Anyone think they'll use Spring Training to try to convert Thames to a first baseman?

that would work. im thinking for all practical purposes, this is pretty much it for the offseason... as far as major moves go. but we have till the deadline to figure out 1st. i wouldnt mind bringing casey back, seeing if shelton can reemerge, or converting thames. that wouldnt be a bad way to go into next year. if all else fails, seek a trade. theres always a respectable 1st basemen available, so its not like 1st is a difficult spot to fill.

I still think the OF D is pretty crappy all the way around

Granderson is a top 5 defensive CF in the game, and more than makes up for any shortcomings that Maggs/Monroe might have in the speed department. But Monroe does have a rocket arm and I believe he was near the league lead in assists.

I like Ganderson a lot, but he is not a top 5 defensive CF in the game.

Here is a run down by someone who ranks each OF position.

Ganderson is ranked 13th best CF btw. Thames and Monroe are 9th and 10th and Maggs is 27th.

http://www.beyondtheboxscore.com/story/2006/7/26/20618/8131

Ha. I can see with my own two eyes that Granderson is at least top 10 if not top 5 defensively. It's not like we're going to get studly defensive OF with killer offensive numbers, too. At least, it's not likely. Monroe is fine defensively. Granderson is very good defensively. I'm only worried about Magglio.

Yeah, uhhh...that guy lists Andruw Jones 29th out of 33...behind Coco Crisp and Rob Mackowiack....hmmmmmmmmmmm.

Art...GET YOUR OWN FUCKING OPINIONS...

Whoops...that last message is from me..

JickBoy

Grandy is top 10, easy, almost positive top 5 also.

Pierre can't field, and was ranked #2, Hunter dropped half the balls hit to him this year, um no.

That list was a joke.

Jones is top 5, not bottom 5, etc.

Granderson is a very good CF (fielding wise) IMO. Besides, they have Maybin coming eventually and he is supposedly even better than Granderson out there. If Granderson can learn how to battle at the plate more and also learn how to steal, he'd be a great LF when Maybin comes here. I'm not sure why Clevlen didn't get more run either. He hit over .400 and fielded well out there.

I'm not worried about OF at all. I'm worried about 1B the most (unless Shelton pulls himself out of the crapper). I am also worried about SS/3B and Catcher (we've go nothing long term at any of those spots in the minors). I'd really like to get a young 3B (wonder if Aramis would sign here) so we can move Inge to SS and guillen to 1B).

Aramis resigned with the Cubs yesterday.

Inge has grown on me to the point that I have absolutely no problem with him staying at third. If his defense keeps improving, it more than outweighs his offensive deficiencies. Kid can just plain pick it, he just needs to get rid of the mental mistakes out there which would seemingly happen with experience.

Casey must go though. I like his left handed bat but I think the party's over for this guy. He had some clutch hits for us in the playoffs but for the most part, he was just plain terrible after we got him. Worse even than Shelton had been. He hit .245/.286/.364 for us after the trade in almost 200 ABs. Unacceptable. Now alot of people are going to say that you need to give him a full season to show what he can do but that's something you do for a younger kid, not a 34 year old slow first baseman who was never that great to begin with.

With Sheffield in the fold, if everyone else stays I say we need a new first baseman and one or two ABOVE average bench players.

I wouldn't mind keeping Casey around as a backup. In fact, I'd love it. But that means we still need to aggressively pursue a 3B, SS, or 1B. What's the deal with Tejada?

I wouldn't mind keeping Casey around as a backup. In fact, I'd love it. But that means we still need to aggressively pursue a 3B, SS, or 1B. What's the deal with Tejada?

He'll cost more than E. Santana and a top prospect(i.e. Miller level), and isn't a good fielder.

3b is thin for valid options.
SS we could trade for Rollins(would he be available?) or sign Lugo.
1b has Nomar in FA, Texiera via trade, and we are supposedly looking for Soriano at first.

Soriano, Drew, and Nomar are some solid FA's we may still look at(approx. 20 mil in spending money if we want IMO, up to 100 mil budget, about 80 mil spent w/ arby).

Speed, fielding, and middle of the lineup guys are what we want, who to get?

Crawford or Texiera are obvious if possible. Roberts in FA could make sense. Soriano or Drew would be good too. And Nomar isn't bad at all.

As far as 3B options, anybody know if we're looking at Iwamura or not? Looks like he'd fit right in.

Doesn't sound a whole lot different than Inge.


