Tigers Trade For... Another Outfielder?

by Ian Casselberry on Mar 30, 2009 3:15 PM EDT in Detroit Tigers News

Ladies and gentlemen, there has been a trade. Unfortunately, I'm not so sure it makes a lot of sense on the Detroit side of the equation. The Tigers traded reliever Rudy Darrow to the Atlanta Braves for outfielder Josh Anderson this afternoon.

Anderson is a left-handed hitting centerfielder who played in 40 games with the Braves last season, batting .294/.338/.426 with three home runs, 12 RBIs, and 10 stolen bases. In 121 games with Triple-A Richmond, he stole 42 bases in 49 attempts, while batting .314/.358/.405.

So he could give the Tigers some much-needed speed and a lefty bat off the bench. And according to the Freep's John Lowe, Dave Dombrowski says Anderson will be on the 25-man roster, as he's out of minor league options.

However, was the team really in need of an outfielder? And at the cost of a reliever?

The sidearming Darrow pitched in Single and Double-A last season, compiling 57 strikeouts (and 23 walks) in 62.1 innings, with a 5-3 record and 2.02 ERA.

This has to be a punch in the stomach to Jeff Larish, who looked to be the favorite for that 13th position player spot. Unless he's got it and Marcus Thames is getting squeezed out. Not to mention Ryan Raburn, Brent Clevlen, and Clete Thomas. You'd have to think this officially ends Clevlen's days with the Tigers organization too, unless he decides to accept an assignment to Toledo.

Here's a profile on Anderson from yesterday's Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Pretty convenient for our purposes.

And thanks to our SB Nation broham Talking Chop for the heads-up on the deal. Click over there to see how the Braves fans feel about this trade.

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Comments

Good Trade

I actually think this is a good deal. Anderson is a better fit as a 4th OF than any of our other options. He provides great speed off the bench (something we sorely lacked), and since he has been playing CF, I’d imagine he would be an above-average corner outfielder defensively. Should be a very good role player for us, and we have many relief options in the high levels of the minors already.

by TigersTyler on Mar 30, 2009 3:09 PM EDT reply actions

Well,

This is all a bit much….unexpected. Anderson can play all outfield positions, not just CF. I wonder who that oher OF was/is Dombrowski is trying to trade? I’m just sort of flabbergasted because we all thought Larish was gonna be on the team. Let’s see, we’ve got another day and a half to make those trades.

by densogirl on Mar 30, 2009 3:46 PM EDT reply actions

Definitely unexpected, especially since Ian was just talking about the overstocked OF we already have. I think Thames is a goner (via trade or release) and we still may see a deal where we package Raburn and Larish for perhaps a starter that could come in be our 4th or 5th guy similar to the Joyce for Jackson deal. At least, that’s what I’m hoping for.

by Detroit4lyfe on Mar 30, 2009 5:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Great Move For The Future.....

…..You get a guy that will be the starting left fielder in 2010 and you gave up a inor league relief pitcher…….This is the one area in the low minors that detroit has a ton of depth…..GREAT TRADE……..LOVE IT!!!!

by BennieBladesFan on Mar 30, 2009 4:31 PM EDT reply actions

I don't get it for you guys

As a Braves fan, I’m happy. I don’t get what it does for the Tigers. Anderson has a certain utility as a guy who can play centerfield well and can hit for average and run. But he doesn’t walk and doesn’t have much power, and so if he’s not in center he’s hurting the team. The Braves were more likely to use Omar Infante in left field last year, to give you some idea.

On a team with questions in center and sluggers in the corners, Anderson can help either as a reserve or even as a starter. For a team with the best centerfielder in the game and a hole in left, he’s more likely to hurt.

by Mac T on Mar 30, 2009 4:38 PM EDT reply actions

As I see it,

this move isn’t really much to get worked up about for either team. Essentially, we traded our “LOOGY of the future” for a “fourth outfielder of the future”.

The only thing that has me nervous is that the trade partner is the Braves.

I don't want to hear any weak sh*t from Jason Grilli.

by cherub_daemon on Mar 31, 2009 11:19 AM EDT up reply actions

Could they be a middle man here?

You have to wonder if trading for Anderson, they are setting up another deal….what? I haven’t the slightest….

by Zappatista on Mar 30, 2009 5:01 PM EDT reply actions

The one thing I like is that he has blazing speed according to reports. Well, now, that ought to be fun to see when we need a pinch runner. But you have to wonder if Dombo has something else up his sleeve.

by densogirl on Mar 30, 2009 5:30 PM EDT reply actions

Roster implications

Thomas – clearly this indicates that the Tigers want Clete down in AAA, perhaps to work on his arm-strength. Even if he can throw, there’s no certainty he can throw hard or very far.

Clevlen – probably to the waiver wire. For this year, he is certainly not better than Ordonez, Granderson, and Guillen. He may be a great defender in the corners, but by all accounts is only average in CF and is not exceptionally fast, although he can steal a few bases. For the long-term, he most likely would not be as good as Wells or Ramirez, who hopefully are the successors to Guillen and Ordonez – both of whom will be around through 2011.

Larish – I believe he makes the team, particularly because he hits left-handed, has power, and has hit well this spring.

Thames – Either the Tigers have a trade lined up for Marcus or they will cut him. I think I read in the Free Press that if they do so by Wednesday, they only owe him a quarter of his salary. He has not had a good spring and is getting very expensive for a part-time player.

Raburn – optioned or traded.

by Oost on Mar 30, 2009 5:33 PM EDT reply actions

Not sure it makes sense?

I will take Anderson over Raburn or Clevlen ANY DAY. Anderson hits left-handed, he can flat-out fly, and he’s a solid contact hitter. Excellent trade, we have a surplus of young BP arms any way and Darrow is not as good as Perry, Fien, or Jacobson. Yeah, DD actually made a trade I approve of.

by BigDaddyJC on Mar 30, 2009 5:53 PM EDT reply actions