Are the Detroit Tigers trying to put another three-team trade together? According to Jon Paul Morosi, the Tigers are talking to the Los Angeles Dodgers about outfielder Juan Pierre.
But the Dodgers want a pitcher in return. And though Dontrelle Willis, Nate Robertson, or Jeremy Bonderman are due to make similar money than Pierre (who's owed $18.5 million on the remaining two years of his contract), it's likely that the Dodgers aren't interested in adding either questionable pitcher.
So the Tigers would have to get a pitcher the Dodgers like. Enter Carlos Guillen. Could Detroit use him to get a pitcher suitable to the Dodgers' preference, and then trade him for Pierre?
As we said in today's earlier post about trading Guillen, this sounds like the wishiest of wishful thinking. Is there another team interested enough in Guillen to give up a decent major league pitcher? Perhaps, if that team has a chance to unload a bad contract. (Unfortunately, the Tigers probably fit that category better than anyone else.)
Pierre could presumably give the Tigers the leadoff hitter they've lacked, and bring some much needed speed. This season, he batted .308/.365/.392 with 30 stolen bases. He could also provide some insurance for Austin Jackson, in case he's not ready to be the full-time centerfielder to begin next season. (If he's not, that should go over well with Tigers fans.)