Akinori Iwamura, 3B – With more than 30 home runs each of the last three seasons and five Gold Gloves for the Yakult Swallows, Iwamura could end up with Cleveland, which needs a third baseman. Iwamura's Achilles': He has struck out more than 100 times in each of his six full seasons, including 173 in 138 games in 2004.

I really think Guillen is heading to 1B, and unfortunately, there aren't many good SS options either.

Also, why does Cleveland need a 3B, didn't they get Andy Marte from the Yanks?

Could Piaza play 1st for us? I haven't looked into it too much to be honest, but I thought he was getting some run there this year.

As far as 3B options, anybody know if we're looking at Iwamura or not? Looks like he'd fit right in.

Doesn't sound a whole lot different than Inge.

I mentioned Iwamura's name in another thread, but I highly doubt that the Tigers even placed a bid on him.

I will be pissed if this is our only major move though. We still need a big time 1B (I wish Texas would trade us Texeria), or a great 3B/SS (Tejada?) to move guillen to 1B.

Texas isn't going to part with Texeira unless they get a Bonderman or a Verlander.

That was the talk around the sports talk shows that Bonderman would get traded, probably for a guy like Teix or Crawford. With acquiring Sheff now, I hope they keep Bondo to keep our rotation strong.

The only way I can endorse a Bondo trade at this point is if we are commited to getting a FA pitcher despite the farm system. I just don't think you can count on young arms and health two years in a row, the White Sox didn't really suffer a serious pitching injury yet the team ERA dropped by a full run from 05 to 06. I would go after a vet like Suppan, Moose, Meche, Mulder, Maddux or Schmidt before moving Bondo for Tex. I know that may be expensive but honestly the Sheff trade didn't had that much extra salary when you figure Percival and Young's 14 million in salary came off the books.

I like Crawford a lot but to me he is not worth Bondo when you figure Tex could be had for the same price.

The only other way I could see moving Bondo which has zero chance of happening is signing Soriano to play LF or 1B depending on Crawfor or Tex, then moving Thames and Monroe for a middle starter.

Just so I'm on the record, we will do nothing else "big". Adding a lefty reliever and a guy at 1st in the B-Diddy/moneyball mode with a bit of pop.

Apparently, Anaheim has a 6 year/$80m deal on the table for Soriano.

Lots of rumors that Philly is looking to trade Pat Burrell, but with the Sheffield deal, we're not going to be in on that.

Jake Peavy and Dontrelle Willis also rumored to be made available, the Marlins really want a speedy CF.

Dream scenario for me would be sign Soriano to play CF (maybe until Maybin is ready), trade Granderson to the Marlins for Dontrelle and then deal one or two of our SPs for a SS and/or a 1B.

Unlikely, I know.

Lots of name dropping here, including WTFDetroit favorite Aubrey Huff.

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061113/SPORTS02/611130425


Tigers' business is work in progress

BY JON PAUL MOROSI
FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER

NAPLES, Fla. -- On Friday, Dave Dombrowski referred to Gary Sheffield, the newest Tiger, as "the one big bat we were looking to add."

So, is that it? Has the Hot Stove gone cold already? Should Detroiters focus on other sporting pursuits -- rumors abound about a college football game of some consequence, scheduled for Saturday -- until pitchers and catchers convene in Lakeland in three months?

Well, no.

While Sheffield will likely represent the team's only eight-figure off-season addition, Dombrowski, the Tigers' club president and general manager, will have plenty of business to address as baseball's GMs begin their annual meetings here today.

Still, barring a blockbuster trade, it would appear that eight of the nine places in next year's everyday lineup have been established. Sheffield, Carlos Guillen, Magglio Ordonez, Placido Polanco and Ivan Rodriguez are under contract. Brandon Inge and Craig Monroe are eligible for arbitration and should return. Curtis Granderson remains under club control.

Only first base -- where Sean Casey remains an option -- is unsettled. Dombrowski has said he would prefer to have a left-handed first baseman in 2007; Casey is one of the few free agents to play the position full time and match that description.

Detroit expressed interest in Aubrey Huff prior to acquiring Sheffield, but it's not certain that the club will continue that pursuit. Huff, a left-handed hitter, plays multiple positions and should receive a lucrative deal this winter, even though his home run and RBI totals have declined for three years.

Frank Catalanotto and Cliff Floyd, two left-handed-hitting free agents, have experience at first base, but it's unclear if they have the aptitude or willingness to play there on an everyday basis.

