Comments on: Tigers Finalize 40 Man Roster

By: Ian C.

Ian C. — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

So can we finally render a verdict on the Brian Moehler-for-David Espinosa (and others) trade? If he’s left for the Rule V draft and lost to another team, is this a deal that Dombrowski flopped on?

By: Jeff M

Jeff M — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

Ian,

Ultimately, it didn’t work out in our benefit, but that doesn’t necessarily make it a bad trade. You always take that chance when you deal for a prospect. Besides, we’ll get $50k if he’s taken in the draft.

By: Mike

Mike — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

Also, what sort of career has Moehler had since the trade, especially with Reds? 9-16 with a 5.34 ERA in 50 games with 37 starts overall 2-4 and a 6.02 ERA in 10 games with the Reds.

At worst, the deal is a wash. At best, the Tigers lost little and gained a solid farm hand that filled a minor league outfield slot.

By: jeff k

jeff k — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

Didn’t we trade away Noochie Varner for somebody else? Varner was the PTBNL, I thought.

By: jeff k

jeff k — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

…the PTBNL in the Moehler trade, that is.

By: billfer

billfer — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

I don’t think it was a bad trade. Espinosa had, and still has potential. Moheler’s renaissance this year in Florida was probably the most unexpected outcome.

As for Noochie Varner, I haven’t researched this but I thought he was part of the Alex Sanchez trade.

By: Boston Fan in Michigan

Boston Fan in Michigan — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

Is ‘indentured servant’ the technical term?

Little worried ’bout Espinosa. Can we really afford to drop him?

By: Mike

Mike — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

I think we could aford to lose Espinosa. We have Nook and Granderson in center, Maggs in right, and Thames and Monroe in left. Plus Leyland sees Omar playing in the outfield as well. There really isn’t a lot of room for Espinosa at the moment.

Of course, a really big trade could change that (Could the Yankees really give up Pavano for Craig Monroe?)

By: Brian A.

Brian A. — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

I’m not sure if I’d want Pavano even if the Yankees wanted to part with him.

By: jeff k

jeff k — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

Dead-on as per usual, billfer…

“May 27, 2003: Alex Sanchez traded by the Milwaukee Brewers to the Detroit Tigers for Chad Petty (minors) and Noochie Varner (minors).”

By: jeff k

jeff k — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

But wait, there's more:

"July 23, 2002: Brian Moehler traded by the Detroit Tigers with Matt Boone (minors) and cash to the Cincinnati Reds for players to be named later and David Espinosa (minors). The Cincinnati Reds sent Noochie Varner (minors) (August 30, 2002) and Jorge Cordova (minors) (September 24, 2002) to the Detroit Tigers to complete the trade."

Umm... Who the hell is Jorge Cordova?

By: Edman85

Edman85 — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

Jorge Cordova flopped out after some injuries. I don’t see how anybody can say that is a bad deal because of Moehler’s success this year. Was it a bad move not to sign him to a Minor League deal last year? Yeah, trading him? No.