The Tigers overtook the White Sox in the standings yesterday and now have a one-game lead in the AL Central with seven games to play. Here’s the latest from Detroit, where the Tigers will host the Royals this afternoon…
- Agent Scott Boras, who now represents Jose Valverde, told John Lowe of the Detroit Free Press that his client can continue closing for many years to come. "Closers are good in their mid-30s, not in their mid-20s," Boras said. The Tigers don’t have an obvious internal alternative to the 34-year-old Valverde, who’s eligible for free agency this offseason.
- Lowe and Free Press writer George Sipple note that the Tigers might not have room for Brennan Boesch on next year’s team. The 27-year-old will be arbitration eligible for the first time this offseason but he's a non-tender candidate.
- The Tigers have a $6MM club option for Jhonny Peralta in 2013 and they probably won’t find anyone steadier for that price, Lowe and Sipple write. I expect the Tigers to exercise the option.
- It’s not easy to see where Delmon Young would fit on next year’s Tigers team, the Free Press writers note. Victor Martinez is expected to return in 2013, which means the Tigers aren’t a logical landing spot for Young, who hits free agency this winter.
- Anibal Sanchez could be a fit in Detroit next year, but the Tigers would have to re-sign him as a free agent.
Tigers should just let Valverde walk. Easily replaceable. Being a “proven closer” is a myth.
that’s true. but being a consistently good reliever isn’t a myth.. and thats what closing games is all about
Sure. I just think that being a Boras client, Valverde is going to out-price himself of his true value. Tigers shouldnt buy into the whole closer narrative that Boras is going to pitch to the market.
Agree…. besides. It’s a myth tigers don’t have internal alternatives. Half of the bullpen has better numbers than Valverde
Let’s not bring back Valverde, okay? Please? My heart can’t take any more.
BRUCE RONDON is the obvious internal choice
Thank you. Love that kid
Why don’t you at least let the kid have a season a AAA before you annoint him the closer? Or better yet, see how he pitches out of the bullpen at the MLB level. This is not a video game that you plug people in a expect them to perform. That is a very rare occurence for young players at the MLB level. Especially pitchers!
Brennan Boesch would be a great fit for the Pirates.
pass
“Closers are good in their mid-30s, not in their mid-20s,” Boras said
I guess Drew Storen(25) and Craig Kimbrel (24) are a couple of tomato cans?
You gotta hand it to Boras, he is 100% behind his players that he counsels!
Should be interesting to see how it shakes down in 2013 for
Soriano (if he opts outs)
Madson (if healthy)
Papa Grande.
I still like Delmon Young and if the Tigers make the playoffs, he might be helpful to the Tiger cause. He would have been last year, but he was hurt.
but he was delmon young, who is a bad player*
It’s funny how Boras taylors his comments based on who he is representing, not of actually what’s right for baseball. He says he’s a baseball guy, more like money hog. IT would be more respectable if he were consistent. Btw, Valverde’s k rate is 6/9, NOT even ok as far as closers are concerned. An almost 3/9 walk rate? No thanks. I’d say Albequerque would make a better, cheaper (and sorry Boras) Younger option.
So the tigers need a Closer how about they kill to birds with one stone? Trade Boesch and maybe a minor league pitcher to the Cubs for Marmol? tho i know Marmol can be inconstant at times when hes on tho hes one of the top closers in the mlb. im sure the cubs wouldnt mind giving a young gut like Boesch a chance
So the tigers need a Closer how about they knock out two problems in one move?
Trade Boesch and maybe a minor league pitcher to the Cubs for Marmol?
tho i know Marmol can be inconstant at times but when hes on tho hes one of
the top closers in the mlb. im sure the cubs wouldnt mind giving a young
gut like Boesch a chance
No thank you. Might as well keep Valverde.