The Tigers also are expected to pursue upgrades to their bench. Catalanotto's versatility -- he has experience at the corner outfield positions, as well as first, second and third base -- could make him a valuable super-utility player.

Meanwhile, Detroit doesn't figure to be very active in the market for starting pitching -- the Tigers declined to submit a posting bid on Japanese pitching star Daisuke Matsuzaka, Dombrowski said -- but will need to address the need for a left-handed relief pitcher.

Free agent Jamie Walker, a Tiger since 2002, has said he would like to return to the club and challenge John Hiller's club record for relief appearances. Walker's agent, Phil Tannenbaum, said recently that Walker is seeking a three-year deal, and the Chicago Sun-Times reported Sunday that Walker is a top target of White Sox GM Kenny Williams.

If Walker signs elsewhere, Detroit would likely pursue Scott Schoeneweis (Cincinnati Reds) and Ron Villone (New York Yankees). The Tigers have already expressed interest in both left-handers.

So it looks like they'll be bringing Sean Casey back now?

I hope not. That would be settling, and I don't want to see us settling anymore. Casey's not a championship caliber player, he's consistently average and that's about it.

Here's the dream situation for me.
Trade Granderson, a minor league player, and cash to the Marlins for Willis.

Trade Bonderman to Texas for Texiera.

Move Monroe to CF and play Thames in LF.

We would have no leadoff bat (probably use Guillen) but good gosh we would score in bunches and that scoring wouldn't need to be much.

Of course that wouldn't happen.

So I only trade Bonderman if we can get Jason Schmidt to replace him.

I really hope we have another strong draft this year. Chadd's job will be more difficult since we'll be picking at the end of each round now, but I think we have some very good scouts and a situation where guys would be happy to sign with us. 4 year college lefty bats at 1B, SS and C would be nice. We'll need all of those by the time Maybin is in his prime for sure.

Thames has got to go...any professional baseball player that physically can not hit a fastball on the outside corner needs to find a new line of work. He refuses to shoot that ball to the opposite field and it drives me nuts....and Monroe is not a viable option as a CF. An occasional start there, yes, every day, no.

Here's the dream situation for me.
Trade Granderson, a minor league player, and cash to the Marlins for Willis.

Trade Bonderman to Texas for Texiera.

Move Monroe to CF and play Thames in LF.

We would have no leadoff bat (probably use Guillen) but good gosh we would score in bunches and that scoring wouldn't need to be much.

Of course that wouldn't happen.

So I only trade Bonderman if we can get Jason Schmidt to replace him.

I really hope we have another strong draft this year. Chadd's job will be more difficult since we'll be picking at the end of each round now, but I think we have some very good scouts and a situation where guys would be happy to sign with us. 4 year college lefty bats at 1B, SS and C would be nice. We'll need all of those by the time Maybin is in his prime for sure.

No offense, Jeth, but that is one of the worst offseason ideas I've heard yet.

Thames is not a big league hitter. Sure, he can slug, but that doesn't help if he misses under and over the ball most of the time.

Monroe in CF is also terribly iffy. Granderson can field with the best of them, and he's just beginning to learn to hit patience-wise. Give him some time and he can be great.

And why do you want to rid of Bonderman so badly? He's still very, very young.

Agree with everything e-ray just said...

I don't like Granderson at leadoff... he doesn't have the OBP... I think he'd be a good RBI guy around the #3 spot... Guillen would be better at leadoff (even without the speed).
If Casey is re-signed it should be just as a lefty PH and late inning defensive player... we need more pop at that position.
I have very little confidence in Walker... he's always been a scrub until this year.
Miller needs a spot even if it's relief for now.
I wouldn't trade Bondy... he's an offspeed pitch away from being a 20 game winner.

Sign Dave Roberts, platoon him at LF, and play Monroe some in RF. He can steal, and hits better than Pierre. He gets hurt often, which isn't a problem as it would let us use other guys more often. Would help in that he is fast, fields well, and is a lefty.

Trade for Jared Saltamanchia - possibly try to get Adam Laroche also in this trade(lefty 1b, solid hitter, etc.). Would cost a fair bit to get both.

I could also see us trying to make a bigtime move - Soriano, Nomar, etc.

Here's the dream situation for me.
Trade Granderson, a minor league player, and cash to the Marlins for Willis.

Trade Bonderman to Texas for Texiera.

