4:12pm: GM Al Avila said that the Tigers are “out” on both Gordon and Cespedes, per USA Today’s Bob Nightengale (Twitter link).
9:16am: The Tigers are “looking at” Yoenis Cespedes and Alex Gordon as outfield options, reports Jon Heyman of CBS Sports (Twitter link). The Royals, however, believe the biggest threat to steal Gordon away from them presently comes from the nearby Cardinals, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today (also via Twitter).
Seeing either outfielder end up in Detroit would be somewhat of a surprise considering the fact that GM Al Avila has previously indicated that he’s probably done pursuing outfield help after acquiring Cameron Maybin from the Braves. Adding Gordon or Cespedes would push Maybin into shared center-field duties with Anthony Gose and perhaps make outfield prospects Tyler Collins and Steven Moya expendable, as the team also has J.D. Martinez locked in as a long-term option in right field.
For the Cardinals, Gordon makes some sense as a replacement for Jason Heyward. Gordon is, in many ways, somewhat of an older version of Heyward — a premium outfield defender that can hit for a respectable average and get on base but lacks the prototypical power that many expect from a corner outfielder. Gordon is entering his age-32 season, while Heyward is entering just his age-26 season, though, so one has to wonder how Gordon’s glove will hold up over the life of a long-term deal. Nevertheless, the Cardinals have missed out on both David Price and Jeff Samardzija thus far this offseason and stand to potentially lose Heyward in addition to already having lost John Lackey (who signed with the Cubs) and Lance Lynn (who underwent Tommy John surgery). St. Louis has been linked to top free agents ranging from Price to Samardzija to Chris Davis, so Gordon is another impact player to add to the list and gives a bit more reason to believe that the Cardinals will be more aggressive spenders than we’re typically used to seeing this offseason.
The Angels have also recently been tied to Cespedes, and while the Mets recently contacted his representatives, assistant GM John Ricco said yesterday that it remains “unlikely” that Cespedes will return to Queens.
The tigers are approaching the free agent market opportunistically. I really like how avila has been operating this offseason.
If they bring back Cespedes, the $$ will come from Mike’s private stash. Regardless, it would be a lot better investment than the Fielder signing.
Even if the Cards do not re-sign Heyward, they don’t need outfielders, especially a 32 year old guy coming off an injury that may continue to limit him, Gordon is not an upgrade over either Piscotty or Grichuk.
But Piscotty can play first so the question is, is he an upgrade over Adams or Moss?
Piscotty can play first so the question is, is he an upgrade over Adams and Moss?
There is a zero sum argument. Piscotty looked pretty good in limited action last year at first, but, he is an outstanding outfielder, where he has the most value. Could he rotate there against tough lefties, sure, and Pham could then be inserted.
Heyward has a much greater offensive upside than Gordon. His production after the first 6 weeks was every bit as good as Gordon. Gordon is what Gordon is and he is only going to regress as he ages.
The Cardinals “WILL NOT” spend the money to get one of these Free Agents as long as their current GM is in charge. He’s lost in the past!! They know what they can get with Heyward. Why don’t they sign him long term??? In 3 years, the price they pay for him now will be a bargain!!!
The Cardinals have wants, not needs.
They don’t need Heyward, they don’t need a #1 Ace big money starting pitcher.
So they don’t need to tie themselves to a huge contract for the sake of pleasing fans.
I’m much happier letting the team throw big money at Wacha, Martinez and Adams in the next few years, while letting younger players get time to develop at the big league level.
I’d rather a 26 year old outfielder be making 450k/year than 32m/year to be quite honest and I like Heyward but he’s still young and who knows, maybe he’s plateaued and he’s NOT worth 30m/year. (doesn’t seem like anyone’s blown him away with a great contract offer yet in any case).
The Red Sox haven’t exactly been successful with the “overbid on the biggest free agent every year” strategy, but the Cardinals “be patient, let kids get playing time, trade don’t sign’ strategy has led to the playoffs with more consistency than any other franchise.
I’ll be 100% fine if the Cardinals don’t sign anyone big, maybe work out a trade and that’s that. They don’t need Heyward, Leake would be nice to have, and maybe a few others but it’s not like the team is terrible and needs massive upgrades. They just won 100 games with their best pitcher on the shelf, so I think things will be okay.
2004 2013, you’re right they’re philosophy never works
True, they beat the Cards in the WS, congrats. They also finished last in 3 out of the last 4 years. That is the difference in the philosophies.
The entire league hopes the Cardinals throw tons of money at Matt Adams…
A) This is his first year of arbitration, so the most he will receive is 1 mil.
B) He has a lifetime .767 OPS.
C) He is an above average defender.
D) He is a great platoon guy.
The Cards will be perfectly OK if he is their part-time first baseman. A vast improvement over their production there in 2015, in which they won 100 games.
No one was questioning what he is. They are questioning the idea of thowing big money at him as he approaches free agency.
It is a long time before he becomes a FA.
Well said Dave. Not to mention the 4 first round draft choices they will be sitting on come June.
This is a team that won 100 games, without Waino, Walden, Jay, Grichuk, Piscotty, Holliday, Pham, Adams, and Belisle for all or a good part of the season.
I too would like to see them land Leake, (no draft choice attached), but even if they have to add an innings eater like Buerhle, Lee et al, they will be just fine.
But a deal for Sonny Gray would be sweet, and maybe Diekmann.
I agree the Cardinals will not spend the money they have available. Not one rumor today about the Cardinals doing anything. They must be sitting on there but in a Jacuzzi drinking martinis.
And contemplating who they will choose with their 4 first round draft picks.
Bring back cespedes he loved te motor city
As a Tigers fan, I’m salivating right now. Those arms in left field? Spend Baby Spend!
Based on the back and forth on Twitter, it appears that there may be a brawl in the lobby between national writers and Tigers beat writers.
Tigers beat writers appear certain that Cespedes and Gordon are NOT looking to sign with the Tigers.
Why would any organization admit they are “out” on anybody? Doesn’t that just show your hand?
Maybe because they don’t like agents using them to get another team to up a bid. It could come back and happen to them.
Pretty sure it is going to happen whether they participate or not.
Doesn’t seem like a lot of teams want to spend on position players now a days.
Tigers / Yankees / Red Sox / Nationals / Dodgers
All the big boy spenders don’t have the payroll or aren’t looking for outfield help.
Could this mean that there’s still a chance of a Cespedes Mets reunion?
I hope so cespedes to mets at 5 years 125
Angels could be the biggest threat to any outfielder at this point
Wilpons wont pony up for that amount
I’m hoping Giants get either Upton or Cespedes.
Come on al sit down with Illitch and use some of his private stash to sign cespedes bring him back our team will be unbeatable with him
Where is all of that BIG SPENDING and aggressiveness the Cardinals were supposedly doing with the top Free Agents this year??? Another Cardinal Front Office Hoax!! We see this year after year. Big talk- No do! There needs some evaluation of effectiveness of the General Managers office. Moz seems to get worse each year at making baseball and personnel decisions. I hope I have to eat these words and he makes a productive trade in the CARDINALS FAVOR for a change.