Tigers Rumors

Rosenthal On Tigers, Pirates, Kipnis, Mayberry

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | August 9, 2011 at 9:53am CDT

Arizona GM Kevin Towers tells Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports that he believes a big part of the D’Backs’ turnaround comes from his team’s “will to win.” Here are more of Rosenthal’s notes from around MLB:

Rosenthal says it’s doubtful that the Tigers would be better off without GM Dave Dombrowski and manager Jim Leyland.
Will the Pirates extend GM Neal Huntington? Rival executives say the Pirates’ farm system isn’t as good as Pittsburgh executives think, but the club took a step forward under Huntington this year (especially before the Pirates’ recent losing streak).
Indians officials have been impressed with Jason Kipnis’ versatility and athleticism, not just his recent power surge.
Rosenthal suggests Eduardo Nunez has substantial trade value, since he can play premium positions and hit (.273/.325/.407 line this year).
Scouts see John Mayberry of the Phillies as a late bloomer like Jayson Werth or Michael Morse, Rosenthal reports.

Dombrowski Talks Contract Extension

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | August 8, 2011 at 4:38pm CDT

Tigers owner Mike Ilitch silenced questions about the job security of his leadership team by announcing extensions for manager Jim Leyland and president and general manager Dave Dombrowski today. It’s a move toward stability and, Ilitch hopes, the Tigers’ first World Championship since 1984.

“Dave has built a solid foundation for this organization and assembled competitive teams that give us a chance to win year in and year out,” Ilitch said.

Dombrowski’s top assistants – assistant GM Al Avila, special assistant David Chadd, VP of player personnel Scott Reid and legal counsel John Westhoff – also received contract extensions. That continuity helps the front office team work effectively, Dombrowski said.

“I think it’s extremely important,” he said on a conference call. “They’re very knowledgeable, they’re hard-working, they’re loyal.”

But don’t confuse continuity with an aversion to change. Dombrowski says the Tigers rely on more statistical analysis now than they did a five or ten years ago. Mike Smith and other executives supplement scouting reports with numbers for balanced evaluations.

“We don’t rely on them as much as other people do, but there’s all different types of statistical analyses available,” Dombrowski told reporters. “I think everybody has grown through the use of computers and the use of scouting reports, having access to them. It’s at your fingertips any time, anywhere you go.”

Though Dombrowski’s top assistants obtained extensions and the GM himself is locked up through 2015, Leyland’s coaches did not get extensions and the manager obtained a one-year extension. However, Dombrowski said Leyland did not ask for more job security than he was offered.

Tigers Extend Dombrowski, Leyland

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | August 8, 2011 at 11:11am CDT

The Tigers announced that they have agreed to extensions with president and general manager Dave Dombrowski and manager Jim Leyland, whose contracts were set to expire after 2011. Dombrowski's extension runs through 2015, while Leyland's extension covers the 2012 season.

Owner Mike Ilitch said the Tigers are confident in Leyland, who is in his sixth season as Detroit's skipper, and Dombrowski, who is in his tenth season with the Tigers. The Tigers also announced that they have extended the contracts of assistant GM Al Avila, special assistant David Chadd, VP of player personnel Scott Reid and legal counsel John Westhoff.

“Collectively, it’s as fine a group of quality baseball people as you will find,” Dombrowski said. “They continue to make significant contributions to the organization.”

The Tigers, who currently lead the AL Central, have a record of 485-442 under Leyland. The 2006 Tigers made it to the World Series under Leyland and Dombrowski, though Detroit hasn't returned to the playoffs since.

Stark On Twins, Kuroda, Phillies

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | August 5, 2011 at 1:15pm CDT

The Twins were willing to listen to offers for Francisco Liriano leading up to the trade deadline, according to ESPN.com’s Jayson Stark. However, Minnesota wanted a massive prospect return for the left-hander and no club met their asking price. Here’s the latest on the Twins with more of Stark’s notes from around MLB…

The chances that the Nationals can restart talks with Minnesota about Denard Span over the winter are not good, Stark reports. Minnesota wanted Drew Storen for their bullpen in an attempt to win now, but the Twins’ sense of urgency figures to disappear this offseason.
Rival teams say the Tigers and Red Sox each believed they were closing in on a deal for Hiroki Kuroda before the right-hander decided not to waive his no-trade clause.
The Red Sox and Rockies discussed an expanded deal that would have sent Josh Reddick to Colorado and Seth Smith to Boston while considering possible moves involving Ubaldo Jimenez. Talks between the 2007 World Series foes had essentially stopped by Saturday, though.
Though GM Ruben Amaro Jr. has publicly said Domonic Brown was not available, Stark hears from three different teams that the Phillies were willing to move the young outfielder in the right deal.
Teams that have spoken with the Phillies don’t expect them to be active on the waiver wire this month, since they want to avoid paying MLB’s luxury tax.

