Tigers Notes
Will Carroll has the scoop on which relievers the Tigers may be chasing:
The Tigers are also after a reliever, but they’re not willing to give up much, knowing that Joel Zumaya and Fernando Rodney are coming back. All rumors involving the Tigers seem to be centered on Kyle Farnsworth, but they’ve also looked at Rauch, and asked about Jason Isringhausen and Al Reyes.
Between getting guys back and being in the catbird seat in the AL Central with postseason odds around 86%, it seems likely to me that the Tigers stand pat. After all, that seems to be what Jim Leyland thinks, as well.
By Jeff Sackmann
Brew Crew Ball
Molony’s Latest: Willis, Encarnacion, Sowers
MLB.com’s Jim Molony has his daily rumor summary up; check it out. New rumors:
- Molony’s sources say the Marlins are now listening to offers for Dontrelle Willis. Might as well – what if the Mariners decide to offer Adam Jones? Many folks remain enamored of Willis’s talent, if not his recent numbers.
- The Cardinals could shop Russ Springer or Juan Encarnacion. Springer is unlikely to be traded, however, because he has his son going to a specific school in St. Louis and the Cardinals respect that. Encarnacion is hitting decently at .293/.329/.471; it might be high time to unload the $6.5MM he’s owed next year.
- Something seems to be going on in Cleveland; GM Mark Shapiro has been in Buffalo watching Jeremy Sowers and Aaron Laffey. Laffey was nearly called up recently. Not much talk about trading Sowers previously, but he might be an interesting chip. He’s similar to Kevin Slowey. They might find success in the NL.
- The Tigers sent scouts to watch Joe Koshansky and Ian Stewart of the Rockies (rumor originated in the Denver Post). Not sure how those two teams match up, but a cheap Koshansky might be worth a look for Detroit at first base next year. Unless Carlos Guillen moves over.
Heyman’s Latest: Teixeira, Otsuka
Jon Heyman of SI.com has been working the phone lines; here are some notable rumors from his latest column.
- The Braves seemed fairly close to a Mark Teixeira trade yesterday, but the Angels are definitely knee deep in it. They’ll make a solid offer including Casey Kotchman, Ervin Santana, and Major League player. Adam Dunn remains Plan B.
- Heyman says there’s speculation that Akinori Otsuka could need Tommy John surgery, which might compel the Rangers to sign Eric Gagne and/or keep Joaquin Benoit.
- Refresher on Gagne’s 12-team allowable list can be found here. Gagne must consent to a trade to Detroit, and it seems the Rangers asked for Cameron Maybin. Not gonna happen. The Yankees appear to be out on Gagne because he wants to close. I’m skeptical – he wouldn’t pitch as a setup man if they guaranteed his entire contract?
- Seems the Yanks entertained a Morgan Ensberg acquisition. They would’ve used him at first base. Joe Torre nixed the idea because Ensberg hasn’t hit for a long time.
- Heyman’s top five available starters are Matt Morris, Livan Hernandez, Jose Contreras, Jason Jennings, and Kyle Lohse, in that order. That ranking is reasonable. A Jon Garland, Noah Lowry, or Joe Blanton would easily jump to that top of the list if made available.
Tigers Eyeing Farnsworth
Kyle Farnsworth really lost it this year; he’s striking no one out but still walking too many. Last year he at least racked up the Ks. The Yankees would love to get out from some of the $5.5MM they owe him in 2008.
A few teams have kicked the tires on the Farnz, like the Rockies, Phillies, and Devil Rays. But maybe it would be best for him to go back to the site of his last success, Detroit. George King writes that the Tigers are interested, if the money can be worked out. This makes a lot of sense to me. The Tigers aren’t desperate for relievers, and this risk would be more in money than players. Unlike Eric Gagne, who would cost both. Maybe Chuck Hernandez can right the ship for Farnsworth.
Latest From Baseball Prospectus: Jacque, Snell
Will Carroll and John Perrotto have teamed up at BP to join the rumor mill, and yesterday’s post is free to nonsubscribers. Some highlights:
- Carroll reports that the Cubs could swap Jacque Jones and a prospect for Jeff Conine. Perhaps such a move would be in tandem with Adam Dunn leaving Cincinnati. The Cubs might want to hold on to Jones though; he’s playing well lately.
- Carroll heard a far out Alex Rodriguez to the Dodgers rumor, but doesn’t buy it. Neither do I – the Yankees don’t seem to be selling. Carroll says Brian Cashman and Co. will wait until the last second to make a buyer/seller decision. There’s a slight chance Jorge Posada becomes available if they choose the latter.
- Perrotto confirms a rumor that surfaced a week ago, that Ian Snell could be had for the right bat. Perrotto would know, as he spent time as a Pirates’ beat writer. Jarrod Saltalamacchia or Matt Kemp are two possible targets for the Bucs.
- The Tigers may be looking for relievers, and some possible names on the radar include Chad Qualls, Dan Wheeler, Brad Lidge, Salomon Torres, Damaso Marte, Shawn Chacon, and Chad Cordero. That’s most of the market right there, though Lidge seems likely to stay put. And don’t forget that the Tigers have internal reinforcements on the way.
Nationals Looking To Deal
MLB.com’s Bill Ladson has the lowdown on the Washington Nationals. They’ve got several pieces they’re looking to move.
