Odds and Ends: Jacque, Vizquel, Greinke

Today's linkage... An MLBTR chat will take place in this space at 2pm CST - get your questions ready! I will also be hopping on ESPN-1580 (Columbia, MO) today at 4:20pm CST. Jacque Jones prefers to play for the Marlins...I imagine he will end up there. GM bloodlines courtesy of Batter's Box. Omar Vizquel wants to play in '09, if he has a good offensive year in '08. The White Sox do not intend to overpay their 8th overall pick this June. The Royals haven't had any extension talks yet with Zack Greinke, who would become a free agent after...

Rosenthal's Latest: Lidge, Daniel Cabrera, Bonds, Edmonds

Ken Rosenthal has a new column up. I put the Griffey info in a separate post; let's discuss the rest. Rosenthal suggests that Brad Lidge would be harder to replace than Pat Burrell, and for that reason the Phillies will make a bigger effort to re-sign him. I imagine Phillies fans would prefer that course of action. The problem? The Phillies have little chance of offering four years, according to Jayson Stark. The Rangers will face a delicate situation in coming years: moving Michael Young to a different position. The chain reaction could make Hank Blalock available. Blalock has a...

Rosenthal's Full Count: Bonds, Webb, Hanley

Let's hit up Ken Rosenthal's latest Full Count video: Rosenthal thinks the Tigers should sign Barry Bonds. Sure, Detroit already has too many DHs, and Bonds wouldn't help their need for improved defense and speed, but they absolutely need another lefthanded bat. Rosenthal points out that the team is 11-20 in games started by RHP. As for the fear of a clubhouse problem, Gary Sheffield - who has feuded with Bonds in the past - has no problem and I would presume that the other players, particularly veterans, on the Tigers would echo that sentiment. The 3-year contract extension for...

Scenarios: Bonds In The American League

In his latest column, Baltimore Sun writer Peter Schmuck doesn't buy the collusion talk going around baseball circles regarding one Barry Bonds. He argues that the owners have no need to collude when Bonds' bad health, bad 'tude, bad rep, and age are doing just fine in keeping bidders at bay. Like many other baseball pundits, Schmuck thinks Bonds could be of some service to an American League team in need of a DH, but the reality is that only a few teams have a hole at that spot. He does raise a good point, mentioning the Tigers' decision to...

Padres, Marlins Interested In Jacque Jones

According to Joe Frisaro of MLB.com, the Marlins and Padres have inquired on recently designated outfielder Jacque Jones. The Tigers, on the hook for $3MM of Jones' salary this year, would obviously prefer a trade. Many Padres are not hitting, including outfielders Jim Edmonds and Scott Hairston. Jones might not hit for much power anymore, but he can play a quality center field. The Fish nearly acquired Jones last summer. They haven't gotten much out of Alfredo Amezaga and Cody Ross in center, and left fielder Josh Willingham is on the DL with a sore lower back. The Marlins are...

Tigers Release Jacque Jones

According to Jon Paul Morosi of the Detroit Free Press, the Tigers released outfielder Jacque Jones today. Jones, 33, received only 90 plate appearances before the Tigers gave up on him. He makes $5MM this year, of which the Cubs are paying $2MM. Given Jones' ability to play all three outfield positions, he shouldn't have a problem finding a new team.

Rockies Acquire Jason Grilli, Jorge de la Rosa

The Rockies and Tigers made a swap today. The Rockies get 31 year-old pitcher Jason Grilli, while the Tigers receive 22 year-old pitcher Zach Simons. Grilli has served as a mop-up man for the Tigers the past two years, eating bullpen innings at a mediocre ERA. The Rox may have been drawn to his typically decent groundball rates. Simons appears to be a long shot to reach the bigs; he wasn't among the Rockies' top 30 prospects. The Rox also completed their long-rumored deal for lefty Jorge de la Rosa. He'll jump right into the rotation. The 27 year-old is...

Retirement A Possibility For Sheffield

Because of shoulder woes, 39 year-old DH Gary Sheffield hasn't hit well since July of last year. He's an elite slugger when he's on but terrible when he's off. In the midst of a third cortisone shot, Sheffield suggested that retirement is not out of the question. He's dealing with all kinds of pain and won't undergo another surgery. Retirement sounds like a worst-case scenario though. After all, he is set to earn $14MM in '09. If Sheff retires or hits the 60-day DL, talk of Barry Bonds or Mike Piazza could heighten. The Tigers, however, have consistently denied interest...

