Marcus Thames Rumors

Marcus Thames, Matt Treanor Become Free Agents

Marcus Thames and Matt Treanor became free agents today, according to MLB.com's Jason Beck. Both former Tigers were non-tender candidates anyway, but apparently they've been outrighted or released. Thames, 33 in March, hit .252/.323/.453 in 294 plate appearances while playing 125 innings in left field and spending the rest of his time at DH. Thames has played a little first base and right field in his career as well. Treanor, 34 in March, had only 14 plate appearances this year due to a hip injury. He caught 524 innings for the Marlins back in '08, earning him a $750K contract...   Continue Reading

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Tigers, Mets Deal Fell Through

According to Jon Paul Morosi of the Detroit Free Press, the Tigers have had serious talks recently with the Mets about reliever Brian Stokes; however, any deal fell apart when Stokes became likely to make their roster. Morosi mentions Tigers infielder/outfielder Ryan Raburn would've been a part of the deal. With Joel Zumaya heading to the disabled list to start the season, the Tigers are looking for relief help with just over one week to go until the start of the season, says Morosi. Along with Rayburn, the Tigers have put outfielder Marcus Thames on the trading block   Continue Reading

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Tigers Talking Trade

Jon Paul Morosi of the Detroit Free Press has articles here and here about the possibility of a Tigers trade before the season begins. GM Dave Dombrowski admitted that trade discussions have intensified lately. One possible need is a second lefty reliever, but the Tigers could potentially fill that role with Nate Robertson or Dontrelle Willis. Morosi adds that a need at catcher could surface if Matt Treanor's current injury is serious. And he notes that the team always needs young pitching. As far as trade candidates, Marcus Thames ($2.275MM salary) leads the pack. Thames has big power and not...   Continue Reading

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Gammons On Matthews, Teahen, Harang, Peavy

12:07pm: John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer asked Reds GM Walt Jocketty about Gammons' Harang note. Jocketty said, "I'm not going to comment on something when he doesn't know what he's talking about." 9:19am: ESPN's Peter Gammons had a new blog post yesterday discussing available players. Gammons names Geoff Jenkins ($8MM remaining, limited no-trade), Brian Giles ($9MM remaining, full no-trade), Gary Matthews Jr. ($33.5MM remaining, full no-trade), Marcus Thames ($2.275MM salary), Nick Johnson ($5.5MM salary), Jason Repko, and Jeff Baker as players being dangled. Gammons links Matthews to the Yankees but admits his contract will be an issue. Mark Teahen...   Continue Reading

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Tigers Could Make Trade

Lynn Henning of the Detroit News expects the Tigers to make a trade before the regular season, "perhaps a big one." Henning writes that the team could trade away starting pitching if Nate Robertson and Dontrelle Willis are healthy. Henning also mentions Marcus Thames and Ryan Raburn as possible trade candidates. Willis and Robertson each have considerable negative trade value, as they'll both make at least $7MM in 2009 and 2010. Unless the Tigers are willing to pay most of that, they'd have to trade one of their other starters: Justin Verlander, Jeremy Bonderman, Armando Galarraga, Edwin Jackson or Zach...   Continue Reading

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Tigers Avoid Arb With Rodney, Thames

According to Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post, the Tigers avoided arbitration with reliever Fernando Rodney and signed him to a one-year deal worth $2.7MM. Rodney is the Tigers' closer-by-default at this point. MLB.com's Jason Beck says the Tigers also avoided arb with outfielder Marcus Thames and signed him for '09. He'll get $2.275MM.   Continue Reading

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Stark's Non-Tender Candidates

With midnight on Friday being the deadline to tender a contract to an arbitration-eligible player, ESPN's Jayson Stark has some predictions on who could be added to the free agent market... Pitchers: Daniel Cabrera, Chad Gaudin, Jimmy Gobble, Brandon Backe, Takashi Saito, Tyler Yates, Wil Ledezma Hitters: Marcus Thames, Gabe Gross, John Buck, Jose Bautista, Chris Burke, Willy Taveras, Jonny Gomes What does everyone out there think? Any other non-tender possibilities? MLBTR posted a speculative list a week ago.   Continue Reading

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Tigers Bullpen Rumors

9:15pm: Jon Paul Morosi says Beimel still tops the Tigers' list among lefties, but they've also expressed interest in John Parrish. 2:23pm: MLB.com's Jason Beck says the Tigers talked to Joe Beimel's agent at the Meetings. They intend to sort out their closer situation first though. The Reds also like Beimel. 2:28am: For roughly $4MM in '09 salaries, the Tigers filled two needs Monday with defensive-minded pickups Gerald Laird and Adam Everett. Now Dave Dombrowski will set his sights on a closer. Jon Paul Morosi maintains that the Tigers are most interested in J.J. Putz and Kerry Wood. It may...   Continue Reading

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Rosenthal's Latest: Teixeira, Closers, Castillo, Cantu

Ken Rosenthal has a new column up, let's take a look at the highlights: Rosenthal doesn't see Mark Teixeira signing with the Nationals, even for the rumored ten-year, $200MM contract. He's got better options in the Angels, Red Sox, and Yankees. Scott Boras managed to get Alex Rodriguez a ten-year deal with a losing team in 2000 when he signed with the Rangers, but Rosenthal doesn't forsee a repeat. The Indians are waiting on the Mets' closer decision to make a decision of their own. Once New York signs or trades for a closer, the market will likely collapse. The...   Continue Reading

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Tigers Rumors: Pudge, Varitek, Lugo, Thames

Jon Paul Morosi of the Detroit Free Press doles out the latest Tigers rumors. How will the Tigers resolve their catching situation? GM Dave Dombrowski calls an Ivan Rodriguez reunion a longshot, and Scott Boras is asking the moon for Jason Varitek. The Tigers may not have the goods to swing a trade for Gerald Laird. Morosi likes the idea of Henry Blanco, but says the Tigers have yet to contact his agent. Check out the other free agent options here. Morosi considers a bad contract swap for Julio Lugo a viable option for the Tigers. He notes that Dontrelle...   Continue Reading

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