Juan Gonzalez Wants Back In
It was bound to happen sooner or later – Igor, aka Juan Gonzalez, is attempting another return to the Majors. Published reports in Puerto Rico named the Angels, Tigers, and Orioles as interested parties. Update: the Orioles aren’t interested after all. And the Tigers denying interest as well. Ah, there we go – the Angels are not pursuing him. That was awesome – each team systematically denied any interest in Gonzalez within a few days of the rumor surfacing.
The slimmed-down Gonzalez spent last year in the Atlantic League and he’s currently playing in the Caribbean Series. Baseball Prospectus’s Derek Jacques reports:
"Juan Gonzalez makes the Tin Man from the Wizard of Oz look nimble and flexible. Watching him run the bases, I constantly expected to hear a loud snapping sound followed by a trail of body parts. Igor still has the long looping swing, but his bat speed isn’t where he can really turn on Dessens’ heat in the third. He’s trying to cheat, and it just isn’t working."
Last year, Gonzalez was said to be in the best condition of his life and supposedly drew interest from the Cubs, White Sox, Red Sox, Athletics, and Rockies.
Juan Gonzalez Wants Back In
It was bound to happen sooner or later – Igor, aka Juan Gonzalez, is attempting another return to the Majors. Published reports in Puerto Rico named the Angels, Tigers, and Orioles as interested parties. Update: the Orioles aren’t interested after all. And the Tigers denying interest as well. Ah, there we go – the Angels are not pursuing him. That was awesome – each team systematically denied any interest in Gonzalez within a few days of the rumor surfacing.
The slimmed-down Gonzalez spent last year in the Atlantic League and he’s currently playing in the Caribbean Series. Baseball Prospectus’s Derek Jacques reports:
"Juan Gonzalez makes the Tin Man from the Wizard of Oz look nimble and flexible. Watching him run the bases, I constantly expected to hear a loud snapping sound followed by a trail of body parts. Igor still has the long looping swing, but his bat speed isn’t where he can really turn on Dessens’ heat in the third. He’s trying to cheat, and it just isn’t working."
Last year, Gonzalez was said to be in the best condition of his life and supposedly drew interest from the Cubs, White Sox, Red Sox, Athletics, and Rockies.
Bonderman Gets Extension From Tigers
According to Baseball Digest Daily, the Tigers have re-signed Jeremy Bonderman through the 2010 season.
He was set to become a free agent after the 2008 season as a 26-year old. That would’ve been lucrative. At four years, $38MM, the Tigers are buying out some risk.
Tigers Sign Jose Mesa
ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick reports that the Tigers have signed Jose Mesa to a one-year deal for about $2.5MM. He turns 41 next May.
Joe Table switched to relief in ’94 and then had some glory years as the Tribe’s closer. After that he bounced around to about eight million teams with varying success.
With an awful K/BB of 1.08 last year, you have to think Mesa is on the brink of collapse. No one is sure how he helps the Tigers, unless Omar Vizquel is traded to the White Sox.
Inge, Byrd, Kline Sign
The Detroit Free Press indicates that a four-year extension for third baseman Brandon Inge is near. It could be worth $24MM.
Inge turns 30 next May. In 2006, he posted a career high .463 SLG in 542 ABs. However, his OBP dipped to .313. By comparison, the average AL 3B hit .269/.338/.442 this year. The main problem was that Inge’s walk percentage dropped from 10% in 2005 to 7% this year. However, Inge’s fine glovework at the hot corner probably elevates him to the status of above average overall.
ESPN reports that southpaw reliever Steve Kline will stay with the Giants on a two-year, $3.5MM deal. Kline, who is 34, has poor control and a weak strikeout rate. He does keep the ball on the ground generally and is a little better against lefties.
The Rangers signed 29 year-old outfielder Marlon Byrd to a one-year contract. Byrd typically struggles to post a .700 OPS, so he’s probably seen as a fourth outfielder. He can play all three outfield positions.
Finally, the Royals signed southpaw John Bale, who turns 33 next May, to a two-year, $4MM deal. Bale spent the last two seasons in Japan. In 2006, Bale posted a 2.93 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, and 9.6 K/9 in 43 innings. Interesting side note: Bale was traded by the Orioles to the Mets in 2002 for $50MM man Gary Matthews Jr.
Tigers Could Trade Maroth
One team that may have a surplus of starters that’s not getting a lot of press for it is the Tigers. Dave Dombrowski carefully seemed to indicate that 29 year-old southpaw starter Mike Maroth could be available.
Maroth pitches to contact and could be decent in front of a good defense. He only makes about $3 mil and has two seasons left before free agency. He’d probably come a lot cheaper than Kei Igawa, who might be comparable. Maroth had surgery in June to remove bone chips in his elbow. He wasn’t quite right upon his September return and didn’t make the postseason roster.
As far as lefty relievers go, Dombrowski chatted with Florida about Renyel Pinto. They also might like C.J. Wilson and Ron Mahay of Texas.
