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Discussion: What Should The Tigers Do?

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With Carlos Guillen's season in jeopardy due to a disclosed shoulder injury, and the AL Central very much up for grabs, Rob Neyer wonders if the Tigers will now be motivated to trade for an impact hitter. Neyer notes Detroit's left field ranks 13th in the AL in OPS and their internal options are not the solution.

The Tigers are ready to deal and can add payroll, as reported earlier today by Drew Sharp. But do they need hitting or pitching?

Mario Impemba, the Tigers play-by-play announcer thinks the Tigers "have some hard decisions to make in the upcoming weeks or so and I think they'll make them," reports James Schmehl of MLive.com.

It wouldn't be unconscionable to see Dontrelle Willis be released, and for the Tigers to devour his $10MM owed in '09 and $12MM in '10. Armando Galarraga continues to get hit hard. Impemba also notes Rick Porcello's arm needs to be protected and the youngster can't be relied on to throw 200 innings. Yet Impemba feels the Tigers won't win if Miguel Cabrera, Placido Polanco, and Magglio Ordonez don't meet expectations.

It seems logical to slot Zach Miner into the rotation for Willis or Galarraga, but what else can the team do? If a left field power bat is what they need, and they're willing to expand payroll, could Matt Holliday (if available) be a realistic option? Brad Hawpe? Or do they need pitching more? The Tigers are currently in first place, three games up on the Twins in the AL Central.

Tigers Ready To Deal, Can Add Payroll

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The Tigers averaged 11,000 more fans per game last year, but their owner is prepared to add payroll to keep his team in first place, according to Drew Sharp of the Detroit Free Press. Tigers owner Mike Ilitch told GM Dave Dombrowski to do whatever it takes to improve the team, even if it means adding salary.

"What are we going to do? There are a lot of things we can do," Ilitch said. "We're going to try to improve one way or the other."

The Tigers could improve in a number of ways. Dontrelle Willis has not pitched well enough to deserve his rotation spot, and with Carlos Guillen out for at least a month, Detroit's offense isn't at full strength either.

Odds And Ends: Harper, Pirates, Hanley

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Some links for Tuesday morning…

Minor League Transactions

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Baseball America released this week's set of minor league transactions, and there was plenty of interesting movement. Let's break it down.

  • The Indians signed reliever Mike Gosling to a minor league pact. The Twins released Gosling earlier this month. He last pitched in the big leagues for the Reds in 2007.
  • The Tigers released Jason Tyner. You probably remember that the Brewers traded Tyner to the Tigers back in April for literally nothing.
  • Marlins youngster Cameron Maybin was suspended for "aggressively arguing a call and bumping an umpire."
  • The Astros removed Geoff Geary from the 40-man roster and outrighted him to Triple-A.
  • The Angels signed former Orioles wunderkind Val Majewski to a minor league pact.
  • Chris Burke was granted free agency by the Padres. He fashioned just a .207-.270-.305 batting line in 89 plate appearances this season.
  • The Giants released Jesse Foppert, who was once the best pitching prospect in the game. He hasn't pitched in the majors since 2005.

Odds And Ends: Crow, Willis, Bay

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More links for the afternoon…

  • Aaron Crow, the Royals' first round draft pick, told MLB.com's Rustin Dodd that this year, he's focused on completing a deal and beginning to play. Last year, he was drafted by the Nationals, but didn't sign.
  • Mike Hazen, the Red Sox Director of Player Personnel, told CMSB Media that the team has already begun working on the 2010 draft. Click the link to hear the entire interview. 
  • The most intriguing name in next year's draft class could be Bryce Harper. Sam Mellinger of the Kansas City Star says Harper should finish high school early if his "dream is to play pro ball, not flirt in homeroom."
  • Charley Walters of the St. Paul Pioneer Press would like to see the Twins try to acquire Robb Quinlan from the Angels.
  • Steve Kornacki of MLive.com wonders whether the Tigers would release Dontrelle Willis and eat the remainder of this year's $10MM contract, plus the $12MM he's owed in 2010.
  • Brett Perryman of the Dallas Morning News says the Rangers' number one priority should be to prepare players within the organization to carry the Rangers to the playoffs in "2010 and on."
  • ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick says it's hard to imagine Jason Bay signing for less than $60MM over four years or $70MM over five.
  • Jeff Gordon includes Reggie Jackson, Orlando Hudson and David Ortiz on his list of the best ever free agent bargains at AskMen.com.
  • Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel wonders what the Brewers will do with the slumping J.J. Hardy. 
  • MLB.com's Brian McTaggart reports that the Astros have signed 22 of the players they drafted, including their second rounder, Tanner Bushue.
  • MLB.com's Mark Sheldon has a corresponding list for the Reds, who also signed their second rounder.

