The Tigers are "deeply interested" in Carl Crawford, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. As Rosenthal points out, Crawford and Austin Jackson would provide the Tigers with excellent outfield defense in spacious Comerica Park. Crawford can hit, too; the 29-year-old batted .307/.356/.495 this year with a career-high 19 homers.
The Red Sox, Angels and Nationals are among the many potential suitors for Crawford. The Reds and Astros don't figure to pursue the left fielder, but that won't hurt his free agent stock much. He's in position to demand a $100MM deal, especially if the Yankees and Braves get involved.
The Tigers started addressing their offseason needs last week by signing Brandon Inge to an affordable extension. They may soon do the same with Jhonny Peralta, so GM Dave Dombrowski figures to have the resources to make competitive offers to Crawford and other impact bats.
YES! Why are the Tigers being so open about their offseason plans though?
At the least, they’ll be driving up his price a bit.
I have been trying to figure this out too. Maybe they are sending a message to potential FAs that they are serious about fielding a strong team in 2011. Detroit does not jump out as an obvious FA destination so maybe Dombrowski is planting seeds of possibility into the minds of players such as CC and Dunn.
Or maybe this info was not supposed to get outside of the organization. We will probably never know.
Ya it’s harder to get big names to come to Detroit when there are no big name Venezuelans available. Detroit has become Venezuela North.
If the Tigers don’t make a splash and sign either Dunn or Crawford, this offseason will be a terrible failure. Dombrowski will be run out of town after proclaiming right away that they were looking for a middle of the order type bat if he doesn’t follow through.
They need to look at Crawford and Dunn. They also need a starter. De le Rosa would be nice but he seems like he’s going to cost a bit too much. They have the money, they should deffinately spend it.
Crawford, Dunn, and Pavano. Legit.
I feel like Pavano may be overpaid given that he is considered to be the Cliff Lee consolation prize.
Who isnt interested in crawford? i think he will either be a red sox or a angel.
cough cough red sox fan cough cough
Signing Crawford will be a mistake to whichever team gets him. The money he is commanding is the type of money that goes to an elite run producer. Crawford is good and exciting, but he is not that great of a run producer (even if you take him out of the leadoff spot). In a couple of years, his legs will slow down which will limit his extra base hits, his impact on the bases, and his defense. I see his contract as having the same impact as Vernon Wells’s. He’s good and I would love to have him on my team, but I don’t think it would be financially prudent.
Spoken like someone who doesn’t know the game
what an ill informed post. you lost all credibility when you said CC is not a great run producer (even if you take him out of the leadoff spot).. since when has he hit lead off?
Baseball is a team game, run producers need people on base and people on base need run producers.. I guess players like ricky henderson, ty cobb, otis nixon, etc etc were all overrated and didn’t deserve super star money?
Moonraker 1 Porcupine 0
instigator! 🙂
Otis nixon? IF you wanna go that route, what about
hmmm…. Deion Sanders? Juan Pierre? or Chuck Knaubloch…etc etc
I know! haha Otis Nixon? Kinda weak right after he accuses porcupine of not knowing the game he says Otix Nixon was a superstar lol
I didnt say he was a superstar or not i was merely mentioning that people such as Otis Nixon have a place in the game as impact players. Just because they aren’t sluggers doesnt mean that these teams don’t need them
CC is an impact players, and deserves impact players money. thats the bottom line
oh and ps.
Nixon was a career .270 hitter with 11 home runs, 318 RBI, 878 runs, 1379 hits, 142 doubles, 27 triples, and 620 stolen bases in 1709 games
Not exactly a bum
Not exactly a superstar either… and that’s exactly what you said… You said his name in the same breath as Rickey Henderson and Ty Cobb. Porcupine didn’t say he wasn’t an impact player, he merely said that he doesn’t think he deserves that kind of money. And then you said “Spoken like someone who doesn’t know the game” and then proceeded to talk like someone who doesn’t know the game. By the way, anybody can spit stats and that doesn’t mean you know the game of Baseball.
ok thanks, you keep ramblying but don’t have a point, your nit picking and being annoying.
