Does that guy visiting from the A’s blog asking about Ryan Raburn know something we don’t? (see most recent fan post)

I’m not sure how to answer his question, actually….I think Raburn’s best value is still as a utility guy, with a potential to make a servicable, if mediocre everyday player. Am I selling the kid too short?

Tigers should consider letting go one or a combo of the following: Larish, Sheffield, Raburn, Renteria, Clevlen, Inge. for KROD or CC (I heard he is available for next year!?) Get the pitching strong for next year…discuss

A gut feeling throughout July’s shopping bazaar known as the non-waiver trade deadline is that the Tigers’ deals would be summed up accordingly: Nothing.

This was more or less confirmed Tuesday when Dave Dombrowski, the Tigers president and general manager, was asked if he anticipated Detroit dealing for short-term, or long-haul, help ahead of Thursday’s deadline.

“I do not know what will happen,” Dombrowski said. “But we continue to talk with clubs to have a feel about what will be taking place.”

Although Dombrowski obviously and intentionally offered not a shred of insight there, it’s highly unlikely the Tigers will do anything remotely close to significant ahead of Thursday’s 4 p.m. deadline, for a couple of reasons.

Mathematically, they’re still in the playoff chase. Realistically, they haven’t come close to changing their competitive personality this season. It’s a stretch to believe any trade-deadline dealing will alter realities there. The Tigers have to be careful about making any bold trades that would in any way further deplete their core of young talent that’s the key to this ballclub remaining competitive in the years ahead.

Source: Detroit News

The lukewarm trade deadline will go along with a lukewarm season. Not bad enough to give up, not good enough to search for that one missing piece. Anything short of a starting pitcher isn’t going to make a huge difference for this team and even that might not do it. I think the smartest thing to do is nothing because we shouldn’t deal guys who might come in handy next year when we might actually need that one last finishing touch for a playoff drive.

My buddy Matt just called me and said that Pudge has been traded to the Yankees…anyone seen anything on this yet?

I hate to see pudge go, considering he’s been here since the beginning of the rebuild.

But I am glad to see some support come to the bullpen.

Could have had 2 picks in June for Pudge. Now we have Jason Grilli with a faster fastball. We better hope this guy does well enough to earn Type A status and walks or this was an utter waste.

I personally don’t see Dane S. as a backup. I feel like more trades are going to be made by Detroit.

Prior to giving up 2 runs on Monday, Farnsy had allowed 2 hits and 0 runs in his prior 11 outings and had struck out 10 and walked 5 in 9 1/3 innings of work

It’s not that Farnsworth doesn’t have ANY value, he just doesn’t have value to us. He’s a flyball pitcher with a straight fastball. He isn’t good in a set-up role and he isn’t good as a closer. He’s a $6m garbage man and I fail to see how he helps the team. We could have gotten a garbage man for cheaper from Toledo. Granted, Pudge was not the make or break player for us this year, but unless the Tigers:

1. Suspected that Pudge would accept arbitration
2. Are close to dealing Rents and/or Sheff and just figured they’d clear all the shelves
OR
3. Are going to make a deal for another catcher or are freeing up salary for a SP,

this was pointless

I’m also really curious what the Marlins offered for Pudge. Was it really worse than Kyle Flippin’ Farnsworth?