Tue. 11/03/09 01:04 PM
I would bet that there has already been a "feeling out" process between the organization and Verlander's camp. Negotiations have a life of their own, it's a process. Verlander, Cabrera, and Granderson are the most valuable player assets we have. They are the core for 2009 and beyond. I strongly believe everything within reason will be done to keep that core in tact, and we will add to it. Whether or not Verlander signs this off season has little meaning. There is absolutely no chance Verlander gets traded in the next few months. That could change if he call DD and says something like; "I'm looking forward to testing the market in 2 years, so don't call my guy anymore with any long term stuff". I don't see any of that happening.
With Verlander being silently and patiently worked on, there are issues to address. #1 Rodney and Lyon, #2 Polanco, #3 looking for a SP, #4 finding a bat that can fit in Leyland's flex plan, and at a reasonable cost. In my mind that's the off season agenda.
I wonder if our rumored interest in Chapman is in part triggered by some inquiries we may have had about Crosby? I think there is a good chance that Crosby is considered our #1 prospect (a tick above Turner), and could be of interest to a club looking for prospects. This whole Chapman thing has my attention. As I've said, I doubt we get him, but I have a feeling that our being in the mix is more the product of a leak than it is some sort of unecessary hype.
