OT - Who should the Tigers pick up before the deadline?

Submitted by Moleskyn on

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.

pdiddyway

July 18th, 2011 at 1:26 PM ^

We should be looking at Aramis for 3B.  Bring power and average along with above average defense to the black hole that has been the 3 bag this year.  As far as pitching it might be worth giving Turner a shot.  If we go after a bat im not sure how willing we would be to spend on pitching but kuroda would be a decent stop gap.

Moleskyn

July 18th, 2011 at 1:40 PM ^

I think Ramirez could be a nice pickup, but are the Cubs looking for offers? And if so, who do we give up in return? And I would be surprised if we part ways with Turner. I think the only way that happens is if we go after Jimenez. Dombrowski says he sees Turner as a future No. 1 starter. Maybe that was DD's way of saying "Hey, we've got this kid and we love him. We're going to want someone big in return for him," but I don't think we give him up. I also don't think he sees the majors this year. He threw about 115 innings all of last year and he's already up to 105 this year.

goblue7612

July 18th, 2011 at 2:09 PM ^

Jim Hendry (Cubs GM) was quoted earlier that the Cubs weren't going to firesale. However, they will continue to make the team better. So with Aramis getting a bit older, the team definitely in a rebuilding mode, and an option for Aramis' last year coming up I could see the Cubs parting with him. As a Cubs fan who loves Aramis, I'd be upset if he were dealt, but if we could get some prospects in return I could deal with it. You sure you don't want Soriano too?

V-Link

July 18th, 2011 at 2:21 PM ^

Ramirez's agent told the Tribune that Rami won't waive his no trade clause. If he doesn't allow a trade, to the Tigers or anyone, he has a $2M buyout next year instead of the $16M he's owed. It's not a matter of If, but When he'll be gone. Unfortunately the rebuilding and cost cutting will mean seeing A.R. leave and not Soriano.

Michael From TC

July 18th, 2011 at 3:09 PM ^

the washburn trade, at the time made a lot of sense. had our medical team done thier job, it would have been a better deal on our end. he was leading the AL in ERA and dominating the hitters while doing so. tough break for us his injuries started to catch up to him once he got to detroit.

skunk bear

July 18th, 2011 at 1:31 PM ^

Pick up some prospects at 3rd and the OF and give 'em a chance.

Otherwise go the other direction and get Wright and the best LF available.

What I don't want to see is the Tigers pick up stop-gap players. It is a waste of everything you give up unless they make the difference now and how likely is that?

Go for quality or youth.

Moleskyn

July 18th, 2011 at 1:44 PM ^

Why left field? Aside from the fact that Dombrowski made no mention of looking to improve our outfield, why do you think we need a left fielder? If Maggs can stay healthy the rest of the year, I think he solidifies RF for us, which leaves Boesch with left field, and then we have Dirks/Wells/Raburn to fill in as needed (or to platoon if Jackson's wrist turns into something a problem). I don't think outfield is really a position of need right now.

CookieMonster

July 18th, 2011 at 1:31 PM ^

Ubaldo......who cares if that makes 5 righties in the rotation, he's getting his velocity and stuff back, and turns an under achieving rotation into a strength. Besides, you dont need all those arms down in the minors, that's what they're there for, move em.

brewandbluesaturdays

July 18th, 2011 at 2:11 PM ^

Why would you lose all hope in the front office? He's a vet with a proven track record of success and his ERA is better than Penny, Scherzer, Porcello, and one time starter Phil Coke to name a few.

Also, in his 7 losses these are the run totals, produced by his offense...

0, 0, 1, 1, 3, 2, 1... it's tough to win games when your team isn't scoring runs... 

JCV16

July 18th, 2011 at 1:46 PM ^

If there is any realistic/reasonable way to get that kid, he is absolutely the number 1 option, not only for this year but long-term.  It's kinda hard to see that happening though, given that other teams (including the Yankees) are interested in him, and Colorado doesn't want to move him.  

I would take any starting pitcher who we have reason to believe will be better than scherzer and porcello.  That is the number one priority.  3B and 2B are issues, but our lineup is above-average, and a couple holes in it are not the worst thing in the world.  Actually, my preference there would be just to play kelly and santiago, who give us a boost defensively, and probably aren't any worse offensively right now than guillen and raburn. 

