Tracking the Tigers in the offseason

[Spartyman14]

The key to me is getting a vertern set-up guy who could save some games. I think adding Scott Linbrink to the bull pen and keeping Jones would be the best option.

[bulldogg]

Originally Posted by Spartan Punk

So is that why if Jones wants to come back he will be offered before Cordero or Gagne? Just wondering how many more times you're gonna say "Jones is only back up plan, he is plan B/C now, blah blah blah". We get it, you think he shouldn't be resigned, you think he's not good enough as a closer to win on a playoff team.

Because if we signed Cordero now, we would have to compensate their old teams. Cordero - since he is a Type A free agent. Scott Linebrink is also an A.

Gagne is a B.

EDIT: You only have to compensate for a Type A FA.

[SitWhenYouGraduate]

Jonesy has proved in the past two years that he's good enough to close on this team. Scares the **** out of us regularly, but good enough. I'd personally like to stay the hell away from Gagne since he's damaged goods at best and he probably has no confidence right now after his wonderful few months in Boston (yeah, no.).

Until Zoomer comes back, Jones has to be around, Rodney can't fall apart for two months like last year, and there needs to be one more guy to come in and contribute solidly. I'm not all too sure who the best options are right now (Mariano Rivera has a set-up guy? Eh), but I'd say the bullpen was missing one consistent guy last year who would have done a lot to stabilize that whole part of the staff.

[Heathens 87]

Originally Posted by bulldogg

Because if we signed Cordero or Gagne now, we would have to compensate their old teams. Especially Cordero - since he is a Type A free agent. Gagne is a type B.

That's all part of the mix. Some want to see this as a series of simplistic steps, when that's not the reality of how these decisions will be made. The Tigers have to decide what they want to do and then find the parts that fit that plan. It just doesn't seem like they've got a solid plan in mind yet given the Zumaya injury just happened and that tossed their '08 plans out the window.

If they re-sign Jones and hand him the closing job, that'll take them out of the market for a Gagne or Cordero. Dombrowski is no doubt trying to figure out the market for those guys so he can factor that into deciding what to do about Todd. They also are just getting medical reports on Zumaya so that affects both their long-term and short-term thinking.

Of course I'm going to advocate for upgrading at closer as that's needed and not hard to do given the mediocrity that defines Todd Jones. But if the team thinks Zumaya is still the long-term answer and we need a one-year solution, there's probably not someone out there who's a better fit for that role (and willing to accept it) than Jones. He's not a very good pitcher, but he battles and experience is an important factor.

Who knows the answer?! Heck, Dombrowski's head has to be swimming these days trying to figure out the right move in all of this.........

[Heathens 87]

Originally Posted by SitWhenYouGraduate

Until Zoomer comes back, Jones has to be around.....

That's a key word......."until." Given the type of injury he has, it's really an "if" statement rather than until. I could find one pitcher with that injury (Duaner Sanchez) who came back from it. Of course, his return was only to end up breaking another bone in his shoulder as his body couldn't handle the stress of the pitching motion and he's yet to return after sitting out a season-and-a-half now. If it's "until," yeah, Jones is as good as any other back-up plan option we could bring in.

The question, however, is whether it's time to move on from this line of thinking, bite the bullet, and go out and add a top-line pitcher with the talent, experience and record to be closing for a playoff-level team. If I'm Dombrowski, that's what I'd look to do, but he's got an awful lot to chew on in trying to make the right decision here........

[SitWhenYouGraduate]

Originally Posted by Heathens '87

That's a key word......."until." Given the type of injury he has, it's really an "if" statement rather than until. I could find one pitcher with that injury (Duaner Sanchez) who came back from it. Of course, his return was only to end up breaking another bone in his shoulder as his body couldn't handle the stress of the pitching motion and he's yet to return after sitting out a season-and-a-half now. If it's "until," yeah, Jones is as good as any other back-up plan option we could bring in.

