Morning Prowl: Tigers' Objectives, Morosi's Insight, Jackson Trade Talk, and Brocail's Hoping
by Ian Casselberry on Dec 7, 2009 11:00 AM EST
in News
69 comments
Here's an amusing quote from Jon Paul Morosi, previewing the Winter Meetings plans for each American League team:
I don't know what the Tigers are going to do this week. The Tigers don't know what the Tigers are going to do this week.
And this is from a guy that used to cover the team for the Detroit Free Press. But it does make you wonder what the Tigers' plan is going into these meetings. Last year, it seemed pretty clear: Get a catcher, a shortstop, and maybe a closer. Dave Dombrowski got to work on those immediately, too.
The objectives aren't quite as clear this December. Shortstop seems to be a priority. An outfielder - especially one who could also bat leadoff - might be a pursuit, as well. Strengthening the bullpen is also a big need, but how far will the Tigers go to sign a closer? Billy Wagner's $7 million contract with the Braves might have set the bar a bit higher than Detroit wants to go.
Okay, let's get to some of the scuttlebutt out there this morning:
USA Today's Bob Nightengale posted on Twitter that Edwin Jackson is still a hot name around the lobby at the Indiana Convention Center. According to him, most executives seem to think he'll be traded.
Maybe we should all read Kurt Mensching's Eight Simple Rules For Following the Winter Meetings at Mack Avenue Tigers before responding to that rumor.
Yahoo! Sports' Steve Henson says three to four teams are interested in outfielder Juan Pierre, and the Dodgers are looking at getting some kind of three-team deal done. In return, L.A. would get "a bad contract starter."
Mike Axisa at MLB Trade Rumors takes that a bit further and connects the dots to the Tigers, who (as we know painfully well) have several pitchers with bad contracts to unload.
Both MLive.com's Steve Kornacki and Blake VandeBunte at The Spot Starters think Pierre would be a good fit for the Tigers' lineup. This season, Pierre batted .308/.348/.372 with 30 stolen bases in 42 attempts. Playing mostly in left field, he posted a UZR of 6.7.
With the Dodgers, could reliever George Sherill also be a possibility? At The Detroit Tigers Weblog, Bill Ferris looks at his pitching and salary numbers.
And maybe reliever Doug Brocail is in the business of trying to start rumors himself. Brocail is on Twitter and mentioned that he was in Detroit over the weekend. Was it for business or leisure? Brocail didn't make that clear, but asked, "Maybe a revival a decade later with the Tigers?" Later, he added how much he enjoyed Detroit.
With the Astros this year, Brocail pitched in only 20 games, serving three (!) separate stints on the DL due to leg and shoulder injuries. He struck out nine batters and walked 13 in 17.2 innings, posting a 4.58 ERA.
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Everyone hang on tight.
I have a feeling these meetings will be loud for us being mentioned every fourth word. Don’t think much will actually happen though.
2100 Woodward and Twitter
Re: Pierre
I wish I had an extra set of hands so I could give the thought of acquiring Pierre four thumbs down.
+4
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
by David Tokarz on Dec 7, 2009 12:29 PM EST up reply actions
Oooh, if only we were doing Comment of the Day right now.
We might have to dust that off for this.
by Ian Casselberry on Dec 7, 2009 12:32 PM EST up reply actions
I'd be ok with Pierre... IF
The trade didn’t involve Jackson, like the article put forward. Geez, that trade would be preposterous. I’d seriously consider a Pierre for Guillen deal though, if the Dodgers would bite on it. It’d be a bad contract exchange in the same ballpark moneywise, and we’d get someone who could actually play the field, maybe move Raburn to RF, and have Maggs DH. That way we don’t have to deal with Guillen whining anymore.
Basically, I would hate to see Jackson get traded. But if he does get moved, it had better be for SP and/or SS.
A lifelong Tigers fan
Especially
If we consider that Sherrill is non-tenderable at this point (the Dodgers are that broke).