My point is you’re the one that doesn’t know baseball… That guy was just making an argument from his point of view and you told him he doesn’t the game. For example: you said “since when has Crawford hit leadoff? His first couple years in the league he hit leadoff. The Otis Nixon thing was just your biggest blunder. But it takes someone who knows baseball to point out someone who doesn’t, such as someone who played college ball, got drafted, and is now a coach.
Especially with those whopping 11 home runs haha just kidding. But yea CC is definitely a great player worth the money for teams that can afford him.
This was meant as a reply but didnt show up as one….
I wasn’t going to name every single impact player that was an obp/sb type of player. the list can go on and on.
But are you really going to pay 100million for an obp/sb type? Granted Crawford has a bit more going for him than obp/sb, but that kind of money goes to middle of the order guys like Cabrera.
I’m confused about the Vernon Wells comparison, Crawford is contact and base thief with great defense. Wells is great defense, yes, but their spot in the lineup is not comparable (yet). Crawford is the Run that is produced not the run producer.
You know, we can speculate as to whether his legs will wear down, and one day perhaps, but look at Ichiro last year. Sports analysts were discounting him this year and saying that Ichiro “the jet” had lost a step…
Left Field, Podsednik?
The comparison with Wells was about the contract, not the skill set. Wells signed this huge deal, with the expectation that he be this big run producer. He hasn’t been the great run producer despite his athleticism and his contract is regarded as one of the worse in baseball.
Crawford may be the “run” in the run producer as you say, but do you really want to commit 100 million to just the “run”? Money like tat is for the big boppers in the lineup, for the rotation aces. Not for the guys that hit 19 hr’s and score 100 runs.
ask the 2010 jays how far solo home runs will get you.
I’ve said it before–DD has his eye on one target above all else and that’s Crawford.
If they resign mags they would have Jackson, Crawford, Maglio, and cabbie as the 1-4 in their lineup an I really can’t imagine a better top if the line up in the majors. I doubt they go after Dunn considerin they will have to spend huge to get Crawford and maglio(in my opinion) is a much better hitter and fits the detroit lineup much better that Dunn does
Miggy would set a record for most intentional walks in a season. You MUST, MUST, MUST get someone to hit 5th behind him. Dunn is a great option for that.
And that 1-4….is not close to the best in baseball. Jackson had a great rookie year…but he’s not even a top 10 leadoff man. Ordonez is good….but so many better #3 hitters than him.
That’s not even the best 1-4 in the AL Central (Twins have a better one).
I think they already have a guy for the five spot in raburn–when he is given an every day, full time spot his numbers are fantastic. Plus behind those 4 you would see all sorts of pitches to hit. Look at boesches numbers before and after the maglio injury. The difference is staggering and I account it to te fact teams could now pitch around him. I think raburn could be a 300 hitter if you put him in that 5 spot with those 4 in front of him.
Yeah. Put Raburn in the five slot and nobody would pitch around Cabrera. Uh huh!
Come on, dude!
They would still try and pitch around him but then raburn would knock them in. Just look at his numbers when he’s playing full time and not platooning a spot. I guarantee raburn would perform out of the five spot. He wouldn’t instill fear but he would drive in runs.
Might wouldn’t get the rbis but he would get the runs scored. A walk is as good as a basehit especially if the guy behind you hits you home.
In August he batted .305 and in September a robust .378. The strange thing is that Leyland had him all over the batting order. During those two outstanding months he batted 3rd, 5th, and 6th mostly. I wish I knew he would be able to do this over the course of an entire season. Maybe he can and if the Tigers cannot sign a premier outfielder this off-season we will most likely see if he can.
Raburn hit .250 with runners on base this year….to a tune of a .741 OPS (hit over .300 with an OPS near .900 with the bases empty). Obviously just one year (so not a good sample size) and I do like the guy as a super utility type guy (reminds me a bit of DeRosa a couple years back)…but he shouldn’t be your protection for Cabrera.
