For those who have not already seen this, here is another good read on how the Tigers may proceed this off-season:
http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/news/article...sp&c_id=det
11/10/08 12:00 AM EST
Rebuilding Tigers talk temporary fixes
Promising prospects have team looking for short-term signees
By Jason Beck / MLB.com
DETROIT -- As five-year plans go, the Tigers could've done a lot worse. This offseason, more than any recently, is about the next five years.
Five years ago, Detroit entered the offseason looking for help at specific positions, but really seeking respectability after their 119-loss 2003 season. Ivan Rodriguez hit the market, and the Tigers pounced, shocking the baseball world. The Mariners put Carlos Guillen on the trade market, and the Tigers didn't hesitate. A year later, they scooped up Magglio Ordonez. Together, they became the face of a franchise revival that combined with a young core to send Detroit all the way to the World Series.
Fast-forward to this winter, and the Tigers are again coming off a last-place finish with needs to fill -- a catcher again, a shortstop and any pitching help they can get. But unlike those earlier days, their star power is already set. This offseason isn't about making a huge splash to transform a franchise into a contender. It's about making the ripples that can help get a team back there.
It's also about filling the gaps before the next young core is ready to emerge.
"I would be surprised if we're real big participants in free agency," team president/general manager Dave Dombrowski said recently. "We have a solid core of players."
Financially, the Tigers are pretty much where they're going to be. Detroit isn't looking to add to a payroll that ranked among the top three teams in baseball at around $138 million this past season. Yet with around $102 million already committed to 10 players on the 40-man roster and a handful of others eligible for arbitration, the Tigers are not heading for a huge drop, either.
That adds up to around the same payroll for this coming season. To Dombrowski, it's enough to get what the Tigers need.
"We've got plenty of finances that are attributed to our ballclub," Dombrowski said. "Now we just have to make them work better for us."
Barring a sea of change in the market, that won't include a run at the top tier of free agents. It isn't simply a matter of dollars, but also years.
With Justin Verlander a crucial part of the Tigers' plans for seasons to come, Rick Porcello not far away and others under contract for two more years, Detroit isn't expected to invest long-term contracts to bring in starting pitching. The organization invested heavily in pitching in the First-Year Player Draft, hoping to build a future bullpen with help from the likes of Ryan Perry, Cody Satterwhite and Scott Green and avoid some of the risky relief contracts that have become prevalent in the open market.
At shortstop, Dombrowski believes he could have an everyday player emerge from the farm system by 2010, whether it's Cale Iorg, Danny Worth or someone else.
In all of those areas, the Tigers appear more inclined to search for short-term help for now until their prospects are ready. With short-term contracts and flexibility a precious commodity nowadays, the Tigers are looking to maintain what maneuverability they have.
Detroit has shown some interest along with other clubs in Padres shortstop Khalil Greene, who could be dealt with one year left on his contract. Previous interest could be revived in Pirates shortstop Jack Wilson, whose contract is also guaranteed through 2009. Julio Lugo's situation in Boston with the emergence of Jed Lowrie could conceivably prompt a swap of contracts with one of Detroit's extra starting pitchers.
Although the top level of free-agent shortstops appears headed out of Detroit's sights with Rafael Furcal and Orlando Cabrera seeking longer-term contracts, the next tier on the market includes defensive options such as Omar Vizquel, Cesar Izturis, Nick Punto and Adam Everett, whose gloves could lead a general upgrade in infield defense.
Unlikely as it seems, the Tigers could yet go back to Edgar Renteria, whose 2008 season in Detroit was disappointing, but who could be a fallback option under a short-term deal with the defensively adept Brandon Inge adding range at third.
The catching market is trickier, thanks to supply and demand. Rodriguez and Boston's Jason Varitek are the top free agents, and both are expected to seek long-term contracts as they head towards their late 30's under the guidance of agent Scott Boras. The next tier includes mostly platoon catchers, such as Gregg Zaun, Michael Barrett and Henry Blanco.
The trade market for catchers centers around Texas, where the Rangers have more young backstops than they can play and a need for young pitching. The problem the Tigers face with their reported interest in Gerald Laird is that they're not as deep in pitching prospects as other clubs in the mix. If the Tigers fall short on that front, they could end up with a platoon situation, signing a veteran to work alongside and mentor catching prospect Dusty Ryan.
The same problem comes up with the Tigers' pursuit of relievers, specifically options at closer. Though stoppers such as Florida's Kevin Gregg and Oakland's Huston Street, along with potentially Seattle's J.J. Putz, are expected to draw trade interest -- all of them are eligible for free agency after next season or 2010 -- the asking price of pitching prospects is expected to again provide a challenge.
That could send the Tigers onto the market for the next tier of relievers, crafting a late-inning corps out of multiple signings. They have already shown interest in former Nationals closer Chad Cordero, who had surgery for a torn labrum in July, but could be back as soon as next spring.
It'll be a tricky market for the Tigers to navigate as they to set up a rebound season. More than 2003 or '04, Detroit's approach more resembles '05, when the Tigers passed up on the top tier of starters and closer to target shorter-term contracts and more flexibility. As it turned out, Kenny Rogers and Todd Jones were major pieces in Detroit's run to the World Series the next fall.
Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.