The Tigers' best way to address their shortstop issue is to try an internal option, like Danny Worth, then reevaluate the matter if Worth struggles, MLive.com's James Schmehl writes. At that point, if Stephen Drew is still a free agent, the Tigers could call agent Scott Boras. Schmehl also doesn't think the Tigers should pay a high price for the Diamondbacks' Chris Owings when the injured Jose Iglesias remains their shortstop of the future. Drew was the top option in an MLBTR readers poll earlier today, as over 37% of voters felt that the Tigers will ultimately just sign the veteran shortstop to replace Iglesias.
Here are more notes from around the AL Central…
- The Phillies and Cubs were among the many teams who had scouts watching the Tigers' minor leaguers in action on Wednesday, MLB.com's Jason Beck reports. Earlier today, we heard that the Tigers were scouting Darwin Barney and Nate Schierholtz of the Cubs to address their holes at short and left field, respectively.
- Shaun Marcum would like to stay in the Indians organization even if he doesn't make their rotation, MLB.com's Jordan Bastian tweets. Marcum can opt out of his deal if he does not make the team out of spring training. Marcum was supposed to compete for the Indians' fifth starter job, but he has fallen behind as he has continued to recover from thoracic outlet syndrome and is unlikely to be ready for the start of the season.
- The Pirates have reportedly been shopping outfielder Jose Tabata, but the Twins are probably not among the interested teams, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press tweets.
- The Twins' final roster decisions are being complicated by both a number of out-of-options players and the fact that several players competing for jobs simply haven't performed well at Spring Training, MLB.com's Andrew Simon reports. "Nobody's really stepped up to try to earn the spots, and that's a bad feeling when you're looking at giving spots away," Twins assistant GM Mark Antony told reporters, including Simon.
MLBTR's Charlie Wilmoth also contributed to this post
Schierholtz? The Tigers would be better off trading for Tabata.
Tabata is righty, and the Tigers want a left handed bat in LF, ideally with some pop. I’m with you on not wanting Schierholtz though, there has got to be a better option.
You would be better off signing Laynce Nix or trading for Jason Kubel then getting Schierholtz. Don’t get me wrong, hes a good player, but he hits .240his whole carerr just to have a break out 20 HR year? Not buying it too much.
What could the Tigers get from the Phillies? Revere or Brown are the only to I can think of and they are unlikely. Rollins certainly isn’t an option.
Dominic Brown is a lefty at least, but really don’t think we have what Philly would want for someone coming off a career year. They have Galvis who is a UT/backup infielder that MIGHT be a possibility at SS, and they have Antonio B the RP, who would be a very nice upgrade over Coke for a lefty specialist. I don’t see much fit though between the 2 teams, no.
You people need to watch worth play in the regular season. He is worthless. For the better part of three seasons he has played below Ramon Santiago.
He has very good defense and has potential to be average at the plate.
sorry the potential train with worth has left the station
Schierholtz and Barney are set to earn 7.3M combined. Neither is appreciably better than replacement level. Neither are better than the players they temporarily replace, Dirks and Iglesias. Schierholtz might be better than our “internal options,” but I think either Worth or Perez would be as good as Barney. Both Schierholtz and Barney would be useless after the injured players return. If you are going to trade, get someone who is better. Let’s see if Worth or Perez can handle SS, then sign Drew in June after draft pick compensation goes away. Or make a trade at that point for somebody good. Let Rajai, Lombardozzi and Kelly handle LF unless you can get someone good, who would have value even after Dirks comes back.
Agree that the Tigers need to be looking at a short term fix. Trading for anyone substantial just puts them in a position of needing to flip Iglesias or the new guy next off-season. Drew on a 1 year deal like that signed by Cruz makes sense (discount his asking price by the approximate value of a 1st round pick and you end up around $8M). Other than that it’s out of option players and they are most likely no better than internal options.
For me it’s Drew at 1/$8M or bust. Wait until the season starts so he’s assured no QO can be given. Drew builds up his value with a team with championship aspirations and can re-enter next year with no draft pick compensation tied to him.
Very interesting! I proposed Barney and Schierholtz to the Tigers just a few days ago and got ripped for it. I still think this makes a lot of sense as Barney could easily shift to the utility role when Iglesias comes back.
Look I get that Tabata doesn’t fit the mold for corner OF but the guy has a nice bat regardless. I hope we trade Snider and keep Tabata who we could plug in anywhere in the OF. Still some upside for more power too. He doesn’t have the value in a trade that would make me want to move him.