The AL Central race tends to last a while. We have seen extra games played to determine the divisional champ each of the past two seasons. This year, the race is as close as ever. The White Sox lead the Tigers by half a game and the Twins by 3.5 games. One or two major trades could shape the pennant race, so let's consider one deal that each contender could realistically make to gain some traction and win the Central:
- The White Sox could acquire Adam Dunn – This is nothing new, since the White Sox realize Dunn would help them. He has 22 homers and a .959 OPS; current DH Mark Kotsay has six homers and a .709 OPS. Nats GM Mike Rizzo has made it clear that Dunn would cost a lot in terms of prospects, partly because Dunn projects to be a Type A free agent (which means his team can obtain picks in the 2011 draft by offering arbitration). One positive for the White Sox: Dunn may be losing interest in signing an extension that would keep him in D.C.
- The Tigers could acquire Dan Haren – The back of the Tigers' rotation is thin. Haren's 4.36 ERA isn't astounding, but his strikeout and walk numbers are strong (8.7 K/9, 1.8 BB/9). It doesn't take a sabermetrician to notice that batters are hitting 42 points higher than usual against Haren, so he may have been unlucky so far this year. He's not cheap, though. About $3.6MM remains on his contract this season and nearly $33MM remains overall. The Tigers won't be paying Jeremy Bonderman, Dontrelle Willis and Nate Robertson eight-figure salaries next season, so they may be able to absorb the hit.
- The Tigers could consider shortstops (like Haren's teammate Stephen Drew), but given Ramon Santiago's strong play and the state of the team's rotation, the Tigers' biggest need may be on the mound.
- The Twins could acquire Ted Lilly – Like the Tigers, the Twins could use pitching. Unlike the Tigers, they have already committed $72MM to next year's team and would have difficulty taking on Haren's contract. Ted Lilly, who makes $12MM this season before becoming a free agent, would be a major upgrade over Nick Blackburn. Lilly has a 4.08 ERA and 6.0 K/9, while Blackburn has a 6.40 ERA with just 3.2 K/9. Lilly projects to be a Type A free agent after the season, so the Twins could obtain draft picks in 2011 if they acquire him now. Like Dunn and Haren, he would be difficult to obtain.
I wish the Braves would have traded Escobar to the Tigers, so the Braves can have more of the Tigers good prospects.
I wish the Tigers would have made a play for Yunel too, I just don’t think they had the stopgap SS the Braves wanted.
The best prospect the Tigers have at SS is Danny Worth. While he is a solid defender he isn’t much of a hitter. The Tigers are better off trying to get Drew and Haren from Arizona as the Diamondbacks are in need of pitching depth in the rotation and the bullpen, something the Tigers have plenty of in their system.
You’re saying Worth hasn’t hit decent this year in the bigs?
I’m saying that while he has hit okay so far, his AAA numbers suggest that he will come down. Now, that being said consider Brennan Boesch who is hitting almost 80 points higher than his minor league numbers would suggest. Looking at Drew compared to Worth, I think they both project similarly average wise but Drew would be an upgrade power wise and would slot nicely into the #2 spot in the lineup should the Tigers not resign Damon.
I’m near convinced on Boesch, i see him as a .300 hitter, everyone set so many limitations on him, and he beat everyone I think he is someone who has earned the respect and consideration by the fans.
batting average is a poor way to measure
Hey that’s four moves!
I hate to disagree with you Ben, but I don’t think Ted Lilly would be very hard to acquire from the Cubs. The Cubs are definitely sellers and would be lucky to get a B/B+ prospect and salary relief for Lilly. Also, offering him arbitration would be quite risky since he is making ~$12M this year and an arbitration award could be close to $15M. For a 3rd starter type guy thats an awful lot of money and risk involved.
Liily’s arbitration will not approach that number and 0 risk offering arbitration. He would turn it down to sign a contract with another team. There are plenty of teams out there who would be happy to show Lilly the love. It will take some good prospects to acquire them and Cubs could use the salary relief but it will not be much of a factor when it comes to which avenue is better to obtaining talent.
Really? The minimum Lilly could make is $9.6M next year in arbitration. Yes, I thought $15M was high, but he’s definitely getting >$10M if he accepts arbitration. With a lot of teams in a salary crunch (Cubs included) I don’t think its anywhere close to a sure thing he gets an arbitration offer. If he is not a lock for arbitration – and just as importantly, to turn it down – then that definitely lowers his trade value. I agree he would be likely to turn it down in favor of a 2-3 year deal, but we’ve seen better pitchers not be offered arbitration.
