Results tagged ‘ tigers ’

Aussie Brad Thomas feeling Opening Day cold

Those aren’t Opening Day jitters for Tigers reliever Brad Thomas. He’s just that cold.
Thomas likes to brag that he never has a winter. The Australian left-hander enjoys summers pitching in the United States, then returns home in time for the warm season there.
Opening Day weather like Thursday’s cold, rainy conditions in New York really get to him. Heck, even the sunny, mid-40s conditions for Wednesday’s workout got to him.
“This is cold for me,” Thomas said as he debated how many layers of clothing to put on under his jersey. “I’ve had summer all year round for 15 years.”
There are parts of Australia that get snowy conditions, he said, mainly around the mountainous areas. But he lives on the coast, and he doesn’t ski, so he doesn’t go there.
“This,” he said, “is the coldest winter day at home.”
Thomas’ last real bout of winter, he said, would’ve come when he first signed to play in Japan in 2005.
– Jason Beck

Let’s get it started

The last time it counted – 149 days ago to be exact – Brian Wilson struck out Nelson Cruz swinging to give the Giants their first World Series title since 1954.

Hot Stove season came and went. Spring Training games were played.

Now, it’s time for a new season.

Opening Day 2011 features six matchups (all times ET): Braves-Nationals at 1:05 p.m.; Tigers-Yankees at 1:05 p.m.; Brewers-Reds at 2:10 p.m.; Angels-Royals at 4:10 p.m.; Padres-Cardinals at 4:15 p.m.; and Giants-Dodgers at 8 p.m. in the ESPN Opening Night game.

The Giants begin their quest to become the first repeat champion since the 1998-2000 Yankees, and the first in the NL to repeat since the 1975-76 Reds. But the Phillies added Cliff Lee, giving them a philthy rotation that could be the best in MLB history. Over in the AL, the Red Sox added some serious firepower in the likes of Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford.

The 27 other MLB clubs begin today with the same record, the same hopes, the same dreams.  Follow us all day as we chronicle the dawn of a new season, from the first pitch on the East Coast, to the last out in SoCal. Who will rise in October? Buckle up and enjoy The Show.

Tigers not in on Michael Young

Michael Young has asked the Rangers for a trade after shifting positions
three times in recent years. The Tigers don’t have a clear-cut starter
at second base, one of Young’s old positions, nor do they have a clear
No. 2 hitter in the lineup. Sounds like a match, right?

Not
happening, for a few very big reasons. Word from the Tigers is that
they’re not in on that. Team president/general manager Dave Dombrowski
told MLB.com Tuesday morning that their infield is set, the same as it
was a couple weeks ago. They’re not pursuing any deals.

Though
Dombrowski didn’t go into detail — can’t talk about players from other
teams for fear of tampering — several reasons show why it wouldn’t
happen. First, Young has veto rights on trades to all but eight teams,
and the Tigers aren’t one of those teams, according to MLB.com’s TR
Sullivan. The Rangers are dealing with just teams on that list, Texas GM
Jon Daniels told reporters Monday. Young reportedly would consider
teams outside that list on a case by case basis, but at the end of the
day, there’s a reason for the list.

Second, and just as
important, is Young’s contract — $16 million a year for the next three
seasons. For any player, that’s a huge obligation, even if the Rangers
end up willing to pay part of that. It’s not just about the money, but
the years. For a 34-year-old infielder, it’s especially about the years. The Tigers
let Polanco walk as a free agent at the same age two years ago, even
declining the chance at arbitration.

When it comes down to it, the Tigers are serious about trying to leave
room for developing young talent, and second base is one area where they
have it between Scott Sizemore, Will Rhymes and Danny Worth, plus
Brandon Douglas on the horizon.

Dombrowski says Galarraga trade “likely” next week

Dave Dombrowski had finished up his question-and-answer session with fans this morning at Tigers when he did a group interview with the media. Among the topics that came up was an update on trade talks for Armando Galarraga, whom the Tigers have a little less than a week to move (trade, release or outright to minors).
Dombrowski sounded quite confident it’s going to be a trade.
“We’re making some progress on some trade talks at this point,” Dombrowski said. “Not quite sufficient to make any announcements, but I would think by the middle of next week we would be in a position where we would make a deal.”
Asked then if a trade is likely, Dombrowski said, “Yes, I think it’s likely.” 
– Jason Beck

Galarraga enters trading block

The Cubs are on the verge of sending Tom Gorzelanny to Washington for prospects. Joe Blanton no longer looks like a sure bet to be traded out of Philadelphia. The quality of the remaining free-agent market drops precipitously after Carl Pavano.

What’s a team looking for starting pitching left to do?

Could they go for Armando Galarraga?