If you got Crawford….one thing you could try is Raburn 2nd, Crawford 3rd, Cabrera 4th, then bring back Ordonez for 5th. Though Ordonez doesnt scare anyone, he is a pretty decent hitter with men on base. A guy like Martinez is still a better bat, but money may not be there.
Ordonez was in pace for 300 ba, 100+ rbis, 100 runs scored on 20 hrs with few K’s. That was an average year for him in Motown. Having said that, Martinez is in no way a better bat than maglio.Also raburns stats are a two sided coin. His is awful when used as a utility man but in four monthes over the last few years, he has hit over 300 with an obp over 850 when he plays full time
Or the tigers could do what they should have done all along and put Miggy in the 3 spot. Also there has been rumblings that the tigers may go after Crawford or Werth as well as V-Mart as a DH/C. That would fix the lineup.
Point is Ordonez isn’t the guy they need hitting behind Miggy. One of the reason’s he’s been able to keep his average up over .300 lately is hitting in front of Cabrera gets him great pitches to swing at.
Doesn’t matter where you put Miggy..that lineup had no one in it to protect him and AL teams knew this.
Martinez would be a perfect fit in Detroit too, no argument there.
My contention was always to put mags in front of miggy-even boesch can bat 340 with those two in front clearing the path
I really agree with getting Martinez but I think an even better fit for catcher would be mike Napoli. You would be able to platoon him in that infield at 2 or 3 spots and it would give avilla more time behind the plate. If he is the tigers heir apparent behind the plate, you would think they would want him back there as much as possible
What 2 or 3 infield spots can you platoon Napoli at? Even if you’re counting catcher as infield position….that makes 2 postions, 1B and catcher. Same positions Martinez plays.
Napoli is a fit for the Tigers…but not really more than Martinez. IMO he’s worse of a fit since he’ll cost a prospect….something the Tigers don’t need to give up with the money coming off the books. I mean, if VMart’s demands are outrageous, then maybe look at Napoli…but unless you’re moving Cabrera to DH, there’s really no at-bats at 1B for Napoli. Just DH and C. Can do the same thing with VMart.
This is music to the Rays ear.
They have to be dreading the Angels signing Crawford and gettin stuck with only a 2nd rounder (and sandwich sup) for him. But the Tigers…..19th overall pick and highest unprotected pick…..would be the best thing for the Rays since they aren’t gonna re-sign him.
maybe the sox sign him and make ellsbury expendable for fielder or gonzo
lol. Going to take more than just Ellsbury for either of those guys.
Even if he was packaged, Ellsbury wouldn’t even come close to being a centerpiece of a deal either. An offer starting with Ellsbury and Buchholz would get them interested in listening.
The Brewers at least have an outfield that is pretty much set with Braun in LF, Gomez/Cain in CF, and Hart in RF, so I doubt they would even want him as part of a package.
Buchholz still being mentioned in proposals? Seriously?
Jonathan Sanchez was mentioned as what teams wanted for players all year, so why not Buchholz?
Because Buchholz isnt bipolar with his control.
I’m just saying if you want top talent coming your way, you have to give it up. Brewers badly need/want pitching, Padres could never have too much haha.
I thought about suggesting Lester, but he’s untouchable.
He’s not going to get traded….but I think it’s a legit question and rumor.
Red Sox reportedly are intersting in Lee…and for good reason. But unless they move a starter, he really doesn’t fit. Dice-K would be their first choice to move (or Lackey though that’s a lot of money to move)……but Buchholz would obviously get the most in return.
While Crawford si a heck of a talent….he’s really not truely needed in Boston. He’s obviously better than Ellsbury in LF….but do the Red Sox need another #2 hitter? Pedroia or Scutaro or Ellsbury or heck even Youk can hit there fine.
With VMart, Beltre, and Ortiz gone or soon to be (maybe Ortiz sticks around another year) the Red Sox really need middle of the order bat more than a top of the order guy. Werth fits that bill….but they didn’t want to pay Bay….will they give the older Werth that kind of money?
