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Tigers and A-Rod?

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This is a kind of a non-story, but I feel like writing about it anyway.  Lynn Henning of the Detroit News speculates that the Tigers could have interest in signing Alex Rodriguez should he become a free agent after the 2007 season.

The speculation is based on shortstop Carlos Guillen’s impending free agency.  Henning doesn’t think the Tigers will offer Guillen a contract longer than three years, and that the length could be a dealbreaker.  Additionally, the Tigers have a positive relationship with Scott Boras.  Finally, Henning notes that the Tigers were believed to have acquired about Rodriguez’s availability last July.

There seems to be an assumption that Rodriguez would serve as the shortstop for the 2008 Tigers, since Brandon Inge is under contract through 2010.  To me that seems a questionable assumption.  When was the last time a star player moved in the opposite direction on the defensive spectrum after the age of 30?  (Not a sarcastic question, I’m really curious).  And no, Darin Erstad moving from first back to center doesn’t count.

Tigers and A-Rod?

By | at

This is a kind of a non-story, but I feel like writing about it anyway.  Lynn Henning of the Detroit News speculates that the Tigers could have interest in signing Alex Rodriguez should he become a free agent after the 2007 season.

The speculation is based on shortstop Carlos Guillen’s impending free agency.  Henning doesn’t think the Tigers will offer Guillen a contract longer than three years, and that the length could be a dealbreaker.  Additionally, the Tigers have a positive relationship with Scott Boras.  Finally, Henning notes that the Tigers were believed to have acquired about Rodriguez’s availability last July.

There seems to be an assumption that Rodriguez would serve as the shortstop for the 2008 Tigers, since Brandon Inge is under contract through 2010.  To me that seems a questionable assumption.  When was the last time a star player moved in the opposite direction on the defensive spectrum after the age of 30?  (Not a sarcastic question, I’m really curious).  And no, Darin Erstad moving from first back to center doesn’t count.

Juan Gone Still On The Radar?

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Despite published reports to the contrary, Tracy Ringolsby says the Tigers and Orioles are considering extending a spring training invite to Juan Gonzalez.  He adds that despite Bill Stoneman’s denial, the Angels had scouts watching Gonzalez in Puerto Rico this winter.

Now let us all sit back and wait for those three clubs to re-deny interest.  It’s funny to me that the clubs even felt compelled to comment on the rumor in the first place.

Juan Gone Still On The Radar?

By | at

Despite published reports to the contrary, Tracy Ringolsby says the Tigers and Orioles are considering extending a spring training invite to Juan Gonzalez.  He adds that despite Bill Stoneman’s denial, the Angels had scouts watching Gonzalez in Puerto Rico this winter.

Now let us all sit back and wait for those three clubs to re-deny interest.  It’s funny to me that the clubs even felt compelled to comment on the rumor in the first place.

Juan Gonzalez Wants Back In

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It was bound to happen sooner or later – Igor, aka Juan Gonzalez, is attempting another return to the Majors.  Published reports in Puerto Rico named the Angels, Tigers, and Orioles as interested parties.  Update: the Orioles aren’t interested after all.  And the Tigers denying interest as well.  Ah, there we go – the Angels are not pursuing him.  That was awesome – each team systematically denied any interest in Gonzalez within a few days of the rumor surfacing.

The slimmed-down Gonzalez spent last year in the Atlantic League and he’s currently playing in the Caribbean Series.  Baseball Prospectus’s Derek Jacques reports:

"Juan Gonzalez makes the Tin Man from the Wizard of Oz look nimble and flexible. Watching him run the bases, I constantly expected to hear a loud snapping sound followed by a trail of body parts. Igor still has the long looping swing, but his bat speed isn’t where he can really turn on Dessens’ heat in the third. He’s trying to cheat, and it just isn’t working."

Last year, Gonzalez was said to be in the best condition of his life and supposedly drew interest from the Cubs, White Sox, Red Sox, Athletics, and Rockies.

Juan Gonzalez Wants Back In

By | at

It was bound to happen sooner or later – Igor, aka Juan Gonzalez, is attempting another return to the Majors.  Published reports in Puerto Rico named the Angels, Tigers, and Orioles as interested parties.  Update: the Orioles aren’t interested after all.  And the Tigers denying interest as well.  Ah, there we go – the Angels are not pursuing him.  That was awesome – each team systematically denied any interest in Gonzalez within a few days of the rumor surfacing.

The slimmed-down Gonzalez spent last year in the Atlantic League and he’s currently playing in the Caribbean Series.  Baseball Prospectus’s Derek Jacques reports:

"Juan Gonzalez makes the Tin Man from the Wizard of Oz look nimble and flexible. Watching him run the bases, I constantly expected to hear a loud snapping sound followed by a trail of body parts. Igor still has the long looping swing, but his bat speed isn’t where he can really turn on Dessens’ heat in the third. He’s trying to cheat, and it just isn’t working."

Last year, Gonzalez was said to be in the best condition of his life and supposedly drew interest from the Cubs, White Sox, Red Sox, Athletics, and Rockies.

Tigers Sign Jose Mesa

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ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick reports that the Tigers have signed Jose Mesa to a one-year deal for about $2.5MM.  He turns 41 next May.

Joe Table switched to relief in ’94 and then had some glory years as the Tribe’s closer.  After that he bounced around to about eight million teams with varying success. 

With an awful K/BB of 1.08 last year, you have to think Mesa is on the brink of collapse.  No one is sure how he helps the Tigers, unless Omar Vizquel is traded to the White Sox.

Inge, Byrd, Kline Sign

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The Detroit Free Press indicates that a four-year extension for third baseman Brandon Inge is near.  It could be worth $24MM. 

Inge turns 30 next May.  In 2006, he posted a career high .463 SLG in 542 ABs.  However, his OBP dipped to .313.  By comparison, the average AL 3B hit .269/.338/.442 this year.  The main problem was that Inge’s walk percentage dropped from 10% in 2005 to 7% this year.  However, Inge’s fine glovework at the hot corner probably elevates him to the status of above average overall.

ESPN reports that southpaw reliever Steve Kline will stay with the Giants on a two-year, $3.5MM deal.  Kline, who is 34, has poor control and a weak strikeout rate.  He does keep the ball on the ground generally and is a little better against lefties.

The Rangers signed 29 year-old outfielder Marlon Byrd to a one-year contract.  Byrd typically struggles to post a .700 OPS, so he’s probably seen as a fourth outfielder.  He can play all three outfield positions.

Finally, the Royals signed southpaw John Bale, who turns 33 next May, to a two-year, $4MM deal.  Bale spent the last two seasons in Japan.  In 2006, Bale posted a 2.93 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, and 9.6 K/9 in 43 innings.  Interesting side note: Bale was traded by the Orioles to the Mets in 2002 for $50MM man Gary Matthews Jr.

Tigers Could Trade Maroth

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One team that may have a surplus of starters that’s not getting a lot of press for it is the Tigers. Dave Dombrowski carefully seemed to indicate that 29 year-old southpaw starter Mike Maroth could be available.

Maroth pitches to contact and could be decent in front of a good defense.  He only makes about $3 mil and has two seasons left before free agency.  He’d probably come a lot cheaper than Kei Igawa, who might be comparable.  Maroth had surgery in June to remove bone chips in his elbow.  He wasn’t quite right upon his September return and didn’t make the postseason roster.

As far as lefty relievers go, Dombrowski chatted with Florida about Renyel Pinto.  They also might like C.J. Wilson and Ron Mahay of Texas.

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