Cabrera-Guillen Position Switch Upsets Inge

We haven't discussed the Miguel Cabrera-Carlos Guillen position swap here on MLBTR - on the surface it doesn't appear to have hot stove implications. However, Ken Rosenthal heard from a Major League source that Brandon Inge is "livid" that Cabrera was moved off third yet Inge still doesn't have a starting gig. Inge, 31 in May, is off to a decent start this year with a .246/.357/.439 line in 20 games. His versatility is especially valuable for the Tigers, who have multiple injury-prone starters. Trading Inge now only makes sense if a respectable reliever comes in return (even if $6.2MM...

Bazardo Clears Waivers

23 year-old Tigers pitcher Yorman Bazardo cleared waivers; he'll head to Triple A. Bazardo has already spent time in the Florida and Seattle organizations as well. Why is he unwanted? His strikeout rates have been weak in the minors, but his control is solid. Baseball America seems fairly fond of him, though they note he'll probably top out in middle relief.

Snyder Accepts Minor League Assignment

MONDAY: Snyder has cleared waivers and accepted his assignment to Triple A, as suggested by Sarah Green back on April 5th. FRIDAY: According to Jeff Horrigan of the Boston Herald, the Tigers, Rays, and Phillies have interest in recently-designated pitcher Kyle Snyder. Snyder, now 30 years old, was the seventh overall pick by the Royals in the 1999 draft. He was tolerable as a middle reliever for the Red Sox last year, though his control was poor. He had two labrum surgeries in '03 and '04, and that injury reoccurred in '05. The Royals designated him the following year, and...

Despite Tiger Woes, Bonds Not An Option

John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle addresses the possibility of adding Barry Bonds to a Tigers team with a struggling offense out of the gate. The team is currently 2-9 with a league-low 33 runs scored. GM Dave Dombrowski responded to concerns raised about the offensive production thus far with his best Alfred E. Neuman impersonation, saying, "What! Me worry?" "If we hit the same all year, I'd be the most surprised I've ever been in my career," he said. On signing Bonds, Dombrowski replied, "Our everyday lineup is set. It's not even a situation with us." All this...

Recently DFA'd: Corey, Bazardo, Jimerson

Anyone looking for a relief pitcher or an outfielder? The Red Sox, Tigers, and Mariners designated a few for assignment yesterday. Let's see what they're leaving on the table. Yorman Bazardo, a 23-year-old who actually pitched pretty well last year, was curiously designated by Detroit. The Red Sox designated 34-year-old reliever Bryan Corey to make room for Mike Timlin, who got the loss last night in his first appearance since coming off the DL. You'd figure Bazardo would get a lot more interest than Corey. Finally, the Mariners have designated 28-year-old OF Charlton Jimerson after just one plate appearance. It...

With Willis Injured, Is Snyder Detroit-Bound?

Tigers lefty Dontrelle Willis didn't even make it out of the first inning last night, leaving the game with a hyperextended right knee. The bullpen kept the game close, and the vaunted yet under-performing Tigers offense carried the team to victory. However, Willis's knee adds greater concern to an already shaky rotation. Only Jeremy Bonderman has gone over 6.0 IP in a single start this year. Do these woes, combined with the Willis injury, mean that recently-DFA'd Kyle Snyder could be wearing orange soon? Yesterday, Tim told us that the Tigers were among two other teams interested in the 30-year-old...

Baseball Blogs Weigh In

Bunch of random topics so let's just get to it and see what it being said in the Blogosphere... Big League Stew talks to Bless You Boys about the idea of Barry Bonds signing with the Tigers. BYB argues against signing Bonds noting that the Tigers already have a bunch of slow players (base cloggers?) and what they really need is some more speed in the lineup...Although we keep hearing about collusion and have not heard any numbers bandied about, Bonds has always made it very clear how much he values the almighty dollar. Does anybody else think that Bonds...

Odds and Ends: Hosmer, Fossum, Garza

Some random tidbits for today... USA Today has an in-depth look at high school first baseman Eric Hosmer, who will likely be advised by Scott Boras. He's a likely top-ten pick this June unless his asking price causes him to drop. Baseball America looks at another first-round first baseman, Yonder Alonso. Here's a reminder of which teams pick when. The Tigers inked oft-injured pitcher Casey Fossum, who is not likely to help them at the big league level this year. Rays Index wonders whether the Rays might seek compensation from the Twins for Matt Garza's injury.

