whoknew
Footballguy
Nah. He and his 85 career OPS+ will take ABs away from more deserving players. Good news all around.
Fantasy Football - Footballguys Forums
Welcome to Our Forums. Once you've registered and logged in, you're primed to talk football, among other topics, with the sharpest and most experienced fantasy players on the internet.
***Officialish Detroit Tigers Thread*** (4 Viewers)
- Thread starter Doctor Detroit
- Start date
Gopher State
Footballguy
QUOTE TO NOTE: "Maybe we won't do anything. I don't know. I'm not so sure that somebody on our staff can't close. We have a couple candidates. We'll wait and see and play it out. We're not rushing into doing something unless something falls on our laps." — GM Dave Dombrowski, whose team entered the final days of 2009 with no confirmed setup man or closer on its roster.
Source USA Today
Any Tiger fans concerned about the closer spot for 2010
Source USA Today
Any Tiger fans concerned about the closer spot for 2010
whoknew
Footballguy
No. That's the way a smart team approaches the closer role. Everyone has a closer on the roster - you just may not know who it is yet.The key is do you have enough relief pitching? I don't know if the Tigers do or not but relief pitchers are the easiest thing to find in the market.
Last edited by a moderator:
Comer
Footballguy
Now that we are a 60 some odd win team they may as well let Perry close and take his lumps and see if he has what it takes to be a legit closer.
Anthony Borbely
Footballguy
This is pretty much the same as last year and it worked out well. I'm not all that concerned right now.
igbomb
Footballguy
You must be in heaven these days. If you're lucky, the Tigers can make a run at last place and really get you excited.
Comer
Footballguy
If a sub 70 win season with a 100 million dollar payroll will get Dombrowski out the door it is a small price to pay.
igbomb
Footballguy
You really are the worst kind of fan.
Comer
Footballguy
Gopher State
Footballguy
AP: Reliever Rodney on the verge of joining Angels
LOS ANGELES (AP) — A person familiar with the negotiations tells the Associated Press that reliever Fernando Rodney (FSY) has reached a preliminary agreement with the Los Angeles Angels on a two-year deal worth $11 million.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal hasn't been finalized. Rodney must pass a physical for it to be completed.
Rodney spent the past seven seasons in the Detroit Tigers' bullpen, including the past two as their closer. The hard-throwing right-hander had 37 saves last season with a 4.40 ERA and just one blown save.
The agreement was first reported by ESPN
Didn't know Rodney only blew one save last year. Looks like a good deal for the Angels
LOS ANGELES (AP) — A person familiar with the negotiations tells the Associated Press that reliever Fernando Rodney (FSY) has reached a preliminary agreement with the Los Angeles Angels on a two-year deal worth $11 million.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal hasn't been finalized. Rodney must pass a physical for it to be completed.
Rodney spent the past seven seasons in the Detroit Tigers' bullpen, including the past two as their closer. The hard-throwing right-hander had 37 saves last season with a 4.40 ERA and just one blown save.
The agreement was first reported by ESPN
Didn't know Rodney only blew one save last year. Looks like a good deal for the Angels
Doctor Detroit
Please remove your headgear
The Lyon signing was really bad, the Rodney signing was fine and I'll miss him. Detroit has a lot of good young bullpen arms and paying for closers has never been something I found prudent. So many fans were calling for the Tigers to sign K-Rod and hated the idea of Rodney as the closer. Now people are complaining Rodney is gone, hilarious.Tigers stockpiling draft picks, Rodney and Lyon both bring sandwich picks back.
MAC_32
Footballguy
This is why I like the moves, compensatory picks for guys that can be replaced, cheaper.
Gopher State
Footballguy
SS Adam Everett, who recently re-signed for one season with Detroit, was selected the best defensive shortstop of the decade by ESPN. Everett is not particularly distinguished at the plate and has never won a Gold Glove. ESPN's Rob Neyer wrote, "Everett has never started 150 games in a season. He's started more than 120 games in a season only twice. That's the best explanation for Everett's failure to win even a single Gold Glove: The voters prefer every-day players. And they particularly like every-day players who can hit a little. That's just not Adam Everett. But despite his lack of playing time, he easily saved more runs in this decade than any other shortstop: 87 runs — and 18 runs per 150 games."
Not a big fan of Everett due to his hitting, but a great def player in his own right. Nice to see ESPN give him the award
Not a big fan of Everett due to his hitting, but a great def player in his own right. Nice to see ESPN give him the award
Balco
Footballguy
Any local talk on shedding Miguel Cabrera?
