Weekend Prowl: Hendry Wants Grandy, What Dombrowski Wants, Arizona Fall League, and the Tiger of the Year

by Ian Casselberry on Nov 15, 2009 9:00 AM EST in News Comment 26 comments

The Chicago Tribune's Phil Rogers heard from a source close to the Cubs that said general manager Jim Hendry is "absolutely" interested a package full of prospects to the Tigers for Curtis Granderson. (And really, if he wasn't, would Hendry be doing his job?)

The key word in Rogers' second paragraph, however, is "if." If Dave Dombrowski is willing to trade Granderson, Hendry wants a shot at him.

(via MLB Trade Rumors)

At The LoHud Yankees Blog, Sam Borden doesn't think Granderson is necessarily a fit for the World Series champs. And if the Tigers want Phil Hughes or Joba Chamberlain in a deal, he believes the Yanks should pass.

That kind of pitching might be exactly what Dombrowski is looking for, judging from what Brewers GM Doug Melvin told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel about conversations regarding Edwin Jackson.

As Jason Beck points out, that's more than just seeing what other teams have to offer. But it might also indicate that these trades aren't being considered simply to reduce payroll.

The Detroit Tigers Weblog posted some Arizona Fall League updates. Reliever Robbie Weinhardt and outfielder Casper Wells continue to be standouts. (Wells left Thursday's game after legging out an infield hit, but turned out to be fine.)

The Washington Nationals could have an opening at shortstop (they'd like to move Cristian Guzman over to second base), and one of the guys on their wish list to fill it is Adam Everett, according to Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi. The note makes it sound, however, as if the Nats' first choice is Alex Gonzalez.

For all those Tigers fans who hope Placido Polanco doesn't end up with the Minnesota Twins next season, maybe you shouldn't read this post at Twins Target. Andrew Kneeland is another Twins blogger who thinks Polanco would be a great fit for them, giving them a #2 hitter they've rarely had.

Speaking of Everett, Jeff Zimmerman at Beyond the Box Score projects him to be the leader in UZR at shortstop for 2010.

(via @MackAveTigers on Twitter)

This is a few days old, but if the Tigers are truly interested in trading Jackson, Bucs Dugout wants the Pirates to get in on that action (and thinks closer Matt Capps, along with a couple of prospects, could do it).

At The Spot Starters, Blake VandeBunte has been ranking the Top 109 Seasons in Detroit Tigers history. Team 92 on his list is the 1999 Tigers. Reading through Blake's post, I recalled quite a bit of affection for that squad. Maybe because it was the last team to play in Tiger Stadium?

ESPN.com's Keith Law made his picks for five of the six postseason awards (Insider). (He passed on the NL Cy Young, because he actually cast a ballot in that vote.) Tigers fans will probably agree with his choice for AL Rookie of the Year.

Lost in all the trade rumor and speculation that unexpectedly exploded this week? Justin Verlander was unanimously voted Tiger of the Year by the Detroit chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America.

Jayson Stark wonders if Cliff Lee was the greatest trade deadline starting pitcher acquisition ever (Insider). If he was listing the worst, where might Jarrod Washburn rank?

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the worst word in baseball....

other than “Grilli” or “Metrodome”….is Prospect.

I really hate the fact that we’re accepting the possibility of trading our homegrown, relatively productive, incredibly popular centerfielder for a bunch of 19-23 year olds that are hit or miss. Prospects don’t work far more than they do.

We have a 28 year old prospect who plays a good centerfield. He struggles against left-handers, yes, but he does plenty of things well.

If we’re going to trade him, we have to get at minimum one player who starts opening day, and I don’t mean in the minors.

by rook34 on Nov 15, 2009 12:42 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Who is accepting the fact?

I don’t remember hearing Dombrowski trading Granderson today. So he’s certainly not the one accepting it.

Fans don’t seem to be accepting it. The ones who think it’s fine to trade Granderson are generally looking for major leaguers in return, not prospects.

Mack Avenue Tigers

by Kurt Mensching on Nov 15, 2009 12:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Not necessarily referring to anyone here.

But some people I’ve talked to (not the best sample source, I admit) seem to think that it’s a foregone conclusion, and we have to roll the dice with a bunch of kids that we’ve never even seen, and that someone else is willing to get rid of.

by rook34 on Nov 15, 2009 12:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The national media's quest to improve the Red Sox and Yankees continues...

