Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski spoke to reporters today; here's the latest from John Lowe of the Detroit Free Press on Twitter.
- It's very unlikely free agents Magglio Ordonez and Carlos Guillen will be back next year. Reliever Joel Zumaya would be on a minor league deal if he returns.
- Victor Martinez will be the Tigers' full-time designated hitter next year, so Dombrowski will seek a back-up catcher for Alex Avila.
- Dombrowski sees the arbitration eligible Delmon Young as his left fielder in 2012 on a one-year deal. Matt Swartz projects Young to earn $6.3MM next year through the arbitration process.
- "In so many words, Dombrowski ruled out any run at [Jose] Reyes," tweets Lowe.
- Most likely, Jacob Turner and other youngsters will compete for the Tigers' fifth starter job next spring, with a veteran on board for projection, tweets MLB.com's Jason Beck.
//Dombrowski sees the arbitration eligible Delmon Young as his left fielder in 2012 on a one-year deal.//
Well, thank God for that. I was having nightmares of DD giving Elmon a ridiculous extension.
//”In so many words, Dombrowski ruled out any run at [Jose] Reyes,” tweets the Free Press.//
Good.
thanks for the insight, especially the second question.
Yup and yup.
On [D]Elmon: I think the terrible contract years are just about over as the team doesn’t have to (almost) force people to stay in Detroit anymore.
Also, I’d like to think DD learned his lesson about handing out terrible contract extensions like candy after what happened following the ’06 postseason run.
The first thing that comes to mind when I hear “Jose Reyes” and “Run” in the same sentence is the word “Disabled List”
You mean the Tigers will have a veteran starting pitcher on board for “proTection”, not for “proJection”, right? Gotta be a typo!
I’m okay with Delmon for a year. Not crazy about using up a roster spot for a backup catcher and limiting Victor to full time DH, but if he’s not able to fill the backup role, then it is what it is. Doumit makes some sense as a backup C/ utility outfielder, though we don’t need the latter.
That leaves the glaring weaknesses at the top of the order, with a need to have guys that can get on base ahead of Cabrera, play some defense in the infield at 2B and 3B, and maybe run a bit. Some middle relief help would be nice, since the Tiger bullpen in middle relief was as bad as any pen in the league. Back end is great, but the starters can’t get the ball to them every game.
Exactly what ive been saying. There is no way we can sign Aramis Ramirez and have the team get even slower. They need some speed/contact guys.
I said last year that we should have a backup catcher. We were basically the only team in the league without one. Martinez was not a backup catcher last year, he was a DH that occasionally caught. Not the same thing.
Hell, if Avila got hurt or was pinch run for and Martinez had to go behind the plate in the middle of a game we’d have to surrender the DH and have our pitcher hit in AL games. Avila was forced to be an iron man, and he suffered for it in the playoffs.
Bring back Santos as backup C.
Kelly or Rayburn is the RF with Dirks as back up
Boesch*
I think he meant that Raburn and Kelly would play RF if Boesch loses all his limbs before opening day or dies…
If not Reyes to fill the top of the order than who? Carroll? Aaron Hill? Furcal? Trade for somebody?
The Tigers have got to have someone playing in the infield (other than Miggy) who can be an OBP machine
“The Tigers have got to have someone (other than Miggy, Avila, and V-Mart) who can get on base.”
FYP
Our outfielders aren’t that good at getting on base either
Mark Buehrle + Chone Figgins please
Tigers are just finally digging their way out of the piles of awful contracts. Figgins would be a step backwards.
I think getting out of Seattle would lead to a resurgence for him, just like it has for Beltre.
Problem is he needs about six resurgences and two and a half comebacks to be a decent ball player again.
I think getting out of Seattle would lead to a resurgence for him, just like it has for Beltre.
I’m happy with Dombrowski’s comments. The Tigers need to address issues at 2b & 3b plus another starting pitcher (with middle of the order quality, at a minimum). Kelly Johnson or Jamey Carroll are the most obvious answers at second. Aramis Ramirez is an obvious solution at 3b but I’d rather spend on money on pitching. Bringing back Betemit for $3M/1 yr or $5M/2 or something like that would ease the pain of Inge’s $5.5M contract. I’d also like to see them take a run at Buehrle (rather than Wilson) plus take a flyer on either Oswalt or Vazquez if the money and years are right. I think there’s enough money to look at Wilson (who would do well in Comerica, at least for a couple of years) but I think the length of the contract might make that an unwise move. I wouldn’t spend big on another reliever- maybe a couple of incentive laden contracts for a couple of reclamation projects would work there. Young’s increase (about $1M), resigning Betemit, plus Johnson/Carroll and Buehrle plus any other salary increases should be more than offset by the $26M coming off the books with Ordonez, Guillen and Penny.
JL playing Inge and Kelly in the playoffs werent enough to tell you that he dont like Betimit? You need to realize that Jim is the most ignorant man on earth…
Wasn’t Barajas not tendered? he could catch possibly. Not the best solution, then there are not many decent catchers out there. health risks like Doumit, Snyder etc…
There goes my hopes of the Tigers checking in on W. Rodriguez. Detroit really does have more pressing needs at second, third, and rh middle relief but he would solidify that rotation.