Move Monroe to CF and play Thames in LF.

We would have no leadoff bat (probably use Guillen) but good gosh we would score in bunches and that scoring wouldn't need to be much.

Of course that wouldn't happen.

So I only trade Bonderman if we can get Jason Schmidt to replace him.

I really hope we have another strong draft this year. Chadd's job will be more difficult since we'll be picking at the end of each round now, but I think we have some very good scouts and a situation where guys would be happy to sign with us. 4 year college lefty bats at 1B, SS and C would be nice. We'll need all of those by the time Maybin is in his prime for sure.

Sorry Jeth, I want no part of a Mags/Monroe/Thames outfield.

Talk about ZERO speed.

People were talking about a Soriano in CF deal, that's why I suggested Monroe. Soriano's bat is wonderful, but I'm not willing to pretend he would be better in CF than Monroe. Soriano could barely handle LF, now you want him to cover gaps on either side? Especially Magglio's side?

Thames has got to go...any professional baseball player that physically can not hit a fastball on the outside corner needs to find a new line of work. He refuses to shoot that ball to the opposite field and it drives me nuts....and Monroe is not a viable option as a CF. An occasional start there, yes, every day, no.


Thames is not a big league hitter. Sure, he can slug, but that doesn't help if he misses under and over the ball most of the time.

Marcus Thames: 256/.333/.549 - 26 HR|60 RBI|37 BB|92 SO|348 AB

Craig Monroe: .255/.301/.482 - 28 HR|92 RBI|37 BB|126 SO|541 AB

Just Saying.

My thought remains. I have no idea how Thames did so well. Well, I guess I do. Pitchers didn't know how to pitch to him at first, but once they figured it out...

Thames carried this team in early June. He was pretty horrible after the All-Star break, but keep in mind without Shelton in April and Thames in June, we would have won at least 15 fewer games and we wouldn't be talking the way we are now.

People were talking about a Soriano in CF deal, that's why I suggested Monroe. Soriano's bat is wonderful, but I'm not willing to pretend he would be better in CF than Monroe. Soriano could barely handle LF, now you want him to cover gaps on either side? Especially Magglio's side?

Exactly why we keep Granderson, because Monroe can't do it consistently either. Plus, Granderson doesn't need to bat at the top. As I said before, he's still learning to be patient. And during the time Granderson learns, he can bat lower in the order somewhere with Polanco or Guillen leading off.

also, from your last post, they both nevertheless fell off horrifically, and I've never been one to promote a player for past performance, which is exactly why Casey was attained and Shelton sent down. If Thames bats like he did in the second half, what will you say then? I'm telling you, pitchers learned his weakness, the outside half.

Also keep in mind that Monroe will make over $4 Million next year while Thames will make $400,000.

If we can sign someone like Catalanotto or Dellucci to platoon with Thames in LF and trade Monroe, we would not only improve our production out of LF but do it at a much cheaper cost.

I don't think Ilitch needs to penny-pinch for a 4-million dollar player.

Soriano could barely handle LF, now you want him to cover gaps on either side? Especially Magglio's side?

Granted I only saw him play a few times, but I thought he did fairly well in LF.

He certainly has the speed and arm for CF.

I still think they want to trade for Tejada. If Nefe ends up our full time SS then Dave needs his head examined. Most Tiger insiders don't think he'll even be back next year.

I still think they want to trade for Tejada. If Nefe ends up our full time SS then Dave needs his head examined. Most Tiger insiders don't think he'll even be back next year.

What are we going to trade for Tejada with?

We don't really have any assets to trade unless you include Bonderman, Verlander, Miller and Maybin.

Don't know. Depend on how bad they want to save money. I'm not trading any of those players though (I would trade Miller probably though). I'm not sure we can after the Sheffield trade (maybe not enough left), but I would offer whatever they would take for him (Monroe, more minor league pitchers). I'm sure they wouldn't do it, I'm just saying the Tigers are interested. Is there a decent SS we can trade for?

If we could, theoretically, sign Lee, then we could put Monroe into some sort of deal for Tejada... Of course, we'd need to include more.

Lee is a FA, right? Or not?

Where would Lee play?

Don't tell me LF. Lee is probably the 2nd worst Left Fielder in baseball behind only Manny Ramirez. And with Sheffield entrenched at DH, Lee wouldn't have a position on this team.

Where would Lee play?