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
by David Tokarz on Dec 7, 2009 12:55 PM EST up reply actions
yeah
My fear is that our biggest move of the meetings will involve acquiring a back end of the bullpen guy like Kevin Gregg or Mike Gonzalez. If we wait around there will be some opportunities to get some guys like Brocail on the cheap who may or may not pan out.
Personally, I think our biggest need is still SP (even bigger than SS), so we’re screwed if we trade Jackson. What do you think Pres?
A lifelong Tigers fan
Hmm
I desperately covet Justin Duchsherer or Rich Harden or Erik Bedard as a rehab project. I’d also like JJ Putz for the bullpen and if we do sign a SS, I want Opie back.
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
Agreed.
+1 to all.
-Bummed about Pavano. It sounds like he’s going to agree to arbitration with the Twinkies. He was on my short list as well.
-I know Tigers fans are split on this one, but I think one year of Smoltz could be a great way to help bridge the gap to our young up-and-comers. It sounds like he’ll probably go back to the Cards, and also doesn’t have much interest in being in the AL. But if he doesn’t go to St. Louis, his homestate team might be a nice destination
-Brett Myers could be a good project if the money is right
A lifelong Tigers fan
Brett Myers
I’m not sure the Tigers need to spend more money on a guy they aren’t even sure will be able to contribute coughDontrelleWilliscough
I root for the Tigers, Pistons, Red Wings and yes, the Lions.
www.twitter.com/zajareich
Depending on what you believe
Dombrowski agrees with you, regarding starting pitching. Two reported rumors had them looking for a starter (Brandon Morrow, Max Scherzer) in return for Jackson.
by Ian Casselberry on Dec 7, 2009 1:15 PM EST up reply actions
I like Max
I’d be ok with a Jackson trade involving Scherzer… only problem is, he’s a Boras client.
A lifelong Tigers fan
What amazes me is that Verlander is not
by SabreRoseTiger on Dec 7, 2009 2:02 PM EST up reply actions
Verlander isn't a flaming douchebag.
There, I said it. Any player that is a Boras client is a level below maximum. Yes, I know that list includes some beloved Tigers.
2100 Woodward and Twitter
Yep.
I stand firmly by it, no matter who you trot out. Scott Boras is one of the worst things to happen to sports let alone baseball.
2100 Woodward and Twitter
I hate Scott Boras
I do like several of his clients, though.
by SabreRoseTiger on Dec 7, 2009 4:54 PM EST up reply actions
I just read the Kornacki article too.
Jackson and Guillen for Pierre and Sherrill is an absolutely terrible, laughable idea.
Minor Everett note:
Per Morosi, Everett is seeking about 3 million, which is slightly above the Alex Gonzalez precedent. I wonder if he would sign for less if we gave him a second year. We have no clear shortstop for 2011 either.
I was thinking the same thing
under $3 mil but for a couple years. Dlugach might be ready, but who knows.
What about Fields?
I’m not holding my breath on Cale Iorg, and Dlugach is kind of a AAAA guy… but what about Josh Fields? I’ve only heard good things about him, but I’m curious what the organizations’ view of him is. What do you guys think… is he the “Detroit SS of the future”?
Also, one thing I’ve been wondering: if Dlugach is supposed to be a very solid fielder but only a mediocre hitter, isn’t that essentially the same as re-signing Everett? I like Everett and would be happy to see him back, but if we’re in a pinch for money, wouldn’t this be something we should consider, or is having a veteran alongside Sizemore that important?
A lifelong Tigers fan
Fields doesn't even have one minor league AB yet,
and he’s just out of high school. So even if he does make it to the majors, it won’t be in 2011.
SOLDSOLDSOLDSOLDSOLDSOLDSOLD
For the love of god just keep him around so we’ve got some kind of veteran presence up the middle.
2100 Woodward and Twitter
*sigh
Really, GM’? You have to meet during my exam week? I’ve just spent the past 30 minutes here instead of in my Islam textbook…
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
Tigers drop Rapada from the 40 in a cash/PTBNL deal
Rangers Acquire Clay Rapada
The Rangers acquired lefty reliever Clay Rapada from the Tigers for a player to be named later or cash considerations, according to MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan.
