Tigers Rumors

Today’s Non-tenders

By Tim Dierkes | December 12, 2007 at 4:48pm CDT

As you know, the non-tender deadline is tonight. I’ve got my list of candidates right here. In this post, I’ll note all those who are officially non-tendered and hence become free agents.

The Royals cut the cord on Emil Brown. He turns 33 soon; he hit an ugly .257/.300/.347 in 2007. Brown earned $3.45MM in ’07.
The Tigers non-tendered Chad Durbin, toss him into the free agent pool. Guess those trade talks with the Bucs didn’t work out.

Indians Rumors: Haren, Blanton, Bedard, Inge

By Tim Dierkes | December 12, 2007 at 10:21am CDT

Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer gets the Indians rumor mill churning.

As we mentioned earlier today, the Indians have spoken to the A’s about Dan Haren and Joe Blanton. They’ve also inquired on Erik Bedard. The Tribe is quietly looking to pair C.C. Sabathia with another ace. Such an acquisition would soften the blow if Sabathia leaves after the ’08 season. Hoynes says a Haren acquisition might require one player from the Indians’ 25-man roster plus at least one near MLB-ready guy.
The Tribe had brief talks with Detroit about Brandon Inge, but they’ve moved on. Doesn’t seem to be much interest in Inge.
Cliff Lee and Kelly Shoppach weren’t part of the Jason Bay discussions. Instead, the Pirates were looking for a slew of the Indians’ best prospects. It seems the Bay talks have since cooled.

Odds and Ends: Mench, Kent, Durbin, Wang

By Tim Dierkes | December 12, 2007 at 9:58am CDT

Rounding up this morning’s Odds and Ends, to be updated periodically…

The Pirates are talking to the Tigers about acquiring Chad Durbin. The arbitration-eligible Durbin doesn’t have a place in Detroit’s rotation, but could be useful for the Bucs.
Chien-Ming Wang would like a three or four-year deal with the Yanks.
The Phillies will pass on Kevin Mench, though they’ve still got their eye on Nate McLouth. The Royals’ disinterest in Mench was noted yesterday.
We’ve assumed it for a while, but Jeff Kent playing in 2008 is now official.
The Twins may have non-tendered Jason Tyner.

Willis Wants Extension With Tigers

By Tim Dierkes | December 12, 2007 at 9:14am CDT

Now that he’s on a club with the financial resources for it, Dontrelle Willis would like to talk contract extension. Willis is only 26 in January.

The model would apparently be Jeremy Bonderman’s four-year, $38MM deal. That deal was signed two years prior to Bonderman being eligible for free agency, as Willis is now. Add a little inflation and maybe it’s 4/40 or 4/42 for Willis. A few years from now that might be the going rate for a guy with a high-4’s ERA who can eat 200 innings. So even if Willis doesn’t bounce back the extension could be reasonable. If he does, it’s a bargain.

Odds and Ends: Inge, Greene, Pavano

By Tim Dierkes | December 11, 2007 at 11:03am CDT

A few tidbits this morning as we wait to hear more on Fukudome…

The Tigers and Pirates have had talks about Brandon Inge. Not sure how he fits in with that club, but OK.
Yesterday Barry Svrluga wrote of a failed Padres-Nats trade worth noting. The Nats would’ve sent Jon Rauch or Chad Cordero plus Felipe Lopez to the Padres for Khalil Greene. The talks fizzled; it never sounded like something the Padres would be interested in. They usually grow their own relievers. Tom Krasovic over at the San Diego Union-Tribune elaborates a little more on Jim Bowden’s love for Greene.
Carl Pavano, the American Idle, is deciding whether to take a minor league contract with the Yanks. Peter Abraham says the Yankees are offering this to make sure they can collect on insurance.
Xavier Nady will be tendered a contract, officially putting the rumors to rest.
The Brewers inked Eric Munson to be their possible backup catcher.

Youngman’s Latest: Tejada, Eckstein, Inge

By Tim Dierkes | December 10, 2007 at 4:20pm CDT

Randy Youngman of the OC Register has a few new rumor tidbits for us. Let’s discuss.

The Angels won’t include Jered Weaver in a Miguel Tejada trade. Youngman says the O’s asked for the moon as a way of gauging Tejada’s market value. Now they’ll get serious.
Both the Padres and Angels like David Eckstein as one-year possibilities, not that he’s open to that. The Halos actually have a bench role in mind for him, according to Youngman. The Padres, by the way, spoke to Eckstein’s agent today.
Youngman says the Dodgers have interest in Brandon Inge and Pedro Feliz. If that’s the case, they should really go with internal options. Jayson Stark said three days ago that the Dodgers would pass on Inge.
The Giants are apparently fans of Luis Gonzalez. In a December 5th posting Jerry Crasnick said the Rangers, Twins, Rays, White Sox, and Giants had all spoken to Gonzo’s agent.

