Dontrelle For Lugo?
The Tigers 2009 season is going to be reliant on some bounce back candidates to do just that.
According to Jon Paul Morosi, the Tigers will need to guess which of Justin Verlander, Jeremy Bonderman, Dontrelle Willis, and Nate Robertson will bounce back. And aside from Verlander, they will more than likely want to deal one of them to scale back an already unsustainable projected team salary of $130MM.
Some speculation by Morosi: The Tigers need a shortstop and could swap Dontrelle Willis for Boston’s Julio Lugo. Both guys are signed through 2010, Willis making $22MM and Lugo making $18MM. The Red Sox have shown a willingness to take on reclamation projects in pitchers like Wade Miller and Bartolo Colon, so why not Dontrelle when they have a more favorable (and fan-friendly) option at shortstop in Jed Lowrie? The Tigers could also use the spare $4MM and the Red Sox could afford the risk. Morosi quotes Jim Duquette:
"That can be an effective way to swap players who’ve had below-average years," Duquette said, when asked about that approach. "Lugo would not be a bad player in that situation, as long as you’re not taking on any more money. It would be a break-even proposition. "You take the position player and hope that Lugo has more of a bounce-back year."
Have Injuries Knocked Tigers, Indians Out Of Contention?
Frustration continues to mount as both the Indians and Tigers lost a key starter to injury this week. Jeremy Bonderman is out with a blood clot, and Jake Westbrook will undergo Tommy John surgery; both pitchers are likely out for the season.
Since these two teams where once considered favorites to contend for the AL Central crown, it seems highly implausible that they would forfeit the season in early June. So, dear readers, what options do these two teams have? Do they trade for pitching and hope their offenses carry them through? Do they try to spark their offense via free agency? Do they give up and hope for a better 2009?
For one, as an AL exec told Jayson Stark, the Tigers seem to be out of prospects good enough to trade for big league talent.
And the Indians’ pitching has been good enough, but it’s been their inconsistent offense (with a punch-less Travis Hafner in particular) that has them six games out of first.
Arguably, the Indians seem to be the team with the best shot at a comeback, so what’s the plan? Do the Tribe get another bat to replace Hafner? Do the Tigers trade a couple of big names for an arm?
Alejandro Leal writes for UmpBump.com. You can reach him here.
Olney’s Latest: Bonderman, Perez, Wolf, Bonds
Buster Olney makes some noise on a quiet Saturday:
- There is concern Jeremy Bonderman has a circulation problem in his shoulder or arm which would quiet Jayson Stark’s inquiry as to whether or not the Tigers would deal him for (more) offense.
- Willie Randolph keeps the faith with starter Oliver Perez but, as Olney points out, "if [Perez] were to be dropped from the rotation, it would be an enormous hit for a pitcher expected to be among the better free agents in the fall." I’ll say.
- Randy Wolf ups his trade value (and likelihood) with every good start. He’s 3-1 at Petco with a 2.38 ERA compared to 1-3 with a 5.38 ERA on the road. Maybe the Padres should try to get him a few extra starts at home to up his value.
- Barry Bonds‘ trial was set for next March; however, this doesn’t change his odds of playing, says Olney, because everyone already expected the date to be set after the season.
By Nat Boyle
Jayson Stark’s Latest
Jayson Stark’s latest column is up and as usual he dips into the rumor-mill several times…
- Indians: According to other clubs, Cleveland is starting to float C.C. Sabathia’s name, but are making it clear that they are not ready to trade him. Stark says the Indians are scouting the Red Sox heavily. One executive says that it is hard to imagine somebody giving up prospects for a guy that will almost certainly test the free agency waters. That same executive says they would have a hard time giving seven years to a pitcher as big as Sabathia.
- Tigers: One AL executive says the Tigers don’t have any prospects of value left, but wonders if they won’t do something crazy in the trade market because of their "all in" payroll. Stark wonders if they would be willing to trade Jeremy Bonderman or a big bat for an arm.
- Braves: Atlanta might be more interested in bringing back Kevin Millwood as opposed to Greg Maddux, but Stark says that is very unlikely.
- Rockies: In addition to Matt Holiday and Brian Fuentes, there is a slim chance that Aaron Cook would be made available, but his salary goes up $1MM per year if he is dealt.
- A’s: Apparently the bounty sought by Oakland for Joe Blanton ("three young building-block players") has not been lowered since last summer.
- Royals: The Royals have already started listening to offers for a number of players but one executive says that list does not include their relief pitchers and those are the pieces of highest interest.
Cork Gaines writes for Rays Index and can be reached here.
Latest D’Backs Rumors: Bonderman, Ervin Santana
Nick Piecoro has the scoop regarding all things Diamondbacks. Let’s dive in.