Gotham Baseball: Rockies Want Milledge?
One oif the more interesting things I heard in this week’s follow up calls after the GM Meetings was the Colorado Rockies’ interest in Lastings Milledge.
Though I keep hearing from those inside and outside of the team’s inner circle that Milledge is still a player they expect to blossom in New York, I can’t help but think that the Mets are focused on moving forward…without Lastings.
Another very interesting tidbit was a rumor of the Tigers and Reds talking Adam Dunn
2007 Detroit Tigers
I realized that I still haven’t written up the Tigers for my 2007 Team Outlooks. That’s about to change, I guess.
Dave Dombrowski’s contract obligations:
C – Ivan Rodriguez – $11MM
C – Vance Wilson – $0.95MM
1B –
2B – Placido Polanco – $4.6MM
SS – Carlos Guillen – $5MM
3B – Brandon Inge – $3MM
IF – Neifi Perez – $2.5MM
LF – Craig Monroe – $2.8MM
CF – Curtis Granderson – $0.38MM
RF – Magglio Ordonez – $12MM
OF – Marcus Thames – $0.38MM
DH – Gary Sheffield – $13MM
SP – Jeremy Bonderman – $2.3MM
SP – Justin Verlander – $1MM
SP – Kenny Rogers – $8MM
SP – Nate Robertson – $0.4025MM
SP – Mike Maroth – $2.95MM
RP – Joel Zumaya – $0.38MM
RP – Todd Jones – $5.5MM
RP – Fernando Rodney – $0.385MM
RP – Andrew Miller – $1.35MM
RP – Jason Grilli – $0.38MM
RP – Wil Ledezma – $0.38MM
RP – Zach Miner – $0.38MM
I realize this leaves off Chris Shelton, Omar Infante, and Roman Colon. But I’m trying to adhere to a 25-man roster here so cut me some slack. Before raises, the Tigers have about $79MM tied up. Inge, Monroe, Bonderman, Maroth, Robertson, and Rodney should all get raises, perhaps putting us in the $85MM range. Some deferred Sheffield money may cut that back, but you get the general idea. Detroit opened the 2006 season with an $82.6MM payroll, by comparison.
Now that Sheffield is in tow, the Tigers only main acquisition should be a first baseman. They aren’t going to get ridiculous and acquire another hitter of Sheffield’s stature. Dombrowski could chase one of these mediocre free agents, or use Shelton as a trading chip. But then, why not just play Shelton? I understand that he tanked after an incredible April, but he did some good work in 2005 and he’s just 26. Personally I would just put Shelton in a low-pressure spot in the order and see if he progresses. At least for a couple of months.
The Tigers have a surplus of no-stick middle infielders after Neifi – Ramon Santiago and Omar Infante. They’ve also got five guys who can play the outfield. That should afford flexibility and rest for the more fragile guys.
Maroth had bone chips taken out of his elbow this summer and never fully recovered. If he’s OK by spring, I think he has the fifth starter’s spot on account of his salary. Should one of the five falter, Ledezma or Miner should be capable replacements. And Miller is a starter by trade, though he could end up in the minors or the bullpen in 2007. You can see how the Tigers felt they had the depth to trade Humberto Sanchez.
The pen looks to be solid. Perhaps Zumaya should be moved into the ninth inning role, but regardless, Leyland has plenty of weapons.
The Tigers are pretty well set; just look for that first base acquisition (Kevin Millar?) and maybe one reliever. Detroit should again be right in the thick of things in the AL Central. They’ve even got the depth to cover some unforeseen circumstances.
Well, that’s all you’re getting for tonight – off to my bachelor party!
Tigers Acquire Gary Sheffield
Jon Heyman reports that the Tigers have acquired Gary Sheffield for Humberto Sanchez and two Class A pitchers, Kevin Whelan and Anthony Claggett.
It’s a superb deal for New York at first glance, as Sanchez has great stuff and profiles as at least a middle-rotation starter for years to come. Baseball Prospectus’s Kevin Goldstein ranked Sanchez as the 11th best right-handed starting prospect in the game, holding him back only because of elbow concerns. The Yankees should have young guys comprising 60% of their rotation by the end of ’07.
And Whelan, if things break right, could be setting up Mariano Rivera by 2008. The 23 year-old throws four different fastballs.
That’s a lot to give up for Sheff, but credit the Tigers for making a win-now move for the patient slugger they needed. According to Heyman, "the Tigers will extend Sheffield’s contract for two years beyond the one year and $13 million remaining."
Where’s Sheffield Headed?
The Detroit papers this morning seem to see Gary Sheffield wearing a Tigers uniform in 2007.
On the other hand, Peter Gammons appeared on Mike & Mike this morning and saw the Cubs as the favorite with a deal that would include Mike Wuertz. Gammons thinks the deal will be done soon. And don’t forget the Padres and A’s on the fringes of this thing. You have to think the J.D. Drew situation weakens Sheffield’s market value a bit.