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Ryan Garko

Tigers Hire Ryan Garko As Vice President Of Player Development

By Steve Adams | September 24, 2021 at 12:45pm CDT

The Tigers have hired former big league first baseman Ryan Garko as their new vice president of player development, per a club announcement. He’d spent the past two seasons with the Angels’ coaching staff as an instant replay coordinator and working to integrate information from the club’s analytics department into the clubhouse and dugout.

Garko, 40, was the 78th overall draft pick by the Indians back in 2003 and spent parts of six seasons in the Majors, batting a combined .275/.347/.434 with 55 home runs, 75 doubles and three triples in 1752 plate appearances. He spent the 2011 season playing with the Samsung Lions of the Korea Baseball Organization, and since retiring he’s managed the Dodgers’ Double-A affiliate and coached in the college ranks at the University of the Pacific and at Stanford.

Garko’s hiring comes just a few weeks after some changes in the Tigers’ front office were announced. Former VP of player development Dave Littlefield, who has been with the club since 2014, moved into a new role as a special assignment scout. Littlefield, who was the Pirates’ general manager from 2001-07, has spent three decades working in baseball operations, dating back to his time as a scout with the Expos in 1991.

The Tigers also recently announced a pair of key front office promotions, as director of baseball ops and pro scouting Sam Menzin and senior director of baseball analytics Jay Sartori were both named vice president/assistant general manager. Menzin, 31, began his baseball career as an intern with the Tigers and had held his previous title for the past four seasons. Sartori, 42, has spent the past six years building and overseeing the Tigers’ analytics department. He’s previously served as the Nationals’ director of baseball operations and spent three years as an assistant general manager with the Blue Jays as well.

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Detroit Tigers Ryan Garko

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Minor Moves: Garko, Golson, Haeger, Figaro

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | January 31, 2013 at 5:41pm CDT

We’ll track today’s minor moves here…

  • The Rockies signed first baseman Ryan Garko and outfielder Greg Golson to minor league contracts, Baseball America's Matthew Eddy reports.  Garko saw regular time as the Indians' first baseman from 2006-09 but hasn't played in the majors since 2010, spending the 2011 season in Korea and last year with the Rays' Double-A affiliate.  Golson, picked 21st overall by Philadelphia in the 2004 draft, amassed 42 Major League plate appearances with the Phillies, Rangers and Yankees between 2008-2011 and hit .276/.309/.412 in 480 PA with the White Sox Triple-A affiliate in 2012.
  • Also from Eddy, the Red Sox re-signed knuckleballer Charlie Haeger to a new minor league deal.  Haeger last pitched in the majors in 2010 and has been in the Red Sox farm system since July 2011, though he missed all of last season with an arm injury.
  • The Brewers have signed right-hander Alfredo Figaro to a minor league contract that includes an invitation to MLB Spring Training, the team announced (via Mike Vassallo on Twitter). It took more than a month for the sides to complete the deal, since agent Barry Praver had to negotiate a departure from Figaro's Japanese team, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports (on Twitter). The 28-year-old returns to MLB after spending the past two seasons pitching in Japan for the Orix Buffaloes. He picked up some MLB experience with the Tigers before going to Japan, appearing in 14 games from 2009-10.

MLBTR's Mark Polishuk also contributed to this post

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Boston Red Sox Colorado Rockies Milwaukee Brewers Transactions Charlie Haeger Greg Golson Ryan Garko

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Minor Moves: Johnson, Mahay, Thurston, Bates, Garko

By Zachary Links | May 14, 2012 at 9:45pm CDT

Tonight's minor moves..