Odds & Ends: Donald, DeRosa, Tigers, Boras

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Three years ago today the Diamondbacks cut ties with righthander Russ Ortiz. With $22MM remaining on the four year, $33MM deal he signed before the 2005 season, Ortiz became the highest paid player ever to be released by a Major League team.

On to the links…

  • Despite his knee injury, Jason Donald remains one of the Phillies' best trade chips according to Scott Lauber.
  • Derrick Goold writes that Mark DeRosa's trade value is rising with the team's recent hot streak.
  • The Detroit Free Press polled it's readers, and 32.7% want to see the Tigers trade for a bullpen arm to stay in contention.
  • Bill Shaikin writes about master negotiator Scott Boras and his affect on the draft.
  • Kurt Streeter reports that 36-year-old Jose Lima is still hoping to make it back to the big leagues. Lima Time is currently 1-1 with a 3.16 ERA for the independent Long Beach Armada, and last pitched in the big leagues for the Mets in 2006.
  • ESPN's Jorge Arangure tweets that the Padres are targetting Dominican outfielder Jose Alberta Pena.
  • Miami linebacker Glenn Cook was surprised when the Cubs drafted him in the 48th round because he hasn't played baseball in six years.

Morosi’s Latest: Orioles, Cardinals, Rangers

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FoxSports.com's Jon Paul Morosi writes that with the Orioles buried in fifth place in the AL East, look for the team to start moving some of their veterans. Morosi cites an "industry executive" who says that several teams have called about Aubrey Huff and Luke Scott, both lefthanded bats with some thump. He suggests that the Reds, Tigers, Giants and Braves could match up in a deal, noting that the Tigers pursued both Huff and Scott three years ago.

Here's the rest of Morosi's rumors:

  • Triple-A outfielder Wilkin Ramirez is one of Detroit's best trade chips.
  • Morosi echoes reports that the Cardinals are looking for a bat.
  • One scout says that Miguel Tejada's defense has been better than most give him credit for. I can't imagine that will play a big role in determining his trade value, though.
  • Texas is looking for an upgrade for their rotation, and would likely be in on Cliff Lee and Roy Oswalt if they are made available.
  • It's increasingly unlikely that the Red Sox will make a move for a shortstop with Nick Green holding his own and Jed Lowrie close to returning from a wrist injury.

Draft Roundup: Late Picks, Strasburg, Purke

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Time to pass along some more links, including some noteworthy selections late in the draft…

Rosenthal On Spilborghs, Peavy, Aybar

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Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports hears that teams began calling the Rockies about Ryan Spilborghs last week when Carlos Gonzalez was called up. Here are the details from Rosenthal's column:

  • The Phillies, Red Sox and Tigers were among the teams inquiring about Spilborghs. 
  • The Rockies will likely take their time fielding offers for Spilborghs and their other trade candidates. Jason Marquis, Huston Street and Brad Hawpe could all be dealt, but the Rockies aren't in a hurry to part with them.
  • Rosenthal finds it hard to imagine the Padres trading Jake Peavy before the offseason unless the Cubs get permission to take on his contract or a surprise bidder emerges.
  • The Angels could trade Erick Aybar for a bat or a reliever and make Brandon Wood their everyday shortstop. The Red Sox, Mets, Royals and Cardinals could use help at short.
  • The A's, riding a seven game win streak, are not involved in any trade talks right now.  
  • The Angels would love to deal Gary Matthews Jr. for another overpaid player, but it's tough to match up bad contracts.  
  • The Mets made a "blunder" when they paid $36MM for Oliver Perez when they could have gone after, Randy Wolf, who's only guaranteed $5MM.

Draft Updates: Braves, Reds, Tigers

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The draft's a week away and here's what some teams are thinking as the big day approaches.

  • The Braves will take the best available player with their seventh overall pick, according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com. It's the earliest pick they've had since 1991, but they'll have to wait until 87th for their next turn. Zack Wheeler, a Georgia high school pitcher, could be available when the Braves select.
  • MLB.com's Mark Sheldon reports that the Reds would like to add catching depth and left-handed pitching in the draft, which they say could be deepest in rounds 2-6. Cincinnati has the eighth pick of the first round, when high school lefty Tyler Matzek could be available.
  • As MLB.com's Jason Beck reports, the Tigers are looking for pitching with the ninth pick. Pitchers Jacob Turner and Shelby Miller have caught the Tigers' attention.
  • MLB.com's Thomas Harding points out that no one on the current Rockies roster was drafted in the last three years. This time around, they'll draft 11th.
  • The Royals say they'll take the best available player with the 12th pick, according to MLB.com's Dick Kaegel. This is the first time in four years that the Royals don't have a top-three pick.
  • MLB.com's Mychael Urban reports that the A's agree with many teams: this year's first round is littered with power arms. The A's don't know what options they'll have with their 13th pick, however.
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