Phils Designate Lahey For Assignment

Earlier today, the Phillies activated closer Brad Lidge from the 15-day DL and, to make room for him on the roster, designated young right-handed reliever Tim Lahey for assignment as foreseen. He'll now be looking for his fifth job in as many months. The wandering Lahey has already been part of the Cubs, the Rays, and the Twins. He's still relatively new to pitching, having been converted by the Twins from catching. He posted a 3.45 ERA in 78 and a third innings at AA New Britain last year, and gave up three runs in three innings at AAA Rochester....

Odds and Ends: Rauch, Fielder, Braun, Garcia

Some links for you to peruse... We suggested on Wednesday that Jon Rauch makes sense for Detroit. That same day, the Washington Post's Barry Svrluga wrote that the Tigers "will watch Rauch very closely." You have to appreciate Matt Morris' candor regarding his salary. We learned on Saturday that the Brewers made offers to sluggers Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun. Today the team's owner said talks with both are ongoing. Other multiyear offers have been made, though the players are not known. Tom Haudricourt speculates on Corey Hart, Yovani Gallardo, J.J. Hardy, and Rickie Weeks. Ken Rosenthal sees Freddy Garcia...

Stark's Latest: Bonds, Howard, Vargas

ESPN's Jayson Stark has a new Rumblings and Grumblings up; let's take a look. Stark surveyed execs from three teams about why Barry Bonds remains unemployed. They provided the answers you'd expect, and collusion isn't one of them. One of the team officials believes a major injury to one of the 14 DHs could very well result in a Bonds signing. Related note: Gary Sheffield just tore a tendon in his finger. Meanwhile, Joel Sherman speculates that Bonds would be a nice match with the Blue Jays. There are signs that Ryan Howard wants an unprecedented contract - he won't...

Rosenthal's Latest: DeWitt, Murton, Vargas, Hatteberg, Pena, Baek, Piazza

Ken Rosenthal has his latest column up at FoxSports.com. As usual he is not shy about stirring up rumors. Let's take a look at what the rumor-guru has to say: Rosenthal notes that the Dodgers will go with Blake DeWitt at third base who has never played a game above AA. This comes after the Dodgers failed to acquire either the Astros' Mark Loretta, who was unavailable and the Royals' Esteban German, who was too expensive. The Royals were asking for the Dodgers' third best prospect, shortstop Chin-Lung Hu. He indicates that the Padres and the Rays are pursuing Matt...

Tigers Sign Fultz

The Tigers have signed left-hander Aaron Fultz to a contract with AAA Toledo. Fultz, an eight-year big-league veteran, was released this week by Cleveland. Bobby Seay is currently the only left-hander in Detroit's bullpen. So if Fultz can get his act together, there's probably a spot for him on the big league club. PECOTA projects Fultz will have a 3.92 ERA in roughly 45 innings pitched in 2008. But, as we all know, predicting what a reliever will do from one season to the next is far more difficult that predicting a position player, or even a starting pitcher. Coley...

Tigers Roster Set, No Trades Likely

The Tigers have been at the center of a number of recent trade rumors. There was the Huston Street rumor, and the Mike Wuertz rumor. But the one player that seemed the most likely to go, Brandon Inge, is still a member of the Tigers and now it appears that he will not be going anywhere in the near future. Jim Leyland was asked yesterday if there would be any last-minute deals. "My boss (general manager Dave Dombrowski) said it was OK to tell you that's the team." In fact it now looks like Inge will be the everyday center...

Freddy Guzman Clears Waivers

1:53pm: No one claimed Guzman; he'll head to Double A for the Tigers. 10:03am: According to Jon Paul Morosi, the Tigers have placed 27 year-old center fielder Freddy Guzman on outright waivers. Coming up with the Padres, Guzman was highly regarded by Baseball America for his "game-changing speed." Guzman doesn't have much of an arm but he certainly covers a lot of ground in center. He walks a decent amount for a guy with no power. He could be claimed by a club feeling the need for speed in its fourth or fifth outfield spot.