That’s what Tigers president/general manager Dave Dombrowski is counting on. He’s strong enough about it that he thinks he stands a better chance of trading Galarraga now than Spring Training. Otherwise, he probably wouldn’t have designated him for assignment Tuesday to make room for Brad Penny.

Instead of waiting until March, the Tigers have 10 days to try to deal Galarraga.

“I’m confident,” Dombrowski said Tuesday when asked about his chances of finding a trade partner for his former fifth starter. “You never know until you get it done. We’ve had enough  clubs express some interest. It’s not like I have a for-sure deal, but I do have enough clubs that have asked me about him.”

By no means is Galarraga an answer for teams looking for a front-line starter. For teams needing a fifth starter who has been through a few seasons, though, Galarraga is an option. That list could be longer than expected, now that waiting for the Tigers to release Galarraga in Spring Training is no longer an option.

The Tigers’ return for Galarraga might be only marginally better than what they received last spring for Nate Robertson. Galarraga doesn’t have an untradeable contract, or a significant injury history, but he’s coming off an up-and-down season and a stretch.

Considering Galarraga’s issues with attacking the strike zone last summer, he’s the type of pitcher who might benefit from a pitching coach who views him as a bit of a project to restore his confidence.

The Tigers could still end up bringing Galarraga to camp if no team claims him on waiver. He could then be outrighted to Triple-A Toledo and brought to Spring Training as a non-roster invite. But with the Tigers rotation clearly set, and prospects Andy Oliver, Charlie Furbush and Jacob Turner also likely to get stretched out in terms of innings, the Tigers could have a problem finding the innings to showcase Galarraga for anybody.

– Jason Beck

Tigers, Galarraga avoid arbitration

The Tigers will go another winter without an arbitration hearing,
continuing their streak by agreeing to terms on a one-year contract with
right-hander Armando Galarraga.

The deal, announced Tuesday, is reportedly worth $2.3 million for the
first-time arbitration eligible Galarraga. It bridges what was expected
to be a potentially difficult gap between what Galarraga wanted after
the better part of three seasons in Detroit’s rotation, and what the
Tigers wanted for someone whose rotation chances for 2011 now look shaky
after last week’s signing of Brad Penny.

Galarraga had a statistical conundrum of a season, and his would-be
perfect game ruined by umpire Jim Joyce’s blown call was just the start
of it. Galarraga could never turn that June 2 outing into momentum for
the summer, and finished the year with a 4-9 record and 4.49 ERA. He made $438,000 last year.

Not since Eric Hillman in 1993 had a Major League pitcher won four games
or less in a season when they posted a 4.50 ERA or less over at least
140 innings. Just three others besides Hillman had pulled off that feat
since 1985: Larry McWilliams and Zane Smith in 1989, and John Dopson in
1988. Galarraga was the first American League pitcher to do it since
Frank Tanana in 1981.

Galarraga’s puzzling 2010 season came two years after he came out of an
obscure minor-league trade with Texas to lead the Tigers in victories in
2008, going 13-7 with a 3.73 ERA. He has gone 10-19 in the two seasons
since, seen his walk-to-strikeout ratio deterioriate and struggle to
pound the strike zone with the same effective he enjoyed as a rookie.

The Tigers have not gone to an arbitration hearing with a player since
Dave Dombrowski took over as general manager in 2002. Galarraga’s
agreement, on the heels of a two-year contract for Ryan Raburn and a
one-year deal for Joel Zumaya earlier in the month, means that streak
will continue for another year.

– Jason Beck

Tigers, Penny agree to terms on one-year deal

The Tigers and Brad Penny have agreed to terms on a one-year contract, MLB.com has learned. The deal is pending a physical.
Foxsports.com reported early Tuesday morning that the one-year deal should be worth $3 million in base salary plus incentives. The Tigers have a policy of not confirming an agreement until a physical is completed.
Penny tweeted on his official account Monday night that he was “getting closer to finding my new home. Should know by the end of the day.” He did not tweet which team, but indications later confirmed he has decided on the Tigers. 
That possibility seemed dim Monday, when the team released its list of non-roster invitees that was expected to would finalize its Spring Training roster. Their chances at adding a starting pitcher abruptly improved Monday evening, when Penny closed in on a decision.
The Tigers’ interest in Penny has been known since last month. They also had been linked to free agent starters Jeremy Bonderman — who pitched for Detroit the past eight years — and Freddy Garcia, but always appeared more focused on Penny. Talks never progressed far on Garcia or Bonderman.
The deal with Penny is expected to finish out the Tigers’ offseason dealings. Detroit is believed to be set with its position players, including invites, barring an unforeseen development. They briefly had interest in Fred Lewis earlier this offseason as a reserve outfielder, but talks didn’t progress far.
– Jason Beck

