The Tigers have contacted Joakim Soria’s agent about a possible return to Detroit, MLB.com’s Jason Beck reports, though they’ll be one of several teams in the mix for his services. The reliever-needy Tigers have a distinct need for a solid bullpen arm, but Aroldis Chapman probably isn’t a fit since Detroit aren’t keen on dealing from their just-rebuild farm system to match the Reds’ high asking price for the ace closer. Here’s some more from around the AL Central…
- Indians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti told Jim Bowden and Jim Duquette on MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM (via Twitter) that he will look into trading a starting pitcher in order to improve elsewhere, though it’s not necessarily something that he’d like to do. The Tribe received a lot of interest in their young starters last summer; Carlos Carrasco drew particular attention and Cleveland in fact almost dealt him to the Blue Jays.
- While the Indians may not be able to spend big on free agents, what they can offer is playing time at third, first or in the outfield, ESPN’s Buster Olney writes (Insider-only link). This might be significant in helping the Tribe land a lower-tier free agent veteran; Olney suggests the likes of Juan Uribe, Justin Morneau, Mike Napoli and Will Venable as possible fits.
- Johnny Cueto’s agent, Bryce Dixon, also Duquette and Bowden (Twitter links) to discuss his client’s free agency. Â Dixon expressed confidence that teams will see that Cueto his healthy after viewing his medicals, and if Cueto had been hurt, he wouldn’t have been able to deliver such strong results for the Royals in two of his postseason outings.
- Royals owner David Glass deserves credit for standing behind GM Dayton Moore during tough times, Tracy Ringolsby of MLB.com writes.  Moore’s tenure is the fourth longest among current general managers behind Brian Sabean of the Giants (now executive VP of baseball operations), Brian Cashman of the Yankees, and Jon Daniels of the Rangers. Those executives, however, enjoyed either quick success or quicker returns on rebuilds than Moore, as the Royals didn’t even post a winning record until Moore’s seventh full season running the team.
- Joe Mauer will be 36 when his current contract expires in three years, but the Twins first baseman tells Charley Walters of the St. Paul Pioneer Press that he hasn’t given any thought about retirement at that time, only that he “probably” wants to play “as long as I can.”
MLBTR’s Zach Links also contributed to this post
Mauer hasn’t been a catcher for a couple years.
I’d take the Indians starting pitching right after the Mets going forward, even with their inconsistencies. Don’t think they should trade from it, think they should add offense in free agency.
Agreed. However, I hope that they will try for some better hitters than the ones mentioned in the post. All of them are either very old or Will Venable. Since they have maybe 10-15 million to spend, I’d much rather have them try for Freese, a guy you can count on for league average or better results.
I wouldn’t trade any of the big 3, but I’d be open to trading Bauer or maybe Anderson in the right deal to bring an impact bat back. I’d do the Bauer for Ozuna deal to shore up the outfield then use some of their minor league depth to squire another bat. I think they’d be pretty set with just those moves and adding a Lefty in the pen in free agency.
Spending money available to Moore over the years pales in comparison to Cashman/Daniels and even Sabean. The Royals success has come even without Hosmer & Moustakas reaching the statistical levels that were predicted for them. More was even expected from Duffy. Just what Moore did this last offseason and at the trade deadline is genius. I don’t see how Daniels warrants praise myself but that’s a comment for another article!
Daniels put together a well-regarded front office and two pennant-winning teams. He’s not bad.
When was the last time Mauer caught? Arnt he’s knees shot?
I don’t know if his knees were a problem or not may have been contributing factor but the main reason he isn’t catching any more is concussions.
He had knee stuff earlier in his career but that wasn’t really a factor in moving him.
Frankly some of us were saying we should move him after he blew out a knee his second game in the big leagues.
He gave up catching after a concussion and really hasn’t been the same at the plate since.