Tigers Rumors

Tigers Look To Cubs For Relief

By Tim Dierkes | March 4, 2008 at 5:42pm CDT

According to Jon Paul Morosi of the Detroit Free Press, "the Tigers have had general discussions with the Chicago Cubs about acquiring bullpen help." Detroit’s pen has dealt with all kinds of injuries this year.

Morosi implies that Brandon Inge could be a fit for the Cubs if he could prove a capable center fielder. Seems a long shot though. In any case, Ryan Dempster could be a possible fit for Detroit. He’s set to earn a hefty $5.5MM this year and doesn’t seem to have a clear place on the Cubs’ staff. Neither does Jason Marquis, but he’s not what the Tigers need.

Dodgers Not Interested In Inge?

By Michael Glab | March 4, 2008 at 11:00am CDT

TODAY: Dylan Hernandez of the L.A. Times shoots this one down, citing the large amount of money owed to Inge.

SATURDAY: The Dodgers put in a call to the Tigers asking about Brandon Inge, according to Danny Knobler. Both Joe Torre and Larry Bowa are pushing for Inge, who would play third base in LA.

Nomar Garciaparra and Andy LaRoche have been jockeying for the position but the Dodgers aren’t sold on either as a solution just yet. Inge is set to earn $19.1MM over the next three seasons. The Dodgers definitely have salary dump candidates in Nomar, Juan Pierre, and Esteban Loaiza, but I’m not sure if there’s a fit.

By Big Mike Glab and Tim Dierkes

Odds and Ends: Lowry, Mantei, Inge

By Tim Dierkes | March 4, 2008 at 8:32am CDT

Link time!

The White Sox had a scout watching Noah Lowry’s disaster yesterday. Maybe that affected him.
Todd Zolecki says Ruben Amaro Jr. is the frontrunner for the Phillies’ GM job next year, with Mike Arbuckle the other main candidate. Meanwhile, Bob Ford thinks the Phils should’ve paid $200K for Cole Hamels’ happiness.
Looks like Matt Mantei’s comeback attempt may come to an end. Despite Jim Leyland’s comments, you have to think Dave Dombrowski will troll the market for relievers. Leyland also talked about how he’s not going to force Brandon Inge to catch.
Jeff Sackmann discusses some clubs that would stand to gain around three wins by signing Barry Bonds.
Jonathan Papelbon’s contract is likely to be renewed today, and he’s probably not getting $900K.
Tom Haudricourt offers up a primer on renewals, arbitration, free agency, all that stuff.

Odds and Ends: Ponson, Inge, Papelbon

By Tim Dierkes | March 3, 2008 at 9:31am CDT

Let’s round up some Monday morning links.

The Cardinals are taking another look at Sidney Ponson. Insert your own punchline in the comments.
Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun could see the O’s making a minor trade for a veteran second baseman if they acquire Ronny Cedeno but not Eric Patterson in a Brian Roberts deal with the Cubs.
Brandon Inge is trying his best to talk his way out of town. The Dodgers’ recently reported nibble hasn’t been publicly shot down, so that’s a plus.
South Side Sox thinks speedy infielder Eugenio Velez is the type of player the White Sox could desire for Joe Crede.
Jonathan Papelbon wants $900K in his last year before arbitration eligibility. Ryan Howard set a scary precedent last year. If Papelbon doesn’t get offered something close, he’d rather make a statement and be renewed near the minimum.
Buster Olney suggests Dan Johnson and Doug Mientkiewicz could be possibilities for the Mets in their quest for a backup first baseman. Olney speculated on Nick Johnson, Scott Hatteberg, Richie Sexson, Tony Clark, and Kevin Millar the day before.

Managers On The Hot Seat

By Cork Gaines | March 1, 2008 at 5:54pm CDT

It is a slow news day, so we are going to venture a bit off the beaten path…As spring training is now in full swing, a number of managers may have their jobs on the line during the ’08 season. Three managers are in the final year of their deals and another 12 managers have two years left on their contracts. This second group will be due either an extension or a pink slip next winter as few teams are willing to play out a season with a lame-duck manager. Therefore, any manager with two years remaining on their contracts (including options) will likely have their fate determined prior to the ’09 season.

Ignoring managers that may be on the hot seat for other reasons (i.e. Willie Randolph), here is a list of managers that could potentially have their jobs on the line in ’08 based on their current contract situations. (Numbers in parentheses represent the number of years remaining on current contract)

Cecil Cooper, HOU (2)
Bob Geren, OAK (1+1 team option)
John Gibbons, TOR (1)
Bobby Cox, ATL (1)
Ned Yost, MIL (1+1 team option)
Tony LaRussa (2)
Bruce Bochy (2)
John McLaren, SEA (1)
Fredi Gonzalez, FLA (2)
Dave Trembley, BAL (1+1 team option)
Bud Black, SD (1+1 team option)
Joe Maddon, TB (2)
Clint Hurdle, COL (2)
Jim Leyland, DET (2)
Ron Gardenhire, MIN (2)

Taking a closer look at the list…Of the managers in the final year of their deal, Cox will be back if he chooses. LaRussa and Leyland may very well enter ’09 without new deals considering their ages. Yost, Gardenhire, Hurdle and Black look like locks for extensions prior to ’09. However, the remaining eight names on the list (Cooper, Geren, Bochy, Gonzalez, Trembley, Maddon, Gibbons, McLaren) may very well be managing for their jobs in ’08.