Dunn fits the bill too….but no defense isn’t really the Boston way….plus if you keep Ortiz, you are stuck with Dunn in the field. Martinez is getting low-balled so sounds like he’s out. And Beltre is going after the highest bidder I would guess.
Moving a guy like Bucholz could probably net you Fielder nearly straight up (maybe throw in 1 spec). You have to explore that option (and obviously Gonzalez too) if you’re the Red Sox.
gomez is a 4th outfielder. how bout ellsbury anderson and kelly for fielder and gomez u guys gotta understand that your not trading for the cheap years of gonzo and fielder fielder wants howard money in arbitration and that reduces the asking price.im not saying he can be gotten for peanuts. but ellsbury, kelly, lars anderson for fielder and gomez could start it up
Brewers would probably want more than one pitcher if they traded Fielder. That teams first priority is rebuilding their pitching.
you can get dunn for 4 years, prolly 12-15 mill a year. not a bad deal for some protection for miggy. id rather have that at that price than crawford for 7 years and a 100 mill.
I just see a likely scenario with crawford as, he is on 2nd or 3rd with miggy up and 1 or 2 outs and they just pitch around him to face guillen or most likely peralta and he flies out or grounds into a double play.
1. Jackson
2. Crawford
3. Magglio
4. Cabrera
5. V. Martinez (C or DH)
6. Guillen (DH)
7. Peralta
8. Inge
9. Avila/Sizemore/Rhymes
That’s a very good linup. Imagine in you replace Guillen with Dunn and move him into the 5th spot. That’s a scray lineup. Won’t happen though, can’t sign Martinez, Crawford and Dunn…no way ( you could I guess… Illitch had better start cranking out more Pizza’s.)
I think the Tigers will make a real run for Cliff Lee, whether they say so or not. He would put the Tigers WAY over the hump…they could dominate the AL Central. I don’t care what anybody ways, he is worth the money he’ll command. You’re talking about a pitcher that could win SEVERAL more Cy Young awards.
I can wish at least…
Crawford, Marrtinez, Maggs, and Lee?
I know Detroit has a good amount of cash to work with, but even the Yankees’ eyes aren’t that big.
Yanks probably aren’t going to have as much money to work with after signing rivera and Jeter. They would probably first have to move granderson if they were going to be players for Crawford.
I think they should move gardner in a trade to become players for Crawford.. He’s a good outfielder but he’s just not a good hitter. I think he’s a good 4th outfielder not a starter. Jeters going to get a 2 year 40 million dollar contract, which isn’t a lot of money for the Yankees. I would’nt be surprised if they were players for Crawford if they don’t sign Lee.
Ya, guys who finish 8th in the AL in OBP, steal almost 50 bags, and play great defense shouldn’t start. Get real. Gardner would be a leadoff hitter for most teams and should be for the Yankees next year.
Gardner is gold. How are the Yanks to field a team without good players who don’t cost a lot? If not for a few cheap guys, the payroll would have to be 300 million a year.
Gardner is solid offensively, and better than solid defensively, and cheap as hell. Right now he’s not only a good ballplayer, but he allows the Yanks to pay for all their veteran hitters and pitchers.
Just another bad deal instead replacing the more cheaper, younger, and poor man’s version of CC without the power ANd alot more plat discipline and greater OBP. No thanks
I agree.
Swap in Pavano for Lee and then “maybe” it falls under the category of extreme longshots.
Those 4 (Crawford, VMart, Mags, and Pavano) would be the perfect winter IMO for the Tigers (and I absoluetly hate them). Though you’re looking at like $45-50M there…
I still think Crawford ends up in Anaheim though. But a winter of VMart, Mags, Pavano, and a bullpen arm is none too shabby either.
I agree with you, Pavano is way more likely. I’ll take Werth, Dunn or Mags, Pavano, and help in the pen.
It’s hard to imagine two of Crawford, Werth, or Dunn landing on the same team.
I made no mention of Crawford. I think Werth and Dunn are very possible with the money we have available.
Just hope it’s not true that the Cubs all but have Dunn locked up.