JD’s like, "you want some fucking pitching? Here’s all the pitching you can stand. Now choke on it, bitches!"- RCCook
I was just going to post that Laxtonto
Plus, Bob Nightengale via twitter:
http://twitter.com/BNightengale/status/6438679050
“The Detroit Tigers are close to trading starter Edwin Jackson, perhaps as early as today, and still hope to trade CF Granderson this wk”
OK, this makes me nervous. I think eJax might be on his way out but the Tigers still HOPE to trade Curtis? No, no, no, they better not WANT to trade him, they better only trade him if there’s an incredible deal out there. This better be a poor choice of words by Nightengale, not how the Tigers really feel.
Not to start a storm, but...
Premium content, but @ 12:30 today, ESPN Insider mentions the Cardinals inquiring about or being interested in Tigers Brandon Inge, along with the Nats Adam Dunn…
The world's greatest wiffle ball tournament! TheFatty.com
Thanks Rings,
Hopefully they are interested in Inge, that’s someone I don’t mind seeing go for the right player. He’s declining in age, one more year on that contract and the knees are bad – if we can get something for him now, you have to take it. Just make sure you somehow upgrade at 3B offensively when you do, you’re going to have to makeup for the lost D.
And no, I don’t want Adrian Beltre. He’s like Brandon Inge 2.0 with a slightly better bat and I think he’s older?
So, name someone to take Inge's spot at 3B.
Try and find someone that isn’t a rookie. Just for the record Beltre is two years younger than Inge hitting .034/.020/+.059 in his career over Inge.
My “no rookie” requirement is due to Sizemore starting at 2B and a rookie most likely getting part-time at SS. I don’t exactly want Miguel Cabrera to be my veteran presence for the infield.
2100 Woodward and Twitter
Granderson to the Cubs
For Aramis Ramirez, Starlin Castro, Milton Bradley and 1 billion dollars.
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
i know you are kidding, but...
how good is Starlin Castro (what a name!)
He's okay
Definitely has potential as a slick fielding, good hitting SS prospect. Fast, can take a pitch (but looks to prefer contact), but limited power production. I’ve seen comps to Edgar Rentaria.
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
I'm assuming you mean Edgar Renteria in his prime?
Not the Edgar Renteria that we ended up with.
by SabreRoseTiger on Dec 7, 2009 4:39 PM EST up reply actions
so its rumored that jackson has been traded to the mets
Vikings 4 the superbowl
mlbtraderumors.com
Vikings 4 the superbowl
ed price said he heard it in the lobby, so who knows if it is even true
Vikings 4 the superbowl
2:09pm: Ken Davidoff of Newsday tweets that a Mets official denied a Jackson trade.
Vikings 4 the superbowl
...can't play 3B
He can barely play the OF, let alone third.
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
but is Larish's favorite position
he said so =)
My favorite position is catcher
Doesn’t mean I’ll be playing it in the Bigs (or anywhere) any time soon. :D
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
I'm honestly a bit perplexed with DD this offseason
On the Granderson front, whether it’s fair or not, I’m fairly certain the Cubs won’t deal Castro in a deal for Granderson. The Cubs are rushing Castro a bit, leaving open the possibility that he may be on the 25 man. I doubt it, but barring a collapse, he’ll be up sooner than later. I think anyone outside of Castro would be available, but then that begs the question of whether or not that would be enough for the Tigers.
As for the Yankees rumors, I’ve got a tough time seeing them part with Hughes for a positional player this offseason. I still don’t see the fascination with Austin Jackson. I mean, decent player, probably solid defensively, could probably give you a decent average/OBP. I think a lot of people are still looking at his tools and hoping the power develops, and he’s still young enough that it’s not impossible, but at this stage of the developmental curve (age/level), you can’t keep hoping on potential power. Honestly, I just don’t get the fascination with him, and I can’t believe that the Yankees would say no on Jackson (as one of the rumors went).
Plain and simple:
You want one of our star players, it’s going to cost you quite a bit.
2100 Woodward and Twitter
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