twins' organization since its inception in 1961.
Detroits starters have been lights out. And really, excluding Benoit and Valverde, so had the BP
Dave Dombrowski speaks really good.
I don’t think there is any arguing that the Tigers have the best Rotation left in the playoffs.
I’m surprised Boras hasn’t suggested to Valverde that he claim some sort of injury and sit out the rest of the year. With his velocity drop I don’t think anyone would doubt it. He’s probably hurt his FA from 5-10M next year to maybe 2-5M or maybe even only a minor league contract.
Because Valverde has a soul unlike Boras
Valverde is a team player. That’s not something he would even think about doing.
I agree that Valverde is a great team player. However, you do have to wonder if he has some sort of shoulder fatigue and is trying to push through it. Could argue that he might be a better teammate if removed himself from the roster or at the very least the closers role. Sometimes pride can be just as a destructive force as an injury.
Hope the Tigers resign Sanchez
If they don’t I hope they trade for Shields or inquire on Greinke
Unfortunately, I think Shields goes to Rangers for Andrus, which I hate because I would love to see Andrus on the Tigers next year. Shields would be a nice addition also but I think he’ll require too much to acquire and will probably price himself out of Tigers price range after next year. I think Andrus would be cheaper to resign, maybe 5/60.
I think Greinke will be too expensive and Shields gives up too many hard hit balls. With that, the Tigers defense is not a good fit for Shields. I think Sanchez is going to be the best bargain signing they can ask for. Something like 4/40 would be a fine gamble if Sanchez were to take it. He might be willing to stay at a discount, especially if they win the World Series and also Detroit pretty much is team Venezuela with Miguel Cabrera, Omar Infante, and Victor Martinez.
I agree about Greinke. But it’s not unreasonable to try and get Shields as long as the rays don’t ask for the farm (they usually do). If we don’t resign valverde and don’t get Sanchez I’d like him in a D. This is a long shot but if we got Napoli early we could trade Avila and maybe a prospect for him.
However if we win a World Series I don’t think any of this has a chance of happening.
Avila’s dad works for the organization. I don’t see them trading him anytime soon.
Business is business they can have Patrick Leyland too
All I’m saying is I’d be very surprised to see them pay Napoli the kind of money he wants, in order to trade a guy that has clout in the organization, and still had a decent season despite playing injured most of the season. Also, Avila caught most of the pitching staff this season pretty well and calls a good game, why mess with a good thing?
Like I said its a long shot if Napoli’s stock has gone down and the organization sees him as an upgrade, they can go ask the rays if they like deal with Avila and Shields. I can also see the rays going hard after Napoli depending on his price range
Don’t think the Rays have the money for Napoli. But another idea I had for Detroit was to trade Porcello, Boesch, and other prospects for Jon Lester. His stock is at an all-time low right now, and he’s another strikeout pitcher that would fit the Tigers system well. Not sure if Boston would like Porcello, but considering he’s an East Coast guy and a groundball pitcher, he might fit their system well also. Boesch could be a great gamble as well in the OF, especially in a hitter’s park like Fenway.
Assuming Detroit resigns Sanchez, the best way for Detroit to upgrade would be for them to move Peralta for a more defensively minded SS and upgrade closers. Pittsburgh desperately needs offense and a trade of Porcello, Boesch, Peralta for Joel Hanrahan and Clint Barmes might work out pretty well for both sides. Detroit gets a proven good closer and undisputed top defensive SS each for just next season. Pittsburgh gets a proven 3 starter that could pitch even better with a good defense behind him and has years of cost control, it upgrades offensively at SS for one season adding some power, and also gets a corner OF with upside.
I don’t want any piece of Clint Barmes no matter how good of a defensive player he is if he switches leagues his 230 average will go down to 200 might as well keep the defensively consistent Peralta who by the way has saved both of these ALCS games with the glove.
It’s near impossible to upgrade both offensively and defensively at SS though. Only option is Andrus. To be honest, I’d be ok with moving both Fister and Porcello if it brought back Andrus and Matt Harrison. Tigers could use a proven lefty innings eater like Harrison, who I think would have better numbers if he didn’t pitch in Arlington.