The Tigers have potentially around $61 million coming off the books this year in Johnny Damon, Jeremy Bonderman, Brandon Inge, Zach Miner, Nate Robertson, Gearld Laird, Adam Everett, Dontrell Willis, and others. With Brandon Inge being the most likely to resign (and likely would not demand much of a raise and may even take a slight pay cut for a multi year deal. Verlander will get about a $4 million raise, so that leaves about $49 million to work with. Signing Steven Drew and Dan Haren could EASILY happen. Even if the Tigers were to cut payroll by $20 million next year, they could still conceivably make a run at signing either Crawford or Lee to multi year deals if they had to since $30 million comes off the books after 2011 when the contracts of Magglio Ordonez and Carlos Guillen expire. With Scott Sizemore seemingly being dubbed the future at 2B Guillen for sure would be expendable. Brennan Boesh is having a breakout year and seems to be becoming the heir apparent to Ordonez in RF.
I think my numbers in figuring out the payroll situation are correct by I haven’t double checked yet. Either way, the Tigers are in prime position to make some big deals that could lead to big things in 2011 and beyond.
Isn’t it great knowing that the Tigers will be able to spend like the Yankees for a year.
The Tigers have potentially around $61 million coming off the books this year in Johnny Damon, Jeremy Bonderman, Brandon Inge, Zach Miner, Nate Robertson, Gearld Laird, Adam Everett, Dontrell Willis, and others. With Brandon Inge being the most likely to resign (and likely would not demand much of a raise and may even take a slight pay cut for a multi year deal. Verlander will get about a $4 million raise, so that leaves about $49 million to work with. Signing Steven Drew and Dan Haren could EASILY happen. Even if the Tigers were to cut payroll by $20 million next year, they could still conceivably make a run at signing either Crawford or Lee to multi year deals if they had to since $30 million comes off the books after 2011 when the contracts of Magglio Ordonez and Carlos Guillen expire. With Scott Sizemore seemingly being dubbed the future at 2B Guillen for sure would be expendable. Brennan Boesch is having a breakout year and seems to be becoming the heir apparent to Ordonez in RF.
I think my numbers in figuring out the payroll situation are correct by I haven’t double checked yet. Either way, the Tigers are in prime position to make some big deals that could lead to big things in 2011 and beyond.
oops, double post.
I doubt the Tigers get Crawford, if anybody gets him away from the Rays it will be the Yankees
Everyone will be going after Crawford. Yankees, Angels, Rangers, Tigers, White Sox, Mets, ect…
They Yankees will have to decide who they want more though, Lee or Crawford. Even with the large payroll they have, It will be pushing they’re budgets to get both Lee and Crawford (nearly $30 Million) per year at the least for both of them. Unless they decide to cut out other big contracts, they are kind of handcuffed. If the Yankees go all out on Crawford, there is no doubt in my mind they will get him. I’m just saying that the Tigers could make a run at him. Even if they can’t get Crawford, Jason Werth will be sitting out there in FA as well.
fair points
I don’t think the Rays want Crawford at the money he’ll be commanding.
Don’t count out the Angels.
The Red Sox have quite a bit of money coming off the books too and the Yanks will have just enough to land another 15-20M guy a year so most of these big names would prefer NY/Boston over Detroit.
Why not Roy Oswalt to the Twins? He would be quite a bit better than Lilly.
I heard a rumor to that effect a few days ago.. Oswalt to the Twins. Strange that it isn’t mentioned here. Most trades that happen seem to come out of nowhere, without much media attention, could this be one of those?
Why not Roy Oswalt to the Twins? I think that’s a lot more likely than Lilly.
huh? How is that more- likely…There has been no indication of talks between the two clubs.
Because he’s owed $16M a year next year plus a buyout. Thats quite a commitment from a team that already has a record-high payroll with $72M committed to next year already. The Twins also will need to replace Pavano, Hudson, Hardy, and more, so Oswalt would really be a stretch for the Twins salary wise
Hardy is under team control through 2011, though he’ll get a raise through arbitration.
Pavano can, theoretically, be replaced by Kyle Gibson. If Gibson isn’t ready at the start of 2011, Duensing or Manship could start in his place to open the year.
If the Twins pick up Punto’s option (which, let’s be serious, they will even though he’ll be vastly overpaid), he can play second base leaving Hardy at SS and Valencia at third.
