Headlines

Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Tigers Rumors

Sheffield Clears Waivers

By | at

THURSDAY: Unsurprisingly, Sheffield cleared waivers today.

WEDNESDAY: Sheffield’s agent noted that he has not asked for a trade, but might be willing to waive his no-trade clause under the right conditions (perhaps the chance to play the outfield every day).  Sheffield is expected to clear waivers tomorrow afternoon.  It’s often been said that Sheff thrives on controversy, and he bashed two home runs last night.

TUESDAY: According to ESPN’s Jayson Stark, the Tigers placed Gary Sheffield on waivers today. Sheffield recently expressed displeasure with his playing time.  The 39 year-old DH is hitting .219/.321/.371 in 278 plate appearances this year while dealing with oblique and shoulder woes.  Peter Gammons recently wrote that the Tigers shopped Sheffield to the Rays but they had no interest.

Sheffield is owed an additional $3.8MM this year plus $14MM in ’09.  He also has a limited no-trade clause.  His last good full month was July of ’07.  A waiver claim on Sheffield seems unlikely.  If a contender needs a DH, why not pursue Aubrey Huff instead?

Odds and Ends: Heyman, Vidro, Glavine, Falkenborg

By | at

Let’s round up today’s links.

Waiver Trade Possibilities For Red Sox, Rays

By | at

The Red Sox, three games behind the Rays in the standings, have the advantage when it comes to waiver claims.  Both teams are dealing with injured third basemen for the next few weeks, and may choose to bring in some veteran assistance. 

Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe names four players who may be of interest to the Red Sox and Rays: Rich Aurilia, Mark Loretta, Gary Sheffield, and Kevin Millar.

Even after he clears waivers, a deal for Sheffield seems unlikely.  The Rays have already expressed their disinterest.  Sheffield doesn’t expect a deal, noting that he’s been put on waivers many times. Cafardo says the Rays do have interest in Aurilia, while the other names are speculation for both teams.

Heyman’s Latest: Washburn, Cashman, Garcia, Lofton

By | at

SI.com’s Jon Heyman checks in with a new column.

  • Jarrod Washburn reportedly cleared waivers, though Heyman’s use of the word "reportedly" makes me think the statement came from one of the shaky reports floating about.  We’ll wait for definitive word on that one.
  • Heyman’s sources say the Yankees plan to offer a new contract to GM Brian Cashman after the season.  Hank Steinbrenner has apparently warmed to Cashman.  Additionally, "club higherups" expect Cashman will want to stay rather than jump to the Seattle job.
  • Heyman loves the Freddy Garcia acquisition; he wonders if Garcia will be motivated by Ozzie Guillen’s comments.  The White Sox weren’t interested; Guillen doesn’t think Garcia will be ready for the playoffs.  There’s a chance Garcia could return to the Tigers in ’09.
  • Heyman says it was a 2-2 vote whether to keep Manny Ramirez in Boston – Theo Epstein and Tom Werner advocating a trade, and Larry Lucchino and John Henry preferring to keep him.  Henry changed his mind and the deal was made.  Lucchino recently denied Heyman’s speculation that he might leave after the season.
  • The Rays made an offer to Kenny Lofton in spring and even gave Barry Bonds consideration.  But now a signing of either is "highly unlikely."  Giants GM Brian Sabean thinks the Rays should sign Bonds.
  • Heyman continues to speculate that Jim Bowden could be fired.
  • One GM expects the Padres to pick up Brian Giles’ $9MM option for ’09.  It’s an easy decision since it has a $3MM buyout.  However, Peter Gammons says it will be declined.

Tigers To Sign Freddy Garcia

By | at

According to Jon Heyman of SI.com, Freddy Garcia agreed to a minor league contract with the Tigers.  The Tigers hope to have him in the Majors by month’s end for a playoff drive.

