Tracking the Tigers in the offseason

[bulldogg]

Originally Posted by fellowglory

Didn't we try this guy out last year? I don't remember that working out.

Yes, and he was hurt with all year.

[Nick Papageorgio]

Originally Posted by bulldogg

Tigers sign reliever Matt Mantei to one-year deal

Good signing low risk, and bigger upside.

This has been said by the last 3 teams that signed him.

[Leave Cousins in!!]

JON PAUL MOROSI'S BLOG: Tigers want to lock up Miguel Cabrera, but price would be steep

[sparty1988]

Rangers cut ex-Tiger Shelton

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Former Tiger Chris Shelton was cut by the Texas Rangers on Monday, just more than a month after they acquired him in a trade.

Texas designated the first baseman for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster for right-hander Kazuo ***umori, who agreed to a $3 million, two-year contract with the Rangers last month.

The team has 10 days to trade, release or send Shelton outright to the minors. He was obtained from Detroit on Dec. 5 for outfielder Freddy Guzman.

[bulldogg]

ESPN reporting that the Tigers have agreed to terms with SP Nate Robertson on a three-year contract. No details yet.

[IzzoisdaMan]

Originally Posted by bulldogg

ESPN reporting that the Tigers have agreed to terms with SP Nate Robertson on a three-year contract. No details yet.

3 years, 21.25 mil according to Rosenthal. Pretty good deal, below market value.

[TBONE]

Originally Posted by IzzoisdaMan

3 years, 21.25 mil according to Rosenthal. Pretty good deal, below market value.

[Other Mike]

Robertson at that price is a steal. There was a good stretch last year where he was their best pitcher. Has to be the best fifth starter in the league.

[IzzoisdaMan]

Robertson isn't great or anything but 3 years for 21 is not bad at all, especially for a lefty. The total $$$ is pretty irrelevant, the years are important.

[Nick Papageorgio]

Originally Posted by Other Mike

Robertson at that price is a steal. There was a good stretch last year where he was their best pitcher. Has to be the best fifth starter in the league.

He's consistent. Doesn't mean he's good though. He's not a .500 pitcher and his ERA will be between 4.5 and 5. He'll have a WHIP around 1.4 or so. For a #5 pitcher I guess you could find worse.

[Other Mike]

Nick,

Can you help me find a better fifth starter?

[Nick Papageorgio]

Originally Posted by Other Mike

Nick,

Can you help me find a better fifth starter?

So I just went over the #5 starters according to ESPN. Nate Robertson, while, yes toward the top of the list, will put up numbers similar to about 10-15 other #5 starters. Most of these guys will put up 7-10 wins, 4.50+ Era and mediocre #'s across the board. I'll give you that Robertson has a better chance than most #5's to put up the occasional real good outing. But the difference between the best #5 and the 15 best #5 isn't much.

Here are 4 #5's I wouldn't mind having.
Micah Owings -Ari
Jon Lester - Bos (potential)
Yovani Gallardo - Mil (potential)
Joba Chamberlain -NYY (potential once again)

[bulldogg]

Originally Posted by Nick Papageorgio

So I just went over the #5 starters according to ESPN. Nate Robertson, while, yes toward the top of the list, will put up numbers similar to about 10-15 other #5 starters. Most of these guys will put up 7-10 wins, 4.50+ Era and mediocre #'s across the board. I'll give you that Robertson has a better chance than most #5's to put up the occasional real good outing. But the difference between the best #5 and the 15 best #5 isn't much.

Here are 4 #5's I wouldn't mind having.
Micah Owings -Ari
Jon Lester - Bos (potential)
Yovani Gallardo - Mil (potential)
Joba Chamberlain -NYY (potential once again)

So three completely based on potential, and Ownings is very debatable.

[Nick Papageorgio]

Originally Posted by bulldogg

So three completely based on potential, and Ownings is very debatable.

I would rather have a young guy with loads of talent and potential then a guy with decent talent and a limited ceiling. That's just my opinion. Some people would rather go the other direction.

Isn't the term "the best #5 starter" an oxymoron?

[bulldogg]

Originally Posted by Nick Papageorgio

I would rather have a young guy with loads of talent and potential then a guy with decent talent and a limited ceiling. That's just my opinion. Some people would rather go the other direction.

Isn't the "the best #5 starter" an oxymoron?

This year and next ... I'd rather have the guy that will perform the best. Period.

I'm not a huge Nate fan, but this ball club is going for it this year and next (as evidence by the Maybin, Miller, etc. trade).

Lester is only a 5th starter because his rotation is so deep. And you could easily make the case that he'd be #4 and Wakefield #5.

Either way, an odd discussion like you point out ("the best #5 starter"). Nate has value, and it looks to be a decent signing.

[Nick Papageorgio]

Originally Posted by bulldogg

This year and next ... I'd rather have the guy that will perform the best. Period.

I'm not a huge Nate fan, but this ball club is going for it this year and next (as evidence by the Maybin, Miller, etc. trade).

Lester is only a 5th starter because his rotation is so deep. And you could easily make the case that he'd be #4 and Wakefield #5.

Either way, an odd discussion like you point out ("the best #5 starter"). Nate has value, and it looks to be a decent signing.

I wasn't saying that it's not a good signing. There's just so little difference between the majority of #5 starters, calling someone the best of that bunch (if in fact they are), means very little.
I've got no problem with Nate. Good for him for getting $21 mil. I'd trade places with him in a heartbeat.

[truspart]

Originally Posted by IzzoisdaMan

Robertson isn't great or anything but 3 years for 21 is not bad at all, especially for a lefty. The total $$$ is pretty irrelevant, the years are important.

Agreed. He's and innings-eater, and a lefty. Glad to see him stay.

I came across this picture, taken during the Tigers Fan Fest, of Nate Robertson greeting a young fan of his. In fact, Robertson's his idol. Great moment if you ask me.

[Kerndaddy]

We got him for cheap.

[truspart]

Originally Posted by Kern

We got him for cheap.

I wouldn't go that far.

[bulldogg]

Detroit Free Press - www.freep.com - Tigers

The Tigers agreed to a one-year, $1.275-million contract with outfielder/first baseman Marcus Thames on Thursday, leaving them with only two unsettled arbitration cases before Friday’s deadline to exchange figures.

[Kerndaddy]

Originally Posted by truspart

I wouldn't go that far.

lefty in the AL with a sub 5 ERA? Ok.

[TX Sparty]

Overall I'm pleased with both the signings. Kinda sucks when a #5 starter can command that kind of money though.

[AUAlum06]

who else is up for arbitration?

[truspart]

Originally Posted by Kern

lefty in the AL with a sub 5 ERA? Ok.

Dude, $4-$5 million per year, and I'll give you cheap.

Regardless of our mini pissing match, it was a solid signing.....and one that I'm happy with.

[bulldogg]

Originally Posted by AUAlum06

who else is up for arbitration?

Cabrera and Seay