Hardly an intimidating bottom third of the lineup, but it’d be solid defensively at the very least.
Not saying they will or should acquire Oswalt… I’d personally like it, but Punto’s salary will cancel out Hudson’s, Hardy will only get a slight raise, and Oswalt will make an extra $9MM.
Take into account that Guerrier, Crain, Rauch, Condrey (who’s getting paid despite not throwing a pitch for us) are all coming off the books with cheap replacement options in AAA (namely Slama and Waldrop), and it’s feasible at the very least.
Well as a White Sox fan I hope the Twins do get Roy Oswalt. That salary will handcuff them next year. Plus I’m not too sure how Oswalt will be coming from the NL, where you have almost an automatic out every nine batters, to the AL.
“Plus I’m not too sure how Oswalt will be coming from the NL, where you have almost an automatic out every nine batters, to the AL.”
The same thing was said when your team got Peavy. Oswalt’s numbers would take an AL dip, but good pitching is good pitching. Oswalt is not what he was, but would be an effective pitcher for the Twins or the AL if that is where he ends up.
The Twins are already handcuffed next year. The payroll will be at 95 million or so if they let all the FA’s walk and do nothing.
I hope the Twins don’t go after Oswalt and I definitely hope they don’t go after Lilly.
Oswalt is maybe a 1.5 WAR upgrade..that’s a lot of ground in this Division. Lilly is (at best) a 0.3 WAR upgrade…pretty obvious who Sox fans should want to see in Target Field.
More than any other year, I think the Sox need to stand pat. I don’t think they have the flexibility in terms of prospects to make a deal. A ton of this will depend on how Hudson does in his next two starts. That said, knowing Kenny Williams, he will probably make a trade tomorrow. You can’t argue with this guy’s results. Aside from a couple of hiccups (Todd Ritchie, Billy Koch) early in his career, I like just about every move he has made.
Nick Swisher?
He needed to go. Since the two pitchers he acquired are not in the big
leagues yet, the jury is still out. The yankees have certainly gotten good
results from him, but he was nothing but and unproductive little baby here.
What I really meant was the big picture, where we gave up Ryan Sweeney and Gio Gonzalez, among others, to acquire and outfielder that would bat .219 and end up flipping him the next season for a player with negative value (Betemit) and some prospects that haven’t shown potential to near validate the deal.
Yeah, Ozzie would like Kenny even more.
In a perfect world I’d love to see the Tigers acquire BOTH Drew and Haren, but really, I can’t see them doing it without surrendering the farm for them. They need a lefty like Ted Lilly instead, a guy who could be had for cheaper, and I’d love to see the Tigers still get Stephen Drew. Santiago will not continue his strong play over the course of the second half, and this way the Tigers get a lefty starter they need, and that with an improved performance from Rick Porcello would be a trade in itself, the tigers don’t really need Haren because they would probably give up Oliver in a deal for him, and he’s the only left handed starter in their rotation, Lilly makes much more sense for Detroit. Maybe they should claim George Sherill off of the waiver wire too, they do need a bullpen arm..
I think a package of Galarraga, Turner, Ni, Sorbz, Worth, and Strieby could pry Haren and Drew away from the D-Backs. With the sucess of AL pitcher going to the NL Galarraga could become a solid #3 pitcher for them. Turner while young has tremendous potential as a #1 or 2 stater and Ni and Sorbz give the D-Backs some Left and Right bullpen help. Worth would help fill the SS gap and Strieby is a power hitter who is blocked by Cabrera in Detroit. If they want more I would even throw in Ryan Perry to sweeten the deal.
No chance.
Ni, Sborz, Strieby, and Worth hold little value in the eyes of other GMs. Galarraga’s got some marginal value because he’s shown he can be a back of the rotation guy, but are the Diamondbacks interested in a player with his age, service time, and lack of any potential? He is by all means a “you see what you get” player.
No, that package would take P.T. Barnum to sell to the D’Backs for a return of Haren alone…
What about Bonderman? He is for sure gone from Detroit next year but he is showing that he is learning to pitch effectivly again after losing 3-4 MPH on his fastball after the shoulder surgery. If the tigers picked up his contract for this year the Dbacks might be able to get him to sign a deal for 1 or 2 years for a little over half of what he is making now. Bondo would be a fool to expect a team to give him more than that after what he’s done.
if you look at Ni’s numbers last year he was a very effective pitcher. IF he can make adjustments to his mechanical flaws this year he is a very good lefty reliever. Sborz is having a breakout year in AAA and aside from being introduced to the major leagues by being thrown into a bases loaded situation on the road against the Mets where he was probably crapping his pants from the pressure of the situation, he should be a very good reliever. Strieby is a power hitter and Worth is putting up good numbers and has near gold glove defense at SS. If that is “little value” than I guess I don’t know much about baseball. Its just that the Tigers can afford to part with these pieces and Turner if they can get Haren and Drew back for them.
