Tigers Rumors

Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Rasmus, Tazawa, Manny

By Cork Gaines | September 12, 2008 at 12:10pm CDT

Let’s take a look at what is being written in the Blogosphere…

Cardinals Diaspora reads between the lines and feels the Cards will shop their top prospect, Colby Rasmus, this winter.
The Detroit Tigers Weblog would like to see the Tigers go after Japanese amateur pitcher Junichi Tazawa.
East Windup Chronicle looks at the Japanese free agent crop.
River Ave. Blues thinks the Yankees and Manny Ramirez would be a "perfect fit" despite those that say it won’t happen.
Drunk Jays Fans thinks the Mets should inquire with the Jays about the availability of B.J. Ryan.
Rays Index takes a look at the Rays’ ’09 roster and sees too many starting pitchers and not enough chairs, which could lead to one or two being traded this off-season.
McCovey Chronicles projects the Giants’ ’09 roster and sees all positions spoken for except possibly third base, but still wonders if Brian Sabean will feel the need to sign an impact free agent.
Lone Star Ball takes a look at the Rangers’ ’09 40-man roster.

Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com and can be reached here.

Tazawa Headed To MLB

By Tim Dierkes | September 11, 2008 at 11:51am CDT

As expected, amateur pitcher Junichi Tazawa has decided to forego Japanese baseball and sign with an MLB team. The Braves, Tigers, Red Sox, Pirates, Mets, and Yankees are thought to be in on him. Patrick Newman has a slew of links and videos on Tazawa here.

I am curious what NPB fans think of this development.

Molony’s Latest: K-Rod, Helms, Valverde

By Tim Dierkes | September 9, 2008 at 12:54pm CDT

Let’s dig into the latest blog post from MLB.com’s Jim Molony.

Molony believes the Mets, Cardinals, Rays, Tigers, Indians, and Cubs are considering signing Francisco Rodriguez this winter. I think K-Rod’s demands could cause a nice ripple effect for Brian Fuentes, the second-best closer on the market. Regarding Molony’s six teams, a strong case can be made against several of them signing Rodriguez. The Rays and Indians will probably take a careful approach to free agency, while the Tigers may not have room in the budget. The Cubs seem likely to bring Kerry Wood back.
Also on the topic of K-Rod, ESPN’s Andrew Marchand (via MetsBlog) quotes the pitcher’s agent naming the Cardinals, Tigers, Dodgers, Angels, and Mets as the five likely serious suitors. They’re looking for 5/75.
Wes Helms would like to return to the Marlins next year. Molony believes the Marlins may want to retain Helms or Luis Gonzalez but perhaps not both.
The Astros would prefer an extension for closer Jose Valverde rather than a likely eight figure arbitration reward. Valverde, 29, could reasonably demand more than $50MM in a multiyear extension.

Odds and Ends: Alvarez, Orioles, K-Rod, Bradley

By Cork Gaines | September 8, 2008 at 5:09pm CDT

A few more notes from the MLBiverse…

Dejan Kovacevic is reporting the Pedro Alvarez case may not be settled until well after the season. While there is a hearing scheduled for Wednesday, some feel that the case is too complex for a single hearing.
P eter Schmuck feels the O’s will sign a "couple of Paul Byrd-type pitchers," rather than open the pocketbook for a front-of-the-rotation starter.
It is just speculation, but Nick Cafardo feels the Tigers and Cardinals will be the front-runners for Francisco Rodriguez…Of course this was written prior to the news that Billy Wagner will be out for the ’09 season.
Manager Ron Washington said he wants Milton Bradley back with the Rangers in ’09, adding that he is not worried about having too many outfielders.
Peter Abraham says the trades made by the Yankees prior to the deadline have backfired, with only Xavier Nady proving to be a valuable pickup.
The Phillies have designated RJ Swindle for assignment to open a spot on the 40-man roster. Swindle made three appearances for the Phillies earlier this season. In Triple A, Swindle had 51 strikeouts in 36.1 innings, with a 1.98 ERA in 27 appearances.
Athletics Nation takes a look at the outfield logjam the A’s have for ’09. While a trade or two seems like the obvious solution, Athletics Nation is worried the pieces are currently undervalued.

Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com and can be reached here.

Tigers Offseason Plans

By Nat Boyle | September 7, 2008 at 9:41am CDT

John Paul Morosi discusses the Tigers’ potential plans for the offseason. They spent roughly $134MM on a fourth place team this season and project at another $130MM next year assuming no free agent signings or extensions. According to Morosi,the Tigers can sustain $110MM payroll based on revenue alone. Owner Mike Ilitch already approved a $40MM payroll increase to make this year’s team, so can they possibly go any higher? It doesn’t seem likely.

Still, Morosi notes that Ilitch wants a World Series and the Tigers need pitching to get it. After Justin Verlander and Armando Galarraga, the Tigers have tied up $29.5MM in 2009 and $34.5 million in 2010 in Jeremy Bonderman, Dontrelle Willis, and Nate Robertson, none of whom are guarantees to even make the rotation out of spring training. Considering how little these long term signings have contributed, Morosi wonders if spending on more pitching is the best solution.

One expected cost cutting measure would be to decline Edgar Renteria’s $9MM option and try to sign him for less. If they can’t, why not give Ramon Santiago a shot? That’s a start.

Odds and Ends: Eaton, Tazawa, Royals, Jays

By Tim Dierkes | September 2, 2008 at 8:58am CDT

Today’s links…

SI.com’s Tom Verducci ranks the five best midseason deals of the past 25 years.
Peter Abraham thinks the Yankees should stick with Robinson Cano.
Pat Gillick says there’s a slight chance the Phils acquire a reliever this month. He was not able to acquire Kyle Farnsworth in August.
MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan doesn’t put much stock in the rumor that Nolan Ryan will clean house in Texas.
Phillies GM Pat Gillick admitted signing Adam Eaton was a mistake. Many MLBTR readers thought so when the signing was finalized in November of ’06.
The Red Sox hope to sign a Japanese amateur pitcher named Junichi Tazawa, which may not go over well with Nippon Professional Baseball.
Gil Meche, Joakim Soria, and Zack Greinke are pretty much off-limits. Most other Royals are fair game in trade discussions. GM Dayton Moore intends to make changes this winter, and may also dive back into the free agent market.
The Blue Jays have $15MM to spend, with needs at shortstop, first base/DH, and catcher. GM J.P. Ricciardi would prefer to fill those holes internally. Shysterball wonders why Ricciardi is talking about next year.
Michael Rosenberg says Ivan Rodriguez is all about the money.

Todd Jones’ Tigers Career May Be Over

By Tim Dierkes | August 28, 2008 at 12:07pm CDT

According to John Lowe of the Detroit Free Press, Todd Jones may have thrown his last pitch for the Tigers. The 40 year-old is on the DL with shoulder inflammation and tendinitis, and manager Jim Leyland doesn’t expect him back before the end of the season.

Jones is a free agent this winter. He earned $7MM for 41.2 innings of 4.97 ball, walking more batters than he struck out. Despite the poor season he’ll surely find interest on the market.

