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.
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Carlos Guillen for Juan Pierre
The real question is if Carlos Guillen will be healthy for a full season. In my mind that means rotating Magglio Ordonez and Carlos Guillen between the outfield and the designated hitter. Carlos Guillen is an amazing all round hitter if he is healthy. Please do not misinterpret me because I actually think Juan Pierre would be a productive player as a Tiger because he is a much better outfielder in left then he was in center.
Gage's logic makes no sense
Tom Gage poses the question would you trade Juan Pierre for Carlos Guillen? One argument he makes is that the Tigers would be better off spending Pierre's pretty large contract in other areas. He is failing to recognize the fact that the Tigers would save money because Guillen makes more than Pierre. Both men have 2 years left on their contracts. Guillen is set to make $13 milion in 2010 and 2011. Pierre is set to make $10 million in 2010 and $8.5 million in 2011. The Tigers would be saving $3 million in 2010, and $4.5 million in 2011. Financially, the trade would make sense for the Tigers. Gage's logic is very strange in this blog. It's true, the Tigers would be adding $18.5 million in payroll for the next 2 seasons, but he's not mentioning that the Tigers would be subtracting $26 million, a savings of $7.5 million. That would clear up a little bit of space to bring back Lyon and/or Rodney.
Pierre
Cost-wise, they could offer Ordonez for Pierre, then sign Rodney AND Lyon.
Carlos must approve any trade
Guillen won't likely desire leaving his countrymen teammates either, unoess the Dodgers extend his contract.
Not gonna' happen Tom! Pick another player or see Pierre come to Detroit via either Magglio or Carlos as the full-time DH.
I doubt that happens too. The only other option is returning Carlos to the infield to spell either Inge at 3B or Sizemore at 2B.
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