That’s pretty shabby from what I’m expecting based on Dombrowski’s words. I don’t classify either VMart or Maggs as the kind of game changers I’m expecting. Martinez would mostly be the DH on most days because god knows Jim Leyland would have a heart attack watching players steal 2nd and 3rd at will. I’m not happy unless the tigers get Dunn or Crawford is what it boils down to. My expectations may be too high, but the tigers have a lot more payroll flexibility than almost any other team.
Why don’t you just send out a team of clones?
Crawford
Crawford
Cabrera
Cabrera
Crawford
Cabrera
Crawford
Crawford
Cabrera
If they demand big money, create a clone that will accept peanuts.
I like this idea. Maybe cloning will be the next big baseball scandal.
meh, not the best lineup I’ve seen. Cabrera hitting in front of Crawford not once, not twice, but 3 times is bad news. None of the Crawfords will be able to use their speed since Cabrera will be clogging up the bathpaths! lol
id rather have 5 cabreras and 4 crawford
NO DUHH
No. Use CC the first three spots in the lineups then follow up with four Cabreras, then CC again in the ninth hole. The lineup will allow the crawfords to utilize their speed. I think you also might wanna have 4 Justin Verlanders in your rotation
As much as I’d love him in left field next year, I’m not sure if the Bravos can hand out the contract that is mentioned above. Finding a way to be rid of Kawakami’s entire contract would help but I’m still not sure.
I would love to have Crawford, but you’re right, no way to fit that contract into the Braves payroll.
I think the Tigers will make a serious run at Crawford but what would they be willing to pay. I’m not sure he is worth the 7 yrs/120 million it’s going to take to get but he wuold instantly make the Tigers much better offensively and defensively. It would be fun to see him teamed with Jackson in Comerica. This would most likely mean the end of Magglio with Raburn moving to RF (who I think with more time in outfield can become league average with a plus arm) and the Tigers targeting LH power bat to DH. If they sign Crawford think they would look to add an aging DH at a one year deal. Would love to see them sign Thome (maybe Berkman) but might have to settle for a Matsui type. Then maybe add Rod Barajas to split time with Avila against lefties.
Lineup would be:
Jackson
Crawford
Cabrera (Should be batting 3rd not 4th anyway)
Thome
Raburn
Peralta
Avila
Inge
Rhymes/Sizemore
Would give them a solid lineup and protection for Cabrera. Also Dombrowski seems to make a big trade every offseason (ie Sheffield, Renteria, Jackson/Scherzer) and would look to target a starting pitcher (stated earlier one of Garza/Shields and if available Wandy Rodriguez). Then add some bullpen (like to see JJ Putz and lefty with Coke starting). This would be a great off-season for the Tigers. I still think the Tigers end up with VMart instead of Crawford but if they want to spend go for it, it’s not my money.
Thome either goes back to Cleveland to hit #600, or he resigns with the Twins. At this point in his career, he wants 1) a chance to win, and 2) a chance to get AB’s – a perfect balance, not too many but not too few. He pretty clearly isn’t going to be lured into a situation by $1-2M that doesn’t meet those requirements.
Twins are a perfect fit. Chance to win, chance to split DH time with Kubel.
That said, you’re right you’ll end up with a Matsui/Vlad/etc. Lots of good DH’s out there.
Assuming Boesch/Jackson don’t have a sophomore slump, your lineup will be very solid whether you add VMart, Werth, or Crawford to it.
We know this much that Thome is not going to sign for 1.5 million again. So how much will the Twins being able to spend to keep him there. I see them picking up the Kubel option and with Morneua coming back how many at bats does that leave Thome?Do the Twins want to pay 5-6 millon for a bench player when they will need that money to shore up bullpen with Crain, Guerrier and Rauch all free agents? I don’t see Thome going back to Cleveland with Hafner there and in terms of playing for a winner, yes the Twins are the class of the AL Central but I don’t see the Tigers as that far behind them. If Thome wants to be a full time DH the Tigers seem like a logical fit.
