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On The Tigers Trade Rumors
A few things about the trade rumors swirling around the Tigers...
- You hope Austin Jackson, a solid prospect, becomes as good a major league player as Curtis Granderson - and that’s not going to happen anytime soon.
So if the Tigers were to trade Granderson and bill Jackson as his replacement, it does scream "salary dump."
- Why would the Yankees want to part with Phillip Hughes? His radar gun readings skyrocketed while pitching in relief last season, but he did not handle the pressure of the postseason well. I wouldn’t give up that much for Hughes.
- If the Tigers wanted to dump salary, they should have released Magglio Ordonez last summer when it was evident he had lost his tools. Period.
- All this talk about the economy is being overblown in this regard: The Tigers drew well last season when they were in contention. And the economy was at its lowest ebb last season.
- Going into any sort of rebuilding mode does not make sense when Jim Leyland is the manager.
- I wouldn’t be so quick to point the finger at general manager Dave Dombrowski from this standpoint: A lot of times, when things go nonsensical in baseball, it’s because there are orders coming from the top. Certainly, it has been like that in the past when owner Mike Ilitch has spend money recklessly, only to pull the purse strings tight to cover his tracks later. Thought Ilitch was past that, but perhaps not.
- The Tigers, player-by-player, are no worse off than the other teams in their division. Not playing to win the American League Central this coming season makes no sense at all.
- I could understand the Tigers trading Edwin Jackson to Arizona for Max Scherzer. He has a big-time arm and is on the verge of becoming a very good major league starter, perhaps better than Jackson as soon as this season. But why would the Diamondbacks do that?
- Gerardo Parra, the young outfielder from the Diamondbacks, is a left-handed hitter who doesn’t hit left-handers well. He is not nearly as good a center fielder as Granderson. Nor necessarily a better leadoff hitter. He walked 25 times last season.
- And salary dump - Granderson is making $25 million over the next three seasons.
- You hope Austin Jackson, a solid prospect, becomes as good a major league player as Curtis Granderson - and that’s not going to happen anytime soon.
So if the Tigers were to trade Granderson and bill Jackson as his replacement, it does scream "salary dump."
- Why would the Yankees want to part with Phillip Hughes? His radar gun readings skyrocketed while pitching in relief last season, but he did not handle the pressure of the postseason well. I wouldn’t give up that much for Hughes.
- If the Tigers wanted to dump salary, they should have released Magglio Ordonez last summer when it was evident he had lost his tools. Period.
- All this talk about the economy is being overblown in this regard: The Tigers drew well last season when they were in contention. And the economy was at its lowest ebb last season.
- Going into any sort of rebuilding mode does not make sense when Jim Leyland is the manager.
- I wouldn’t be so quick to point the finger at general manager Dave Dombrowski from this standpoint: A lot of times, when things go nonsensical in baseball, it’s because there are orders coming from the top. Certainly, it has been like that in the past when owner Mike Ilitch has spend money recklessly, only to pull the purse strings tight to cover his tracks later. Thought Ilitch was past that, but perhaps not.
- The Tigers, player-by-player, are no worse off than the other teams in their division. Not playing to win the American League Central this coming season makes no sense at all.
- I could understand the Tigers trading Edwin Jackson to Arizona for Max Scherzer. He has a big-time arm and is on the verge of becoming a very good major league starter, perhaps better than Jackson as soon as this season. But why would the Diamondbacks do that?
- Gerardo Parra, the young outfielder from the Diamondbacks, is a left-handed hitter who doesn’t hit left-handers well. He is not nearly as good a center fielder as Granderson. Nor necessarily a better leadoff hitter. He walked 25 times last season.
- And salary dump - Granderson is making $25 million over the next three seasons.
posted by Pat Caputo at
1:30 PM
16 Comments:
Sorry Book I don't like the moves. Jackson to Arizona I am fine with it. Granderson to the Yankees I hate it with a passion. We couldn't hit a lick last year.. Now we are about to lose 2 of our best hitters. With Polanco gone and Granderson about to leave as well. I can understand why they would do what they are rumoring to be doing. However, as a tiger fan and one that goes to several games I am not happy. First off Dumbrowski has gone Randy Smith on us. Seriously! Some of those contracts are off the charts mainly Willis and Robertson neither was justified. Inge I can see you make a case for. Fan favorite/Good Glove! Guillen at the time was as good as anyone. Ordonez - You needed someone at a time when nobody else wanted to be here, plus he was your best hitter down the stretch and you should of made the playoffs so you play for the now and I understand that move. To get rid of Edwin Jackson and Granderson just for the sake of parting ways makes no sense to me.personally we were sitting at the door of the playoffs last year. When that close I don't understand why not add a couple of peices and try and go for it. Know what I am saying. then next season you lose the contracts and you add some more and continue to compete. I would like to off heard our names in the Marco Scutaro or Jason Bay talks.. Or I like the idea of making a move of sending Guillen to the Dodgers for Juan Piere and dropping Granderson down in the order. You already have an extreme solid staff. Verlander, Porcello, you keep a jackson and take a flyer on a Rich Harden and or Ben Sheets as a 4th or 5th starter. I like the idea of going for a JJ Putz. who has had plenty of time to get healthy and is still relatively young. Then keep either Lyon or Rodney with a 2 year deal or something. then you are right there in competing. Instead we are talking about dumping Granderson and Jackson for crap.. People forget the White Sox already updated theirs. Jake Peavy is going to be healthy next year to an already good staff. Plus they add Alex Rios. who in a home run park could thrive. As far as the Tigers. When you are that close man don't you add the peices and go for it. It kind of reminds me of 06. We were right there and we didn't add the peices we need to get over the hump. Crazy.. I just don't get it personally.