Valverde – no (gladly)
Boesch – no (sadly)
Peralta – yes (no alternative)
Young – no (to streaky oh yea – and slow)
Sanchez – yes (makes for one formidable staff – if Porcello gets his act together)
Raburn – no ( I just had to throw him in there – it goes without saying)
Just saying – leaves you with some money in the bank to fill other holes
There are plenty of alternatives to Valverde that most Tiger fans would gladly accept RIGHT NOW. Benoit (though he often faces a tougher part of the lineup in the 8th inning so is used well anyway), Dotel, Villareal, Marte, and Alburquerque are all easier to watch. Rondon might be ready to close next year, or could simply fill a bullpen spot. Add in a couple of lefties and without a bunch of injuries I don’t see a spot for Valverde.
Al Al should be the next closer without a doubt. He keeps his composure
and his ability to change speeds is tremendous. Plus, he is cheap.
I
hope that they do offer arb to Boesch. Maybe I am being sentimental but
I want to see him succeed in Detroit. Probably not realistic since
Dirks and Berry (especially Dirks) have proven themselves as capable
left-handed bats.
Glad to have Jhhhhonny back, especially for that price. Hopefully he can improve his bat a little next year.
Young
had a pretty good year and will probably make decent coin but it is
hard to see him being on the Tigers next year. Avisail Garcia will
probably make the regular roster, displacing Young, not too mention
Victor will finally be back!
I cannot wait to see AJax-Dirks-Miggy-Prince-Victor batting consecutively. That is just sick.
Porcello for closer! Solely based on his take down of Youkalis.
I’d like to see the Tigers hang onto Boesch for now. They’d be selling way low if they tried to flip him now and his arb raise won’t break the bank. Maybe he needs to play some winter ball?? The guy does have real potential but his approach at the plate has been cringe-worthy… maybe some winter t-ball??
Would love to see Anibal re-sigh with Detroit. He seems like a good fit there.
Valverde is as good as gone.
why does this whole valverde thing feel like some sort of extortion?
So using the thought process of Scott Boras, Kimbrel will be the greatest pitcher ever in 10 years.
I’m good with Valverde, Boesch and Young all leaving.. Matter of fact I pray to God Valverde leaves.. He is the worst closer in baseball and I’m so sick of his antics on the mound. I could tolerate them if he were good and could back them up..
I would like to see them make a run at Broxton in the off season I believe he’s a FA. If not Bruce Rondon in Toledo should get a shot…
I would do one of things for the Tigers this offseason. First thing I would try is to package Boesch/Porcello/Garcia to Texas for Andrus.
Ajax CF
Andrus SS/Dirks LF
Miggy 3B
Fielder 1B
VMart DH
Dirks/Andrus
Avila C
Castellanos RF
Infante 2B
If that didn’t work the other thing I would try is to sign Ellsbury
Ellsbury LF/Ajax CF
Ajax/Ellsbury
Miggy 3B
Fielder 1B
VMart DH
Avila C/Peralta SS
Dirks RF/Garcia RF/Castellanos
Avila/Peralta
Infante 2B
I also think with this scenario that I would be inclined to acquire S. Drew and use Peralta/Boesch/Porcello as trade chips for the bullpen. But in signing Ellsbury they might not be able to afford Drew also. Plus this just increases our OF logjam but Elsbury would be a nice addition instead of hoping that we get production from Dirks/Garcia/Castellanos/Berry/Boesch whom could be used in trades.
As for the rotation I would try and resign Sanchez and trade Porcello because while he still has upside, I think he needs a change of scenery.
JV
Fister
Scherzer
Sanchez
Smyley
Bullpen I would leave pretty much the same. I would resign Dotel, let Papa walk and promote Rondon to closer. I might also look for a lefty to replace Coke but would hope he corrects himself and shop deadline if he doesn’t.
Rondon
Benoit
Dotel
Coke
Downs
Villareal
AA
Bench
Kelly – look to upgrade
Berry
Laird
Santiago – look to upgrade
With either scenario I would let Young and Valverde walk and try to trade Porcello and Boesch for something. I don’t mind Peralta but I would look to upgrade him.
Easy there tiger. You forgot a name on that list of lineups (Delmon). I can see getting Profar since there supposedly not giving up Andrus. I’d love Profar in an old english D the guy is a stud. I however currently love Castellanos but there’s no where to put him with Miggy and Lil’ Miggy patrolling his positions. If were going to spend enough for Ellsbury we might as well get Hamilton.