Another Suggestion of Lugo for Robertson (or Willis)

by Ian Casselberry on Nov 2, 2008 11:00 AM EST in Detroit Tigers News

In today's Boston Globe, Nick Cafardo stumps for baseball's general managers to make "swap deals," to get together and exchange their unwanted players amongst each other, hoping that the ol' "change of scenery" might yield some positive results.

One National League owner encourages his GM to make these types of deals because owners hate dead payroll. They'd rather swap bad contracts to see if a change of scenery works. But GMs fear they'll be ridiculed if the deals flop.

One match Cafardo tries to make is a trade the Freep's Jon Paul Morosi suggested a few weeks ago (and Matt brought up in the comments yesterday): Boston would send shortstop Julio Lugo to the Tigers for either Dontrelle Willis or Nate Robertson.

Such a deal seems like a great fit because the salaries match up closely, with Lugo owed $18 million on his remaining contract, Robertson set to earn $17 million, and Willis $22 million.

Lugo played 82 games for the Red Sox this year, batting .268/.355/.330 with one home run and 22 RBIs, along with 12 stolen bases. He also had as many errors (16) as Edgar Renteria, playing in 56 fewer games.

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Swapping Players with bad contracts

This should only be done as a last resort or if everything else fails. I guess Lugo would be better than Sanitago but the Tigers are short on starting pitchers. Even though Nate and DW were horrible, I do not see a lot of AAA pitchers in the Tiger organization ready to step up. Last year Lakeland pitchers probably could use another year in the minors. You do not want to rush these kids like AMiller and Bonderman was.

by Barry2 on Nov 2, 2008 2:07 PM EST reply actions

Nah!

by densogirl on Nov 2, 2008 11:56 PM EST reply actions

We would trade Lugo

for anyone at this point. I’m surprised anyone would trade for Lugo, he is at the lowest point of his career, but we might as well trade him before his value drops even lower. Impossible? Remember last year?

I am fine with either Robertson or Willis, but I would prefer Robertson. Dontrelle was good in the NL, but when pitchers make that jump to the AL they really have to adjust. Josh Beckett adjusted, and then had a 20-win season.

Probably for Robertson, now that I look at the money. Two million may not seem like a lot in baseball there days, but maybe we could drop down a slot in the payroll and people could stop saying we are the next MFY. At least we grow some talent, too! We are like a hybrid!

Crazy idea: Verlander?

Well, I'll appreciate for you to keep my zingers outta your mouth!

by BoSox415 on Nov 7, 2008 4:57 PM EST reply actions