A little movement on the rumor front to share: Reporters have noted the Tigers may have interest in either Carlos Quentin or Vladimir Guerrero.
Former Free Press reporter and current Fox Sports writer Jon Paul Morosi is driving the Quentin rumor.
Sources: #Tigers have interest in trading for Carlos Quentin. He has a scorching 1.463 OPS in 12 games with #Padres since returning from DL.
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) June 14, 2012
Quentin’s salary this season ($7MM) viewed as possible impediment to deal with #Tigers. Not clear if there are any serious talks.
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) June 14, 2012
Morosi brings up a great point. The Tigers' payroll is already sky high. While they certainly have some wriggle room if they feel like it's a move that will put them over the top, the money could be a hangup. However, it's possible the Padres could eat some of that for the right prospects as well. Do the Tigers have the right prospects? The organization isn't exactly overflowing, but you never know exactly what will interest a GM.
MLB Trade Rumors notes that Quentin could be one of the hottest trade targets of the summer.
Since returning from arthroscopic knee surgery, the 29-year-old has a .421/.542/.921 batting line with five home runs in 48 plate appearances. However, the Padres could wait to make major trades until they settle their ownership situation.
Quentin has mainly served as a corner outfielder. Detroit could use consistency out of the position, as both right fielders (.234 average, .637 OPS, 14th of 14 AL teams) have struggled at the plate. Obviously he could DH as well, which hasn't been real pretty either so far (.228 average, .604 OPS, 13th). Needless to say when your designated hitter bats like a backup catcher, you've got issues that should be easy to upgrade
Since 2008, Quentin has had just one season with an OPS less than .800.
There have been rumors about the recently-available Guerrero as well.
Morosi tweeted Wednesday:
#Tigers interest in free agent Vladimir Guerrero is lukewarm, source says. Not clear if they will pursue him at this point.
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) June 13, 2012
MLB Daily Dish notes:
Over his 12 games with the Blue Jays Single- and Triple-A squads, Guerrero posted a line of .358/.364/.679 with eight extra-base hits and 12 RBIs. Last season over his 562 at-bats with the Orioles, Vlad maintained an OPS of .733 with 13 home runs, 30 doubles and 63 RBIs.
Tony Paul of the Detroit News believes that Guerrero could be a good match.Would he be a lifesaver? No, not at the this point in his career.
But veteran slugger Vladimir Guerrero sure could serve as a life preserver while the Tigers are treading water, waiting for reinforcements to arrive.
This is sure to be a summer full of rumors, as the Tigers have a couple of obvious holes they have to patch. The team is quite likely to be a buyer. The non-waiver trade deadline is about six weeks away.