Draft Signings: Tigers, Indians, Pirates, Cron

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | August 3, 2011 at 10:25pm CDT

MLB teams have until August 15th to sign their 2011 draft picks. Here are the latest signings, with less than two weeks to go before the deadline…

The Tigers signed fifth round pick Brandon Loy to a deal with a $212K bonus, according to Jim Callis of Baseball America (via Twitter). The slot recommendation was $146.7K.
Indians 16th rounder Ryan Merritt agreed to sign a $150K deal with Cleveland, according to Jim Callis of Baseball America (on Twitter).
The Pirates announced that they signed high school right-hander Jake Burnette. The seventh rounder gets $550K, according to Callis (on Twitter).
The Pirates agreed to sign fifth rounder Tyler Glasnow for $600K, according to Callis. It’s the highest known deal outside of the first 65 picks this year, Callis reports.
Angels first rounder C.J. Cron, who signed in June, slugged three homers last night, according to Ashley Marshall of MLB.com. The 21-year-old has 11 homers in his first 137 professional plate appearances.

Latest On Doug Fister Trade

By Mark Polishuk | August 3, 2011 at 8:24pm CDT

WEDNESDAY: Churchill says he doesn't know "for [a] fact" that Ruffin is the player to be named (Twitter link).

TUESDAY: The Mariners will receive right-hander Chance Ruffin from the Tigers as the final piece of the Doug Fister trade, reports Jason A. Churchill of Prospect Insider (Twitter link). Since Ruffin was selected in the 2010 draft, he cannot officially be part of any trade until August 15 and thus will be considered just as a player to be named later until that date. This finalizes Seattle's package for Fister and David Pauley as Ruffin, Charlie Furbush, Casper Wells and Francisco Martinez.

Ruffin, a University of Texas product who turns 23 in September, was a supplemental first round pick (48th overall) in the 2010 amateur draft. The Tigers drafted him with the pick they received as compensation for the Angels' signing of Fernando Rodney as a free agent.

In 40 career minor league relief appearances (31 at Double-A, nine at Triple-A), Ruffin has a 2.00 ERA and an impressive 11.4 K/9 rate. He made his Major League debut on July 25 and has thus far allowed two earned runs and recorded three strikeouts in 3 2/3 innings of work with Detroit. Churchill describes Ruffin as being a late-inning reliever, but he is "not sure [Ruffin] has true closer stuff."

Tigers Designate David Purcey For Assignment

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | August 2, 2011 at 2:38pm CDT

The Tigers announced on Twitter that they have designated David Purcey for assignment. The move will create roster space for newly-acquired reliever David Pauley.

It's the second time this season that Purcey has been designated for assignment. The Blue Jays cut him in April, then sent him to the Athletics for Danny Farquhar. The next month, the Tigers acquired Purcey, sending Scott Sizemore to the A's.

In total, the 29-year-old has a 5.61 ERA with 5.9 K/9 and 7.2 BB/9 in 33 2/3 innings this year. Last year, he posted a career-best 3.71 ERA with 8.5 K/9 and 4.0 BB/9 in 34 innings out of Toronto's 'pen.