Tigers Release Tim Byrdak

According to MLB.com's Jason Beck, the Tigers released 34 year-old southpaw reliever Tim Byrdak today. Byrdak stuck out 49 in 46 innings last year, but also walked 26. He had a lousy spring, and apparently Jim Leyland's confidence doesn't mean much. The Detroit Tiger Weblog is now wondering what the Tigers will do for a second lefty in the 'pen. There are various guys floating around (Aaron Fultz comes to mind), but no one markedly better than Byrdak. Currently there's nothing imminent in the Tigers' hunt for bullpen help.

Miguel Cabrera Signs Extension

4:08pm: John Lowe has the year by year breakdown and adds that there are ten teams Cabrera can be traded to without his permission. TUESDAY, 12:44pm: Cabrera's seven-year extension is official. $20MM a year is a solid price for 25 year-old superstar who has never been injured. And Cabrera sets himself up for one more massive deal, just like A-Rod did. MONDAY, 8:57am: Though we don't have an official announcement and press conference from the Tigers yet, it's obvious that an agreement has been reached. Sabernomics thinks Cabrera will be worth $268MM over this time period; PECOTA feels differently. Cabrera...

Cubs Outfield Situation: Crisp, Johnson, Byrd

Quite a bit of info is floating about this evening regarding the Cubs' quest to add an outfielder. Let's put it all together. SI.com's Jon Heyman names Coco Crisp, Jay Payton, Marlon Byrd, and Brandon Inge as possible targets. Inge makes the least sense given his salary and the Tigers' need for him while Curtis Granderson is out. ESPN's Jayson Stark confirms Ken Rosenthal's assertion that the Cubs are leading the pack for Reed Johnson. Stark speculates that such an acquisition could prompt the Cubs to trade Matt Murton. ESPN's Peter Gammons says Red Sox scout Allard Baird is currently...

Tigers Want Huston Street?

According to Dan Graziano of the Newark Star-Ledger: The Tigers, desperate for a pitcher at the back end of their bullpen, are trying to have serious discussions with Oakland about closer Huston Street. But so far, the A's have not even decided if they want to trade Street. And if they do, they're likely to ask more than the Tigers have to offer. We talked about Street a couple days ago. Jon Heyman believed the asking price would be huge; Susan Slusser suggested the A's might wait until midseason. The Tigers aren't a great fit given their farm system.

Tigers Said To Be Targeting Wuertz; Cubs Disagree

The Detroit Tigers have some last-minute shopping left to do to shore up their bullpen. As you learned on Friday, Jon Paul Morosi noted the Tigers' interest in righty Mike Wuertz and the Cubs' fondness for Brandon Inge and Marcus Thames. Inge, it's worth noting, has seen time at catcher, third base, and all three outfield positions---and as of this spring, even shortstop. The Chicago Sun-Times, however, says Inge and Thames "make no sense for the Cubs" and that the Cubs have as of yet had no discussions with the Tigers about a deal for Wuertz involving those players. (For...

Tigers Interested In Wuertz

According to Jon Paul Morosi of the Detroit Free Press, the Tigers are targeting Cubs reliever Mike Wuertz. He notes that the Cubs like Marcus Thames and Brandon Inge. Thames' inability to play center and Inge's contract could be issues though, in my opinion. Wuertz, 29, is an underrated reliever with a nasty slider. Given the state of Detroit's bullpen, he could see save chances if acquired. This was his first year of arbitration eligibility, and he settled at $860K. Wuertz is pretty far down in the Cubs' bullpen pecking order, for some reason.

Could Tigers Trade For An Atlanta Reliever?

7:21pm: David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution confirms Detroit's interest in the Braves' Out Of Options Four. DOB can envision a scenario where the Braves carry three of the four and trade one. 3:23pm: Jon Paul Morosi of the Detroit Free Press speculates that the Tigers and Braves may match up well for a trade. Morosi notes four out of options relievers for Atlanta: Blaine Boyer, Chris Resop, Royce Ring, and Tyler Yates. He also mentions "frequent trade discussions" in recent years between the two clubs. ESPN's Jayson Stark wrote yesterday that the Tigers "would like to add a big-time...