Hopefully the Tigers have more moves in stored for us. Cause what they are doing tells me forget 2010.. Maybe 2011...
I think the Tigers may actually have beefed up their pitching staff with the trade, but trading Granderson to the YANKEES? Argh. Shades of Cecil Fielder.
I totally agree with your comment about the economy and the Tigers. The commentary reflects on season tickets being down, but it utterly skyrocketed after the Cabrera trade. Their attendance was relatively quite high last year. But now to trade such a popular player and play for 2011. What is THAT going to do for ticket sales?
I think missing the playoffs will not have a payoff ...
Bleh. I feel disgusted with the team. There's no way they should've let Ordonez reach his incentives if this was a possible result.
They also should've made the Yankees eat a bad contract like Willis's or Robertson's (paying some of them if needed) to get Granderson.
Trading away two of the core players of the team's future to dump salary is just horrendous. Particularly when Curtis is just making 5.5 mil this year and so much is coming off the books next year.
And honestly Granderson was underrated a lot by fans last year. His defense was so important in Comerica Park, and his offense wasn't nearly as bad as advertised. He was still 2nd on our team in VORP by a mile. The kind of offense (namely power) that he provived is rare at centerfield. He was far and away our 2nd best position player, and would've continued to be for years.
And to send him to the Yankees, of all teams. Bleh ... I don't feel much like watching the Tigers next year right now ...
The Detroit Tigers have too many bosses, Pat. I do not understand why they allow Maggs to reach his ABs last years. Tigers needed Granderson because of his left-handed power and speed. Tigers have too many right-handed hitters. The pitchers they got from the Diamondbacks looks intriguing. Both pitchers did not spend a lot of time in the minors. Jackson was good but he was no ace. I would have traded Miggy over Granderson. I wonder if Seay might be moved too. I hope CThomas is ready for nearly full time duty.
Just another in a long list of 2009 Tiger disapointments.
The deal sounds like it's done and it's just the next crack in my broken heart for this club.
So we have Mags, Cabrera, Everret (who isn't really a Tiger yet in my book) Inge Laird (who should split 50-50 with Avila this year behind the plate) and Guillen.
But we really did see this coming since the moment they let Mag's reach his batting goal to achieve his contract option.
None of those guys put together are a Granderson. And to the Yankers.
Maybe its time to say goodbye to Dombrowski - he only knows the quick fix - not the long term goal.
Merry Christmas Dave, and here's a little pink slip I know you really deserve.
Sad friggin day.
Pat,
I applaud the Tigers for keeping Magglio. They were leading the division and you want them to plan for the future? Winning is too hard and division titles are too rare. Unfortunately, it didn't work out but the 163rd game is not possible without Ordonez. While the moves seem to be about salary, they got good value for Granderson and Jackson.
Maddog52,
Seems obvious to me there was an order to trim payroll - and this is how they did it. Seems odd the Dodgers would want Guillen. No DH in that league. Tigers outfield full of holes. I don't know if I'd give Rodney a two-year deal. He didn't pitch well to contract year.
Caputo
Larry Baker,
I like the pitching they got in the trade, too. Problem is, a pitching staff is often dependent on the fielding behind it. There outfield defense is not good. And in Comerica Park...
Caputo
Rick,
I don't think this would have happened had the Tigers won that game in Minnesota nor collapsed in September.
Caputo
Michael C,
Yeah. It's like they unloaded Granderson to cleanse their payroll sins of the past. Doesn't usually work out well.
Caputo
Barry,
The Tigers will breaking in two rookies at up the middle positions, Jackson and Sizemore. Avila is a young catcher. They have little left-handed hitting. Pitchers like Pavano will have a field day against them even more than in the past.
Caputo
Fred Brill,
When they picked up the option on Ordonez's contract I didn't think they would do this. I mean, the Tigers are neither rebuilding nor going for it. They are in the middle - stuck. Not a good place to be. Only savior might be bad division.
Caputo
Deano,
I hear what your saying, but disagree. The few clutch hits Magglio did have didn't make up for the all the times he failed. He was remarkably unproductive last season. Alarmingly so. High batting average, but empty.
Caputo
Pat, do you remember how well the Tigers hit in the 06 World Series. They face Pavano type pitchers.
Barry,
A decent right-handed pitcher will own the Tigers' current lineup.
Caputo
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