If Detroit Tigers fans didn't like trading Matt Joyce for Edwin Jackson, it could've been worse. Oh, could it have been worse. According to the Freep's Jon Paul Morosi, this is the three-way deal that the Tigers were discussing with the Seattle Mariners and Tampa Bay Rays involving J.J. Putz:
One proposal involved the Tigers sending Matt Joyce to Tampa Bay and outfielders Wilkin Ramirez and Casper Wells to Seattle. Putz was the only player the Tigers would have received. (Contrary to what was reported in Thursday's Free Press, infielder Jeff Larish and right-hander Freddy Dolsi were not involved at that stage.)
Are. You. Kidding? For one (maybe two) years of Putz? Not getting him might not look so bad, after all.
Who exactly would've been around to play corner outfield in 2012 if Joyce, Ramirez, and Wells were all gone? (And that's assuming that either Magglio Ordonez and Carlos Guillen - or both - are able to play the outfield in 2011.)
I wonder where Jackson would've gone in that scenario? He must have been involved for the Tigers and Rays to turn around and make the deal they made.
(Oh, you know we're using that clip again.)