Odds and Ends: Ricciardi, Guardado, Alvarez

By Tim Dierkes | August 26, 2008 at 11:26am CDT

Let’s round ’em up…

Chat today, 2pm CST.
Richard Griffin of the Toronto Star tries to view J.P. Ricciardi’s tenure from both sides. Drunk Jays Fans gives their take on the article.
Aaron Gleeman takes a closer look at Eddie Guardado, while Jamey Newberg tells us about Mark Hamburger.
Inspired by Nelson Cruz’s excellent ’08 MLB debut, Rob Neyer and Sam Mellinger discuss cheap talent and "4A" players. Do Jeff Bailey, Mike Hessman, Joe Koshansky, Scott McClain, Terry Tiffee, and Josh Whitesell fit the bill? It’s always fun when these guys get a legitimate shot.
The Pirates are getting frustrated with Scott Boras’ games regarding Pedro Alvarez – he’s signed, so let him take his physical already. Is Boras anti-winter ball for some reason? Speaking of Alvarez, Matt Bandi strikes back at Bob Smizik for his article regarding the scoop on the signing.
If the Padres have the #1 overall pick next June, will they pass on Boras-repped phenom Stephen Strasburg due to signability?
Andrew Baggarly wonders if the Giants should sign Mark Mulder this winter.
Ken Rosenthal examines the Yankees’ upcoming offseason challenges. River Ave. Blues responds to the piece.
Tigers reliever Francis Beltran was designated for assignment after 13 innings. The 28 year-old had been hittable in Triple A as well.

Kenny Rogers, Others Placed On Waivers

By Tim Dierkes | August 26, 2008 at 8:45am CDT

TUESDAY: Jon Paul Morosi of the Detroit Free Press says Rogers and other Tigers were placed on waivers Friday. So we’ll know today who cleared and who was claimed. Rogers could make sense for a contender like the Mets. Buster Olney doesn’t seem him getting that far – he guesses the Yankees or Red Sox.

MONDAY: According to Tom Gage of The Detroit News, it may be the end of the line for Tigers lefty Kenny Rogers. The 43 year-old has a 5.09 ERA in 161 innings, and his walk rate continues to climb after last year’s jump. He’s owed another $1.58MM this year, plus up to $2MM more in deferred bonus money. Paul Byrd and Greg Maddux cleared waivers; Rogers probably would as well. Even if the Tigers don’t move him this month, they don’t seem likely to re-sign him next year.

Baseball Prospectus assigns the Tigers playoff chances at less than 0.2%. It’s time to focus on 2009. Peter Gammons suggested the Tigers might trim payroll from the current $137MM range to $100MM. Problem is, they’ve already got more than $101MM tied up in current players and will be looking for help at shortstop and in the rotation.

Week in Review: 8/17 – 8/23

By Steve Adams | August 24, 2008 at 5:32pm CDT

Another week in the books, and we keep seeing big names moved after the July 31 non-waiver deadline. Let’s look back on the past week:

The Dodgers acquired Greg Maddux from the Padres for two minor league players to be named later. Nice acquisition to bolster their rotation, and does anyone want to place bets on how excited 20-year-old Clayton Kershaw is to get tips from Maddux every day for the rest of the season?
The Pirates are exploring the idea of trading Jack Wilson this offseason more and more. Given the slim free agent market for shortstops, he would likely gather a lot of interest.
Nate Robertson’s struggles this season have lost him his spot in the rotation, but have they also lost him a spot with the Tigers after 2008?
Orlando Hernandez needs surgery on his foot, and that could likely mean that El Duque’s career would be over.
Lots of speculation lately about where Ben Sheets is going to land after 2008. And while there’s no way to tell right now, Roy Oswalt and Lance Berkman have stepped up and said they would like the Astros front office to go out and sign him in the offseason.
A lot of minor-league deals signed this week: Kip Wells signed with Kansas City, the Mets added Al Reyes, the Astros signed Jose Castillo, the Red Sox signed Dave Ross, and the Braves took a flyer on Rodrigo Lopez following his Tommy John surgery last year. The Jays made a trade to acquire Jose Bautista for a PTBNL as well.
The Rangers would like Milton Bradley back in 2009, and the feeling is mutual, though negotiations will wait until after the season. Similarly, Frank Thomas would prefer to stay with the A’s in 2009.
Eric Gagne, David Riske, and David Weathers all cleared waivers this week. The first two make sense to me, but given Weathers’ success this year, his affordable contract for the rest of the season, and all of the teams desperately seeking bullpen help, it seems strange that no one would place a claim on him. Here’s an updated list of all the players who have been confirmed to have cleared waivers this year.

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