The question, however, is whether it's time to move on from this line of thinking, bite the bullet, and go out and add a top-line pitcher with the talent, experience and record to be closing for a playoff-level team. If I'm Dombrowski, that's what I'd look to do, but he's got an awful lot to chew on in trying to make the right decision here........

I am NOT ready to hand in the Joel Zumaya era yet emotionally or rationally. If the reports say he'll be out until mid-season, then I'm going to believe them.

Anyway, who do you propose that the Tigers go out and shoot for, who is also available, to replace Zumaya or Jones, for that matter?

[Heathens 87]

Originally Posted by SitWhenYouGraduate

I am NOT ready to hand in the Joel Zumaya era yet emotionally or rationally. If the reports say he'll be out until mid-season, then I'm going to believe them.

Anyway, who do you propose that the Tigers go out and shoot for, who is also available, to replace Zumaya or Jones, for that matter?

Zumaya may be healthy and waving at fans by next June. Whether he can pitch again is another issue as are whether he loses any velocity and/or whether his shoulder shows it can handle the stress of pitching. I'm not ready to cash it in either, but it is when a team has to put plans in pencil as this injury is a big unknown.

I've been a big advocate for adding a veteran set-up man who could close if needed. Free-agent names out there like LaTroy Hawkins, Scott Linebrink, Jorge Julio, Scott Williamson, etc. Useful set-up pitchers with solid experience and some exposure to closing. Whatever the team decides about closing, we need another veteran arm, so I think this addition is likely regardless.

If we decide to move on and add a closer, as free agents, it's Cordero and Gagne and a bunch of guys who wouldn't provide much of an upgrade over Jones. Trading is always a possibility and there are teams out there (the Phillies with Gordon and Myers or the Rockies with Fuentes or Corpas) who might be willing to deal as they've got multiple end-of-game options.

Given the type of injury that Zumaya suffered and what can be expected of Jones, I think it'd be an appropriate decision to explore those other options before returning to the fall-back stop-gap option of Todd. It does seem clear that Dombrowski is trying to figure out pretty quickly whether he agrees with me or not, and if he does, whether he can do anything about it........

[SitWhenYouGraduate]

Hawkins, Julio, and Williamson seem like bona-fide set up options out of free agency. Of course, the intriguing option of Mariano Rivera as a set-up guy is there, but we have to wait and see what he chooses to do with the Yanks first off.

At closer, I think I'd definitely rather have Todd Jones because he a.) probably wouldn't cost all that much and b.) isn't Eric Gagne. I'm sure we'll find out quickly, I just don't think there are too many options that are available and the teams that have tradeable set-up guys might be asking a lot, given the lack of free agent talent out there.

[Heathens 87]

Originally Posted by SitWhenYouGraduate

Of course, the intriguing option of Mariano Rivera as a set-up guy is there....

I'm sorry if I'm misunderstanding you, but are you suggesting that the Tigers might look to bring in Rivera as a set-up man for Todd Jones?!

[SitWhenYouGraduate]

Originally Posted by Heathens '87

I'm sorry if I'm misunderstanding you, but are you suggesting that the Tigers might look to bring in Rivera as a set-up man for Todd Jones?!

It does sound ridiculous put like that.

Switch it up then- give em both one year deals, make Jones and Rodney our set-up guys and have Rivera come out of the pen closing. I could live with that.

[Heathens 87]

Originally Posted by SitWhenYouGraduate

It does sound ridiculous put like that.

Switch it up then- give em both one year deals, make Jones and Rodney our set-up guys and have Rivera come out of the pen closing. I could live with that.

Glad you see the reverse logic in that line of thinking. Yeah, Todd as veteran depth and Rivera closing is a clear upgrade. The first question seems to be whether Todd would accept a non-closing role. His agent has basically said closing is a higher priority than simply coming back to the Tigers. That may be positioning though......

[SitWhenYouGraduate]

Another question is how much and how long Rivera would demand. At 38, I wouldn't exactly be willing to give him a three year deal worth too much per year that it would hurt getting someone younger in there if he got hurt.