Jacob Turner=Untouchable, and must remain that way.
I remember when Cameron Maybin was untouchable…
I don’t think there is any way the Tigers get Haren without giving up Turner. It’ll probably take Crosby or Streiby and a third prospect too.
No it couldn’t.
About Haren…
ERA and Wins are pointless; only for the “back of the bubblegum card”
Here’s a quick look at his “fangraphs” stats:
His BABIP at .346, it’s rather unlucky; although, his batting average against is a bit high (.286).
Take away his “unlucky-ness” and his FIP (3.74) is around his career average (3.67), and his xFIP (a good indication of his projected ERA) is 3.45.
He walks very few (1.8 BB/9- lower than Verlander and Scherzer), and he get’s a lot of groundballs (41%)
He also doesn’t give up a lot of homers
And c’mon… he’s playing for a rather lackluster D’Backs team on top of it all.
All-in-all, a rotation of Verlander/ Haren/ Scherzer for the next two (?) years would be a very dominant rotation, indeed.
However, he would probably cost a fair amount to obtain (prospect-wise).
When looking at his W/L, you have to look at the team he plays for too
Bubblegum card? Is that you Rod?
Yay! Someone got the inside joke! 😉
I don’t see how Detroit has the pieces to get Haren unless they trade both Turner and Porcello, which they obviously wouldn’t do.
It won’t take both Porcello AND Turner to get Haren. It may take one of the two and someone like Galarraga to do it plus 1 or two relievers. Flipping Turner for Haren is a wise move for the Tigers since they should be in a Win NOW mode starting next year. Turner is at least 2 years minimum from being ready.
Why would the Diamondbacks trade Haren for one of the two plus Galarraga and middling party favors from the Tigers system?
Because that’s about as good of a deal as they will get for a Pitcher who is somewhat under performing this year on a team that is in a sell now mode.
Haren’s underperformance is entirely due to a home runs allowed spike that’s just as fluky as Alex Gonzalez’s home runs hit spike. He’s under contract at a below market rate. The Diamondbacks can get better than one top prospect, a back of the rotation starter, and filler.
Haren isn’t underperforming though. He has a 3.44 xFIP, not far above last year’s mark.
I would have a hard time believing that the Diamondbacks would turn down a deal of RHP Turner, LHP Oliver, RHP Weinhardt, 1B/OF Strieby, and another low prospect.
That is turning 2 guys into 5 and includes a (highly rated) righty and lefty starter, bullpen arm, a 1B that can mash, and another guy of their choosing. You could replace Turner with Porcello, but I don’t know if Arizona would want to do that
Pretty much what I’m thinking. Put in Worth or Will Rhymes from AAA Toledo to give the D Backs a usable SS/2B and I think that deal boarders on “too good to pass up”
But I honestly can’t see Detroit doing that. With so much money coming off of the books this year and the potential to really set themselves in a position to put them ahead in the AL Central, it makes no sense for them to give up the farm for a championship run this year. They need to keep their core intact and leave their untouchables untouched. Dealing for Stephen Drew might cost them a little, but I’d rather see them go for him and a solid back-end of the rotation guy with upside than give up the farm for an ace, if Porcello comes even remotely close to his 2009 numbers in the second half, that’s like a trade anyway. In any case, I’m really excited to see who they deal for this year.
It would not be trading the farm for rentals. Haren is signed through 2012 with a club option for 2013 and Drew is under club control through 2012.
The Tigers will have a need for a SS and SP this offseason. Trading for Haren and Drew would solve those needs and still let the Tigers have another $20M to address the 3B situation (most likely Inge) and perhaps a corner outfielder.
If this deal was done, the Tigers would have Verlander, Haren, Scherzer and Porcello locked up through at least 2012 and maybe beyond. That would be huge. They could restock the farm in a few drafts and still be sitting pretty.
Fair points and well said. I’m just uncomfortable with giving up so much, which is understandable, because it would take a real haul to get those two.
