Marlins Fishing For Pudge?

by Ian Casselberry on Jul 16, 2008 9:30 PM EDT in Detroit Tigers News

The Detroit Tigers aren't quite in a position to be selling off any players right now, let alone a catcher. But if they do decide to shed some of the older, higher-priced talent from their roster, the Florida Marlins are interested in Pudge Rodriguez.

The Marlins are in need of a catcher after Matt Treanor went on the disabled list last week with a strained hip. According to the Miami Herald, they're apparently not too enamored with available catchers, such as Paul Lo Duca and Yorvit Torrealba, and decided to shoot higher. The Tigers said, however, that Pudge wasn't available.

Hey, wait a minute - doesn't Florida already have one of Detroit's former catchers? Yes, Mike Rabelo was part of The Trade back in December, but he was sent down to Triple-A Albuquerque in late June, after batting .202/.256/.294 with three homers and 10 RBIs in 122 plate appearances.

Of course, the Tigers' stance on trading Pudge could presumably change if they fall out of the AL Central race over the next few weeks. They could use the rest of the season to get a head start on Brandon Inge being the starting catcher next season. But if Pudge stays with the Tigers through this season - and it's very likely he will - at least he knows one team that might be interested in his free agent services during the winter.

(via MLB Trade Rumors)

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I know it's an unpopular stance

But why not? He’s a free agent next year, and the Marlins have some interesting players (can you say Miller and Maybin? I knew you could.) So why not listen and see what the Marlins will offer. You guys already know my take on making the playoffs this year (also an unpopular stance) so why not ship Pudge out now?

by pfuhrmeister on Jul 16, 2008 9:41 PM EDT reply actions

I'm with pfurh

You gotta think about more then just the present here. I don’t think trading or keeping Pudge is going to be what separates the Tigers from the playoffs, so if Dombro can get something of value for him I’m all for it.

by jgrubbs on Jul 16, 2008 10:46 PM EDT reply actions

maybe then, not so much now.

At the beginning of the season all I wanted was for both Pudge and Rents to be shipped out of town. Now at the halfway point in the season with Vance Wilson’s career likely over and Pudge’s OPS+ at 98, I’m less supportive of trading him provided we’re still in the divisional race. Pudge has his negatives and he’s far, far too expensive for what he produces, but I don’t think that an Inge/Sardinha combo behind the plate is a playoff scenario. The good news about Pudge’s production is that the exclusivity of catchers in the majors coupled with a decent season might influence him to file for free agency in which case we’d at least get a draft pick.

Situations like this one put DomBro in a very tough spot. He has to have some idea whether or not we have a chance at the playoffs in a little less than two weeks. Makes you hope that if we’re not going to make it we tank the first 8 games right out of the gate.

by MacRae on Jul 17, 2008 9:18 AM EDT reply actions