I am very likely in the minority on this, and not that anyone asked, but I’m hoping for a non-tender for Delmon Young (assuming Boesch is 100 percent for 2012). I’d rather see Dombrowski spend that $6.3M to get a LF with some speed — a Coco Crisp, or someone like that — because this team is ridiculously slow on the basepaths and at the OF corners. Crisp could spell Jackson occasionally in CF, and Raburn/Kelly can spell Crisp and Boesch at the corners every now and then.
And the Tigers are also ridiculously right-handed, especially in the infield. Which is why, despite his down year, I think Kelly Johnson is the Tigers’ best bet for 2B. Yes, they’d have to throw $18-$20M for 3 years or some such at him, but that’s actually under value for him, and the dude did hit 21 homers and steal 16 bases even in a down year. He plays okay defense (better than Raburn, at any rate). More promisingly, he picked it up nicely after his trade to the AL.
I’m also a bit bullish on Inge due to his solid September and playoff run. I think the mono threw him off more than we know, but he seemed healthy down the stretch and took one for the team by going down to the minors at age 34. Not that the Tigers owe him, but Brandon Inge isn’t a terrible #8 hitter in the major leagues for one more season.
My 2012 Tigers lineup:
LF Crisp
2B K. Johnson
1B Cabrera
DH Martinez
RF Boesch
SS Peralta
C Avila
3B Inge
CF Jackson (leads off when Crisp is resting or, inevitably, hurt)
Bench:
Raburn (plays in OF vs. most LHP)
Santiago (re-sign him!)
Kelly (spells Inge at 3B once or twice a week vs. RHP)
right-handed backup catcher (Kelly Shoppach?)
Verlander, Fister, Scherzer, Porcello are all obviously in the rotation but I wouldn’t even consider Turner an option for 2012 — at least not going into the season. A one-year LHP rental is the way to go. Yes, Bruce Chen, I am talking to you. Come to Detroit. If Turner goes 10-0 at Toledo to start the season or something like that, then call him up, but Chen would make a nice long relief guy as well. (I’d be okay with a longer deal for a gamer like Buehrle, but then you’d have to trade Porcello or Scherzer next offseason to make room for Turner…)
And then spend any remaining cash on a dependable reliever for the 7th inning, or make a trade for one. Ryan Raburn for…?
All told, you’re breaking even on Crisp (vs. Delmon), spending $6-$7 on K Johnson, spending $3-$4M for one year of Chen, and maybe $4M on a solid set-up man, and you’re not breaking your budget or ruining your planning for future seasons by locking into any crazy deals with aging and/or risky players like Aramis Ramirez/Jose Reyes/Jimmy Rollins. This team only needs minor tweaks to be totally dominant, and the future is even brighter if Dombrowski doesn’t mess it up by throwing money around like he did after 2006.
Sorry for the long post. I love this time of year.
I agree. I think that most of the fans actually dont want Reyez or Ramirez. And we def need to get faster.
Agree with almost everything you said. I’d love for the Tigers to sign Coco Crisp. He’s the type of player we need. (a speedy table setter)
Only thing I really disagree on is Reyes. Add Reyes to this lineup and we all of a sudden look like a powerhouse. I also wouldn’t mind Young coming back on a one year deal. Maybe his upcoming free agency will motivate him. (Though I’m very worried about him playing every day in our spacious LF) And maybe for once Dombrowski can offer arbitration to a free agent next year and we can get a high draft pick back.
But even with bringing Young back I’d still like to add a Coco Crisp type. It’d give us some insurance if Young or Boesch get hurt, and it’d give is some MUCH needed speed. We haven’t even had any speed on the bench in the past 5+ years.
Crisp is more than a 4th OF. When healthy, he’s a very solid major leaguer. I like the idea of bringing him in, especially if it means to get rid of Delmon Young. Tigers fans are delusional if they think he’ll be a productive #3 hitter. One good playoff series doesn’t erase an underwhelming career.
Crisp hasn’t played a corner OF spot since ’05, but he’s consistently rated as a plus CF so the transition to LF should be too difficult.
Oh, I think Young is an awful #3 hitter. I tell Tigers fans that on a regular basis. (and believe me, many of them are that delusional) He has way too low of an OBP to hit in the 3 hole. Leyland is just crazy when it comes to lineup construction.
However I think Young could be a pretty decent #6 or #7 hitter. And he’s still only 25 so he hasn’t hit his prime years yet. He obviously has a lot of unrealized potential, and there’s still time to improve. Hell, look at what Bautista did after turning 29.
I just worry about what Reyes’ legs will be like over the second half of a long-term contract. He’d be a huge boost if totally healthy — but he seems like a prime candidate to miss a full season one of these days (and soon). Better to let someone else take the risk, especially now that we’re finally done with the Guillen era. But I do understand the desire to get a guy like that. The Tigers need a legitimate lead-off guy. And if the Tigers signed Reyes, it’s not like I would throw up.
