Spring Training help

Spring Training help

13 Minor leaguers opt for free agency

When a player has six years or more as a professional and is not under a multi year contract and is not on a 40 man roster, he can declare himself a minor league free agent. These 13 players that were in the Tiger system as of the end of the 2011 season did just that. Thanks to MCB for the list, via Baseball America. Che Abad William Bergolla Andy Bouchie Ryan Hamme Enrique Gonzalez Robert Morillo David Purcey Jeff Salazar Omir Santos Max St. Pierre Scott Thorman Orlando Villaroel Brendan Wise

Uncertainty in the new CBA could stall free agent signings

Talks between MLB owners and players have apparently hit a snag over the issue of "hard slotting" for draft picks. The MLBPA is said to want to eliminate the compensation that clubs have to pay for signing Type A free agents (presumably, compensation would be in the form of "sandwich round" picks instead). Owners are willing to give on that issue only if "hard slotting" is included in the deal. Clubs are already waiting, in most cases, until after Nov 23 to sign any Type A free agents, when they will know whether arbitration has been offered and thus whether they'll have to give up high draft picks as compensation. If signed before Nov 23, the compensation becomes automatic. With the snag in CBA talks, some of the biggest name free agents may have to wait a bit longer before signing with their new clubs. The current CBA expires on Dec 11, 2011, but a work stoppage is highly unlikely.

Omir Santos and Brad Thomas outrighted

And you thought these Tigers are slow....

The 2011 Tigers ranked dead last in the American League with just 49 stolen bases. The 1968 Tigers ranked dead last in the American League with just 26 stolen bases. Speed kills.

Anyone know ho's gonna throw out the first ball and/or sing the anthems in the games in Detroit?

Jered Weaver won't start Friday vs Rangers

Jason Beck is reporting on Twitter that Garrett Richards, a minor league prospect, will start in place of Jered Weaver on Wednesday vs the Rangers. This is not good for Tiger fans hoping for home field advantage. It does seal the ERA title for Verlander, assuming that Weaver doesn't come in and pitch a scoreless inning.

Fernando Rodney asked to be Traded

According to the LA Times, Rodney doesn't like his role with the Angels. Angels' Fernando Rodney frustrated with lack of playing time "I'm mad — I'm really mad," Rodney said Friday. "I told them if they're not going to use me, trade me. They say no, we need you for this year."

Al Alburquerque is activated from the Disabled List

Al Al will be in uniform and available for tonight's game, according to many sources on twitter.

Alburquerque starting rehab at Toledo

From Matthew B Mowery on Twitter: "Alburquerque will head to Toledo tomorrow for a rehab stint before rejoining #Tigers"....... since Toledo's schedule is done by Monday, the latest he'd be back is Tuesday, Sept 6th.