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Dave Dombrowski has a history of making a splash at the MLB Winter Meetings. Seven years ago, he shocked the baseball world by trading for Miguel Cabrera. Five years ago, he made another big move, flipping Curtis Granderson and Edwin Jackson for Austin Jackson and Max Scherzer. Last year, he preempted the meetings, trading Doug Fister and Prince Fielder before anyone arrived in Orlando.
This year, another deal may be brewing. AZ Snakepit, SB Nation's Arizona Diamondbacks blog, tweeted out a rumor last night that the Tigers "may have" acquired D-Backs shortstop Didi Gregorius. We are by no means reporting that this deal is true, and we have not heard any other rumors that the Tigers are even interested in Gregorius. But I take a little more stock in a rumor reported from a fellow SB Nation site than the flyers that have been thrown around Twitter by various teenagers this offseason.
Hearing rumblings from up North that Didi Gregorius may have been dealt to Detroit. Details to follow tomorrow.
— AZ SnakePit (@AZSnakepit) December 5, 2014
Gregorius is a 24 year old shortstop who debuted with the Cincinnati Reds in 2012. He only appeared in eight games, going six for 20 at the plate. That offseason, he was dealt to the Diamondbacks as part of a massive three team trade highlighted by Shin-Soo Choo heading to Cincinnati. The next season, Gregorius hit .252/.332/.373 with seven home runs in 404 plate appearances. He took a step back in 2014, hitting .226/.290/.363 in 299 plate appearances.
This rumor comes as a major surprise, because the Tigers do not need a shortstop. With Jose Iglesias and Venezuelan League All-Star Game MVP Eugenio Suarez already on the roster, Gregorius' presence would make for a crowded middle infield. With more pressing needs elsewhere on the roster, acquiring another shortstop makes little sense, unless there is more to a potential deal than meets the eye.
In short, it's probably nothing. But it may be something. Either way, it will be interesting to see how this shakes out.