THis team, to an outsider, looks like it needs to be completely dismantled, save for Verlander and Porcello. Offense doesn't look so good, and their minor league system is pretty bare, no? THey can probably get a nice haul of prospects for Cabrera. I know he is a horrible defensive player, but he is an unreal hitter. I think the Orioles would make a great trading partner. THey have the money as evidenced by their pursuit of Mark Teixiera, and they have some young prospects, especially pitching. Cabrera would be prefect in the middle of the O's Lineup with Wieters and Markakis.
THis team, to an outsider, looks like it needs to be completely dismantled, save for Verlander and Porcello. Offense doesn't look so good, and their minor league system is pretty bare, no? THey can probably get a nice haul of prospects for Cabrera. I know he is a horrible defensive player, but he is an unreal hitter. I think the Orioles would make a great trading partner. THey have the money as evidenced by their pursuit of Mark Teixiera, and they have some young prospects, especially pitching. Cabrera would be prefect in the middle of the O's Lineup with Wieters and Markakis.
the moops
Footballguy
Adam Everett should no longer be an everyday player. His defense has slipped from outrageously awesome, to well above average. When you hit as bad as he does, you need to be a truly exceptional defender.It is nice to see him get the award though. Fielding Bible and UZR have him as the best SS, by a good margin from 2004-2008.
skillz
Footballguy
It wouldn't be a surprise to me if Cabrera sticks around and Verlander actually gets moved first. I say that because my concern is now that the team is clearly in rebuilding mode -- Verlander may simply decide to not stick around and walk as a FA after his contract expires in 2011. I know that a lot of money comes off the books at the end of 2010 that the Tigers can use to sign him but I don't know if that is going to be enough to keep Verlander in Detroit. There is certainly a possibility that if this season is going horribly bad that he tells the Tigers that he is going to test the market after 2011 ends and doesn't want to sign a new contract. Risky move, but one he may decide to do so he could go play for another team with a better chance at winning. If that happens he will be another Santana/Halladay as far as the team having to move him sooner rather than later to get the most value. I certainly hope this doesn't happen but the whole rebuilding idea may end up blowing up in the Tigers' face if they are doing so horribly that Verlander doesn't want to stick around during the rebuild.
Last edited by a moderator:
Balco
Footballguy
That actually sounds like a smart move. He could fetch them a King's ransom of prospects, I am sure.Team needs to be imploded, minor league system should be replenished. And then when the young guys come up, they can spend $$$ on vets.
MAC_32
Footballguy
Miggy isn't as bad in the field as he used to be, guy started making some plays last season. Like Verlander and Porcello, unless the haul of young talent is so overwhelming it can't be turned down I hope we don't trade him. A lot of outsiders think the Tigers farm system is bare, but I don't think that's the impression of the Tigers faithful, myself included, it isn't great but it isn't bad either. If we didn't play in the AL Central I'd be more inclined to trade our horses, but our division sucks and can be won by this team. Keep the core intact, and hope for the best around them during the rebuild.
Doctor Detroit
Please remove your headgear
I don't think they'll deal Cabrera or Verlander. They have Verlander through 2011 so I would think they might try to sign him prior to this coming year. I think he could be dealt after 2010 for sure though, but I think they still will try and re-sign him and keep him around.
And as Mac astutely pointed out, they still play in the AL Central. I think Mike Illitch looks at the Twins and says, "I want that" and Dombrowski is acquiring young guys and arms to compete in the future but still keep some of the core vets. Look, the Royals are going to always suck, the Indians are in mass overhaul mode, and the Twins are essentially two superstars and a load of meh. Only the White Sox spend and even they've backed off some. The AL Central will be possible with those top 3 pitchers and a healthy Bonderman and once they shed some salary with Ordonez they have a lot of flexibility. I really don't think this is a fire sale, but if I'm wrong I will be very pissed off. I don't mind being predicted to finish 3rd next year, but if they sell Cabrera just to slash payroll I'm going to be very angry.
And as Mac astutely pointed out, they still play in the AL Central. I think Mike Illitch looks at the Twins and says, "I want that" and Dombrowski is acquiring young guys and arms to compete in the future but still keep some of the core vets. Look, the Royals are going to always suck, the Indians are in mass overhaul mode, and the Twins are essentially two superstars and a load of meh. Only the White Sox spend and even they've backed off some. The AL Central will be possible with those top 3 pitchers and a healthy Bonderman and once they shed some salary with Ordonez they have a lot of flexibility. I really don't think this is a fire sale, but if I'm wrong I will be very pissed off. I don't mind being predicted to finish 3rd next year, but if they sell Cabrera just to slash payroll I'm going to be very angry.