Trade Reaction: Ubaldo, Rangers, Furcal, Mariners

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | July 31, 2011 at 9:30pm CDT

We've seen dozens of deals completed this month. To help you make sense of it all, here are some reactions to the moves from around MLB…

Yahoo's Jeff Passan breaks down the deadline for all 30 teams. The Astros might receive Passan's harshest criticism. Passan's response to this morning's Michael Bourn trade: "To send him to Atlanta without getting at least Mike Minor or Randall Delgado, let alone Julio Teheran or Arodys Vizcaino, shows a deep misunderstanding by GM Ed Wade of the proper way to rebuild." Ouch.
The Rangers, Phillies, Braves, Giants and Mets are winners for ESPN.com's Jayson Stark. The Yankees, Angels, Reds and Cubs are losers, Stark writes. The Astros face harsh criticism once again: "They're basically starting to shape themselves for 2015," one NL executive told Stark. "It's almost like they're doing an expansion team."
Brian Sabean (Giants), Jon Daniels (Rangers), Dan O'Dowd (Rockies) and Jed Hoyer (Padres) are among the general managers on Jim Bowden's list of top deadline deal-makers at ESPN.com.
In a separate piece, Passan looks back at flameout rates for pitching prospects and concludes that the Indians made a great deal in acquiring Ubaldo Jimenez for a package of players including Drew Pomeranz and Alex White.
One front office polled its members about winners and losers and the Rangers were the unanimous top choice, according to ESPN.com's Buster Olney (on Twitter).
ESPN.com's Keith Law says Rafael Furcal is an upgrade for the Cardinals at short because St. Louis didn't have any legitimate alternatives. Furcal, Law writes, is an average defender with a plus arm.
The Mariners did well to acquire Charlie Furbush, Francisco Martinez, Casper Wells and one of the Tigers' top three picks from the 2010 draft for David Pauley and Doug Fister, who benefit from spacious Safeco Field, Law writes.
Law says the Mariners did well to obtain Trayvon Robinson for two months of Erik Bedard and Josh Fields ("a throw-in"), but he isn't sure what the Dodgers were doing in this deal.
The Rangers' bullpen will be substantially better with Mike Adams and Koji Uehara, Law writes at ESPN.com. San Diego gets Robbie Erlin and Joe Wieland from the Rangers, two pitchers who "make up in probability for what they might lack in upside."

AL Central Trades

By Zachary Links | July 31, 2011 at 8:30pm CDT

Here are this month's trades in the AL Central, headlined by the deal that brought Ubaldo Jimenez to the Indians..

Indians

Acquired outfield prospect Thomas Neal from the Indians for shortstop Orlando Cabrera.
Acquired Ubaldo Jimenez from the Rockies for Joe Gardner, Alex White, Matt McBride and a player to be named later. The deal is expected to include left-hander Drew Pomeranz once he's eligible to be traded in mid-August.
Acquired right fielder Kosuke Fukudome and about $3.9MM from the Cubs for minor leaguer outfielder Abner Abreu and reliever Carlton Smith.

Royals

Acquired infielder/outfielder Yamaico Navarro and reliever Kendal Volz from the Red Sox for infielder Mike Aviles.
Acquired prospects Antonio Cruz and Julio Rodriguez from the Tigers for Wilson Betemit.

Tigers

Acquired starter Doug Fister and reliever David Pauley from the Mariners for third baseman Francisco Martinez, outfielder Casper Wells, southpaw Charlie Furbush, and a player to be named later. The PTBNL is reportedly one of the Tigers' top three picks from the 2010 draft, meaning that it's either Nick Castellanos, Chance Ruffin, or Drew Smyly.
Acquired Wilson Betemit from the Royals for prospects Antonio Cruz and Julio Rodriguez.

Twins

The Twins didn't complete any of the deals they discussed.

White Sox

Acquired reliever Jason Frasor and starter Zach Stewart from the Blue Jays for starter Edwin Jackson and third baseman Mark Teahen.

AL Central Notes: Hunter, Thornton, Rauch, Indians

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | July 31, 2011 at 7:30pm CDT

The American League Central welcomed a handful of new players this week – most notably right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez. Yet many other trades didn't materialize. Here are the details on some deals that could have impacted the division…

The Tigers tried to acquire Tommy Hunter from the Rangers before the Orioles obtained him in the Koji Uehara deal yesterday, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (on Twitter). The Tigers did acquire Doug Fister for their rotation.
The Brewers called on every good left-handed relief option out there, including White Sox southpaw Matt Thornton, according to Adam McCalvy of MLB.com (on Twitter).
The Twins talked to the Blue Jays about re-acquiring Jon Rauch, but talks went nowhere, according to Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.
The Indians discussed as many as 75 players leading up to the deadline, according to MLB.com's Jordan Bastian (on Twitter).

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