- It had slipped my mind that the D’Backs don’t do incentive-laden contracts when I suggested they’d sign Randy Wolf. Bad prediction on my part.
- The team’s best trade chip: outfielder Carlos Gonzalez. The 22 year-old hit .286/.330/.476 in Double A last year, and has star potential. Kevin Goldstein recently ranked Gonzalez third among corner outfield prospects behind Travis Snider and Chris Marrero. Gonzalez could bring a coveted starter in a trade. Carlos Quentin is also talked about as a trade candidate, but he needs to get healthy and hit a little first.
- Conor Jackson is also a trade candidate, more so if the D’Backs can sign Tony Clark. They’re thinking something close to the two years, $3.25 Matt Stairs received. Meanwhile Clark’s agent is thinking he could get a near full-time role elsewhere.
- Piecoro brings up the intriguing idea of shopping Jose Valverde. He’s getting pricey soon, and could be at peak value. I like it. A safer trade option from the team’s strong pen is Juan Cruz.
- All these great young players to trade, but who to target? Piecoro tantalizes by telling us Ervin Santana and even Jeremy Bonderman are in the D’Backs’ sights. Santana is known to be available for a bat. Bonderman would be attractive to many teams if not for his late-season elbow woes. He’s signed through 2010.
- I could see the A’s poking their head in on all of this, with Joe Blanton and even Dan Haren to offer.
Bonderman Gets Extension From Tigers
According to Baseball Digest Daily, the Tigers have re-signed Jeremy Bonderman through the 2010 season.
He was set to become a free agent after the 2008 season as a 26-year old. That would’ve been lucrative. At four years, $38MM, the Tigers are buying out some risk.
Gotham: Reds Still After Bonderman
According to Gotham Baseball, reporting from the Winter Meetings, the Reds are still trying to trade for Jeremy Bonderman. Unfortunately, the Tigers probably will not trade him. Wayne Krivsky is chasing a lesser option in Brian Bannister of the Mets. Last week, we reported that the Rockies and Mariners have interest in Bannister.
Of course, plenty of teams are still trying to trade for Jason Jennings. Those include the Mets, D’Backs, Astros, and Cards according to Gotham. Previously, the Rockies had received inquiries from the Cubs and Twins.
Gotham Baseball: Rockies Want Milledge?
One oif the more interesting things I heard in this week’s follow up calls after the GM Meetings was the Colorado Rockies’ interest in Lastings Milledge.
Though I keep hearing from those inside and outside of the team’s inner circle that Milledge is still a player they expect to blossom in New York, I can’t help but think that the Mets are focused on moving forward…without Lastings.
Another very interesting tidbit was a rumor of the Tigers and Reds talking Adam Dunn
Healey On Bonderman, Belliard
Mark Healey has another rumor mill up with some interesting hot stove information.
He talked to a source regarding Jeremy Bonderman, the Tigers’ 24 year-old righty. Healey says the Tigers could look to acquire Alex Rodriguez for Bonderman. In addition, the Reds reportedly offered Adam Dunn, Jason LaRue, and Brandon Phillips and were turned down. Rightfully so.
Healey also reports that Ron Belliard is the Mets’ top choice for 2B, despite today’s reports about Mark Loretta.
He’s got plenty more, including info on Manny and Mark Mulder among others.
And The Offseason Begins
The Cardinals have been crowned the unlikely world champs, so now it’s time for all baseball fans to offically focus on 2007. Here’s a roundup of the latest rumors.
With the Tigers’ season over, the consensus among local papers seems to be that they will trade some of their excess starting pitching for a slugger, possibly a first baseman. Some folks think Jeremy Bonderman‘s postseason performance (3.10 ERA in 20 innings) was a sign that he will take it to the next level in ’07. Others think it’s time to trade him with his value so high. Possible trade targets: Mark Teixeira, Todd Helton, Richie Sexson, Adam Dunn, Manny Ramirez, and Pat Burrell. It’s certainly feasible that Brandon Inge, Nate Robertson, or Craig Monroe could be included in a trade.
We’ll know by November 11th whether Aramis Ramirez will become a free agent. Right now, he’s not close to a deal with the Cubs. While Ramirez’s current deal is often cited as two years and $22.5MM, the third year is pretty easily guaranteed at $11MM. He just needs to play 270 games over the first two seasons. We hear a lot about the Dodgers and Angels as Ramirez’s suitors. The Dodgers would force top prospect Andy LaRoche to move from third base if they sign Ramirez. Other teams that could have interest: the Orioles, Red Sox, Tigers, Rangers, Giants, and Padres.
The Sheffield Saga continues, with the Astros and Indians entering the mix. A one-year rental from the Tribe would be a great fit in my mind.