Last edited by a moderator:
Gopher State
Footballguy
Players who could be on the trade market include RHP Armando Galarraga, RHP Eddie Bonine, LHP Nate Robertson and LHP Dontrelle Willis. However, it's hard to imagine Willis attracting much interest given his recent history of injuries and poor pitching.
SOURCE AP
Any thoughts on what the Tigers could get for the above players
SOURCE AP
Any thoughts on what the Tigers could get for the above players
skillz
Footballguy
I have a bad feeling about keeping Verlander. Last year they got where they did with pitching. I don't see the starting pitching being the same or any better in 2010 plus they lost the back end of the bullpen and the hitting is going to be downright pathetic this year. Even if Verlander and other starters pitch well, I see a lot of games where the team doesn't provide any run support or the bullpen blows the game late (they need to pull the plug on the plans of Zumaya being a closer and find another option for 2010). I don't see why he would want to stick around when he could pitch for another team, get better run support (and thus put up more wins) and play for a team that has a better chance at playing in a World Series. I hope I'm wrong and he stays, but I have a bad feeling about him remaining a Tiger.But, who knows, if they get a good deal for him maybe they can still contend in the AL Central in the future -- I am thinking the Twins will take a step back after the Yanks sign Mauer after 2010. They've been eyeing him as Posada's replacement at C so they can move Posada to DH in 2011.
Last edited by a moderator:
Eephus
Footballguy
Willis will make $12M this year (plus a $500K bonus if he wins he Cy Young). Detroit will have to pick up the lion's share of that if they don't want him around.
Gopher State
Footballguy
Tigers' Laird, brother arrested in Phoenix during NBA game
PHOENIX (AP) — Detroit Tigers catcher Gerald Laird (FSY) and his younger brother, New York Yankees infield prospect Brandon Laird (FSY), were arrested following a brawl in the lounge area of Phoenix's NBA arena, according to police.
Phoenix police said Gerald Laird, 30, was cited for assault Wednesday night and 22-year-old Brandon Laird was cited for disorderly conduct. Police said the Lairds and a third man were arrested at U.S. Airways Center after the fight during the Phoenix Suns-Boston Celtics game.
Police said arena security previously contacted the group of men about their loud behavior. Two of the men were allowed back into the lounge after a conversation with security, but a melee broke out shortly afterward and the Laird brothers allegedly assaulted the security guards.
Gerald Laird lives in suburban Peoria in the offseason. Brandon Laird is considered one of the top infield prospects in the Yankees farm system and played for the Surprise Rafters in the Arizona Fall League this year.
PHOENIX (AP) — Detroit Tigers catcher Gerald Laird (FSY) and his younger brother, New York Yankees infield prospect Brandon Laird (FSY), were arrested following a brawl in the lounge area of Phoenix's NBA arena, according to police.
Phoenix police said Gerald Laird, 30, was cited for assault Wednesday night and 22-year-old Brandon Laird was cited for disorderly conduct. Police said the Lairds and a third man were arrested at U.S. Airways Center after the fight during the Phoenix Suns-Boston Celtics game.
Police said arena security previously contacted the group of men about their loud behavior. Two of the men were allowed back into the lounge after a conversation with security, but a melee broke out shortly afterward and the Laird brothers allegedly assaulted the security guards.
Gerald Laird lives in suburban Peoria in the offseason. Brandon Laird is considered one of the top infield prospects in the Yankees farm system and played for the Surprise Rafters in the Arizona Fall League this year.
Doctor Detroit
Please remove your headgear
Well at least we know he can hit something...
Gopher State
Footballguy
The Tigers still plan to have Scott Sizemore as their starting second baseman, according to team president/general manager Dave Dombrowski.
"We expect him to be our second baseman," Dombrowski said. "We have not changed on Sizemore." This pretty much shoots down the rumor of Orlando Hudson signing with Detroit to replace Placido Polanco. Sizemore hit .308/.389/.500 with 17 home runs, 66 RBI and 21 stolen bases between Double-A Erie and Triple-A Toledo in 2009 and should be on early watch lists in deeper fantasy leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Sizemore is my FF baseball sleeper of 2010. I can see him hitting 280 with 20 homers.
"We expect him to be our second baseman," Dombrowski said. "We have not changed on Sizemore." This pretty much shoots down the rumor of Orlando Hudson signing with Detroit to replace Placido Polanco. Sizemore hit .308/.389/.500 with 17 home runs, 66 RBI and 21 stolen bases between Double-A Erie and Triple-A Toledo in 2009 and should be on early watch lists in deeper fantasy leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Sizemore is my FF baseball sleeper of 2010. I can see him hitting 280 with 20 homers.