Also we should trade Inge to the Russian international league for a rosin bag, even though he's a nice guy. 

goblue27

July 18th, 2011 at 1:47 PM ^

i think the price is going to be too high for a player like ubaldo...the most realistic thing i can expect is either guthrie or a dempster-type veteran starter

Rico616

July 18th, 2011 at 1:55 PM ^

Jacob Turner is ranked the #13 prospect in all of baseball by Keith Law right now. No way Tigers trade him unless its like a Halladay type of player. They wont part with Turner of Ubaldo IMO. Turners only in AA and could be in AAA or playin for the Tigers later this season.

The Tigers need back end rotation pitching bad and obviously to improve the offense, especially over Inge/Raburns bats. Im not sure if there are really any difference makers out there but a couple of .250 hitters could probably make a big difference especially with the studs the Tigers already have. The offense has been great considering they basically only play 6 innings a game with that horrible 7-8-9 (not including Avila when hes down there).

I think Id like to see Ubaldo but depends on the price. I hope they shy away from Reyes but the Mets are probably going to hold onto him. Carlos Beltran would be nice. Too bad he doesnt play 2B/3B.

acnumber1

July 18th, 2011 at 2:57 PM ^

Yup, joking.   When I hear that it would be foolish to give up Turner this year or Porcello last year, I remember similar things said about Miller when he was a rookie.  That one worked out pretty well for the Tigers.

Number 7

July 18th, 2011 at 2:03 PM ^

I don't see anybody that is a) worth a top tier prospect, and b) a surefire upgrade over our #5 starter. With the washburn experience in mind, i'm hoping they don't pull the trigger, unless one of those guys can be had foe cash alone (lowe, in theory, but nyy and bos want him too).

At third on the other hand, I'd be ready trade anyone except rurner and castellano (sp?) (and maybe danry ____) for certain, average production and non-hideyokids field.

Fhshockey112002

July 18th, 2011 at 2:11 PM ^

The Tigers have been pretty upfront about Turner not seeing the majors this season.  They are really trying to limit his innings, and pitches as he gets stretched out and turned into a professional pitcher.  

That being said, I think the Tigers would ideally want Wandy since he is a good left hander.  The only thing I hope the Tigers do not do is go over spend for someone like Derek Lowe (he is too old and doesn't have any upside) what you see is what you get. 

As for 3B I wouldn't mind seeing the Tigers trade for a SS (Steven Drew or long long shot Reyes) and move Jhonny Peralta back to 3B since the market for a 3B is very slim right now.

Fhshockey112002

July 18th, 2011 at 2:49 PM ^

Understandable, but I think if some of the guys (not the management or coach) go to him and convince him that "if we get a top SS and you go to 3B we are a top team in the division" I think he might go.  Last year they moved him to 3B to play Santiago, which was an insult to Peralta's talent.

MaizeAndBlueWahoo

July 18th, 2011 at 2:14 PM ^

I like the idea of Kuroda, he's pitching fairly well and his contract expires this year.  I know there's sort of a starting pitching hole, but I'd rather get a bat.  The top and bottom of the lineup are in seriously bad shape.  Even I can't defend Inge this year.

BigBlue02

July 18th, 2011 at 3:31 PM ^

I don't really know if you can classify the tigers as needing a bat that badly. And to say the top and bottom of the order is in seriously bad shape is ridiculous. Last I checked, in most offensive categories, we are towards the top of the American league

MaizeAndBlueWahoo

July 18th, 2011 at 4:14 PM ^

We're in the top third of the AL largely thanks to the middle guys - Cabrera, Martinez, Peralta, Avila, and sometimes Boesch.  The top and bottom is a near-disaster.  Raburn's not hitting, Inge isn't hitting, Jackson isn't hitting, and if you want to depend on Dirks and/or Wells to deliver when needed, I think we'll be on the outside looking in come October.  Aramis Ramirez would be a worthwhile addition.

Rico616

July 19th, 2011 at 12:36 AM ^

The Tigers do have some great talent on offense the problem however is the disparity between say Cabrera/Martinez and Inge/Raburn. Inge, Raburn, and maybe even say Jackson have played so poorly that its like havin 2-3 pitchers in your lineup. If the Tigers could upgrade them with even a .250 hitter it would be a huge upgrade.

Detroits lucky to be fighting the Indians and White Sox for first. They could be going against NYY/Bos or Tex/LAA.