[bulldogg]

Originally Posted by Heathens '87

If we decide to move on and add a closer, as free agents, it's Cordero and Gagne and a bunch of guys who wouldn't provide much of an upgrade over Jones. Trading is always a possibility and there are teams out there (the Phillies with Gordon and Myers or the Rockies with Fuentes or Corpas) who might be willing to deal as they've got multiple end-of-game options.

I doubt that they trade for a closer.

So it looks like Cordero, or more likely Gagne. But don't forget about the two Japanese closers (Iwase and Kobayashi) that may jump to MLB this year.

[bulldogg]

LF options: Zumaya's prognosis good; Tigers' reliever says, 'I believe a miracle happened'

Luis Gonzalez, 40, batted .278 with 15 home runs and 68 RBIs for the Los Angeles Dodgers this past season. The Tigers have budgeted considerably less for leftfield than the $7.35 million Gonzalez earned in 2007.


"He liked it there," Bross said, in a telephone interview. "He has good memories in Detroit, with his kids being born there. Detroit could be a very good fit."


The Tigers also have expressed interest in free agents Cliff Floyd and Shannon Stewart, two veteran outfielders who have battled injuries in recent years.


Stewart, a right-handed batter, reestablished himself with a solid 2007 season in Oakland. Floyd would like to be an everyday player in 2008, but it's unclear if the Tigers would offer him that opportunity.


Floyd played for the Dombrowski-led 1997 Florida Marlins -- along with current Tigers Edgar Renteria and Gary Sheffield -- and was drafted by the Montreal Expos when Dombrowski was the GM there.

The Tigers previously have shown interest in Seattle first baseman/outfielder Ben Broussard, but the Tigers would be reluctant to trade for a leftfielder after sending prospects Jair Jurrjens and Gorkys Hernandez to Atlanta in the Renteria deal.

[bulldogg]

Bonderman targeted by the D-Backs? Trade talk likely on GM's agenda

Tigers targeting Free Agent Ibanez? Wish lists targeting M’s Ibañez | TheNewsTribune.com | Tacoma, WA

[Heathens 87]

Originally Posted by bulldogg

I doubt that they trade for a closer.

So it looks like Cordero, or more likely Gagne. But don't forget about the two Japanese closers (Iwase and Kobayashi) that may jump to MLB this year.

I agree, but then you link something from an Arizona paper bringing up the possibility of the D-Backs dealing Jose Valverde for Bonderman and another article with the Rockies shopping Brian Fuentes. Trades are often discussed but rarely executed, so who knows what'll happen. It's exciting hot-stove league though........

[bulldogg]

The Official Site of Detroit Tigers: News: Detroit Tigers News

"As much as we like Fernando," Dombrowski said, "we don't see him as our closer."

Mentions that it is a strong year for FA closers with Cordero, Gagne, Dotel, and Fuentes.

[Heathens 87]

Originally Posted by bulldogg

The Official Site of Detroit Tigers: News: Detroit Tigers News

Mentions that it is a strong year for FA closers with Cordero, Gagne, Dotel, and Fuentes.

I'd like to know what kind of deal Cordero is hoping to get. He had a great '07 and I've a sneaking suspicion that he's the type who'd peak in a free-agency walk year..........

[bulldogg]

Originally Posted by Heathens '87

I'd like to know what kind of deal Cordero is hoping to get. He had a great '07 and I've a sneaking suspicion that he's the type who'd peak in a free-agency walk year..........

Yeah, I'm luke-warm on him, because he will probably be overpaid. His ERA was steadily going up the last 4-5 years with TEX, then he moved to the easier NL.

He's better than Jones though.

[bulldogg]

Originally Posted by Heathens '87

I'd like to know what kind of deal Cordero is hoping to get. He had a great '07 and I've a sneaking suspicion that he's the type who'd peak in a free-agency walk year..........

Some quick searching indicate about 4yrs @ 8-10 mil/yr.