  • The Rockies signed former Cardinals left-hander Tyler Johnson to a minor league deal, according to the CBSSports.com transactions page.  Johnson, who won a ring with the Cards in 2006, has been out of affiliated baseball since 2009.
  • The Reds released left-hander Ron Mahay, according to the International League transactions page.  The 40-year-old signed a minor league deal with the club in January and appeared in 14 games for their Triple-A affiliate this season.  The veteran last pitched in the majors for the Twins in 2010 and was signed and released by the Dodgers, Diamondbacks and Cardinals in 2011.
  • The Twins have released infielder Joe Thurston and first baseman Aaron Bates, according to Dustin Morse of the Twins (via Twitter).  Thurston, 32, hooked on with Minnesota in late April after being cut by the Phillies.  Once considered a top asset in the Dodgers' farm system, Thurston has yet to see significant time in the majors outside of his 124 game 2009 campaign with the Cardinals.
  • The Rays signed former major-leaguer Ryan Garko to a minor league deal, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times (via Twitter).  The first baseman spent time in Korea last year.
  • Orioles infielder Zelous Wheeler has cleared waivers and been assigned to Double-A Bowie.  Wheeler was DFA'd by Baltimore on Friday.
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Baltimore Orioles Cincinnati Reds Minnesota Twins St. Louis Cardinals Tampa Bay Rays Transactions Joe Thurston Ron Mahay Ryan Garko Tyler Johnson

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Ryan Garko To Play In Korea

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | December 10, 2010 at 11:17am CDT

Ryan Garko has signed to play in Korea, according to Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer (on Twitter). The six-year MLB veteran hit free agency two months ago after a disappointing 2010 season.

Garko, who turns 30 next month, struggled through 38 plate appearances with the Rangers before they cut him this May. In his last extended stint in the majors, the first baseman batted .268/.344/.421 in 400 plate appearances for the Indians and Giants in 2009.

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Uncategorized Ryan Garko

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Minor League Transactions: Free Agents, Herges, Ramirez

By Luke Adams 2 | October 12, 2010 at 5:24pm CDT

Matt Eddy of Baseball America brings us minor league transactions for October 3rd to 9th, the first full week of the offseason for most clubs. Here are a few notes of interest from the latest series of minor league moves across the league:

  • Many familiar names have been granted free agency, including Ian Snell, Cla Meredith, Micah Owings, Fernando Nieve, Dan Meyer, Ryan Garko, Mike Jacobs, and Jason Bergmann.
  • The Royals released reliever Matt Herges. Herges didn't reach the majors this season, but had a solid year in 2009, recording a 3.38 ERA in 30 games between Cleveland and Colorado.
  • Yordany Ramirez, a long-time minor league outfielder, was re-signed by the Astros. After struggling as a hitter in three Triple-A seasons, the 26-year-old is being converted to pitching.
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Houston Astros Kansas City Royals Transactions Cla Meredith Dan Meyer Fernando Nieve Ian Snell Jason Bergmann Matt Herges Micah Owings Mike Jacobs Ryan Garko Yordany Ramirez

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How Will Angels Replace Morales?

By Luke Adams 2 | May 30, 2010 at 4:28pm CDT

4:28pm: The Boston Globe's Peter Abraham wonders (via Twitter) if Mike Lowell will be traded to the Angels in light of Morales' injury. He notes that the Red Sox would likely have to eat a large portion of Lowell's salary.

2:16pm: ESPN's Mark Saxon tweets that the Angels are saying Morales' injury is not season ending, though he doesn't provide a timetable for the slugger's return. As Saxon points out in another tweet, Mike Napoli will start at first base today for the first time since his minor league days.

10:57am: Following one of the more unusual injuries in recent years, the Angels now face the problem of how to replace their most productive hitter. Kendry Morales, who was hitting .290/.346/.487 with 11 homers, fractured his leg while celebrating a walk-off grand slam last night, and could miss the rest of the season.

Robb Quinlan and Mark Trumbo are in-house candidates to step in for Morales, but the defending AL West champs will likely consider acquiring an impact player to boost an offense that, even with Morales, has hit just .248. After all, despite playing sub-.500 ball so far, they're very much in contention, sitting only 3.5 games out of first place.

Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times writes that the Angels have plenty of options when it comes to finding a new first baseman. He suggests that Paul Konerko and Lance Berkman are the two most attractive and realistic trade targets for the Angels, though he acknowledges that the club won't have much leverage, given their desperate need for a middle-of-the-order bat. The Chicago Tribune's Mark Gonzales agrees that Konerko could be a fit for the Angels, noting that the White Sox first baseman has a relationship with Mike Scioscia that dates back to their days with the Dodgers.