Bonderman has his options

If the holidays are passed, it’s time for some previously ignored free agent pitchers to get some attention as the market whittles down and the rumor mill turns. Enter Jeremy Bonderman, who looks like he’s going to be able to call his spot where he’ll try to make a rotation this spring.
Tigers president/general manager Dave Dombrowski told the Detroit News that they haven’t ruled out bringing back Bonderman, who would battle for the fifth spot in Spring Training. However, Foxsports.com reported Tuesday night that the Yankees have shown interest in Bonderman as they try to sort out their rotation.
Bonderman has been linked with a few other teams in need of starting pitching, though those rumors came earlier in the offseason. As the weeks wind down towards reporting dates for pitchers in camps, those teams are going to have to make.
Whatever teams are in it, Bonderman’s going to have a choice to make. He would love to stay in Detroit, to the point that he suggested during a low point last summer that he’d retire if he couldn’t get a deal with the Tigers in 2011. He quickly came to his senses and backtracked from that, but it underscores his affinity for the only Major League team he has known. But even in keeping the door open, the Tigers have talked with other free agent starters. If the Tigers signed another, such as Brad Penny, they wouldn’t have room for Bonderman.
– Jason Beck

Roundup: O-Dog (fittingly) headed to PETCO

It turns out Orlando Hudson may be team-less no more.

Hudson broke the news himself on MLB Network Radio that his next destination is San Diego, and FOXSports.com reported that the Padres and the free-agent second baseman agreed to terms on a two-year, $11.5 million contract.

Hudson — a two-time All-Star joining his fourth team in four years — will fill the role played last year by David Eckstein, who’s a free agent and said recently that the Padres have not contacted him about a return.

Here’s more from around the league …

* The Yankees, according to multiple reports, have agreed on a two-year contract with veteran reliever Pedro Feliciano. Feliciano, the former Met who has led the Majors in appearances each of the last three seasons, joins Boone Logan to give the Yanks two lefties in the bullpen.

* Reigning World Series MVP Edgar Renteria was none-too-thrilled with the $1 million offer the Giants tendered him this offseason. “That offer from the Giants was a lack of respect,” Renteria told ESPNdeportes.com. “A total disrespect.” Renteria has previously stated he’d like to finish his career with the Marlins or Cardinals. 

* The Astros reached an agreement with the versatile Bill Hall to be their starting second baseman, sources told MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart. According to FOXSports.com’s Ken Rosenthal, the two sides agreed on a one-year contract worth about about $3 million and with a mutual option for 2012. 

* A couple of notable deals have been made official: The Cubs’ with Kerry Wood, and the Tigers’ with Magglio Ordonez.   

– Alden Gonzalez  

Tigers check out Ordonez’s health in workout

The Tigers were among the teams to watch Magglio Ordonez work out for clubs Wednesday morning, but it hasn’t gotten them any closer to a deal to bring back the All-Star right fielder to Detroit just yet.

“The marketplace for Magglio,” Boras said Wednesday, “is pretty aggressive.”

Boras spoke with reporters in the hallways of the Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Resort, where baseball’s Winter Meetings are taking place this week. He spoke about a number of players, including the just-signed Carlos Pena, but his remarks on Ordonez became a popular topic.

Boras scheduled a workout for Ordonez to demonstrate the health of his surgically repaired ankle, which Boras has said in recent weeks is fully healed and has allowed him to adopt a normal workout regimen. Boras would not say where the workout took place, but since Ordonez has been working out near his home in South Florida, and with the Winter Meetings are taking place here, one would expect he worked out in Florida rather than his native Venezuela.

“We had a workout today with Magglio where he got a chance to illustrate where he got a chance to illustrate just where his baseball abilities were at,” Boras said. “That took place this morning. Teams got to see that. I really don’t know [how many teams] because I haven’t gotten the report. I know that Detroit was there for sure.”

The Tigers have gone into silence about their interest in Ordonez, his health, and contract negotiations, citing new baseball rules limiting their comments about free agents. However, they’re known to be interested, as are at least two other clubs with the Red Sox and Rangers.

Ordonez is seeking at least a two-year deal, according to a source. Boras wouldn’t confirm that Wednesday, preferring to let the market decide, but he indicated the market on Ordonez has grown in recent days since Jayson Werth’s seven-year deal with the Nationals.

“Magglio is a guy that has gotten a lot of interest from a lot of teams now that Jayson has signed,” said Boras. “He’s a middle of the [order] guy. He’s had a great batting average, been a productive guy, he’s a veteran player and he’s a winner. There are a lot of things about Magglio Ordonez where he fits a broad base of teams. Once Jayson signed, a lot of the teams interested in Jayson are now interested in Magglio.”

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