Tigers are either in on Carl Crawford or aren't
by Kurt Mensching on Dec 7, 2010 6:12 PM EST
in Detroit Tigers News
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PrintIt's the kind of quality analysis you've come to expect from Bless You Boys! Actually, that headline pretty accurately sums up every team at baseball's Winter Meetings. No one really knows anything but we all like to talk about it.
But seriously, the news in the past day about Carl Crawford has pointed both directions regarding the Tigers and Carl Crawford.
ESPN.com's Jayson Stark reported the Tigers have definitely been interested in Crawford (via MLBTR). However, he finds it unlikely they'll really be involved.
Which is good, since FoxSports' Jon Paul Morosi reported on Twitter that the Tigers are not interested at Crawford at the prices being talked up today.
Me, I could see owner Mike Ilitch green lighting it if he really felt it was best for the team. And I could see the Tigers keeping their cards close to their vest. But I really don't think it's going to happen, so I wouldn't get my hopes up too much.
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so if you’re DD and you’ve been given the go ahead to spend $25 million on a 7 year contract and i think there is some reason to believe they are considering it who do you sign: lee or crawford?
by Charlie Mcgeehan on Dec 7, 2010 6:39 PM EST reply actions
Lee
I like pitching, especially in the playoffs.
by Kurt Mensching on Dec 7, 2010 6:45 PM EST up reply actions
I don't know if I'd give either that kind of deal
7 years is a long time to commit to a couple guys that will be in their late 30s when the deal is up. If I had to pick one, it would be Lee. He will be thirty-freaking-nine in 2017, but I think he would be the better one to lock up over time. I don’t think Crawford’s game will age well, especially with all the beating his legs have taken on that Tampa turf throughout his career.
I like how I say I don't like 7-year deals
yet praised the Nats for signing Werth to that huge contract a few days ago. Contradicting yourself is fun.
I thought you liked Tulo's deal, too.
I was for the Alexander trade when it happened, and I'd do 'er again!
by 77bestrookieclassever on Dec 7, 2010 7:11 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah, it is.
I liked it, too. However, seven years on any deal is scary. Most people don’t live in the same house for seven years anymore.
I was for the Alexander trade when it happened, and I'd do 'er again!
by 77bestrookieclassever on Dec 7, 2010 7:33 PM EST up reply actions
I guess I said it the wrong way
I was ecstatic when we locked up Cabrera for 8 years. Maybe it’s different because guys like Werth and Crawford aren’t far and away the best in the majors at their positions, just far and away the best free agents this offseason. Lee is definitely an elite pitcher, but he’s also 33 years old now. He deserves that kind of cash, just maybe not 7 years.
Crawford is more valuable
All things being equal ($ and years), you’d prefer to have an elite SP than an elite OF for any given season. Elite SPs are harder to find and can win games all by themselves.
However, theres a few things that counter that in this circumstance.
1. Age – Crawford is 3 years younger. Lee will turn 33 this season.
2. Risk – Starting pitchers are notoriously unreliable from year to year (though Lee has been a rock for 5 years now.)
3. Health – Pitchers are far more prone to injuries.
4. Intangibles – Crawford’s leadership is more valuable as a daily player.
5. Marketability – an all-star who plays every day is a bigger draw than a starting pitcher.
Another reason, arguably, is team need. The Tigers could use both an OF and a SP, but the hole in the lineup at the 3 spot is a bigger deal than the need for another top end starter at this juncture. Things could change quickly though.
That is to say - it depends on contract length
3 years – take Lee. 7 years – take Crawford.
Disagree with the another reason.
We have two holes in the rotation right now at 4 & 5, and with the defense on the infield, Kid Rick ain’t lookin’ so great as a number three with no strikeout pitch yet. Cliff Lee would fill a huge, huge, gaping hole in the rotation and we could try to trade for a corner OFer.