DiGiovanna names a handful of other possible targets for the Angels, including Adam Dunn, Adam LaRoche, Russell Branyan, and Prince Fielder. Obviously, some of those sluggers are less available than others. Jermaine Dye, Ryan Garko, and Carlos Delgado (when he's healthy) are a few more available, low-cost options the team could look at, according to DiGiovanna.

Even if the Angels decide to make a move, it may not happen for a month or two, coming closer to the trade deadline. However, in the wake of Morales' injury, it's safe to put them near the top of the list of teams who will be shopping for a power hitter this summer.

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Boston Red Sox Los Angeles Angels Adam Dunn Adam LaRoche Carlos Delgado Jermaine Dye Kendrys Morales Lance Berkman Mike Lowell Paul Konerko Prince Fielder Russell Branyan Ryan Garko

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Ryan Garko Clears Waivers

By Zachary Links | May 18, 2010 at 2:48pm CDT

May 18th: Garko cleared waivers and will head to Triple A Oklahoma City, tweets MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan.

May 13th: The Rangers plan on placing Ryan Garko on waivers, according to Richard Durrett of ESPN Dallas.  T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com writes that Garko will be optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City and then put on outright waivers.  The Rangers are making the move to open up a spot for the returning Nelson Cruz.

Texas claimed Garko in April to be used as a backup to Chris Davis who could hit against lefties.  However, the switch-hitting Justin Smoak's presence means that the need for Garko is no longer great.

Garko, 29, has struggled thus far in 2010, posting a .094/.171/.094 slash line in 37 plate appearances.

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Texas Rangers Nelson Cruz Ryan Garko

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Odds & Ends: Indians, Dunn, Cardona, Giants

By Zachary Links | May 13, 2010 at 10:45pm CDT

Let's check out some links on a beautiful evening in New Jersey..

  • Indians manager Manny Acta says that he's still focused on developing the team's young talent, writes Paul Hoynes of The Plain Dealer.
  • Adam Dunn says that signing another two-year deal wouldn't be his preference, though he's not opposed to it, writes Bill Ladson of MLB.com.
  • Other clubs are upset over Toronto's reported agreement with Adonis Cardona, writes Jeremy Sandler of the National Post.
  • Even more from Baggarly, as he tells us not to expect the Giants to sign Jermaine Dye or call up Buster Posey in the coming days.
  • Andrew Baggarly of the Mercury News (via Twitter) doesn't think the Giants would benefit from bringing back Ryan Garko.
  • Former Royals manager Trey Hillman said that the team had a lengthy players-only meeting prior to being swept by the Rangers, tweets Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports.
  • Giants manager Bruce Bochy, GM Brian Sabean, and hitting coach Hensley Meulens are "talking over options"  following a 1-hit loss to San Diego, writes Andrew Baggarly of the Mercury News (via Twitter).
  • The Reds have promoted Yonder Alonso to Triple-A Louisville, tweets Ben Badler of Baseball America.  Baseball America's 2010 Prospect Handbook rated Alonso ahead of Mike Leake in Cincinnati's farm system but behind Todd Frazier.
  • MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez writes that Major League Baseball is hoping to clean up the sport in Venezuela.
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Cincinnati Reds Cleveland Guardians Kansas City Royals San Francisco Giants Washington Nationals Adam Dunn Buster Posey Jermaine Dye Ryan Garko Yonder Alonso

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Odds & Ends: Posey, Jamey Wright, Lugo, Hart

By Luke Adams 2 | April 2, 2010 at 9:20pm CDT

Let's take a look at a few more assorted Friday links….

