Tigers Rumors

Odds and Ends: Rule 5, Beltre, Schmidt, Bako

By Tim Dierkes | December 11, 2008 at 7:00am CDT

Stray links I’ve collected over the past few days…

John Manuel and Jonathan Mayo get us ready for the Rule 5 draft. Manuel has a second post on it here.
Sarah Green looks at A.J. Burnett’s possible commutes.
LEN3 suggests the Twins might be part of Adrian Beltre’s limited no-trade clause.
K-Rod signing analysis from Dave Cameron, Jesse Spector, and Keith Law. Also check out the usual solid analysis over at Ken Davidoff’s blog.
Law also takes on the Edwin Jackson, Ramon Hernandez, J.J. Putz, and C.C. Sabathia moves.
The Red Sox are likely to non-tender Kevin Cash. Josh Bard is one free agent on their radar. Also, Tony Massarotti learned that the Red Sox are strongly opposed to opt-out clauses.
UmpBump found some C.C. Sabathia rumors we missed on Monday. Also, the Brewers’ offer to C.C. had unique clauses and two club options.
The Dodgers knew Jason Schmidt had a partial rotator cuff tear when they signed him.
Rany Jazayerli on recent Royals rumors, reliever and otherwise.
Bruce Miles says the Cubs have some interest in bringing Paul Bako back.
Jason Davis, Raul Chavez, and R.A. Dickey became free agents. Davis may be headed to Japan.
Nick Piecoro says Junior Spivey is looking for a job.
Much of the money saved from recent White Sox trades was repurposed for Dayan Viciedo.

Jack Wilson Rumors: Thursday

By Tim Dierkes | December 11, 2008 at 1:10am CDT

Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette writes about Jack Wilson:

Only the Minnesota Twins are known to be interested, but the Los Angeles Dodgers could come back if their bid to re-sign free agent Rafael Furcal falls short.

Ken Rosenthal chimes in that the Astros could become an option if they first overcome the "extremely slim" odds against trading Miguel Tejada. Kovacevic adds that in the Pirates’ final Wilson proposal to the Tigers a few days ago they sought shortstop prospect Danny Worth and one of the team’s top pitching prospects.

Edwin Jackson Traded For Matt Joyce

By Tim Dierkes | December 10, 2008 at 9:55pm CDT

11:06pm: Jon Paul Morosi says the swap has been finalized. The Tigers get Jackson for his three arb years, while the Rays get six years of Joyce. Joyce is a strong defensive right fielder who posted a fine rookie half-season.

9:55pm: Marc Topkin says the final details are being worked out in this trade. Bill Chastain’s Rays source says they don’t have a completed trade. The Rays would add an outfielder and save a few million with the deal.

8:43pm: According to Ed Price, the Tigers are set to acquire Edwin Jackson from the Rays for outfielder Matt Joyce.

Brian Fuentes Rumors: Wednesday

By Tim Dierkes | December 10, 2008 at 7:52pm CDT

7:52pm: Fuentes appears to be top priority for the Cardinals and manager Tony La Russa.

6:27pm: Ken Rosenthal has a source who expects Brian Fuentes to score a three-year, $33MM deal. That might be too pricey for the Cardinals, Brewers, and Tigers, leaving perhaps the Angels.

John Smoltz Rumors

By Tim Dierkes | December 10, 2008 at 6:56pm CDT

9:30pm: Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski confirmed interest in Smoltz.

6:56pm: MLB.com’s Jason Beck says at least seven teams have shown some level of interest in Smoltz.

4:04pm: Rosenthal says "the Braves are prepared to lose Smoltz if another team offers him a significant guarantee on a one-year deal."

2:53pm: Jerry Crasnick indicates Tom Glavine doesn’t have the same open-mindedness to other teams as Smoltz. For Glavine it’s probably the Braves or retirement. Glavine’s ahead of schedule in his rehab.

2:10pm: Nick Cafardo says Smoltz still prefers Atlanta but is also considering the Red Sox, Mets, and Tigers. The Tigers’ interest appears to be mutual, according to Jon Paul Morosi.

1:54pm: Sean McAdam says the Red Sox have had discussions with Smoltz’s agent. They’ve checked in on tons of free agents though, perhaps as a ruse.

WEDNESDAY, 11:43am: ESPN’s Peter Gammons says the Red Sox are one of the teams that received Smoltz’s medical info.

TUESDAY: Rosenthal says Smoltz’s agents are passing out medical info to teams. Rosenthal spoke to one GM who believed Smoltz might be willing to leave the Braves.

MONDAY: Since the Braves have yet to offer a contract to rehabbing pitcher John Smoltz, Ken Rosenthal wonders if other teams will jump in with bids. But rest easy, Braves fans. Everyone still expects Smoltz to re-sign with Atlanta.

