Sunday News And Notes

According to Baseball America Brent Clevlen has left the Tigers organization, signing a minor league pact with the Atlanta Braves. Also according to reports from BA the Tigers have signed pitcher Enrique Gonzalez to a minor league contract. Clevlen appeared in 55 games as a Tiger, most notably in 2006 when he hit .282 in 31 games. Gonzalez has compiled a 4-7 record with a 5.93 ERA over parts of four big league seasons with the Dbacks, Padres and Red Sox.

MLB Trade Rumors posted a list of interesting non-tenders, essentially free agents at this point. Among the names that may intrigue Tigers fans and management is Matt Capps, former closer for the Pittsburgh Pirates. I’m surprised by the move as Capps wasn’t going to break the bank and has demonstrated the ability to effectively close ball games. At 26 years old with some nasty stuff he should be someone the Tigers at least examine for their vacant closer job.

Also non-tendered were Chien-Ming Wang of the Yankees, Jack Cust of the A’s, Kelly Johnson of the Braves and Garrett Atkins of the Rockies. I imagine Wang will not be without an employer for long, and the Tigers are extreme longshots to chase him. Despite his injuries and ineffectiveness last season he is a two time 19 game winner.

Kelly Johnson could spark interest with some Tigers fans to replace Placido Polanco at second base, but unless his price tag is minimal don’t expect pursuit from the Tigers front office. Johnson also struggled in 2009 but posted two above average campaigns for the Braves prior to his season long slump.

Cust and Atkins will find jobs, but not here. Atkins, like Johnson and Wang, suffered a disappointing ‘09 and lost his job to Ian Stewart. Prior to last season however Garrett had hit at least .286 and driven in 89 runs or more in each of his first four seasons. His career .811 OPS is impressive and at 30 years old he’s still considered in his prime. If the Tigers were willing to gamble on one of these new free agents he would be my first choice. With Brandon Inge in the final year of his contract and no major league ready third basemen in the system Atkins could make Inge movable.

Tiger Blog quotes Fox Sports as saying the Indians and Blue Jays have some interest in Marcus Thames. Good luck finding s new home for your country strongness.

John Lowe writes that injuries, not money were the determining factor in the Tigers non-pursuit of Michigan native J.J. Putz. I’ve long felt Putz had the stuff to be a top notch closer, but coming off elbow surgery it is reasonable to wonder how he’ll fare going forward.

And finally some big news from Bless You Boys, where Ian announced earlier this week that he will be stepping down by the end of the year. He’ll turn the mantle over to Kurt from Mack Avenue Tigers going forward. I wish both gentlemen the best of luck in their future endeavors.

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Tags: Bless You Boys, Brent Clevlen, Chien-Ming Wang, Detroit Tigers, Enrique Gonzalez, Garrett Atkins, J.J. Putz, Jack Cust, Kelly Johnson, Marcus Thames, Matt Capps