I’m not talking about a run this year. While they might win the AL central this year with those moves they won’t get far in the playoffs. With all that money they could add a solid back end starter this off season as well a 1 or 2 impact bats and then they are really set up for a 2-3 year run at the championship, which if you are not the Yankees, Red Sox, Mets, or an LA team, that has to be your mindset. you put together a 2-3 year run at glory then sell off pieces for high prospects and try again 3 years later. Unless you get the perfect collection of young farm talent that comes up at the same time, its hard to be a dynasty in baseball these days without Yankee like payroll.
Which I guess is a fair point. But I wouldn’t count the Tigers out if they make the playoffs, with a rotation of Verlander, Haren (assuming we land him with that trade), Scherzer, and perhaps Porcello, it would be extremely unfair to count them out especially with the lineup they’ve had and the standout performances from Cabrera, Jackson, Boesch, Ordonez, and Valverde. I can see your thinking, but I feel extremely uncomfortable to give up so much, especially if you’re making a more legitimate run next year and need to acquire pieces at the trade deadline next year.
That would be the problem, acquiring pieces at next year’s trade deadline. Good point.
After some more thought, I think a fair deal for Haren and Drew and Chris Snyder(catching help for Detroit and contract help for Arizona) would be to give the Dbacks (Jacob Turner and Andrew Oliver)plusRyan Raburn – prefect NL super sub player and would probably benefit from playing a better hitters parkRyan Perry – The DBacks want relief help and this guy is one of the best Detroit has to offer.Danny Worth – SS replacement for DrewRyan Strieby – Power hitting 1b/OFGearld Laird – Solid defensive C but just needs a change of scenery. Essentially is a swap of bad hitting catchers for each team. Laird is just cheaper than Snyder.That’s 7 players for 3.
I don’t see Perry going anywhere, he’s a big part of the future of the Detroit bullpen, and the Tigers are already looking for bullpen help as it is.
The thing is, the Tigers have Valverde till 2012 at least and if he keeps pitching like he is now there is no reason to expect he won’t be offered an extension. If Zumaya can stay healthy for a year with Coke, Weinhardt, Seay (when healthy next year), Fien, Rainwater, Sorbz, and Schlereth the Tigers have a set bullpen for a while. They can still go out and get relief help this off season if they need more and they have the money to do it.
Bullpen guys are crap shoots. If the D’Backs find Perry interesting it would be unwise not to listen to them.
Well you’re not going to get Haren without trading things you might miss.
Remove Drew from that trade and you might be onto something. Arizona is better off trading them separately if that’s the best they can do.
Well if they won’t deal Drew than the tigers wouldn’t give up Raburn or Worth. No point in parting with a currently playing position player if you wouldn’t get one back. Realistically Arizona needs to get a big haul of players for Haren and Drew. Essentially they are getting 3 players back in this deal for every 1 player they give up (exception of the catcher swap)
Raburn and Worth are filler anyway. The diamondbacks aren’t going to trade an established, locked up star without getting star potential in return. And not just one in Turner.
The problem is Steven Drew won’t bring back top level prospects like Dan Haren will. Drew’s best year was in 2008. Danny Worth has proven to be as good with the glove as Drew and he is even hitting better than drew right now, though he has much less playing time in the majors as Drew. He’s hitting .293 with 1 HR in Comerica park. Move him to the smaller Chase field and those numbers should go up, especially the power numbers. Don’t forget that the Dbacks are also getting Stribey as well, a big basher who can play OF and 1B. Throw in Ryan Raburn and the fact that The tigers are willing to take Chris Snyder off their hands and his contract burden while giving you a sharp defensive catcher in Laird and its a steal.
Then don’t trade Drew. Or don’t trade him to the Tigers. The Diamondbacks aren’t going to trade Haren for one premium talent and a bunch of spare parts. Throwing in Drew only complicates the situation.
You must be an Arizona Fan cause you are really undervaluing the “spare part” players in these scenarios. As good as Dan Haren and Steven Drew are, you can’t expect the Diamondbacks to expect to get the farm for them. Look at when Roy Halladay was traded to the Phillies. The Blue jays got in return Drabek, whom one could equate to Turner (a top pitching prospect), a catching prospect (Travis D’Arnaud) and an outfield prospect (Michael Taylor). And that was for Roy freakin Halladay! Essentialy that breaks down to Turner, Oliver, and Strieby from the Tigers system. Just in this case the tigers give up their #1 and 3 pitching prospects and a power hitting 1B/OF. The Diamond backs need pitching BADLY right now. For Drew, the Tigers would give up their SS currently splitting time with Ramon Santiago on the major league team (Danny Worth), the team’s future closer (Ryan Perry) and a valuable utility man in Ryan Raburn (who hit .291 as a reserve last year). Then to top it off, they are taking on salary from Arizona by taking Chris Snyder and his large contract off the Diamond back’s hands as Snyder is clearly just blocking the way for Miguel Montero who is already being dubed the catcher of the future. They are getting back a cheaper defensively sharp catcher in Gearld Laird. This deal would be a win – win for both sides.