Rangers Inquire On Sheffield

By Tim Dierkes | December 10, 2008 at 5:25pm CDT

5:25pm: Jon Paul Morosi confirms the interest from the Tigers side. He says the Tigers and Rangers have yet to have any serious trade talks about Sheffield. Also, it’s not clear whether the Rangers are covered in Sheffield’s no-trade clause. Morosi wonders whether the Rangers could try to take on Frank Catalanotto and the $6MM he has coming.

5:04pm: MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan talked to a Rangers official who said they would be willing to consider Sheffield if the Tigers want to give him away.

3:19pm: According to Gerry Fraley, the Rangers inquired with the Tigers on the availability of Gary Sheffield. The Tigers probably wouldn’t mind moving Sheff’s $14MM salary for ’09.

J.J. Putz Rumors: Wednesday

By Tim Dierkes | December 10, 2008 at 2:04pm CDT

2:04pm: Ken Rosenthal says the Cardinals offered Rick Ankiel and a prospect for Putz. The Tigers remain interested as well.

9:23am: According to Jon Paul Morosi of the Detroit Free Press, "the Tigers’ interest in acquiring closer J.J. Putz from Seattle appears stronger than ever." Morosi says the Mariners insist the Tigers include Jeff Larish and Matt Joyce in a deal. If the Ms acquire Larish and are convinced he can play third base, they may be motivated to shop Adrian Beltre. Morosi adds that Brewers and Cardinals have also inquired on Putz.

Brian Fuentes still seems too pricey for Detroit, and Kerry Wood is apparently off the board. Morosi says the Tigers have "mild interest" in Baltimore’s George Sherrill. Joe Beimel remains their top choice among lefty relievers, but the Tigers have yet to offer a contract.

Brian Fuentes Rumors: Tuesday

By Tim Dierkes | December 9, 2008 at 10:59pm CDT

10:59pm: Rosenthal says the Nationals are also in the mix for Fuentes. His source says they want to sign Mark Teixeira or Manny Ramirez, plus Fuentes. Nationals GM Jim Bowden said on November 12th, "We are not pursuing Manny Ramirez."

9:49pm: Rosenthal says the Cardinals, Angels, and Tigers are showing interest in Fuentes.

8:29pm: Doug Melvin said he met with the agents for Fuentes, Trevor Hoffman, and Kerry Wood today.

8:05pm: John Perrotto expects the Brewers to move to the front for Fuentes. I imagine they might try to sort out the Sabathia situation first.

5:46pm: According to Derrick Goold and Joe Strauss, the Cardinals have engaged in conversation with Brian Fuentes’ agents. With K-Rod setting a lower-than-expected ceiling to the closer market, Fuentes could enter the Cards’ price range. GM John Mozeliak said on 1380AM today that he’s yet to dig his heels in on Fuentes though. You have to wonder if the Tigers will take a serious look.

J.J. Putz Rumors: Tuesday

By Tim Dierkes | December 9, 2008 at 9:57pm CDT

9:57pm: The Mariners spoke with the Cardinals and Brewers today about Putz, though a Fielder for Putz deal never came up.

7:58pm: Doug Melvin didn’t reference Putz specifically, but he did tell reporters he did not find a match with the Mariners in trade talks.

6:02pm: From ESPN’s Steve Phillips:

The Mariners need a power hitter. The Brewers need a closer. There is speculation that the two teams are discussing a package involving Putz and Prince Fielder.

11:22am: Jon Paul Morosi of the Detroit Free Press says talks between the Ms and Tigers for Putz are ongoing.

11:04am: Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times says the Indians "are not really contenders" for Mariners closer J.J. Putz, as they’d prefer to sign a free agent. He notes lukewarm interest from St. Louis and believes the Tigers and Brewers are more serious. Baker questions whether the Tigers have the young players to get it done.

As for the Brewers, Baker speaks of a possible large multiplayer deal that’s "all just a concept for now."

Tigers Bullpen Rumors

By Tim Dierkes | December 9, 2008 at 9:15pm CDT

9:15pm: Jon Paul Morosi says Beimel still tops the Tigers’ list among lefties, but they’ve also expressed interest in John Parrish.

2:23pm: MLB.com’s Jason Beck says the Tigers talked to Joe Beimel’s agent at the Meetings. They intend to sort out their closer situation first though. The Reds also like Beimel.

2:28am: For roughly $4MM in ’09 salaries, the Tigers filled two needs Monday with defensive-minded pickups Gerald Laird and Adam Everett. Now Dave Dombrowski will set his sights on a closer.

Jon Paul Morosi maintains that the Tigers are most interested in J.J. Putz and Kerry Wood. It may come down to how they’d prefer to pay – in prospects or in dollars. Morosi notes that Marcus Thames, expected to earn $2MM+ in ’09, could be shipped out to save additional cash.

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