[nicho197]

Rogers 'leaning toward' pitching in 2008


new information on Rogers:

Rogers 'leaning toward' pitching in 2008
Left-hander wants to retire a Tiger

November 6, 2007

By JON PAUL MOROSI

FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER

ORLANDO – Tigers president/general manager Dave Dombrowski said on Tuesday that free agent Kenny Rogers “looks like he’s leaning toward coming back to play,” a development that, based on earlier comments by both sides, should result in the left-hander returning Detroit for the 2008 season.

“He told us before, directly, that if he made that decision, he wanted to be with us,” Dombrowski said. “His representative (Scott Boras) has been very busy, with other things going on, but we’re interested in him. We continue to be interested.”

Advertisement
The deal, if completed, will be for one year, according to multiple industry sources. Rogers earned $8 million in each of the last two seasons.

Negotiations don’t appear to have begun in earnest, but a resolution could come quickly, now that the biggest question mark – Rogers’ willingness to pitch in 2008 – seems to have been resolved.

Before the 2007 season – and again during the year – Rogers said he would like to retire as a Tiger. He informed the club that, if he pitches in 2008, he would like to do so in Detroit.

Dombrowski said last week that Rogers would be the club’s first choice among free agent starting pitchers. He reiterated that stance on Tuesday.

Dombrowski is hopeful that the club will learn the status of Rogers and free agent closer Todd Jones by the end of next week. In the meantime, though, the Tigers have prepared for the possibility that neither would return. So far, they have expressed interest to the representatives of free agent starter Carlos Silva and closer Francisco Cordero.

Rogers and Jones would be allowed to discuss financial terms with other clubs beginning Nov. 13.

“As we get closer to this Nov. 13 time period, as much as our guys have been our No. 1 choices, you have to start examining other options,” Dombrowski said. “I can’t say that I’m going to count on this guy coming back and all of a sudden they sign somewhere else and we haven’t made a phone call or two that we need to make.”

[nicho197]

from the free press:

ONE DOOR CLOSES ... The Tigers would like to re-sign Jones as their full-time closer, and the chances of that happening look stronger than ever.

First, Joel Zumaya's shoulder surgery made Jones a higher priority. Then on Tuesday, Atlanta Braves general manager Frank Wren said his team will not pursue a free-agent closer this off-season.

The significance of that is that the Braves, who play about 100 miles from Jones' home in Pell City, Ala., had been high on Jones' list of potential destinations.

Wren has planned for Rafael Soriano to be his team's closer, and he expects Mike Gonzalez, who had 24 saves in 2006, to return from elbow surgery at midseason.

Originally Posted by SitWhenYouGraduate

Hawkins, Julio, and Williamson seem like bona-fide set up options out of free agency. Of course, the intriguing option of Mariano Rivera as a set-up guy is there, but we have to wait and see what he chooses to do with the Yanks first off.

At closer, I think I'd definitely rather have Todd Jones because he a.) probably wouldn't cost all that much and b.) isn't Eric Gagne. I'm sure we'll find out quickly, I just don't think there are too many options that are available and the teams that have tradeable set-up guys might be asking a lot, given the lack of free agent talent out there.

There is no way that Rivera is going to want to be a setup pitcher. No way. That's crazy talk. It wouldn't happen because he apparantly doesn't want to be here, but I'd like to see Farnsworth back in the fold.

Originally Posted by SitWhenYouGraduate

Hawkins, Julio, and Williamson seem like bona-fide set up options out of free agency. Of course, the intriguing option of Mariano Rivera as a set-up guy is there, but we have to wait and see what he chooses to do with the Yanks first off.

At closer, I think I'd definitely rather have Todd Jones because he a.) probably wouldn't cost all that much and b.) isn't Eric Gagne. I'm sure we'll find out quickly, I just don't think there are too many options that are available and the teams that have tradeable set-up guys might be asking a lot, given the lack of free agent talent out there.

There is no way that Rivera is going to want to be a setup pitcher. No way. That's crazy talk.
It wouldn't happen because he apparantly doesn't want to be here, but I'd like to see Farnsworth back in the fold.

[wingfanjim]

I know some people are real big on the A-Rod to Detroit possibility, but does anyone see the possibility of the Tigers trading for a different 3b, like Cabrera?