Trade Talks with MLB Trade Rumors
July 16th, 2009 | by jelletlambie |With the All-Star break in the rear view mirror and the grueling second half of the MLB season getting underway it is officially time to hone in on the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline, and its’ potential impact on the Detroit Tigers and the AL Central race. Enough games have been played to identify weaknesses in the Tigers roster and highlight areas of concern going forward if this team intends to maintain its division lead. In the spirit of digesting the speculation, rumors and posibilities I reached out to Ben Nicholson-Smith of MLB Trade Rumors to talk about the Tigers needs, and what we may expect in the next two weeks. Big thanks to Ben and the entire MLB Trade Rumors staff for taking part in this discussion, their site is a staple in my daily reading and provides reliable inside information on the buyers, the sellers and the deals that may get done.
I asked Ben about the Tigers biggest need, available relievers, B.J. Ryan and the quality of Tigers prospects as trade bait. My questions for Ben are in bold, his answers in italics.
What do you believe is the Detroit Tigers biggest need at the trade deadline?
BNS: The Tigers could use pitching more than anything else. Their bullpen ranks poorly in ERA and their relievers are walking way too many hitters. But the Dontrelle Willis experiment didn’t work out, so the Tigers could use a starter, too. A shutdown reliever who doesn’t walk himself into trouble or a solid back-of-the-rotation starter would help stabilize Detroit’s staff and prevent the bullpen from being over-worked
Give me two or three quality left-handed hitters you think are in play this trading season
BNS: We’ve heard all about Nick Johnson and Aubrey Huff and both are solid options. Johnson’s been a better defender over the years and Huff’s been more versatile, but the Tigers are set at the corners, so they could consider outfielders instead. Luke Scott and Jeremy Hermida won’t necessarily be traded, but they’re names to keep in mind.
One final left-handed hitter to consider is Hank Blalock. He could fit into a menacing DH platoon with Marcus Thames that would combine Thames’ ability against lefties with Blalock’s .926 OPS against righties. Unfortunately for the Tigers, the Rangers are looking for pitching too, so there’s not a simple match there.
Considering the Tigers don’t have a single minor leaguer considered to be a top 100 prospect, does this team have the bargaining chips to acquire a big name talent?
BNS: If Dave Dombrowski picks up the phone and makes it clear to Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi that Rick Porcello and Ryan Perry are available for Roy Halladay, then he’ll probably catch the Blue Jays’ attention. That doesn’t mean that anything would happen, but the Tigers have a couple nice trade chips, they’re just in the major leagues.
But in general, they’ll have a harder time trading for players, since they gave up a number of minor leaguers a couple offseasons ago to acquire Edgar Renteria, Willis and Miguel Cabrera.
Do you see the Tigers making a run at B.J. Ryan?
BNS: They could go after B.J. Ryan in the hopes that he can become a solid lefty specialist. There’s little downside to picking him up if he agrees to pitch in the minors for a while to re-find his rhythm.
But he was only so-so against lefties this year and righties had an OPS approaching 1.200 against him. Small sample size or not, that doesn’t inspire much confidence if you’re a team in a playoff race. It’s possible that a new setting would revitalize Ryan, but let’s face it: his stuff is deteriorating. This season, for the fourth straight year, he’s lost velocity on his fastball, so it will likely take more than a new uniform to restore Ryan’s once-brilliant career.
Of the relievers rumored to be on the market, can you see any of them ending up in Detroit?
BNS: Of all the relievers available, the pricier, less flashy ones make more sense for the Tigers. Mike Ilitch has said the team can add payroll, but they may not want to part with the young talent it would take to acquire Heath Bell or George Sherrill. Instead, the Tigers could pursue relievers like Danys Baez, Rafael Betancourt and Russ Springer- solid arms who won’t cost the Tigers their top young players.
While I tend to believe the Tigers biggest need is a left-handed bat, quality depth in the bullpen is critical in a pennant race, so I understand why Ben sees it that way. The left-handed hitters he brought up are all options that could provide an upgrade for this team. While I personally doubt Hank Blalock will end up here, he would definitely fit the bill of an added power bat. I find it interesting that Ben believes Porcello and Perry could be enough to at least open the Roy Halladay discussion. We’ll have to see if and how that comes out in the wash.
One thing is for sure, guys like Ben are going to be very, very busy over the next two weeks. Thanks again to him and his team for contributing. Make sure you check out MLB Trade Rumors for the latest and greatest in all things rumor related in this grand game we love.
Have a question or a comment? Leave your thoughts below or drop me a line at jelletlambie@gmail.com
Tags: Aubrey Huff, B.J. Ryan, Ben Nicholson-Smith, Danys Baez, Dave Dombrowski, Detroit Tigers, Detroit Tigers at the trade deadline, Detroit Tigers bullpen, George Sherrill, Hank Blalock, Heath Bell, J.P. Ricciardi, Jeremy Hermida, Luke Scott, Marcus Thames, MLB Trade Rumors, Nick Johnson, Rafael Betancourt, Rick Porcello, Roy Halladay, Russ Springer, Ryan Perry
By Rocky Raccoon on Jul 16, 2009
I don’t think that guy has intimate knowledge of the Tigers like we do, watching them day-in and day-out. Consequently, a potent bat (preferably left-handed) is most definitely their biggest need right now. If Guillen comes back healthy, a left-handed hitter (e.g. Huff or Johnson) could platoon with Thames at DH, while Thomas continues to platoon with Ordonez in RF.
