Treanor For Back-Up Catcher?

by Ian Casselberry on Dec 11, 2008 7:00 AM EST in Detroit Tigers News

With the Detroit Tigers facing an increasingly shrinking closer market, I realize that back-up catchers might not be an especially compelling topic. But in the wake of acquiring Gerald Laird this week, Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski mentioned that Dusty Ryan would "ideally" be the starting catcher in Triple-A Toledo next season.

With that, Dombrowski seemed to imply that he hoped to find a suitable reserve catcher. (Right now, we're looking at Dane Sardinha for that position.) And a decent one is now available. The Florida Marlins released Matt Treanor last night, most likely to clear a spot for whomever the team selects in today's Rule 5 draft.

Rumors had the Tigers linked with Treanor earlier this offseason, as a possible addition to a Jack Wilson trade package. Of course, that would've been contingent upon the Pirates first getting Treanor from the Marlins. This also raised the question of whether or not a catcher who averaged 67 starts a season (and also recovering from hip surgery) might somehow be the Tigers' starter behind the plate, or if he might back up Ryan.

Obviously, both of those questions are moot now. Laird is the Tigers' starting catcher. But if the Tigers were eyeing Treanor as an understudy, he's there for the signing. This year, he made $700,000.

The Baltimore Orioles might also be interested in picking up Treanor, according to MASN's Roch Kubatko.

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Smoltzy

Let’s get the Joh Smoltz rumors going and get this Michigan native back home!!!

Tigers 1985 amateur draft pick finally gets to pitch in Detroit!!!

(I"ll miss Joyce……letting go of a young powerfull left handed bat in exchange for a 5.15 career E.R.A just doesn’t make sense at this time, however Jackson is only 25 and hopefully hasn’t peaked yet)

(What is up with the Mets? Their bullpen will have Wagner, Putz and K-Rod – damn)

(Does Miner become our fifth starter and Willis/Robertson come out of the bullpen?)

Like sands through the hour glass, so our the days of our Tigers.

by MSU4LIF on Dec 11, 2008 9:08 AM EST reply actions

off season dealings

ya know their is not that block buster deal we have be getting used to the last few years..but I dont know that we need it..I mean I would really like a rock solid closer but I agree that you can always find one within the system that you might just get lucky and they can handle the job effectively..I think last year was an extremely flukey year..many injuries piled up and many proven all stars in our line up started slow and dug a huge hole..I think this team could still come out this year with a different attitude and produce different results..I am sure their was a lot of—well we are so stinkin good this year we can coast to the world series..then they started so slow and guys started pressing..I look for 1-6 in the line up to start and finish differently this year..pitching obviuosly has to turn around, it just makes no sence the amount of talent in the rotation and for all of them to flop?? are they all overrated? I dont think so..

by PBURGTIGER on Dec 11, 2008 9:08 AM EST reply actions