I was for the Alexander trade when it happened, and I'd do 'er again!
by 77bestrookieclassever on Dec 7, 2010 7:10 PM EST up reply actions
well, it is debatable to be sure
The Tigers have faith in Coke. Galarraga is probably an above average 4 or 5 starter. He’s serviceable at least and we know he has some upside. You could make the same “serviceable” case for Raburn, I suppose.
You could,
but Raburn won’t have as big of an impact overall as Coke or Galarraga would, you know, throwing every pitch.
I was for the Alexander trade when it happened, and I'd do 'er again!
by 77bestrookieclassever on Dec 7, 2010 7:23 PM EST up reply actions
well, half the pitches...and only every 5th game
Either Coke or Galarraga is still going to pitch either way. You’re only bumping one of them.
But Lee will throw more/better
pitches and will tax the pen less and all those other things a real legit “hoss” will do for the team that game and beyond. Crawford will get four ABs a game and one or two plays in the OF to affect the game. 1.5 of those AB’s, if we are lucky, he will be on to screw with the pitcher, but in front if Miggy, probably won’t be running much.
I was for the Alexander trade when it happened, and I'd do 'er again!
by 77bestrookieclassever on Dec 7, 2010 7:39 PM EST up reply actions
its easy to be wrong
its harder to convince others why you’re not
Neither?
Gun to head I’d say Lee, but locking up pitchers longterm is a bad idea.
Deputy Editor, Bless You Boys
Free Scott Sizemore!
by David Tokarz on Dec 7, 2010 10:10 PM EST up reply actions
Great headline, Kurt. LMAO.
That clears up the whole offseason, huh?
I was for the Alexander trade when it happened, and I'd do 'er again!
by 77bestrookieclassever on Dec 7, 2010 6:48 PM EST reply actions
i think lee
crawford makes the tigers better but not necessarily a championship team. lee allows porcello to drop to number 4 and battlestar to #5 and both should handle those roles well…they might even get better with those three in front of them. drop coke back into the pen with valverde, benoit, zoom, perry, prolly thomas and one other arm of whomever is going well. best rotation and pen in baseball. that is a championship team…all things staying the same.
by Charlie Mcgeehan on Dec 7, 2010 7:02 PM EST reply actions
After all they are in a Magical place
Hopefully some magic might occur between Crawford and Mr.I team.
Prediction: The Tigers won't even make an offer for either Lee or Crawford.
The primary target is Magglio. If they lose him, they’ll be looking to make a trade for a No. 3 hitting corner OF’er. The team that signs Crawford will very likely have an OF’er to spare.
If you survived 2003, you can get through this!
Also, if it's not us that signs Maggs,
the team that does will likely also have an outfielder to spare.
I was for the Alexander trade when it happened, and I'd do 'er again!
by 77bestrookieclassever on Dec 7, 2010 8:00 PM EST up reply actions
Although . . .
. . . it’s a bit of a problem for us if we are trying to make a trade with a team that doesn’t need any more OFs, given who we have to offer in a trade . . .
by rea on Dec 7, 2010 8:46 PM EST up reply actions
Pitching prospects?
I don’t think our OF prospects get us much of an upgrade. If they did, why trade them instead of use them?
I was for the Alexander trade when it happened, and I'd do 'er again!
by 77bestrookieclassever on Dec 7, 2010 8:50 PM EST up reply actions
Maybe because some GM looks at Boesch and sees the next Josh Hamilton?`
Hey, if Matt Joyce can get Edwin Jackson, I’m just sayin!
If you survived 2003, you can get through this!
That would be sweet,
I was just saying maybe we could trade a couple pitching prospects for the OFer. After all, if Matt Joyce can get Edwin Jackson, what could Zach Simons and Adam Wilk get?
I was for the Alexander trade when it happened, and I'd do 'er again!
by 77bestrookieclassever on Dec 7, 2010 10:04 PM EST up reply actions
Trade for Garza
Trade for Garza and play with what we have.Pitching wins like SAN FRAN they won the world series.
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