Doctor Detroit
Please remove your headgear
Not sure about 20 HRs in his rookie season but I'd take it. With Santiago and Everett coming back, Tigers can take it easy with Sizemore and let him develop in a platoon.
Anthony Borbely
Footballguy
SofaKings
Footballguy
I stopped reading after the bold.
the moops
Footballguy
Santiago and Everett is a terrible MI combination. Ugh.They are as automatic outs as possible.
Doctor Detroit
Please remove your headgear
Ok.Santiago has been fine the past 3 years in a part time role hitting .275 with a .350 OBP. He's not an automatic out.
Gopher State
Footballguy
—CF Austin Jackson may wind up batting leadoff for Detroit if, as expected, he wins the starting job during Spring Training. The Tigers lost the Nos. 1-2 hitters in their batting order during the winter with the trade of CF Curtis Granderson and the departure of free agent 2B Placido Polanco. Jackson hit .300 in the minors but like Granderson is a high-strikeout player. "We anticipate he'll be ready to play," Dombrowski has said this offseason. "There are a lot of guys that can play center field for us, but we anticipate he'll be ready. We are counting on him to make our big league club. He's a very good center fielder and he'll be able to play center field in our park."
AP
Wow, lots of new players to the Tigers this year
AP
Wow, lots of new players to the Tigers this year
whoknew
Footballguy
The leadoff thing - is that just rampant speculation? I mean I wouldn't be surprised if he's eventually a leadoff hitter but I'd be surprised if he is next year. I don't remember his OBP in the minors - is he an on base guy?Then again - they don't really have anyone who is an obviously leadoff candidate. Maybe Raburn? Ordonez?
Doctor Detroit
Please remove your headgear
Honestly I think they should hit Ordonez 2nd regardless.
skillz
Footballguy
We need a closer BADLY so I don't mind them doing this. The way I look at it is the Tigers are trading Rodney for Valverde. Both cost about the same over two years although we are giving up a sligtly higher 1st round pick (in the 20's range) than the one we got for Rodney. I am fine with that. Ideally, Perry should be ready to close after Valverde's deal expires. Only time will tell though...
Gopher State
Footballguy
Phil Coke, should be the closer for the tigers. He's got three good pitches he can throw for strikes. They can save a bunch of money with Coke, and he might be better then any FA closer
skillz
Footballguy
No way. The Yanks dumped him in the Granderson trade for a reason: he's not very good. He should not be a closer although I would take him over Zumaya if the Tigers don't sign anyone else. That's how bad the existing closer options are right now for Detroit.
MAC_32
Footballguy
I'd rather Coke or some other schmo in the pen close and we don't lose the 1st rounder to sign Valverde, we're going to need to take some chances in the next season or two to compete. Valverde won't help us enough to justify losing the 1st round pick.
skillz
Footballguy
I would rather have a legitimate closer like Valverde and a chance to compete in a weak AL Central than give up on winning the division this year by using an unproven closer and the first round pick we keep to draft a potential Brandon Hamilton type player near the end of the first round. I would rather have a proven commodity that gives us a better chance at winning today. It is not as if we don't have any 2010 first round picks left to develop if we sign Valverde.I'd rather Coke or some other schmo in the pen close and we don't lose the 1st rounder to sign Valverde, we're going to need to take some chances in the next season or two to compete. Valverde won't help us enough to justify losing the 1st round pick.No way. The Yanks dumped him in the Granderson trade for a reason: he's not very good. He should not be a closer although I would take him over Zumaya if the Tigers don't sign anyone else. That's how bad the existing closer options are right now for Detroit.
Last edited by a moderator:
Gopher State
Footballguy
Zumaya, Tigers avoid arbitration
DETROIT -- Oft-injured reliever Joel Zumaya and the Detroit Tigers avoided salary arbitration by agreeing to a $915,000, one-year contract on Wednesday.
The hard-throwing right-hander was 3-3 with a 4.94 ERA and one save in 29 appearances last year during a season cut short by shoulder problems. He made $735,000.
A key member of the 2006 Tigers team that reached the World Series, Zumaya has been plagued by injuries during his career. He is 11-11 with a 3.15 ERA and four saves in four seasons with Detroit. He has pitched in 140 games, compiling 176 strikeouts in 171 1/3 innings.
The Tigers have four players still eligible for arbitration: pitcher Justin Verlander, catcher Gerald Laird, right-hander Zach Miner and lefty Bobby Seay.
Players have until Friday to file.
Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press
Seems like a fair price for Zumaya, if he can pitch for the complete season
DETROIT -- Oft-injured reliever Joel Zumaya and the Detroit Tigers avoided salary arbitration by agreeing to a $915,000, one-year contract on Wednesday.
The hard-throwing right-hander was 3-3 with a 4.94 ERA and one save in 29 appearances last year during a season cut short by shoulder problems. He made $735,000.
A key member of the 2006 Tigers team that reached the World Series, Zumaya has been plagued by injuries during his career. He is 11-11 with a 3.15 ERA and four saves in four seasons with Detroit. He has pitched in 140 games, compiling 176 strikeouts in 171 1/3 innings.
The Tigers have four players still eligible for arbitration: pitcher Justin Verlander, catcher Gerald Laird, right-hander Zach Miner and lefty Bobby Seay.
Players have until Friday to file.
Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press
Seems like a fair price for Zumaya, if he can pitch for the complete season
Doctor Detroit
Please remove your headgear
Plus they lost their first round pick for doing so. WTF is going on? No hating on valverde, he makes things too interesting but he's really reliable. But this is a weird signing, I guess we plan on winning games 3-2 with 3 innings of relief included into most games. Bullpen might be one of the better units in the entire league but then again bullpens are notoriously hard to predict. Whatever, this has to be the strangest signing in the Dombrowski era.
whoknew
Footballguy
I agree with this. Yes they are better with Valverde. But how does this go with the plan? Wasn't the plan to shed payroll? Didn't we draft 1000 relievers and insist on Stink Jr. in the trade from AZ? Do we have a plan?
skillz
Footballguy
I think they have shed payroll even with the Valverde signing. They didn't re-sign Polanco, Rodney, or Lyon. They also traded Granderson and Jackson for much cheaper players. Valverde is obviously the closer, I don't think they really trust Zumaya so anything he can add in 2010 and beyond is a bonus, and Seay is probably gone since they now have Schlereth, Ni, and Coke as options. Coke could also be considered as a 5th starter and not be a bullpen pitcher. Even though they have a lot of bullpen arms they are still young and relatively unproven so why not gather a bunch of them and see which ones pan out for this year.
Although the moves seem strange I think Dombrowski simply wanted to "sell high" on Jackson and Granderson and was able to replace them with cheaper options going forward to better position the team long term. I think he really feared signing Jackson to a long term deal and have it blow up in his face like the Willis, Robertson and Bonderman contracts have. Even with Jackson and Grandy gone I think he believes the team can compete in a weak AL Central in 2010 but the biggest hole he needed to fill was closer - which he was now able to fill with Valverde.
The Valverde signing gives them a better chance to compete in 2010 (although the offense is still looking pretty weak with the loss of Polanco and Granderson). They then lose a lot of the dead contracts in the offseason which will presumably give them a chance to add some better players in 2011. So having Valverde for 2010 and 2011 fills a vital role in the bullpen during a two year stretch where the team should still be able to compete for a division title. I don't know why people think the Tigers should not sign any players like Valverde who will help the team win this year and instead would rather see them stay in a rebuild mode for 2010. Valverde isn't signed long term and after his deal expires in 2011 Perry should be ready to take over. I don't see a lot of risk in signing him for two years. Plus, as I have already said, we still have other 1st round picks to use so we will still be able to get some young talent early in the draft to replenish the farm system.
I am sure others may disagree with me but I like the fact that DD finally went after a player and is trying to win this year.
Although the moves seem strange I think Dombrowski simply wanted to "sell high" on Jackson and Granderson and was able to replace them with cheaper options going forward to better position the team long term. I think he really feared signing Jackson to a long term deal and have it blow up in his face like the Willis, Robertson and Bonderman contracts have. Even with Jackson and Grandy gone I think he believes the team can compete in a weak AL Central in 2010 but the biggest hole he needed to fill was closer - which he was now able to fill with Valverde.
The Valverde signing gives them a better chance to compete in 2010 (although the offense is still looking pretty weak with the loss of Polanco and Granderson). They then lose a lot of the dead contracts in the offseason which will presumably give them a chance to add some better players in 2011. So having Valverde for 2010 and 2011 fills a vital role in the bullpen during a two year stretch where the team should still be able to compete for a division title. I don't know why people think the Tigers should not sign any players like Valverde who will help the team win this year and instead would rather see them stay in a rebuild mode for 2010. Valverde isn't signed long term and after his deal expires in 2011 Perry should be ready to take over. I don't see a lot of risk in signing him for two years. Plus, as I have already said, we still have other 1st round picks to use so we will still be able to get some young talent early in the draft to replenish the farm system.
I am sure others may disagree with me but I like the fact that DD finally went after a player and is trying to win this year.