Chad Cordero and Jon Rauch remain popular names on the market, but it still seems like Jim Bowden is holding out for something amazing. Ladson says Bowden is asking the Mets for Lastings Milledge and Mike Pelfrey in a deal. It is known that the Mets would move Pelfrey in a major trade (per Jayston Stark). Pelfrey would be a great guy for the Nats to acquire; they really need some MLB-ready pitching depth. Another name on the Nats’ radar is Double A righty Kevin Mulvey of the Mets – they were openly scouting him on Thursday.
Cordero is aware of the rumors, and will move into a setup role for another team graciously. He hopes to stay in Washington though.
Ladson also says Ryan Church is being offered up; contenders would use him as a fourth outfielder. Church has been connected to the Cubs in the past, but I don’t think they’d go for him now. He’s at .262/.342/.420 this year, good fourth outfielder numbers. He’s capable of knocking 3-4 homers a month.
Finally, Ladson mentions that the Nationals recently scouting the Tigers’ Double A Erie affiliate. The SeaWolves’ more interesting prospects include Jair Jurrjens, Dallas Trahern, and Jeff Larish. It is known that the Nats were watching Jurrjens’ last start.
Joel Sherman’s Ten Trade Candidates
Joel Sherman of the New York Post has an article today regarding ten veterans who may be traded this month. He’s packed the column full of insider info beyond the ten players highlighted; check it out.
- Mark Teixeira is now more likely to be dealt than Eric Gagne. Sherman sees the Angels as perhaps the best possibility here; they’d have to include Casey Kotchman. I imagine Ervin Santana‘s stock is down far enough that the Rangers would not settle for the two.
- The Indians appear to be out on Gagne but the Tigers still make sense for all parties. Would Todd Jones graciously step down from his closer post? Detroit’s bullpen has actually been doing well lately.
- The Royals want a righthanded-hitting center fielder in return for Octavio Dotel. Now that’s a tall order. Sherman names Lastings Milledge and Carlos Gomez as two who fit the bill, but such a trade would require young talent like Zack Greinke coming back to the Mets. Just speculating, but Melky Cabrera and Reggie Willits also fit the Royals’ need.
- Apparently the Mariners and Braves are "very interested’ in Dmitri Young. That’s the first I’ve heard of a team besides Atlanta inquiring.
- Oddly, the Devil Rays appear to have some interest in Kyle Farnsworth if the money can be worked out. They like Scott Proctor as well, so keep an eye on that Ty Wigginton rumor. Sherman mentions that the market is heavy with available role players, so look for a lot of boring deals with that type of player. Just kidding, trade rumors are never boring. Sherman tosses out Tadahito Iguchi to the Padres; that’s a fresh one.
- Sherman runs down all of the available relievers we already know about. Throw Kiko Calero in there as a new name.
Dodgers Interested In Dotel
According to Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star, the Dodgers are currently the top suitor for 33 year-old reliever Octavio Dotel. Dutton reports that Royals GM Dayton Moore is said to be asking for a position player regular, like James Loney or Matt Kemp. Lest you think Dutton is off his rocker, consider that Tony Jackson of the L.A. Daily News says the same thing. Jackson even mentions Russell Martin.
I have to begin by questioning the Dodgers’ need for Dotel – he would be their third-best reliever. I don’t know why he would jump ahead of Jonathan Broxton on the depth chart. Broxton has become one of the game’s best relievers, and he’s posted zeroes in his last eight appearances.
But beyond that, the asking price is silly. Maybe the White Sox were offered a player like Kemp for Mark Buehrle – maybe. Dotel isn’t nearly as valuable. I applaud Moore for trying, but he’s really asking for the moon right now. Dotel might be worth a Delwyn Young, maybe a Blake DeWitt, not that the Royals need those guys. A pitcher such as Hong-Chih Kuo seems about the high end of what Moore could reasonably get, in my opinion.
The Indians and Rockies have also been said to have interest in Dotel, who is making $5MM plus incentives this year. He’s also got a $5.5MM option for ’08, which he probably won’t exercise if he stays healthy and effective in 2007. Additionally, John Perrotto mentioned in his Sunday column that the Tigers have been scouting Dotel.
Tigers Acquire Jose Capellan
The Brewers finally traded reliever Jose Capellan; the Tigers snagged the 26 year-old for southpaw Chris Cody.
Many teams kicked the tires on Capellan, but I hadn’t seen the Tigers mentioned previously. His work at Triple A was OK. His 7.1 K/9 was nothing special, and his control wasn’t great. Same story since his recall to the bigs. I’m not sure how much he’s going to help the Tigers, but they will take anything they can get right now.
Cody, 23, had just earned a promotion from the Low A Michigan Whitecaps to the High A Lakeland Tigers after posting a 6.1 K/BB. He was old for his level, and still isn’t anyone to get excited about. Doug Melvin originally expected "something big" in return for Capellan.
Gagne/Otsuka Suitors
Teams are lining up to pluck away the top two members of the Rangers’ bullpen, and Jon Daniels is in "listening mode."
MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan has the scoop: the Diamondbacks, Cubs, Red Sox, and Yankees are the top suitors for Eric Gagne. The Mets, Braves, Phillies, Tigers, and Brewers are focused on Akinori Otsuka. And the Tribe likes both relievers.
Benefits of Gagne: he can be unhittable and he’ll give you two good draft picks after the season. Plus he seems to be finally healthy. The Indians, despite their interest, are not on Gagne’s list of 12 teams he can be dealt to without his consent.
The benefit of Otsuka is that you have him through 2009. That’s why the Rangers are more likely to hang on to him. Conversely, a team like the Mets would prefer him because he’s not a rental.