Detroit Tiger rumors: Javier Lopez, Sergio Romo on the radar?

Jon Paul Morosi says the Tigers checked on Giants relievers. Javier Lopez may be a realistic possibility, but the rest do not seem like likely candidates.

By Kurt Mensching@KurtJustKurt Jul 12, 2013, 1:14pm EDT

Have the Tigers been talking to the Giants about relievers? That's what Fox Sports' Jon Paul Morosi reported. The World Series runners up do know a thing or two about the World Series winners' bullpen. San Francisco's relief core gave up just two runs during a four-game sweep of the World Series.

Javier Lopez appears to be the key. As Morosi pointed out, Lopez is a free agent after this season. He has a 1.34 ERA this year with 9.8 strikeouts per nine innings and 3.7 walks. The 35-year-old left-hander has consistently put up great numbers during his four years in San Francisco -- he's got a 2.28 ERA there. During his time in the AL, his ERA with Boston was higher, 3.30. He played with the Red Sox 2006-09. (He didn't pitch in the World Series last year, by the way.) Although it's thought the Tigers need right-handed help more, their left handers beyond Drew Smyly haven't exactly done well either. Another left hander, Jeremy Affeldt, hardly seems worth bothering with.

Sergio Romo's name sounds good, but unlikely he's a realistic possibility. He has another year under the Giants' control -- and although his 2.86 ERA this season would be the worst of his career, he's still an Established World Series Saving Closer. So if they move him at all, which seems unlikely, it would likely come at a high price.

Beyond that, the Giants may not be sellers yet. They are in fourth place, 6.5 games out of first. But it is the NL West. A lot can turn around in a hurry. It wasn't long ago the Dodgers appeared as if they'd be playing a lost season. Now they're 1.5 games out in the division.

Just more of the Tigers doing their due diligence, I suspect.

ht MLBTR