Inge Unlikely For Dodgers

It figures that the Dodgers would step up their efforts to bring in a third baseman given news of Nomar's microfracture. Jon Paul Morosi says their search has intensified, but Brandon Inge is not a likely target. The Dodgers don't want to spend that kind of money. This might imply that Joe Crede is the perfect fit, but Morosi also says the Dodgers want a player capable of playing second base. Given those criteria, the Royals' Esteban German and the Nationals' Ron Belliard seem to make the most sense. Ken Rosenthal wrote on March 9th that both players had attracted...

Stark's Latest: Roberts, Fuentes, Lofton

ESPN's Jayson Stark has a new blog post jam-packed with hot stove rumors. The Cubs are getting frustrated with the Brian Roberts situation, wondering if they'll ever complete this trade. The Orioles are scouting players but still haven't given the Cubs the names they crave. I got the exact same vibe from the source who told me Jose Ceda's inclusion was never proposed by the Cubs. The Tigers and Phillies are both hunting for bullpen help; Detroit's sights are set higher than Philadelphia's. Unwanted players such as Wes Helms and Brandon Inge aren't in demand. And while Marcus Thames is...

Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Rule 5 Draftees

Last year the Reds selected Josh Hamilton in the Rule 5 draft despite only 23 games above Single-A and only 15 games anywhere since 2002 (actually the Cubs picked Hamilton and traded him to the Reds the same day). Hamilton went on to hit .292-19-47 in 90 games. This year, 18 players were chosen in the Rule 5 draft (14 pitchers). These players must remain on the 25-man roster all season or be offered back to their original club for $25K. By my count, three players (Sergio Valenzuela, Lincoln Holdzkom, Jose Capellan) have already been offered back to their original...

Tigers' Talks With Miguel Cabrera Continue

John Lowe of the Detroit Free Press informs us that the Tigers' talks with third baseman Miguel Cabrera about a long-term deal are ongoing. Signing the superstar is the team's top priority. The popular opinion is that Cabrera will get something in the neighborhood of ten years and $200MM. He's contracted for '08 at $11.3MM and then has one more arbitration year before free agent eligibility. I could be wrong, but I don't know of any athlete other than A-Rod who broke the $200MM barrier.

Giants Plan To Keep Pitchers

According to John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle, the Giants are looking to add a bat without trading pitching. The names mentioned remain Joe Crede and Brandon Inge, but the White Sox and Tigers want hurlers. The equation doesn't seem to make sense on the surface - if the Giants won't trade pitching, and they have no hitters to speak of, how are they going to make an acquisition? As we learned Thursday, the answer is that the Giants may only be looking to trade undesirable veterans. Names like Scott Williamson, Randy Messenger, and Dave Roberts have been part...

Cafardo's Latest: Fuentes, Sowers, Laffey

Boston Globe baseball writer Nick Cafardo's Sunday column has new hot stove material, as usual. Cafardo notes that Kyle Snyder, Julian Tavarez, and Bryan Corey have all been heavily scouted by other clubs. Snyder is out of options, so he's a good trade candidate. Cafardo mentioned on Thursday that the Orioles were taking a look at Corey, who might return to Japan if he doesn't join a big league 'pen. I imagine the Sox are going to want the insurance Tavarez provides. The Phils are hunting for a southpaw reliever and another starter. Brian Fuentes remains on their radar, but...

Odds and Ends: Inge, Salcedo, Corey, Nathan

I write this odds and ends post with two less wisdom teeth than I had yesterday. Looks like applesauce for dinner. Jon Heyman says the Dodgers and Tigers haven't talked lately, and doesn't see L.A. taking on Brandon Inge's $19.1MM. Aside from the standard Giants suggestion, Heyman puts on his speculation cap and wonders whether Inge could catch for Houston. What is J.R. Towles, chopped liver? This is questionable, but hey, it's a Friday. Hi5 is a popular social networking site in Central America. A reader sent me a link to this page, which may belong to future superstar kid...

Giants Scouting Crede, Inge

This morning we have reports that the Giants have recently scouted Joe Crede and Brandon Inge. Even without a decent third baseman in the house, I don't really see the point of acquiring either guy. On Sunday, the Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo noted that the Giants could be less likely to acquire Crede given the Noah Lowry injury. Then on Monday, Kenny Williams mentioned that the two teams he'd discussed Crede with hadn't impressed with their offers. Williams suggested Crede could be his Opening Day third baseman, despite Josh Fields' worthiness. Inge is the other veteran third base option for...