The Quest For Relief Might Have to Wait It Out
by Ian Casselberry on Dec 9, 2008 8:30 PM EST
in Detroit Tigers News
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With Francisco Rodriguez signing with the Mets and Kerry Wood set to sign with the Indians, the Detroit Tigers suddenly find themselves in a bit of a pinch. Where exactly will they go now in their search for a closer?
Do these recent developments increase the urgency to make a trade with Seattle for J.J. Putz? Might they check in with Brian Fuentes, even though it might be too late? Should Dave Dombrowski wait until some of the smoke from these free agent fireworks clears? Or if he waits, will he see there's not much left for his team?
The Seattle Times' Geoff Baker hears that the Tigers' front office is haggling over that very dilemma right now:
I'm told there are some differing opinions within the Tigers hierarchy about how the team should approach its closer quandry. While Dombrowski might be tempted to act fast, others inside the organization feel the Tigers can benefit by waiting this market out. The theory being, there are so many closers out there right now that -- as more and more start signing deals lesser-than-expected a few months back -- some arms might come down in price to what the Tigers want to pay.
So despite Dombrowski's preference to work fast, throttling down a bit might work out in his favor. The risk, of course, is that the pickings might be slim. Baker also mentioned in his blog post that the Tigers "aren't very high" on Trevor Hoffman, so that's apparently not someone Dombrowski is willing to wait for. So it might come down to Brandon Lyon, or taking a chance on Juan Cruz being a closer.
Meanwhile, if the Tigers are serious about getting Putz, they'll probably need to keep an eye on the Brewers. As Jon Paul Morosi points out, new Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik worked in Milwaukee and his familiarity with the Brewers' farm system might tip his preferences.
And then there's this nugget from ESPN's Steve Phillips:
The Mariners need a power hitter. The Brewers need a closer. There is speculation that the two teams are discussing a package involving J.J. Putz and Prince Fielder.
Hoo boy. Prince Fielder could be a game-changer, as the Tigers wouldn't be offering anyone of that caliber at Fielder's current salary.
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Nice to hear that there’s someone around to tell DD not to mortgage the future of this team so he can go home early.
The Mariners are flippin crazy. Milwaukee can have him.
I’m still pretty okay with picking up Lyon. Paying tons of money for saves whether in money or prospects has never made much sense to me and the the kids we have are as good as advertised this may also be another “stopgap” position. That said, I’d feel pretty good with Fuentes in a Tiger uni.
Love the photo reference by the way.
Prince
Let Milwaukee Putz if they want to give up Prince…that’s crazier than the Joyce/Larish/Whoever deal.
I like Brandon Lyon, he seems to have pretty decent peripherals, although it’s been against the NL. I’d also to be skeptical that he could hold up for a whole season, he seems to get injured a lot. Seems a little sketchy against AL teams too, he gave up 2 HR’s in 4 appearances in interleague games last year (splits here).
Fuentes scares me.
yeeeah...
If Milwaukee gives up Prince for Putz, their biggest problem will not be their lack of closer, this is true; it will be their sudden, indefensible lack of Prince Fielder.
I have to believe that when Phillips says, “There is speculation…” that he means, “I shpeculate that they oughta’ discush thish. Bear in mind that I am heavily intoxicated.”
That said, I hope this is true, because it means we won’t try to trade the whole freaking farm system to get him.
by cherub_daemon on Dec 10, 2008 10:21 AM EST up reply actions
Go for Putz
Fuentes is not going to be cheap either and Lyon be okay as a set-up role not a closer.
Putz when healthy is the real deal.
Hoffman
We just sat through 3 years of Todd Jones and DD and company “aren’t very high” of Trevor Hoffman!?! Seriously !?! Look, I realize he is old but he is the perfect candidate for a one year deal that won’t cost the team much long term. I wouldn’t break the bank for him but if Putz is making $5 million and will cost prospects it seems like $7-8 million for Hoffman wouldn’t be too much. I am also fine with Fuentes, Lyon or Cruz. There certainly seems to be enough people available that we don’t need to mortgage any part of the future for Fuentes.
by tigerfaninChicago on Dec 10, 2008 10:27 AM EST reply actions
Bah humbug.
There are so many options out there not named Putz that I would rather see. I feel like we are just throwing prospects at teams the way the Yankees throw away money. That is our future. Head for a free agent; Lyon or Cruz or even Beimel.
It’s like Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie see a 10 year old child they like better and just throw a few of their adopted kids at it and hope for a good exchange.
-s
I for one, will be super pissed
if they trade Larish AND Joyce, let alone another pitcher for “The Putz”. We need left handed bats. Joyce should be a huge no-no, he is only 23! I don’t see how this adds up, the M’s are trying to rake with an injured closer. As previously stated, I will be pissed…..
*Was injured.
Healthy now.
Putz is a great closer, I will miss him, but he is more valuable to a contender and the M’s will not be that next year.
As for the Prince Fielder stuff…it wouldn’t have been just Putz for Prince straight up, and the Brewers have plenty of depth at 1B. Matt LaPorta will need a spot sooner rather than later.
LaPorta?
Didn’t he go to the Indians in the Sabathia deal?
by Ian Casselberry on Dec 10, 2008 7:47 PM EST up reply actions
not related to closers
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/8922020/Wednesday-MLB-winter-meetings-blog
If you scroll down on this one there is a comment that the Rangers have inquired about Sheffield. If there is any truth to this I say we ask for a bag of baseballs and one pitching machine.
by tigerfaninChicago on Dec 10, 2008 4:46 PM EST reply actions
I just read that, here it is!
"Texas has contacted Detroit about the availability of outfielder-designated hitter Gary Sheffield.
The Rangers need a middle-of-the-lineup bat to replace Milton Bradley, headed out of town as a free agent. Sheffield carries risks. He is 40 years old and has been troubled by shoulder problems in recent seasons. Sheffield last had a 30-homer, 100-RBI season in 2005". —Gerry Fraley
PLEASE! PRETTY PLEASE!!!!
Geez Rangers, where was this interest when we sent two prospects for Gerald Laird? I would have been happy to send Sheff and eat like a third of his contract!
Could this be example #2 of DD acting a little too fast on these offseason moves? First being the Rents deal which probably wouldn’t have happened if he knew Miggy was a possibility.
Anyway, biggest obstacle here is Sheff’s no trade clause. Other than that I think something could get done pretty quickly.
Go to Texas or get slivers sitting on the bench
Come on ready, don’ tease us. Eat part of the contract and sign Cruz with the savings.
Sheff
The deal won’t happen, methinks. Texas will want Detroit to eat most of the contract. I’d like to see it happen if we get a decent prospect back, make Carlos the DH, and find a decent free agent outfielder or play Joyce in left.
However, the report on Sheff is that he’s working out like a madman this offseason since he’s not having surgery for the first time in years after the regular season. A healthy, focused Sheffield in the last year of his contract a couple homers away from 500? I think that could be interesting.
http://designaterobertson.blogspot.com
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