While another dependable starter would be nice, every other contender out there (except maybe the Red Sox) are craving the same thing. So it isn’t likely to happen.
On the other hand, somebody could win the Roy Halladay sweepstakes with less prospect talent if they are also willing to take on the contract of either Vernon Wells or Alex Rios. The Yankees are the obvious candidates to do that, but the Tigers could conceivably swing it also… given they’ll be taking Ordonez and Sheffield’s contracts off the books next year — and, possibly, Polanco’s too.
Finally, relief help would be welcome but, at the same time, quite a bit of our pitching talent in the minors are hard-throwing relievers. So I don’t see any drastic need to hunt out help in that area.
By jelletlambie on Jul 16, 2009
Thanks for the read, and your thoughts Rocky. I also believe the biggest need for this team is a left handed corner outfielder. I hope Carlos Guillen can presumably add some left handed punch when he returns, but I don’t know that he’ll be able to play in the field at this point.
By Kurt on Jul 16, 2009
I, too, agree, the big need is a lefty corner outfielder.
By John Parent on Jul 16, 2009
If the Tigers were to take Vernon Wells’ contract from the Jays, they should be shot. I looked up his deal at Cot’s Contracts and that guy is slated to make more the $24 million per year over the last four years of his contract which runs through 2014.
Teams should run and hide from that deal, even if it comes with a year and a half of Halladay.
By Tigerdog on Jul 16, 2009
Vs RHP’s, 2009
Holliday, .275 Avg/ .357 OBP/ .803 OPS
DeJesus, .273 Avg/ .346 OBP/ .829 OPS
Teahen, .294 Avg/ .356 OBP/ .829 OPS
Willingham, .295 Avg/ .391 OBP/ .932 OPS- perfect, and he’s not a “lefty bat”
Scott, .291 Avg/ .381 OBP/ .913 OPS
Huff, .274/ .352/ .799
Dunn, .270/ 430/ 1.035
Hermida, .278 Avg/ .373 OBP/ .793 OPS
Ross, .277 Avg/ .324 OBP/ .770 OPS
Hawpe, .337/ .410/ 1.009
Dye, .312/ .364/ .972- (forget it, they won’t give him to Detroit)
Abreu, .308/ .414/ .844 ($ 5 million- told ya so!)
Spilborghs, .257 Avg/ .301 OBP/ .655 OPS- No help at all!
By Tigerdog on Jul 16, 2009
Wish list- Relievers that may be available
Cubbies just signed BJ Ryan, so we’ve been spared! Ideally, we get Frasor or Downs thrown in with the Halladay for Galarraga, Figaro, and Iorg trade.
ERA/ WHIP
Valverde, 3.43/ 1.10
Hawkins, 2.39/ 1.19
Sherrill, 2.41/ 1.10
Bell, 1.69/ 1.07
Frasor- 2.45/ 1.06
Downs- 1.91/ 0.92
Street- 2.75/ 0.99
Qualls, 3.62/ 1.18
Herges- 3.55/ 1.18 (he’s a free agent)
Cruz, 4.08/ 1.24
Betancourt, 3.45/ 1.33
M Gonzalez, 3.43/ 1.26
Soriano, 1.48/ 0.89
Baez, 4.26/ 1.15
Weathers, 3.26/ 1.22
Rauch- 4.31/ 1.39
Beimel, 3.57/ 1.42
Saito, —
Wood, 5.28/ 1.43
Meredith, 4.29/ 1.68
Springer, 5.04/ 1.81- Nah!
Grabow, 3.32/ 1.52
Capps, 6.21/ 1.69
By jelletlambie on Jul 17, 2009
Thanks for the numbers Tigerdog, a lot to chew on for sure. I’m waiting to see what happens with Luke Scott. I think he offers the best combination of help tomorrow and help down the line, as he’s under contract at a reasonable price through 2011.
By jelletlambie on Jul 17, 2009
I should say he’s arbitration eligible, meaning under club control through 2011, not signed.
By STEVE on Jul 17, 2009
RELIEF PITCHING. Pitchers who don’t walk themselves into trouble. That is the greatest need of the Tigers; plain & simple. Go back and look at games where trouble began and you’ll see it is WALKS!!
By Ryan on Jul 17, 2009
Luke Scott. Luke Scott. Luke Scott.
Kills two birds with one stone- lefty and an outfielder-
By soto on Jul 20, 2009
I think everybody over-estimates Luke Scott’s production because of the damage he did to the Tigers. Although he’s a solid bat, I would not give up anything more than a mid level prospect for him. i.e. Ryan Strieby