Clearing Room For Clete? Guzman Hits Waivers

by Ian Casselberry on Mar 27, 2008 11:31 AM EDT in Detroit Tigers News

Once again, Billfer has tapped me on the shoulder to inform me of the latest roster news. (Hey, I was working on another post, which will go up shortly.) In what seems like kind of a head-scratching move (at least to me), the Detroit Tigers have put outfielder Freddy Guzman on waivers.

This would seem to eliminate from consideration for the final position player spot on the 25-man roster, but Jon Paul Morosi says that's not necessarily the case. If no team claims Guzman off waivers, his rights would revert back to the Tigers and they could send him to Triple-A Toledo to begin the season.

Of course, this fuels speculation that Clete Thomas could get that final roster spot. After not hearing much about the kid throughout Spring Training, suddenly he's the apple of Jim Leyland's eye. Last year with Double-A Erie, Thomas hit .280/.359/.405 with eight home runs, 53 RBI, and 18 stolen bases in 599 plate appearances.

The Tigers could also decide, however, to keep Dane Sardinha as a back-up catcher. And a trade is always a possibility, as well.

UPDATE (6 p.m.): Guzman's taken quite a tumble in the past 24 hours. After he cleared waivers this afternoon, the Tigers sent him to Double-A Erie, not Toledo, so players like Brent Clevlen could get the majority of playing time with the Mud Hens.

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Guzman Platoon

This move made more sense the more I thought about it.

1. Guzman was picked up to bat against left handed pitching if Curtis continued to struggle against it. If Inge is playing center there's no reason to keep him on the roster as a platoon option. And if Inge does well they can make him Curtis's platoon partner if he needs one. Currently having a LHB to give Inge a break against RHP makes sense.

2. They might be testing the trade waters. A team might jump at the chance to get him and might offer a reliever in return. And if a team claims him they can simply place him back on the roster if they don't want to lose him.

by MacRae on Mar 27, 2008 1:58 PM EDT reply actions