Putz as closer?
Just wondering. . .
If the Mets decline the option on his contract for 2010, as they're going to do, how do you all feel about the possibility of bringing J.J. Putz in - as a low-cost risk, of course - to close in 2010?
Yes, he was hurt this year, and yes he needs to bounce back, but when he's been good in the past, he's been very good.
And as a Trenton native and former University of Michigan pitcher, there's that connection, too. Pertinent only because he'd probably like to play for the Tigers.
But if the Tigers don't bring back Rodney, which they might not be able to afford to do (certainly not for four years), they'll have to scrounge around for bargains - or "value signings" as they're called now.
Thumbs up or down on a Putz experiment?
White Sox-Royals trade
Did you see the New York Daily News report today that the Sox are about to trade Grosse Pointe's Chris Getz (and Josh Fields) to KC for Mark Teahen, who will replace free agent Jermaine Dye in right?
Who gets the better of this deal?
Based on how much they've said they like him, I'm surprised the Sox would trade Getz. And I'm always surprised when teams trade within a division.
How long for Inge?
Just got off the phone with trainer Kevin Rand and he reiterated that Brandon Inge will be off his feet for the next six weeks because of his surgery on both knees.
Post-op plans dictate that Inge will be non-weight bearing for that length of time.
I can't think of another athlete - for that matter, I can't think of anyone - who'd be more uncomfortable than Inge with that kind of situation. Wheelchair, crutches, straight-legged casts? As active as Inge is, it will all drive him crazy.
Especially with two young sons running around the house.
This will be a huge test for Inge. He'll push the envelope, he'll no doubt try to accelerate his rehab. He'll do everything he can to get back on his feet sooner than predicted. That's just his nature - and that's OK, as long as he doesn't do anything to set himself back.
No doubt he'll be ready for spring training. February isn't just around the corner. But between now and then, it won't be easy for Inge.
A video game winter, I imagine.
Tigers to win division?
Yes, that was my prediction in March -- Tigers to win 88 games and the Central by a game. But who cares about that now?
I have another prediction, and this time it doesn't involve the Tigers: The Yankess will win the World Series in six games.
I just hope the umpires and November weather don't prove to be a distraction.
One more thing: No, I'm not even sure the Tigers will be able to keep Adam Everett. They'll try, and he'll be willing to return, but other teams will be looking for a bargain shortstop as well.
Juan Pierre for Carlos Guillen?
There's some speculation Dodgers outfielder Juan Pierre is the player the Tigers are targeting to acquire this winter.
Good player, Juan Pierre. Leadoff speed.
No chance, though.
Not with $18.5 million remaining on his contract through 2011.
Unless, of course, the Dodgers would take in return a costlier player such as Carlos Guillen - which is highly unlikely.
Would you do that deal, though? Pierre for Guillen?
The simple truth is that the Tigers are not in position to add an expensive player, such as Pierre, to their payroll. Especially when all outfield spots already are spoken for.
He'd be an interesting addition at the top of the lineup, enabling the Tigers to move Curtis Granderson to sixth on a full time basis, but there's no economic reality to the speculation.
If the Tigers have $10 million to spend on a player for next year (Pierre will make $10 million in 2010 and $8.5 million in 2011), they'd probably apply it to the bullpen - more specifically to keeping Brandon Lyon.
Remember, even with nearly $120 million already committed for next year, the Tigers don't have an established closer or setup man if Fernando Rodney and Lyon leave as free agents.
This kind of discussion is exactly why this winter will be challenging for the Tigers, however. There will be veteran players, such as Pierre, who'll be available. And about some of them, we'll probably say they would help.
But I'd be stunned if the Tigers add any $10 million players this winter, without being able to lop one off.
And it won't be easy to lop one off.
Walking A-Rod with the bases empty was. . .
Pick (at least) one
A) incredibly smart
B) daring but dumb
C) something Leyland would have been criticized for even if it worked
D) no opinion because the Tigers aren't in it and I'm still blaming everyone
E) none of the above (although daring but dumb comes close)
F) doesn't matter because the Yankees are going to win it anyway.
Z) fell asleep because of how late the games go and don't know what happened.
If I could change. . .
Have enjoyed all the lists, but expanding the conversation, if I could change sports TV coverage in general, not just the game of baseball, I would limit that incessant ribbon or crawl or whatever you want to call the constant running info at the bottom of the screen.