Don't tell me LF. Lee is probably the 2nd worst Left Fielder in baseball behind only Manny Ramirez. And with Sheffield entrenched at DH, Lee wouldn't have a position on this team.

Lee isn't that bad. And he'd probably rotate LF/1b. He would need to sign a weight clause though, or he could end up being Mo Vaughn.

Carlos Lee? Get the fuck out of here.

He is the worst defensive outfielder in the league. At least Manny can throw out a few runners from time to time.

And with the way Craig was swinging last year, he's not far behind Lee in terms of hitting. I'd like to see what Craig's numbers would have looked like if he had the same amount of AB's as Lee and higher in an order.

OK OK. I'm not going to lie, I didn't know much about Lee as a player before that barrage. But still, we need to get a very solid infielder (preferably SS or 1B) in the offseason or early on in the season.

I didn't know Lee wasn't a good fielder out there. I actually liked Monroes fielding. I wish he'd up his average to the .270-.280 range though.

I didn't know Lee wasn't a good fielder out there. I actually liked Monroes fielding. I wish he'd up his average to the .270-.280 range though.

I wouldn't at all be suprised to see C-Mo and Granderson's averages go up 10 points this season.

I wouldn't at all be suprised to see C-Mo and Granderson's averages go up 10 points this season.

Are you basing that on anything in particular? The influence of Sheff in the lineup? Another year under their belt? The new hitting coach? All of the above? A hunch? Confidence stemming from being on a winning team?

I think Granderson will definately improve his SO's and his stealing this offseason. He really got thrust into the leadoff role and never had time to work on being a patient hitter. I'm not sure about Monroe though. He's a free swinger and has been the whole time here. I have no reason to believe he won't continue to be that here. I could see it improve some if he hit 2nd before Polanco and Sheffield though. He might get better pitches there.

Are you basing that on anything in particular? The influence of Sheff in the lineup? Another year under their belt? The new hitting coach? All of the above? A hunch? Confidence stemming from being on a winning team?

What crawled up your ass man?

Granderson basically just finished his rookie year, a good-offseason training program and that 1st full year under his belt, there's nowhere to go but up for him.

And you all know a lot of people think the world of Craig Monroe, he's still pretty young, and with the post-season run under his belt, don't you think he'll benefit from that?

Do I need to state the obvious?

I'm not trying to be an ass, I'm just trying to find out why you think that and add some reasoning to that conversation. Let me tell you why I doubt we will see tremendous improvement from the two of them.

First of all, I think if we do see improvement it will be from Granderson. I agree that he's young and it will come. However, it won't come easy because teams know his tendencies and plan to capitalize on them. That's what you saw in August when he hit .156 for the month. Could his average climb 10 points, absolutely. Before August it was at .284 last season. He's capable. However, the strikeouts were consistent all season and that's the biggest problem. I want to see his OBP go up whether his BA goes up or not. He needs to draw twice as many walks with 1/3 fewer strikeouts. Then he'll be a very nice leadoff hitter.

As for Monroe, I'm not so optimistic. He has a knack for the big hit and I love that about him. But when you say young, you need to realize he'll be 30 before the start of spring training. Also, look at the trend. His BA has dropped significantly the past few years and his strikeouts have increased.
2004 - .293 BA w/ 79 SO's
2005 - .277 BA w/ 95 SO's
2006 - .255 BA w/ 126 SO's
That's not a trend that favors a marked improvement this year.

I think it's reasonable to expect Granderson's average and OBP go up next year, based on his minor league career. He will probably still struggle with strikeouts (as he can't layoff the curveball) but his walks should improve. Basically, he should be back to the player he was in the first half of the season.

As for Monroe, his power numbers will go up but I don't expect his AVG or OBP to rise any higher. Maybe a marginal improvement but nothing substantial.

it seemed like monroe got alot better after the deadline last year. dont have stats. i think a jump of 10 points is possible.

im not at all surprised we're done now. i figured one big move now, and then address 1st base during the season if we need to. the only thing that surprises me is that casey got so much.

flexibility is a good thing. is there really anyone left in FA that is worth breaking the bank on? if not, why commit to another big move if we can make that same move later when it'll cost 1/2 (this year) and we'll have a better guage of whats what.

CMo's stats dropped as he became a full time player, or at least more of one.

He kills lefties, and gets killed by righties. This is the reason behind his decline, as he sees more righties his stats may go up IDK.

Is Brent Clevlyn supposed to get any PT this year? I was real impressed with him when he came up.

