The M’s also got three other outfielders from the Mets.

The divide is pretty clear to me. Getting an average starting pitcher with upside and three years of control for one mid-level prospect is highly preferrable to dealing 2-3 prospects for one year of a closer.

What would start to put this into more perspective is if Robertson or Miner (I doubt anyone will take Willis) can now be traded for relief.

I am curious if Sherrill, Valverde or C.J. Wilson/Frank Francisco could be had if enough of Robertson’s salary was eaten.

Yah Valerde would be a prize and Sherrill not too bad. You can keep Wilson. The problem I see with Sherrill and Valverde is, do the Astros and Orioles have any young guns waiting in the wings to take over closer role?

On the good news side The Tigers got a SS, C and SP for less than what it would have cost had Rents accepted arb.

There are rumors that both sides are interested and the Braves don’t want to guarentee Smoltz a contract for ‘09. Any chance DD is selling him on being the Tigers closer on a one year deal?
Also, this deal demands that something be done with Robertson or Willis. I know he has a big upside so I don’t hate the move but with Verlander, Galarraga and Bondo in the folds this move clearly bumps one guy out (unless Bondo is not healthy). I also believe Miner deserves a shot at the rotation but I doubt now that he will get it. We can not afford either Robertson or Willis’ salary to have them simply working long relief.
File this under “my crazy thought of the day” but I believe the Rangers have expressed interest in Robertson before and they also expressed mild interest in Shef. If we could dump both on the Rangers for even peanuts in return I think that would be a good deal for us.
Final though on this. I had Joyce penciled in as a back up for Gullien in LF. Gullien missed nearly 40 games last year. Thames now becomes harder to trade because I think we need someone in place that can fill in for Carlos. Thames is great when he is hot but that usually only lasts a month. If Gullien gets hurt again I think we will have a major problem in LF.

Each season he has improved somewhat… he’s a young kid (fits in with Verlander and Bonderman, same age group)

He throws hard, which seems to be a requirement to be a pitcher for the Tigers…

he was once a top prospect in the Dodgers’ farm system

I’ll take him. I think he could play the role of Kelvim Escobar, to be honest. He could be closer or starter…

The Tigers did not just trade for a 25 year old pitcher who sits at 93mph, has a slider and a change and pitched average ball over nearly 190 IP in 2008 to put him in the bullpen. It would be an absolute waste.

To wit:
“I’m starting to feel a lot better about our starting pitchers,” Dombrowski said Wednesday night. “I’m also feeling better about the depth.”

Jackson is now our 4th starter, no doubt. Who is 5th is now the big question.

Jackson,though control-troubled,can be a stud for the Bengals(I believe he pitched 183 in-
nings for the Rangers in ‘08.)He’s got a mid-90’s heater and at 25,should improve.Also,with
Gerald Laird catching,Adam Everett at short and Curtis Granderson in center(for the nonce,
at least),E.J. will have at least three defensive stalwarts supporting him,plus the line-up
should be potent enough to give a healthy Jackson,perhaps,15 wins.(of course,if they have
to close with Fernando Rodney again,and Justin Verlander and Jeremy Bonderman don’t
return to their ‘07 form,another basement finish can’t be ruled out for the boys.)