  • After seeing Mike Leake earn a spot in the Reds' rotation without pitching in the minors, MLB.com's Mark Sheldon lists the other 20 drafted players who once made the leap straight to the show.
  • The Giants officially optioned Buster Posey to Triple A Fresno, writes Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle. Earlier today, we looked at a potential timeline for when we could see Posey in the majors.
  • Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer tweets that the Indians will pay $900K to purchase Jamey Wright's minor league contract. Wright had a provision in his deal that allowed him to opt out if he wasn't on the big league roster by today.
  • Julio Lugo expects to see a good deal of playing time in Baltimore, according to the Baltimore Sun's Jeff Zrebiec.
  • Tim MacMahon of ESPNDallas says that the Rangers anticipate a "continued improvement" from Scott Feldman over the course of the contract they signed him to today. In a separate piece, MacMahon notes that recent addition Ryan Garko will have his playing time dictated, to a certain extent, by how Chris Davis fares early on against lefties.
  • Corey Hart doesn't intend to let recent trade rumors involving him become a distraction, according to Anthony Witrado of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
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Baltimore Orioles Cleveland Guardians Milwaukee Brewers San Francisco Giants Texas Rangers Buster Posey Corey Hart Jamey Wright Julio Lugo Ryan Garko Scott Feldman

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Latin Links: Martinez, Maya, Ramirez, Escobar

By Nick Collias | April 2, 2010 at 7:39am CDT

A rumor by any other name smells just as sweet. Links are in Spanish…

  • Pedro Martinez has largely been linked in rumors to National League teams this winter, but Vladimir Guerrero thought recently his former Expo teammate might join him in Arlington. "Early in March, when I reported to Texas' spring training, I heard a fair amount about the possibility that Pedro was going to sign here, but it didn't happen," Guerrero told Juan Mercado at the Dominican paper El Dia. Martinez showed last year he wasn't afraid to pitch the stretch run in a hitter's park, as National League batters actually fared significantly better against Martinez on the road (.322/.362/.517 in 20 IP) than at Citizens Bank Ball Park (.225/.274/.701 in 24 IP) during his two months with the Phillies.
  • The flurry of activity this offseason in regard to Cuban prospects is likely "the tip of the iceberg," Rangers scout Juan Alvarez tells the Nuevo Herald's Jorge Ebro. The latest signings from the island, of pitchers Reinier Roibal by the Giants and Sergio Espinosa by the Rays, were relatively low on fanfare, but Ebro quotes a source saying interest is quickly heating up for 27-year-old Cuban right-hander Yuniesky Maya. Maya has been linked this winter primarily to the Red Sox, who reportedly view him as a starter.
  • In an interview with the Venezuelan paper El Tiempo, Max Ramirez clarifies recent reports that he is focusing on first base as his quickest route to the Rangers' major league roster. While he admits to taking some grounders, "They still consider me as a catcher and I think that's where I have more opportunities now," Ramirez says. Earlier this week the 25-year-old's name popped up once again as a possible trade chip for Mike Lowell, but that window likely closed for the time being when the Rangers claimed Ryan Garko off waivers yesterday. Nevertheless, as the Fort Worth Star-Telegram's Gil LeBreton recently noted, Ramirez is the odd man out at any position in Texas, especially after the team acquired catcher Matt Treanor from the Brewers.
  • Kelvim Escobar is throwing again and will stay in extended spring training for the Mets, but the team isn't counting on having him in the bullpen any time soon. A day before his previously stated April 1 deadline to decide whether to sit out 2010, Escobar told Lider en Deportes' Carlos Valmore Rodriguez that neither he nor the team are throwing up their hands on his one year, $1.25MM contract. Escobar says of Omar Minaya and Jerry Manuel, "They always tell me not to worry, they don't want me in April or May, because that's not when you win the World Series. (They tell me) they need me for a long time, to take my time and not rush myself, to be patient about things."
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Boston Red Sox Milwaukee Brewers Philadelphia Phillies Seattle Mariners Tampa Bay Rays Texas Rangers Kelvim Escobar Matt Treanor Max Ramirez Mike Lowell Pedro Martinez Reinier Roibal Ryan Garko Sergio Espinosa Vladimir Guerrero Yunesky Maya

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