But Thome does not want to be a full time DH. He wants and needs rest. He
wants 200-300 AB’s on the season, not anywhere near 500.
do you know leyland?? whenever players want a day off he gives it to them
Then he promptly puts a .180 hitting Raburn in the 3 or 5 hole to replace them. The story of the first half of the season.
If the Tigers got Crawford, your “chance to win” just took a hit! 🙂
Unless Crawford’s WAR is +15, I’m not terribly worried 😉
Thome is not coming to Cleveland.
Hafner is still here…..taking up the DH spot.
Agreed. Its the only other team I could see him playing for, but not a fit on most levels.
I thought Thome was doing an AL Central tour. Should be heading to Detroit or Kansas City next.
You could replace Thome with a guy like Russell Branyan. He’s had back-to-back solid years. This year wasn’t as good as his 40 HR pace of 2009, but he too made less than $2M. Can DH and doesn’t need everyday at-bats so can move guys around if needed.
Branyan also showed he could hit for power in Safeco which isn’t the easiest place to do that, so the Comerica factor shouldn’t hurt him too much.
He’s a poor man’s Dunn of late. Gonna K a TON but will hit you a lot of HRs for hte at-bats he gets.
I favor Thome out of that group but I agree Branyan and Matsui could both make sense. I would preferably have Ordonez and Martinez at a much lower price than Crawford and the names mentioned. While Crawford is a great player I think Martinez gives them great flexibilty and would give them Ordonez, Cabrera and Martinez 3-5.
If Ken Rosenthal says it I don’t buy it. I’m skeptical.
Yeah no joke… That guy makes up so many stories
Ever since he called out the Halladay trade, everyone laughed at him and ended up being right, I give him some credit.
If Verlander says it, I believe it. haha
Unless his source is JP Morosi and the subject is the Detroit Tigers!!!
He’d be a great addition, but if they get Crawford, they need at least one more middle-of-the-order bat. I think if they get Crawford, the likelihood of them getting Adam Dunn is slim (as if it wasn’t already). So they need to go after a cheaper option like resigning Ordonez, Guerrero, Matsui, or even Manny or Berkman. They’d make a nice addition to the club and these guys are guys I think wouldn’t mind sticking with a DH role. They have many other problems other than their lineup, and one thing’s for sure, it’s gonna be one interesting offseason in the motor city.
Okay, so the Tigers are now “heavily” interested in Victor Martinez, Jayson Werth, Adam Dunn, and Carl Crawford, AND they would “very much” like to bring back Ordonez… They don’t have the $ or the roster spots to fit them ALL in. The only thing DD has been quoted as saying as that they are looking to:
– Upgrade the corner OF spots
– Upgrade the Bullpen
– Looking for a middle of the order RBI bat
– Have high interest in resigning Ordonez
Either they are heavily exploring EVERY option out there, or someone is making something up. Dombrowski usually plays things close to the vest so I’m guessing there is quite a bit of speculation going on.
That being said, picking up Dunn, Crawford, and Ordonez would be a HUGE upgrade. With Crawford and Jackson in the OF, They might actually be able to platoon Dunn and Ordonez in regular OF spots. Though signing those 3 would eat up alot of the 50 million they have left. That would barely leave enough for a starter and 2 BP arms.
I don’t think you get all three of those guys, but two outta three ain’t bad!
More likely, if they get Crawford, they will get a DH for that five slot.
in 3 years crawford will half his steals.
you want a 100 million dollar contract for a .315 15/ 30 guy? i mean crawford is sick dont get me wrong but speed fades more than power. in my opinion.
Put him on Leyland’s team and it won’t take 3 years!
But who led the league in steals, anyway? Some 22 year old kid?
Crawford would be 33 in four years.
If he goes to Detroit it won’t take 3 years. Leyland doesn’t like to run. Jackson is actually faster than Crawford in a 40 yrd dash and he didn’t even get 30 this year.
But crawford also said he doesn’t want to have to steal 70 bases anymore and doesn’t want the pressure of “generating runs” so Detroits lack of a running game may be advantageous to signig him
Well you’re entitled to your opinion….but with steroids out of baseball we’re more likely to see a return to how it used to be….where power, not speed faded first.