The Tigers are eight games out in the AL Central and 9.5 out of the wild card, so their playoff chances hover around 2-4%.  But there’s not much downside to adding Garcia just in case.

Gammons’ Latest: Sheffield, Pujols

By | at

ESPN’s Peter Gammons has a new blog post up.

  • The Tigers called the Rays, shopping perpetually unhappy DH Gary Sheffield.  The Rays’ baseball people were not interested.
  • Albert Pujols’ elbow is barking a bit, but he expects to finish the season.  I wonder what a healthy Albert could do.
  • Gammons notes a failed waiver trade back in ’03.  The Cubs acquired Rafael Palmeiro, but Raffy nixed the deal when they wouldn’t add a year to his contract.

Freddy Garcia Rumors: Monday

By | at

Word was that Freddy Garcia hoped to sign by last weekend, so we have to assume it’ll happen soon.  Let’s get caught up on the rumors.

Odds And Ends: Guerrero, Sheffield, Wells, Lincecum

By | at

Here are a few tidbits from around the ’Net this morning.

  • Vlad Guerrero wants to spend the rest of his days with the Angels. The question is, will the Halos pony up for a deal for the slugger’s latter years? They hold a $15 million club option ($3 million buyout) for next year, Vlad’s age-33 season. Will they work out an extension this off-season, or will they let Future Vlad and Future Reagins figure it out after ’09?
  • Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe mentions a player who wouldn’t mind being traded: Gary Sheffield. The 39-year-old hasn’t enjoyed his time at DH, saying that he needs to play the field to be a vocal leader. A few obstacles stand in the way, including his limited no-trade clause, his chronically ailing shoulder, and the $19 million owed to him over the next two years. He’d easily clear waivers, though, and might have already. Tampa Bay, anyone?
  • The Rockies have DFA’d Kip Wells to make room for Livan Hernandez. Wells had a 5.27 ERA over 27.1 innings for the Rockies.
  • Looks like Tim Lincecum is content going with year to year contracts, according to his agent. The Giants have a monopoly on his services through the 2013 season.
  • With Carlos Lee likely out for the season, Richard Justice urges the Astros to sign Barry Bonds.
  • With the August 15th draftee signing deadling approaching, the Pirates have a major league deal on the table for first round pick Pedro Alvarez. 

At Least 15 Teams Watched Freddy Garcia

By | at

9:13pm: Additional teams confirmed in attendance: the Red Sox, Brewers, Cubs, Dodgers, Marlins, and White Sox.  Garcia’s agent says he’d like to sign by this weekend, and plans to sign only for ’08.  Troy Renck says the Rockies are a long shot now that they’ve added Livan Hernandez. 

WEDNESDAY, 9:28am: Surprisingly, the Phillies were in attendance at Garcia’s audition yesterday.  David Murphy finds the idea intriguing, but says the Phils don’t have major interest.  The Phillies traded Gavin Floyd to the White Sox for Garcia in December of ’06, but he only gave them 11 starts while earning $10MM.

Also confirmed at the audition: the Tigers, Yankees, Mets, Rays, Rockies, Astros, and Rangers.  MLB.com’s Alden Gonzalez thinks the Rangers might be the most interested party.

TUESDAY: Today’s the big day…free agent Freddy Garcia will audition for teams in Miami.  He’s recovering from labrum surgery.

We’ve compiled reports over the past few months.  Teams interested in Garcia at one point: the Mets, Red Sox, Braves, Yankees, White Sox, Rangers, Tigers, Rays, Astros, Cubs, Cardinals, Dodgers, Twins, Indians, Mariners, and Royals. That’s 16 of 30 teams, though the non-contenders may have dropped out.

Garcia’s friend and former manager Ozzie Guillen doubted the pitcher’s ability to contribute at the big league level this year.  Garcia was upset by the comments.

Odds and Ends: Livan, Maddux, Meredith, Fielder

By | at

Here are today’s links.

Show all

MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information

hide arrows scroll to top