OT - Who should the Tigers pick up before the deadline?
So with the MLB trade deadline just 13 days away and holes to fill on the Tigers' roster, who do you think they will/should pursue, and who do you think they will/should give up in return? According to Dombrowski, the top priority right now is SP and maybe 3B. Some of the names I've heard circulating around for SP have been Ubaldo Jimenez, Hiroki Kuroda, Wandy Rodriguez, Derek Lowe, and Jeremy Guthrie. I've also heard David Wright's name mentioned for 3B a few times, but I don't think he is a realistic (or wise) move at this point. Another rumor I've heard about is a possible package deal for Rodriguez and IF Jeff Keppinger.
Overall, the trade market seems pretty thin right now, but out of the pitchers mentioned above, I'd rank them in this order: Jimenez, Rodriguez, Kuroda (only for 1 year), Guthrie, Lowe (please no). I think Kuroda would probably be the best short-term solution, but at 36 I don't think it really makes sense to try to sign him to anything more than 1 year. I think Rodriguez or Jimenez would probably be the best options for more than 1 year, but it's likely that neither one will come easily, or inexpensively. Also, there have been mixed reports about Houston's willingness to deal, so I don't know how feasible that would be in the first place.
As far as who we should give up in return, that is hard to say. It doesn't really make any sense to give up anybody in our current rotation, but I would hate to see any of our promising young arms go. Apparently though, the Mud Hens pitched Furbush in relief last night because, as coach Phil Nevin put it, the Tigers told him to play him for one inning. Also, Furbush's scheduled start for tomorrow has been nixed and Fu Te Ni will be pitching in his place. That could mean nothing, but it also could have been a chance for the scouts in attendance to get another look at him.
It's tough to say, but I think we definitely need to make some move to bolster our rotation if we want to finish the second half above .500 for the first time in a decade. And it would be nice to do something to improve the black hole of production that is third base for us.
If the discussion is who "should" the Tigers pick up, then I think the answer is Anibal Sanchez. However, I have yet to hear his name tossed out there in relation to Detroit.
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/07/starting-pitcher-trade-candidates…
Dunno about methodology, but those are somewhat surprising results (i.e. Lowe > Jimenez & Kuroda)
You can probably assume a little better than that for Comerica, but maybe not for NL pitchers who have to adjust...
Everytime this topic comes up on sports radio, someone always says something like, "Whatever they do, they can't have another Doyle Alexander for John Smoltz trade. Smoltz is a Hall of Famer and Alexander was out of the majors three years later." They always miss the point. Alexander was never intended to be a long-term guy. He was intended to get the Tigers into the postseason in 1987, and he did, going 9-0 down the stretch. Making the playoffs is very, very difficult, and if you have the chance you have to strike. (And it's not like Smoltz single-handedly would have kept the Tigers afloat during their lost decade. He probably would have bolted as a free agent first chance he got.)
People are using this argument against Derek Lowe now. If he can put them over the top, they've got to try. Prospects are hit or miss. A playoff opportunity won't be there every year. Minnesota's not going to start out in last place every season. Fans are too gunshy. Standing pat with all your prospects and never rolling the dice can turn you into the Pirates.
I really doubt Ubaldo get traded. Colorado's asking price is insane. They asked the Yankees for the #3, #41, and #43 prospects in all of baseball (according to BA) as well as Ivan Nova. I have a feeling that Colorado is just throwing his name out there hoping some GM gets so desparate he loses his mind (Arizona did this with Justin Upton last year and no one bit).
3 high-level prospects seems reasonable for a legit ace signed to a cheap contract for a few years
Ubaldo is far from a legit ace. He has potential, but outside of the first 2.5 months of last season his numbers dont suggest that he is an ace. HIs walk rates are very alarming.
But lets not forget his numbers are bloated by Coors. He has a 2.28 era and 0.90 whip outside of colorado this year.
He's in his prime and is amongst the league leaders in velocity, despite the dropoff from last year.
