Tigers Looking at Chad Gaudin?

by Ian Casselberry on Apr 2, 2009 1:15 PM EDT in Detroit Tigers News

Tacked onto the end of Jon Paul Morosi's story about the Detroit Tigers trying to trade Ryan Raburn to the St. Louis Cardinals was an interesting nugget that arguably warrants its own story (or - ahem - blog post). The Tigers are looking into adding one more starting pitcher before Opening Day and may have zeroed in on Chad Gaudin, currently with the Chicago Cubs.

Gaudin hasn't had a good spring, unfortunately (which is why he's presumably available). In 13.2 innings, he's allowed 17 runs (16 earned) and 20 hits, with nine walks and nine strikeouts. Gaudin didn't pitch very well last year for the Cubs either, posting a 6.26 ERA in 27.3 innings, with 27 strikeouts and 10 walks. However, before he went to Chicago along with Rich Harden, he compiled a 5-3 record and 3.59 ERA in 62.7 innings with Oakland. He pitched in 26 games, starting nine of them.

Morosi cites Gaudin's $2 million salary as a possible hang-up for the Tigers, but that's less than half of what they're paying Brandon Lyon to not close games. The words "chump change" come to mind, and if the Cubs really want to get rid of him - which it appears that they do - perhaps Detroit wouldn't have to give up much in a deal.

And really, should the Tigers turn down a chance to recapture some of that magic from 2007, when another pitcher named Chad (whose last name ended with "in") provided some good innings, between the starting rotation and bullpen?

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Money

I know this is a business, but the Tigers focus on saving money wherever they can (and you’d think $2 million would be just what you said, chump change) has me a little worried. I wonder what’s the odds that Magglio Ordonez is wearing a different uniform in August?

by bborawski on Apr 2, 2009 1:22 PM EDT reply actions

wouldn't bother me

If they got something decent in return. They do need to clear up some salary a bit going forward. Don’t need a firesale, but they need to find a bit more flexibility in my mind.

Mack Avenue Tigers

by Kurt Mensching on Apr 2, 2009 3:21 PM EDT up reply actions

I watched him pitch 10 or 12 times with the A’s. He’s a solid-mechanics, all-business kind of guy. Nothing flashy, just hard fastballs and sliders. I expect him to rebound this year, wherever he ends up.

$2M doesn’t seem that high after having just flushed 14.

"I will drink my all for Tennessee today"

by TheGoldfishCowboy on Apr 2, 2009 1:37 PM EDT reply actions

Durbin

So where is Durbin these days? Wasn’t he with Washington last year?

by ZWC11 on Apr 2, 2009 2:41 PM EDT reply actions

Durbin

He pitched with the Phillies. Had a nice year coming out of the pen (would have probably been one of our best reliever). He was eligible for arbitration so he’s stuck there but he signed a decent deal. He hasn’t pitched much this spring though because he has a hamstring problem.

Brian
http://www.tigerblog.net

by bborawski on Apr 2, 2009 3:12 PM EDT up reply actions