Tigers Rumors

Odds & Ends: Twins, Astros, Magglio

By Eddie Schmid | August 29, 2009 at 11:37am CDT

Some links for the morning:

Richard Justice at the Houston Chronicle has a laundry list of ways to make the Astros a more interesting team, including making Jeff Bagwell the manager for the rest of the season.
Bob Dutton at the Kansas City Star says sources have confirmed discussions involving an extension for GM Dayton Moore, but they caution that nothing is imminent just yet.
Kelly Thesier at MLB.com gets Twins anchor Joe Nathan's take on the team's recent flurry of moves.
With the recent claims on Rich Harden and Aaron Heilman, Toni Ginnetti at the Chicago Sun-Times gives a rundown of the decisions ahead for Cubs GM Jim Hendry.
The Tigers have a decision to make on the future of Magglio Ordonez, whose 2010 option vests with just around 50 more plate appearances this year. Tom Gage at the Detroit News says that it appears the team will let the $18MM option exercise itself, and discusses the ramifications and reasoning.
George Steinbrenner is on the verge of being sued by one Bob Gutkowski, who claims he came up with the idea for the YES Network, reports Richard Sandomir at the New York Times.

Odds And Ends: Perez, Greinke, Matsui, Magglio

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | August 26, 2009 at 3:41pm CDT

More links as another Met hits the shelf…

Oliver Perez will have season-ending surgery and, as Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post points out, the Mets now have about $100MM sitting on the DL.
Zack Greinke makes $100k if he wins the Cy Young Award. Sam Mellinger of the Kansas City Star thinks Greinke deserves it, but doesn't expect him to win it, so he suggests the rest of the Royals chip in to make sure their ace gets rewarded for his big year.
Magglio Ordonez keeps picking up the plate appearances and he's now just 59 away from assuring himself an $18MM payday in 2010. His option should vest sometime next month.
Hideki Matsui tells Newsday's Ken Davidoff that he'd consider playing with Ichiro. Davidoff suggests the White Sox and A's are possible fits for Matsui when he becomes a free agent after the season.
Be sure to become a fan of MLBTR on Facebook, where we're discussing Billy Wagner's future. If you don't already follow us on Twitter, you can start by clicking here.

Olney On The Market For Billy Wagner

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | August 26, 2009 at 11:53am CDT

If he finishes the season well, Billy Wagner could see multi-year offers as a free agent after the season, writes ESPN.com's Buster Olney. If, as expected, Wagner becomes a Type A free agent, teams would have to surrender a draft pick to sign him, but a mid-nineties fastball and high-leverage success could be enough to attract teams regardless. Of course, there's a chance Wagner pitches to mixed results with the Red Sox. If that's the case, he could become this year's Juan Cruz and see limited interest because of his Type A status.

Olney breaks down possible suitors in depth and finds that the Tigers, White Sox, Cubs, Brewers, Orioles and Braves could have some interest in closers this offseason. However, Wagner is one of many in a deep class of closers that includes Trevor Hoffman and Jose Valverde.

One talent evaluator suggested the Red Sox could keep Wagner as their closer while Daniel Bard continues to develop. This would enable them to trade Jonathan Papelbon. Two other evaluators believe teams will be willing to forfeit a draft pick to sign Wagner.

Odds and Ends: Garland, Ordonez, Pettite, Peavy

By Brian Shephard | August 24, 2009 at 10:27pm CDT

Links from around the league on a slow Monday night…

Keith Law of ESPN says that the Rockies should consider picking up Jon Garland.
In the Detroit Free Press, Jamie Samuelsen argues that the Tigers should keep Magglio Ordonez in the lineup to maintain credibility with future free agents.
When asked whether Andy Pettitte will be brought back by the Yankees next year, ESPN's Buster Olney writes that "given how he's throwing, I'm sure it will happen."
And the White Sox's new acquisition, Jake Peavy, could start on Saturday against CC Sabathia and the Yankees, writes Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune.

Orioles Claim Chris Lambert From Tigers

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | August 20, 2009 at 12:32pm CDT

Via Twitter, MLB.com's Jason Beck notes that the Orioles claimed Tigers minor leaguer Chris Lambert off of waivers. The Tigers designated Lambert for assignment to make room for top pick Jacob Turner on the 40-man roster.

Lambert, a 26-year-old righty, allowed 121 hits and 31 walks in 126.2 innings at Triple A Toledo, striking out 106. His major league ERA this year is 14.85 in just two appearances, but his minor league ERA is a quarter of that.

Odds And Ends: Gordon, Crow, Ordonez, Tate

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | August 19, 2009 at 9:32am CDT

Links for Wednesday…

Sam Mellinger of the Kansas City Star says the Royals' decision to demote Alex Gordon has more to do with performance than service time.
Drew Sharp of the Detroit Free Press says the Tigers had better win, especially since they'll be stuck paying Magglio Ordonez $18MM next year, "barring an influx of common sense."
Mark Zeigler of the San Diego Union-Tribune says Donavan Tate was eager and respectful throughout his first visit to Petco Park.
Doug Tucker of the Associated Press reports that the Royals hope to start talking contract with top pick Aaron Crow now that they've seen what other first rounders signed for. Monday's deadline did not apply to Crow because he played independent ball this year.

Smoltz “Probably Not” A Fit In Detroit

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | August 18, 2009 at 1:11pm CDT

More than two decades ago, before Rick Porcello was born, the Tigers traded John Smoltz to the Braves for Doyle Alexander. Now that he's free to join any team, could Smoltz return to the club that drafted him? Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski tells Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports that it doesn't seem likely.

"It's probably not a fit for us," Dombrowski said. "But we could still sit down and talk about it."

Dombrowski likes his bullpen and expects Jeremy Bonderman to fortify it when he returns from a minor league rehab assignment, so the GM doesn't feel an urgent need to add arms.

Signing Deadline Roundup: Ackley, Turner

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | August 18, 2009 at 12:54pm CDT

Some more links in the aftermath of yesterday's deadline to sign draft picks…

Sam Mellinger of the Kansas City Star explains in detail that the MLB draft is broken. It certainly seems like things will change after next year, when the CBA expires.
Ryan Divish of the Tacoma News Tribune reports that Dustin Ackley says he'd like to play outfield.
Click here to read what Divish did as he awaited word on the Ackley signing last night.
MLB.com's Jason Beck reports that the Tigers designated minor leaguer Chris Lambert for assignment, presumably to make room for top pick Jacob Turner on the 40-man roster.
The Astros had a much more relaxing evening than most teams last night, as Jose de Jesus Ortiz of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Tigers Sign Jacob Turner

By Mike Axisa | August 17, 2009 at 9:57pm CDT

9:57pm: Baseball America's Jim Callis says it's a Major League deal with a guaranteed value of $5.5MM and the potential to reach $7MM. Callis says the net present value is around $5MM; spreading it out is the main advantage the club gets from a Major League deal.

9:49pm: According to ESPN's Keith Law, the Tigers have signed first round pick Jacob Turner to a $5.5MM bonus, which is considerably over slot. The ninth overall pick "had the fastest arm and best fastball of any high school pitcher in this draft," and could develop into a number one starter down the road according to KLaw.

Tigers Sign Second Rounder Andy Oliver

By Mike Axisa | August 17, 2009 at 9:44pm CDT

ESPN.com's Keith Law reports that the Tigers have signed second rounder Andy Oliver to $1.495MM bonus. He notes that his "best attributes are his left-handedness and his plus fastball," but that he's struggled with a breaking ball. He coud develop into a number two or three starter with help from the club's player development staff.

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