He may not be a top 10 starter in the MLB, but he's an ace on the majority of MLB teams.
as for pitching ubaldo and if that infielder is decent from the rockies, i think is the guy to go after.
if you get him, then you got verlander, jiminez,sherzer, turner and and a procello you can pick up via free agency for the future.
as for this year, verlander, jiminez,scherzer porcello and penny.
get them to package an infielder and get it done.
that way, next year in free agency your focus is on 2b, 3b and an outfielder and 1 BP guy
with zumaya, guillen and ordonez gone, and if they go back top the 120 m level of spending, this squad would be a contender for the pennant !
If we get Ubaldo then there is no chance for Turner to be a Tiger in that future rotation you have.
A left-handed starting pitcher?
OK
His name is Wandy?
Absolutely!
- In my head it doesn't rhyme with Randy, but the first syllable is as in magic wand...am I right on this?
exactly. WAND-ee.
and as an astros fan (yes, we exist), I hope it happens. astros need to keep blowing things up before actually rebuilding.
Would be the guy they should key on, a number two starter and a lefty behind Verlander who currently pitches in a definite hitters park who would benefit greatly from pitching at Comerica. Plus, his asking price is likely low enough from Houston so as to not require Tigers to give up Turner and Wandy is 32 so 3-4 more years left at least.
Too bad they gave up Jurrjens. That guy has been a beast this year for the braves
Was great for the Braves in 2009, injury plagued 2010, stud again in 2011.....Would be a nice 2nd starter behind Verlander for sure....
Detroit should go after Kuroda, but it sounds like he's not willing to waive his no-trade clause to an East Coast team.
Inge is a total abomination and needs to be replaced ASAP. Wright's back issues = no thanks for what we'd have to give up to get him. I'd love to get Aramis Ramirez, who is already on fire and has been a second half player his entire career. Don't see that happening though. It's really too bad Peralta doesn't like playing third, because there are some solid SS options available that could help.
Houston is asking way too much for Rodriguez. If their asking price fell, he'd be a decent option.
Jimenez is a pipe dream. New York can afford to trade away top prospects to get guys like him because their resources are so vast. If he goes anywhere, it would likely be to New York.
The Tigers aren't in a horrible position right now. They need to keep Turner and Castellanos though. I feel like anybody else should be expendable because the division is there for the taking....not to mention that they could make a playoff run with another pitching piece + another great second half from Scherzer.
What do you guys think about getting a package deal of Guthrie and Reynolds from the O's? Sure Reynolds strikes out a ton, but his power could be quite valuable to the Tigers, plus you add to the fact that Guthrie could give you solid innings and the back end of the rotation. Maybe not feasible but just a thought.
Please not Ubaldo Jimenez, he had a Cinderella 1st first last year and has been back to normal ever since. I wouldn't give up the farm for him. I like Jeremy Guthrie though. He always put good numbers on a bad team and in a hitter's ballpark. Plus you could probably get him for prospects like Adam Wilk or Duane Below.
Exactly my thoughts. Inge and Raburn are actually pretty cheap to DFA, evven though both are signed for two years.
Kind of chump change, compared to average baseball salaires.
Magglio will end up with reasonable statitstics, but the Tigers would hae been better off not signing him to an extension and letting Dirks, Wells, Boesch, Jackson (and even Raburn) fight among themselves for the 3 starter/resere roles.
Inge is really the major culprit I would get rid of. I have liked his defense, but he is no longer outstanding at defense; he's making Raburnesque errors. He's never been a hitter, but he's really struggling and sticking ot his own counsel.
I don't think Don Kelley should be a starter, but at least he knows his role - talented defender who is scrappy in his at bats. I'll bet he can bunt and do all the little things th at Babe Inge has never felt necessary for him to do.
What I am sick of is this same conversation for the past 6 years, and where has it gotten us? We never make the big move bc we are too affraid to part with prospects, therefore we end up not good enough to even make the playoffs ('06 notwithstanding). They have to either buy or sell, decide, does this team with this core have a legit shot at a title, not playoffs, but title. If yes, then sell Turner (please spare me the 'remember Doyle Alexander' bit). If no, then sell the most marketable pieces of the core and start new (the latter probably means JL and DD are out). If buyers, make it big, no more mid-level busts