Jays Waiting On Rios For Lincecum Offer?

By Tim Dierkes | December 8, 2007 at 12:27pm CDT

UPDATE, 12-08-07 at 3:12pm: Brian Sabean spoke on the radio about making this decision within a few days; there’s even a rumor the Giants could pursue the Tigers’ Dontrelle Willis to replace Lincecum.

UPDATE, 12-8-07 at 12:17pm: George King talked to a Blue Jays source who said "there was nothing to reports the Giants were talking to Toronto about Alex Rios for Lincecum or Cain." Who’s right here, Blair or King?

FROM 12-5-07 at 11:36pm:

According to Jeff Blair, it’s in the Giants’ hands: Alex Rios for Tim Lincecum. A Jays official suggested to Blair that Brian Sabean might sit on this for a few weeks, mulling it over.

Blair says Sabean is hesitant because he’s scared of making a mistake of the same magnitude as his Liriano/Nathan move four years ago.

It’s easy to bash Sabean for that trade. But you should ask yourself – would you have bashed him at the time he made it?

Dontrelle For Josh Hamilton Was Discussed

By Tim Dierkes | December 8, 2007 at 2:50am CDT

UPDATE, 12-8-07 at 2:47am: More excitement…throw Abraham Nunez into the mix of Marlins third base targets. This team is going places.

FROM 12-7-07 at 11:27am:

MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro posted a new column last night full of good Marlins hot stove chatter.

The most interesting note is that the Marlins talked to the Reds about swapping Dontrelle Willis for Josh Hamilton, prior to the blockbuster with Detroit.
With Miguel Cabrera, the White Sox and Rangers were involved during the Meetings before the Tigers jumped in. The Rangers backed out when they couldn’t get an extension window for Cabrera. The Tigers wanted the same but obviously it wasn’t the dealbreaker. The Angels, Dodgers, and Giants were involved before the Meetings, with the Giants offering Noah Lowry.
Frisaro says there are "strong indications the Marlins will sign Jorge Cantu. He’ll be in the mix at third base.
The Fish are offering the Phils Scott Nestor for Wes Helms, who’d also compete at the hot corner.
The Mets have some interest in Alfredo Amezaga, though the Marlins are inclined to keep him.
Miguel Olivo will be released soon, so throw him into the catcher market with Michael Barrett.

Phillies, Dodgers Not Interested In Inge

By Tim Dierkes | December 7, 2007 at 10:26am CDT

According to Jayson Stark yesterday, the Tigers are indeed shopping ousted 29 year-old third baseman Brandon Inge. He says the Dodgers and Phillies have already said no. My guess at the rationale: the Dodgers will go internal and are less concerned with the position, and the Phils want a good hitter at the position.

Inge seemingly peaked in ’06, hitting 27 HRs with fine defense. That earned him a four-year, $24MM extension. He’s got three years and $19.1MM left. His stock is down after posting a .688 OPS last year. Inge was a catcher as recently as 2004, so maybe he can don the tools of ignorance once again. There, his offense wouldn’t look nearly as poor. Still, it’s hard to figure out a team that would pursue him.

Phillies Rumors: Iguchi, Inge, Silva, Ensberg

By Tim Dierkes | December 6, 2007 at 8:20am CDT

Sounds like there’s a whole lot of ’nothin’ going on with the Phillies.

As you know, the Phils are out on Hiroki Kuroda.
Yesterday the Phillies made an offer and a second improved offer to Tadahito Iguchi. Iguchi is looking for a three-year deal for around the $16.5MM Kaz Matsui received.
Todd Zolecki says the Phils have "kicked around" Brandon Inge’s name; he’s definitely available. The general sentiment is that the Tigers would have to eat some of the $19.1MM owed to Inge over the next three seasons. Plus, the Phillies already tried the defense-first idea at third base.
Talks with Mike Cameron went nowhere, as the Phillies didn’t want to consider a multiyear deal. Aaron Rowand is also a long shot. Not a very exciting Meetings for Phillies fans.
Scott Lauber checks in this morning and says Carlos Silva would like to return to the Phillies. The interest isn’t mutual, however, if Silva continues to ask for four or five years.
Lauber suggests Morgan Ensberg is a strong non-tender candidate and someone the Phils should look at.

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