By Cork Gaines

Miguel Cabrera Talking Extension

By Tim Dierkes | February 29, 2008 at 2:43pm CDT

SI.com’s Jon Heyman reports that the Tigers and Miguel Cabrera’s agent have "begun to talk" about a long-term deal. Heyman believes a deal could be hammered out fairly quickly given the nice fit with Detroit for Cabrera. Heyman doesn’t have inside info on the years or amount, but got Cabrera to admit that ten years, $200MM sounded about right.

Would an extension start with 2009, Cabrera’s last arbitration year? I imagine so, though maybe the ten years would start with 2010. Regardless, Cabrera’s level of production is truly worth $20MM annually into the forseeable future. Doesn’t hurt that he’s gotten into shape a bit, either.

Odds and Ends: Choo, Inge, Lohse, Francona

By Tim Dierkes | February 25, 2008 at 9:42am CDT

Let’s round up some rumors and links.

Not only is Shin-Soo Choo out of options, but he’s recovering from Tommy John surgery and may have to join the South Korean military.
Brandon Inge sat out a demanding drill on Friday, causing Tom Gage to wonder if trade talks are ongoing. Dave Dombrowski spoke on the topic recently, saying all the right things about Inge.
Kyle Lohse is not interested in a minor league deal or playing in another country. He’s still waiting by the phone though.
Funny anecdote involving J.P. Ricciardi’s son.
Terry Francona was extended through 2011, with club options for ’12 and ’13.
Kenny Williams and Billy Beane: opposites attract. Given their strong relationship, perhaps the Sox could look to acquire Mark Ellis during the season if the current options fall through.
Wow – Scott Rolen would’ve accepted a trade to the Phillies. The Phils discussed him internally but decided not to pursue it.
The Giants briefly considered Sean Casey, who is "really good at life" according to Aaron Boone.

Odds and Ends: Roberts, Garcia, Crede

By Tim Dierkes | February 21, 2008 at 11:33am CDT

Today’s assortment of links.

Gary Sheffield is not fond of Scott Boras.
Arte Moreno and the Angels aren’t closing the door on K-Rod yet.
Turns out Brian Roberts left camp because of a possible kidney stone.
From Small Ball To The Long Ball has all kinds of cool data that I haven’t seen elsewhere. For example, average initial pitch speed for pitchers. Dustin McGowan’s fastball: 96.11mph. Tim Wakefield’s: 75.62mph.
Seems that Freddy Garcia might wait a few months before signing.
Andrew Baggarly says the Giants consider Joe Crede a possible long-term piece even with his impending free agency. So maybe if they get him and he stays healthy they’ll look to extend him. Baggarly speculates that a guy like Fred Lewis (who is out of options) could work for a Crede swap.

Odds and Ends: Perez, Jones, Howard, Burnett

By Tim Dierkes | February 16, 2008 at 10:52am CDT

Let’s round up today’s linkage.

No more long-term discussions with Oliver Perez and the Mets.
Andruw Jones already wants to talk extension with the Dodgers.
The Cardinals are not likely to make anymore acquisitions. In my view the team has question marks in right field, the middle infield, and the rotation. Here’s a look at their MLB.com depth chart. By the way, could Ryan Franklin be a league average starter? They could try it if the current options don’t pan out.
Jim Salisbury thinks the Ryan Howard contract situation is a nonstory. I think this is partially because (and I hope this doesn’t sound condescending) most fans do not understand the arbitration process. Anyway Salisbury’s source says the Phillies would match Chase Utley’s seven-year, $85MM deal and might approach $100MM. He says Howard may want "significantly more."
Ivan Rodriguez would like to play beyond the 2008 season and retire a Tiger. If the Tigers can’t find a taker for Brandon Inge this year, he could be their starting catcher in ’09.
Carl Pavano doesn’t seem too popular in the Yankees’ clubhouse.
J.P. Ricciardi does not plan to do an extension during the season with A.J. Burnett. I think Burnett will stay healthy enough to top the two years, $24MM he could get if he does not opt out.

Inge To Report With Catchers

By Tim Dierkes | January 28, 2008 at 11:43am CDT

This is more of a no-trade rumor. Brandon Inge will report to Spring Training as a catcher. If he can get back into the swing of things, he could take over as the starter for Ivan Rodriguez in 2009.

The average AL catcher hit .254/.318/.395 in 2007, while Inge hit .236/.312/.376. Maybe he can get his power back up to previous levels and call a decent game. If so, the $19.1MM owed to him over the next three seasons is more palatable.

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