I’m not a fan of either the Diamondbacks or the Tigers. I’m not a fan of any of their divisional rivals either. You clearly are a Tigers fan justifying Haren packages, so don’t talk to me about bias. Roy Halladay was going to be a free agent after one year. Haren has two more years and a club option year, all below market value. Halladay was traded for two top 20 prospects, both of whom were close to majors-ready, and a catcher with upside. Turner is struggling in High-A (i.e., not close to the majors), and Strieby is a first baseman slugging .421 in Triple-A.
And Stephen Drew is worth more than a relief prospect who can’t throw strikes and two bench prospects, even throwing in the salary relief of Snyder.
Congrats, you figured out I’m a Tigers fan lobbying for my side. Clearly I see more value in these players than you do. I tried my best to try to show why I think the players I propose are valueable.
Dude, grow up. I never said Turner and Oliver aren’t valuable. They are, and those two with a couple of much smaller pieces could likely get a Haren trade done, if the Diamondbacks are looking to trade him or rebuild. But things like your Drew trade suggestion or comparing Strieby to anyone in the Halladay trade is just goofy.
Oh, and by the way, I bet you Turner, Oliver, Sizemore, and Perry (or one of their equivalent guys) gets it done for Haren.
The D-Back would be Crazy to turn down that package. They’d be getting some serious pitching in that deal, and some serious power hitting in Strieby. I don’t see the Tigers parting with both Turner AND Oliver. Depnding on how the lefty Crosby is doing after his injury, I see them parting with Oliver first. But who knows… Haren is the caliber pitcher you HOPE that Tuner could become, so parting with him may not be so tough to swallow when you think about it.
The D-Back would be Crazy to turn down that package. They’d be getting some serious pitching in that deal, and some serious power hitting in Strieby. I don’t see the Tigers parting with both Turner AND Oliver. Depnding on how the lefty Crosby is doing after his injury, I see them parting with Oliver first. But who knows… Haren is the caliber pitcher you HOPE that Tuner could become, so parting with him may not be so tough to swallow when you think about it.
I don’t think the Tigs would have to give up seven players to get this done. I really would hate to see them give up both Oliver and Turner, they’re probably our top two SP prospects. Oliver hasn’t been so hot his last couple of starts, but he’s a lefty who can throw up to 97, 98 mph and he’s shown he can throw some nice offspeed pitches in the mid 80s. For me, that’s a guy you wanna keep, especially when you consider how often you have to face the Twins with all those big lefty hitters they throw at you; but with that said, I think Haren would be a great addition.
I don’t think we need Drew – he had one really good year, but he’s no better than anybody we already have. I’m cool with the Santiago/Worth tandem. Besides, I’ve always been kinda put off by those stories you hear about his brother playing like he’s just going through the motions. I know he’s a different person, but still. Anyway, for Haren, I think you could get away with just Porcello, Strieby, and any other minor league pitcher not named Turner or Crosby.
I hope our guys can find a way to get Drew and Lilly. I think they would be the best fit with our current club.
why would the tigers get crawford? we all ready have brennan boesch and magglio ordonez at the 2 corner outfield positions, and this is the whole purpose in NOT resigning damon at the end of the year.
Well if the Tigers make a push to get Crawford, they could let Damon go as Crawford would be a significant upgrade in the field and in the #1 or 2 spot in the lineup over Damon. Damon is signed to a 1 year contract so if the Tigers got Crawford or even Jason Werth, they could let Damon go and then move Magglio Ordonez to the primary DH spot. I figure that if Guillen isn’t traded away the Tigers would move him to 3B and give Sizemore another shot at 2B if they feel he is finally ready to take the spot. They really like Sizemore so I think they will really push hard to let him take that spot. I think the Writing is on the wall for Inge that he is playing for his job now. If he slumps off again in the second half, as his career numbers suggest he will, he and his $7 million a year contract are gone.