Guys like Kenny Lofton kept their speed into their 40. Crawford is not likely to slow down any time soon, and likely not before the end of his next deal barring a bigtime injury.
CC isn’t as prolific as Lofton. Lofton is probably the closest thing to Rickey Henderson in stealing basees, and he’s not even close
There are two scenarios with Crawford. One involves the Yanks joining the party and the other does not. That’s the big game changer. I think they’ll sit this one out, for a number of reasons:
– Money- even for the Yankees. By the time they deal with Jeter, Mariano, Pettite or his replacement, and their arb eligible players, payroll is back up over $ 200 million.
– They already lead the world in runs scored, but their big priority clearly is pitching.
– Cliff Lee
– Every additional dollar they spend will cost them double when you figure in the tax.
– They’re pretty well off with Swisher, Granderson, and Gardner in the outfield. They could move one of those guys, but Crawford is still very expensive for the marginal upgrade that they’d get. They could move Swisher to DH, but then Posada’s back behind the plate and the track meet is on again.
Now consider the payroll implications. The Yanks have the four highest paid players in the game and no player currently has an annual salary above $ 20 million that doesn’t play in New York. The players for Crawford figure to be the Red Sox, Angels, and Tigers. If the Yanks jump in, DD will tuck his tail between his legs and run away. The Angels have a payroll of $ 92 million plus NINE arb eligibles. They DO need an offensive upgrade, and they’ll be losing Matsui and can move Abreu to DH. Boston doesn’t need offense nearly as much, ranking second in runs scored but their pitching is ninth in team ERA. (Yeah, Fenway, etc). They have $ 100 million in payroll, five or so arby cases depending who gets offered, and some money coming off the books. If they pick up Big Papi’s option, it’s doubtful they go after Crawford with Ellsbury, Drew, and Cameron in the outfield.
Now the Tigers have $ 75 million coming off the books, only ONE player due for a salary increase- that’s Verlander’s $ 6 mil, only four arb eligibles that won’t make more than $ 5 mil combined. They had $ 18 mil paid to Magglio, $ 8 mil to Damon, and $ 13 mil to Guillen that comes off the books after a year. They had $ 34 million committed to three starting pitchers that are gone or leaving, and they have massive holes in the 2, 3, and 5 spots in the lineup. They have an owner that likes to spend, but a GM that hates free agents but has never won a division going into his 10th year as GM and is in the last year of his contract. JUST DO IT!
Too long, too little adderall.
I would be really shocked if the Yankees didn’t make a run at Crawford. I don’t think they will sign Lee and I think they’ll use that money on Crawford. I really think they need him. They have a really old team and Brett Gardner should’nt be a starter. I think an outfield of Swisher, Crawford and Granderson would be really solid.
How about signing Crawford, Martinez, Magglio, and Balfour in the pen. Then trading for Greinke and Soria. That would do the Tigers well. They could pull that off if they really, REALLY wanted to, but it would cost a ton of talent. DD likes his huge trades. Greinke would like playing in Detroit, he’d really like pitching with the current staff I’d bet.
LOL. Don’t forget to send your Christmas list to Santa.
I think Tigers will only sign one of the Crawford, Werth, Dunn, and Martinez group and then one from the Ordonez, Thome, Matsui, Berkman group. While the Tigers have plenty of money to spend they should be more in the 90 million dollar range than the 120 million dollar range. Plus not sure you want to put your eggs in one basket. If you sign two of the top group they will have to ride with this team for year and not have ability to add free agents in future, which is the situation they just rid themselves from.
Anyone who signs Crawford will be making a mistake because A) his greatest asset is his speed which will decline in about 4 years, and B) the length of the contract he will get. It will be around 6 years. After he loses his speed, he’ll be batting around .280 and contributing 5-12 HRs. Bottom line, he isn’t worthing $15-17mil a year. And the contract will look even more ludicrous once his speed significantly declines.