I wish I had counted (actually I don't) how many times on Saturday we were informed that Sam Bradford had been knocked out of the game early for Oklahoma. Two hundred times?
I find it to be a distraction. Don't eliminate it completely, because the updates are useful, but give it a break once in a while. Run it for five minutes, then stop it for five minutes. Anybody agree?
Free agents? What free agents?
Hate to say it, but I don't see how the Tigers are going to have ANY money to spend this winter. Sorry.
The payroll numbers I come up with so far is that they'll be at $119 million for 20 players (including Dontrelle Willis).
That's figuring at least $7 mil for Justin Verlander, which might be low, and at least $5 mil for Edwin Jackson, both of whom are arbitration eligible.
The elephant in the off-season room, of course, is the long-term contract they'll have to come up with for Verlander. I can't imagine he would go for a four-year contract and give up two years of free agency, but the Tigers will try. If the fourth year is lucrative enough, he might take it. However, they might not be in position to offer such a fourth year.
His success this ssason clearly redefined the parameters of what he's about to earn.
As it stands, getting him signed for three years will take huge bucks for that third year. I'm thinking it's going to take more than $35 million for three years (something like 8-13-16). But again, I might be low
As for those 20 players included in the $119 million, that includes 10 pitchers (not factoring in Willis as part of the staff), but doesn't take into account a starting second baseman (so you almost assuredly can pencil in Scott Sizemore because even more than major-league ready, he'll be major-league cheap.
Also no experienced closer, no Brandon Lyon-like expensive setup, plus no shortstop (althoughI imagine Adam Everett will come back for about $1.5 mil).
And, of course, I see no way at all they're bringing Marcus Thames back as an extra outfielder.
So I don't think either Fernando Rodney or Lyon will be back because of inaffordability.
Having Willis' $10 million on the books hurts immensely, but as Dave Dombrowski said last week, they're still going to try and get something productive out of him.
Without that $10 million, they'd obviously be in a better position to spend.
Kind of a gloomy report, I know, but unless they're willing to go back to $130 million after taking a hit at the gate, there's a big off-season challenge ahead of them.
Miguel Cabrera's contract
What's the feeling out there on this?
Miguel Cabrera's salary jumps from $15 million this year to $20 million next year and doesn't duck back down under $20 million for the next SIX YEARS. The Tigers owe him $126 million for the next six.
With what took place on the last Saturday of the season, how comfortable are you all with this? Or this the time to explore a deal because you don't trust his behavior for the term of the contract?
Here's what I think: Preference can't enter into it. The Tigers HAVE to keep him. They wouldn't have an offense without him. So concerned or not. Tiger Nation must grin and bear it. But you might disagree. Hopefully, some of you do.
To Bob: Not so.
To Grant: Not to be snarky back, but I believe you were wrong
To Yooper: Ouch, but I also value your opinion.
To Salty: I get the feeling they share your thoughts about Avila
Phillies and Yankees, by the way. But the Angels are going to make the Y's earn it. Seven games in AL, six in NL.
There would have been a game four
For what's it worth ...
Disliked the Twins getting swept - because the Tigers would not have been. Game 4 would be going on right now at Comerica Park, as I type. They would have eventually lost to the Yankees, but they would not have gotten swept.
Got closer this year, but was still wrong. Last spring I had the Tigers winning the division by one game - with 88 victories. Back to the drawing board.
Admired Dan Dickerson's wonderfully professional call at the end of the game against the Twins, and told him so.
Dickerson hid his immense disappointment and didn't hesitate at all to say that Gomez was going to score, not waiting until he had crossed the plate. Double D has long since turned into a top-notch broadcaster.
Disliked the fact that the Colorado-Philly Game 3 didn't end until after 2 a.m. (Monday) Detroit time - that's after midnight mountain time for those unfortunate frozen fans. If you can't begin a game in a sprinkle, how can you play a game when the temp is in the 20's?
Less than a thrilling overall start for the post-season, wouldn't you say?
Liked the fact that Phil Cuzzi's horrendous call in the Twins-Yankees series didn't get swept under the national carpet - but can you imaging the outrage if it had happened TO the Yankees instead of for the them?
And, no, I don't think Placido Polanco will be back.