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/10374040/Trading-Cabrera-makes-financial-sense-for-Tigers

Notorious East Coast Biaser Rosenthal suggests that the Tigers trade their best position player for a closer the Red Sox won’t sign (Paps), a $12 million dollar third baseman who is chronically injured (Lowell) and a couple of prospects. Why should the Tigers even bother fielding a team, Rosenthal?

by rook34 on Nov 15, 2009 4:55 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

MLB Trade Rumors has latched onto this

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/11/discussion-should-detroit-move-cabrera.html

I refuse to look at the comments section of this post, because it would most likely just piss me off. However, I personally think they answer their own question in the final paragraph.

And Mike Lowell makes no sense.

Tigers Amateur Analysis

by SabreRoseTiger on Nov 15, 2009 5:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Not sure why a team looking to dump payroll...as they say...

would want a $12 million dollar, broken down third baseman.

Anything to make the Yanks or Red Sox better, though.

by rook34 on Nov 15, 2009 5:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Come to think of it, though...

Rosenthal did suggest that Detroit should acquire Lowell before, though. It was sometime late last year (before the Tigers got Laird, I think). I don’t remember the full scenario, but it seemed to involve the Red Sox acquiring Adrian Gonzalez, then trading Lowell to Detroit (not sure who he suggested we give up) and moving Inge back to catcher. Not surprisingly, I wasn’t really enamored with this idea.

Even if DD was considering moving Miggy, I doubt Lowell would be what he was looking for. If he says he’s looking for “young talent,” well, Lowell doesn’t exactly qualify as “young.”

Tigers Amateur Analysis

by SabreRoseTiger on Nov 15, 2009 5:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Acquiring Lowell...

would be up their with the Willis signing in terms of asinine decisions.

by rook34 on Nov 15, 2009 5:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I may be naive...

but, I don’t see them trading Grandy UNLESS Mags goes with him to free up his $$$. With that said, I am not sure that just because the other team would be taking Mags money with them, DD wouldn’t still be requesting a full payload in return. Just my thoughts.

"Without deviation from the norm, 'progress' is not possible."

by Zappatista on Nov 15, 2009 5:15 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Here's a discussion question for you:

Does the media believe it can “force” a team to trade a player? After all, Lynn Henning is declaring that the Tigers have “gone too far” to NOT trade Grandy (whatever that means), and now we have Ken Rosenthal and Nick Cafardo both imploring a Miggy trade, though there has not been any indication that such a deal is even being considered (yet). Do they honestly believe that if they keep bringing it up that they can influence DD to pull the trigger when he shouldn’t?

Tigers Amateur Analysis

by SabreRoseTiger on Nov 15, 2009 5:16 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Some theories:

Rosenthal, Olney, and Gammons (though he at least tries to be professional) are basically press agents for the Yankees and Red Sox and will do anything within their limited power (it’s pretty limited) to ensure their nuclear arms race continues.

Henning clearly has some sort of problem with the Tigers organization. It could be the fact that most of the players ignore him. Maybe the postgame food spread isn’t very good. But he certainly doesn’t seem to enjoy his job or being around the sport at all, and has gladly taken up the role of the bitter old crank.

by rook34 on Nov 15, 2009 5:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

One argument:

. . . among many against trading Granderson—I’d hate to see them give Henning the satisfaction.

by rea on Nov 15, 2009 8:52 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

ERIN!

Check your email. I forgot to send you the DIBS ballot and the results go out tonight!

Mack Avenue Tigers

by Kurt Mensching on Nov 15, 2009 6:38 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Got it

I had to use the online spreadsheet, but you should have it now.

Tigers Amateur Analysis

by SabreRoseTiger on Nov 15, 2009 6:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

If double D

gets rid of Grandy & Jackson, & doesn’t resign Palanco, I believe we’re headed for another losing season like the one a few years ago. What he needs to do is somehoe make amends for the Willis, Roberson, & Bonderman debacle, their the whole reaon we can’t afford to pay guys like Polly what they’re really worth, 2 outta 3 of these guys either didn’t play or when they did looked like they should be in AAA.
Is this guy serious Grandy for PROSPECTS, gimme an fn break. That would be a rediculous trade. Do you really believe Some1 like Rayburn or Thomas could even attempt to fill his Role. Granted he had an off year last year, but sow did almost every1 else, besides Cabby, Polly, Verlander, Porcello, & Jackson, maybe Lyon, though he struggled at 1st. Grandy will be back to his true form. The only guy we got fast enough is Wilcox & I don’t think he’s got the same dFensive game as Grandy. About the only guy I could see unloading is Mags, only cause he’s almost 40, an struggled bigtime b4 the allstar break, he almost earned id $18mil after the break, almost…still didn’t see any power, idk did he stop takin roids or something, or is he just gettin old?
We need to be adding some1 to the rotation, definately not gettin rid of our 2nd best pitcher, who did struggle a bit in the 2nd 1/2, though was rarely ever given any run support, alot of his early losses he was outstanding, I believe the Bullpen gave up a few 2. We gotta find another solid relief pitcher, 1 that doesn’t have elbow surgery every year.

by LTownDown on Nov 15, 2009 9:36 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Who is Wilcox?