This is the most realistic approach to the off-season I’ve seen so far.
I am very likely in the minority on this, and not that anyone asked, but I’m hoping for a non-tender for Delmon Young (assuming Boesch is 100 percent for 2012). I’d rather see Dombrowski spend that $6.3M to get a LF with some speed — a Coco Crisp, or someone like that — because this team is ridiculously slow on the basepaths and at the OF corners. Crisp could spell Jackson occasionally in CF, and Raburn/Kelly can spell Crisp and Boesch at the corners every now and then.
And the Tigers are also ridiculously right-handed, especially in the infield. Which is why, despite his down year, I think Kelly Johnson is the Tigers’ best bet for 2B. Yes, they’d have to throw $18-$20M for 3 years or some such at him, but that’s actually under value for him, and the dude did hit 21 homers and steal 16 bases even in a down year. He plays okay defense (better than Raburn, at any rate). More promisingly, he picked it up nicely after his trade to the AL.
I’m also a bit bullish on Inge due to his solid September and playoff run. I think the mono threw him off more than we know, but he seemed healthy down the stretch and took one for the team by going down to the minors at age 34. Not that the Tigers owe him, but Brandon Inge isn’t a terrible #8 hitter in the major leagues for one more season.
My 2012 Tigers lineup:
LF Crisp
2B K. Johnson
1B Cabrera
DH Martinez
RF Boesch
SS Peralta
C Avila
3B Inge
CF Jackson (leads off when Crisp is resting or, inevitably, hurt)
Bench:
Raburn (plays in OF vs. most LHP)
Santiago (re-sign him!)
Kelly (spells Inge at 3B once or twice a week vs. RHP)
right-handed backup catcher (Kelly Shoppach?)
Verlander, Fister, Scherzer, Porcello are all obviously in the rotation but I wouldn’t even consider Turner an option for 2012 — at least not going into the season. A one-year LHP rental is the way to go. Yes, Bruce Chen, I am talking to you. Come to Detroit. If Turner goes 10-0 at Toledo to start the season or something like that, then call him up, but Chen would make a nice long relief guy as well. (I’d be okay with a longer deal for a gamer like Buehrle, but then you’d have to trade Porcello or Scherzer next offseason to make room for Turner…)
And then spend any remaining cash on a dependable reliever for the 7th inning, or make a trade for one. Ryan Raburn for…?
All told, you’re breaking even on Crisp (vs. Delmon), spending $6-$7 on K Johnson, spending $3-$4M for one year of Chen, and maybe $4M on a solid set-up man, and you’re not breaking your budget or ruining your planning for future seasons by locking into any crazy deals with aging and/or risky players like Aramis Ramirez/Jose Reyes/Jimmy Rollins. This team only needs minor tweaks to be totally dominant, and the future is even brighter if Dombrowski doesn’t mess it up by throwing money around like he did after 2006.
Sorry for the long post. I love this time of year.
I would definately like to see Buerhle, but I think he is either pitching for Chicago, St, Louis or retiring. I would be shocked if he signed with the Tigers. The Bruce Chen move makes sense either way… long reliever or 5th starter for now. I think that the Tigers definately need to go after Aaron Hill or Kelly Johnson at 2nd and resign Santiago. I would like for them to make a run a Reyes if they don’t get him it would possibly make someone else overpay for him.
Don’t see the Tigers getting Kelly Johnson. I think he stays in Toronto.
Also, DD pretty much said they weren’t going after Reyes.
No he didn’t, he said Jhonny Peralta is our shortstop.
That’s not to say we’ll get Reyes or even push that hard for him, but to rule him out entirely is silly.
I understand they’ll do their due diligence, but DD’s comments did “pretty much” rule out a run at Reyes. Not 100%, but pretty much.
I rather see Chen or Bedard over Buehrle. Both would be cheaper and short-term solutions until Turner is ready.
Yeah, if Bedard will take a 1-year deal, he’d be awesome — and he might even be hurt by July or August when Turner could be ready!
Jamey Carroll will be 38 no thanks!!!!
the tigers need to look at snagging dotel from the cardinals (now a free agent) as the 7th inning guy, bring in a reliable second baseman (which we havent has since poly left) such as a 1 year deal for Mark ellis or Orlando Cabrera, or attempt to throw raburn and dirks at Cincinatti for Brandon Phillips and salary relief, try and go for Oswalt on a 2 year 16 or 17 million dollar deal, with an option on the third year. Keep delmon young around for one more year and see how he does (still have raburn just in case), and that looks like a damn good team to me. Plus Illich said he would spend more to win it all, might aw well make the money worth it instead of wasting it on the elderly such as Carroll or Buerhle. And a no go on Reyes, he’d be a waste of a 100 million dollars haha.
go after oswalt on a 2 year deal for 17 mill and a 3rd year option
How about Chone Figgins? Doubt he costs much
Dave Dombrowski needs to look into Jose Reyes hes the lead off hitter the Tigers need. We need someone one base for Miggy and V-Mar. Plus the speed and fielding he would bring to the team would help out greatly.