^^Yes, both with his hitting and fielding. Kind of forgot about him, hopefully he gets some run this year.

I agree with b-diddy. I'd like to see us sign a guy like Soriano, but we can't break the bank for 6+ years if the player wants too much. We already have 2 huge salaries before Sheff (Maggs and Pudge), so you want to be able to persue FA's each year. If Dave saves some space for a big FA next year (texeria) while keeping our entire team (basically) and adding a MVP type bat...I consider that a good offseason. We were very close to winning it all, and to add a bat like Sheff might put us over the top. Especially with all the young players who should improve:

Granderson (steals up and SO's down?)
Polanco (healthy all year?)
Bondo (develop changup?)
Verlander and Zumaya (probably add better pitches after rookie years)
Miller (didn't really contribute, but hopefully can be a good setup man)

If those things improve, we stay healthy, and Sheff can hit in the 280-290 range I think we are in great shape.

Is Brent Clevlyn supposed to get any PT this year? I was real impressed with him when he came up.


^^Yes, both with his hitting and fielding. Kind of forgot about him, hopefully he gets some run this year.

I hope so. He looked good. I think he just stayed down because he would have only subbed here. I'd like to see him get some good PT and rotate Maggs to DH a little more.

I think you guys are far too optimistic with regards to Clevlen.

He has the tools to be a solid player down the road, but he needs more seasoning in the minors before he is ready for the big leagues. If he had the ability to make adjustments (his swing has the same plane to it everytime), he would be in Detroit. It's his inability to make adjustments that's holding him back.

a good, low cost option at first might be mike piazza. i dont know how much he'll sign for, but i bet we could get him for cheep. i know insider said something about him and the A's, but A (Aye) is a little too similar to gay, and as we all know, mike piazza isnt gay.

i wanted the tigers to get him when he left LA. but now would make even more sense.

In the ESPN article about Boston's attempts to trade Manny Ramirez, it mentioned the Rangers wanting to deal Michael Young for him.
While we don't have a Manny Ramirez to deal, we do have outfielders that could hit in Texas and we do have pitching.
What would we need to add to Thames and Miner or Maroth in order to land Young? As I mentioned, maybe in a different thread, Young could be the guy to take over at short with Guillen at first.

Or would Texas look to move another salary to make room for Manny's contract?

Dec 21 - Barry Zito is playing it cool as teams continue to pursue him, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. The Mets, Rangers, Giants, Mariners and Angels are the top bidders for the left-hander, who is expected to earn $75 million-$100 million over five or six years.

Though much has been written about Zito wanting six years, and about the Rangers' alleged $100 million offer, he says the numbers are not his primary focus. Nor is the oft-circulated idea that he wants to be on one of the coasts, or in New York or Southern California.

He has one priority that trumps the others: He wants to win titles.

"They're all good teams and they're all good locations, but what I'm looking for is an owner who sees eye-to-eye with me in my goal to lead a team to multiple World Series championships," Zito told the newspaper. "I want to raise the bar."


I know that Barry Zito is a luxury if not a pipe dream, but if money isn't his top priority it is worth seeing if he has interest in the Tigers. The way I see it grapping Zito gives us the best rotation and the most depth of any team including the Yankees or Red Sox if they got Clemens. Plus it would lessen the impact of Rogers leaving or retiring after 07, and allow Robertson and Maroth to be used to solidify the rest of the roster.

I'd pass on Zito.

If you are going to give a pitcher that much money, he better be able to strike some guys out. That's just my opinion.

His free agency/contract situation has sort of a "Mike Hampton" feeling to it IMO.

I think Zito would fit very well with the Tigers... but it would have to be at the 3rd spot in the rotation. Plus, we would have to trade a lefty arm then because I actually do think you can have too many lefties. That would give us Robertson, Rogers, Zito, Miller, Minor and Ledezma as lefties who can start. Miller eventually will move into the rotation.

Maybe Miller is just the replacement for Rogers?


All just a pipe dream, but worth considering.

I think Zito would fit very well with the Tigers... but it would have to be at the 3rd spot in the rotation. Plus, we would have to trade a lefty arm then because I actually do think you can have too many lefties. That would give us Robertson, Rogers, Zito, Miller, Minor and Ledezma as lefties who can start. Miller eventually will move into the rotation.


1) Miner's a righty.

2) This has so little chance of happening that I think it's not even worth talking about, IMO. Sure, it would solidify the rotation for the next few years. I think "the numbers" do matter to an extent, one to which we can't reach.

Part of the reason I brought it up is because of Pudge and Maggs being late Boras signings that nobody expected the Tigers to get. I know that there were a lot of different factors with the other guys including injury concerns as why we got those guys.

I know Zito isn't going to sign for less than Meche money but with that said if the main contenders for him are the Giants, the Mets, Seattle, Texas and Angels a 5 year 65-75 million dollar might be enough. With the Tigers in the mix with the teams above, I think Detroit would be come favorites. The Tigers are young and on the rise the same can only be said slightly of Seattle and the Mets, however neither of them are as deep. The Mets hopes rest on the healing of Pedro.


Sure it is a lot of money for a luxury but I think Comerica is tailored to his ability. Zito may not be a fire baller but in his 6 full years he has averaged 16 wins a year with an avg of 170 K's per season , only had an ERA over 3.86 once, won a Cy Young and has pitched 213 or more innings every season. Those numbers warrant the cash more so than any other pitcher who got overpaid this year plus Zito is still only 28.

So in skimming this entire thread just now, it seems like we all agree that our biggest needs are (in no particular order):

1B
SS
3B

and long term, C

Anybody hearing any names at those positions that the Tigers might be interested in?

I don't think the Tigers are interested in any of those positions, at least FA wise. I think they'd jump at a deal for any of those positions were they only lose a 4th or 5th starting pitcher though.

Yeah, free agency is pretty much dried up.

I'm talking about potential trades, sorry for not being more clear.

If I wasn't lazy, I'd take a look at the teams that have young studs at those positions coming up and who the vets are in front of them that might be expendible. But I'm lazy.

Yeah, free agency is pretty much dried up.

I'm talking about potential trades, sorry for not being more clear.

If I wasn't lazy, I'd take a look at the teams that have young studs at those positions coming up and who the vets are in front of them that might be expendible. But I'm lazy.

I'm lazy too, and baseball is my least knowledgeable sport of the 4 major ones. I'd be interested to hear the names myself though.

Well, our odds of making a deal with Baltimore just improved.

Kris Benson lost for the year with a rotator cuff.

Everyone has rotator cuffs. I'm assuming you mean that it's torn.

Everyone has rotator cuffs. I'm assuming you mean that it's torn.


LOL We've got a comedian in the group.

Zekyl must have hated it when we had Mooch and he'd say "he's got a shoulder" during his press conferences.

The O's signed Steve Traschel to repace Benson, but they would still be smart to look for a starter (Maroth?)

I wonder if there is any hope of us getting Tejada?

I wish. Do they need an OF too (Monroe or Thames)?

Zekyl must have hated it when we had Mooch and he'd say "he's got a shoulder" during his press conferences.
That's what started it. That's the first time I can remember talking back to the tv.

Mooch: "He's got a knee."
Me: "Oh no, I've got TWO of those. I'd better call off work until I can get this taken care of."

Seriously, how hard is it to add the word injury, Mooch? Then again, you took a Detroit Lions coaching job, so you're obviously an idiot.

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Unconvinced Zumaya continues to play videogame
Earlier this off-season, Detroit Tigers General Manager Dave Dombrowski made waves by claiming that a forearm injury to reliever Joel Zumaya was caused by the 22-year-old playing a Playstation game, Guitar Hero. In this morning's Detroit News, though, Zumaya refuses to place responsibility for his wrist tendinitis on the game, saying he continues to play, despite warnings from the Tigers medical staff.
February 13, Detroit News: "They had a tough time trying to find out what was wrong with my arm," Zumaya said, "and I told them I was playing this guitar game. I don't believe that's what it was, and to tell you the truth, I haven't stopped playing it.

"A lot of people have criticized me and told me, 'Joel, put it away.' But I'm still going to play it. Just not as often."

When asked if Zumaya had been told to stop playing Guitar Hero, Dombrowski said Monday, "we didn't get into the specifics of how much he should or shouldn't play it.
Zumaya said there was one positive from the ordeal -- The makers of the videogame were so pleased with the publicity Zumaya's story gave them, they sent him free Guitar Hero gear.



Guitar Hero is a fun game but come on man...this is your career. Let's just hope nobody sends him a Wii.

If Guitar Hero causes wrist problems, then I'd be fucked. No way that game is causing the problems, I'm definitely more convinced that the torque involved in throwing 103 mph fastballs is causing his wrist ailments.