The only guy we got fast enough is Wilcox & I don’t think he’s got the same dFensive game as Grandy.

Bless You Boys

by Ian Casselberry on Nov 15, 2009 10:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Is Uncle Miltie back?

I was wondering the same thing. I think he means Wilkin. Poor Wilkin had a few bad misadventures on the basepaths. Not sure he’s held in the highest regard these days.

by rook34 on Nov 15, 2009 10:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Heck

I really think that your club, as is, could probably be competitive in the AL Central right now anyways. The only reason I can see DD pondering these moves is because he doesn’t love his team’s title chances in 2010, he wants to see if he can get a bushel of prospects, and thus, when the contracts clear after 2010, accelerate a rebuilding process.

by toonsterwu on Nov 15, 2009 10:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

+1

This sounds about right. My problem is that as long as he doesn’t deal away prospects, we can be competitive in 2011 and 2012 as well (as long as we keep drafting smartly).

President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.

by demondeaconsbaseball on Nov 15, 2009 10:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree

I will say, though, if Dombrowski is really down on his team’s chances in 2010, then, even if I disagree with him, I can’t fault him for making a move, provided it nets a decent return. I’d much rather a GM try to make a tough decision that he feels is necessary, than one that avoids making the tough decision.

That said, the AL Central looks weak. The White Sox could be intriguing, although Kenny Williams seems to have suggested they are limited by finances this offseason as well. THe Indians need a lot to go right on the pitching front. Not impossible … but a lot of things ave to fall in place, and even then, they have to have their bats all play fairly well. I had some hopes for Dayton Moore – I really don’t, and I like following the Royals system. Okay, that’s harsh, but he’s made some odd moves (only positive thing is the system is sweet). The Twins will be their usual selves and plug along and be decent-solid, but it’s hard for me to see them, with their financial limitations, push the next step, when their system isn’t really in a position to tremendously bolster the team.

Short of it is, it seems like the right time to hang on and fight, and hope that, when you get to the postseason, that a little luck, plus Verlander, can carry you, and hope that Zumaya or Perry step up and pitch to their potential in the pen.

by toonsterwu on Nov 15, 2009 11:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I'd really like a trade

Just that it be a lateral one- Jackson and Streiby for Brandon Wood and the injured Ervin Santana.

President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.

by demondeaconsbaseball on Nov 16, 2009 1:20 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I'd rather have EJ than Santana

Ervin Santana has had one good year. The rest of the time he’s been marred by injuries and control problems (two things that are already abundant on our pitching staff). There’s no telling if EJ’s past history of control problems will resurface, but at least he’s managed to stay healthy throughout his career.

Brandon Wood still hasn’t done much at the Major League level, but if it’s a straight-up Streiby for Wood trade I suppose I wouldn’t mind so much. I have no emotional attachment to Streiby and his position is blocked (and there’s no way Streiby’s ever gonna put up Cabrera-like numbers).

Tigers Amateur Analysis

by SabreRoseTiger on Nov 16, 2009 6:28 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Doubtful it would be

Ejax is enough to get Wood and maybe a bullpen arm… you throw in the prospect to get the starter.

President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.

by demondeaconsbaseball on Nov 16, 2009 10:26 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

re: Yankees not wanting Granderson.

I see.

Now that they’re the World Champs again, our players aren’t worthy of wearing the pinstripes.

I supposed Melky Cabrera and Brian Bruney is a fair deal?

by Spirit of Detroit on Nov 15, 2009 9:55 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I wouldn't go that far

I think its’ a situation where the Yankees might feel that a year of say, Mike Cameron in CF, or Melky and Johnny Damon in the OF, and seeing what Austin Jackson may develop into, may provide them with a better combination of win now and long term planning.

by toonsterwu on Nov 15, 2009 10:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

just to be clear

I’m just saying that I don’t think it’s a case of them saying CG isn’t worthy of pinstripes (you might be kidding around anyways … I can’t tell online and am new here).

That said, personally,if I’m the Yankees, I would try to get CG as he fits now, and for the big picture 3-5 years for now.

by toonsterwu on Nov 15, 2009 10:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs