I’m aware of all the jokes that were made about Nick Punto any time the Tigers played the Twins, so I was biased against him to begin with. But then I checked him out, numbers-wise, offensively and defensively. What’s the knock on Punto, really? I’m not looking for a Furcal. I’d settle for another Santiago, with a bit more defensive skill. Maybe I’m missing something, but there seems to be a lot of upside to Punto as Santiago insurance and decent 3-position infield depth. (Glad you’re with me, Dre!)

Santiago’s 2003 was one season a long time ago. Lots of players struggle in their first season. The Tigers didn’t have time to wait. I think he’s a better player now than he was, and I support giving him another chance to start. Time will tell if he’s as “fragile” as DD and JL seem to think, and if that’s the case, so be it. But their comments seem to leave the door open, anyway.

Tigercub, thanks for mentioning Hall. I haven’t looked into him yet.

I’m not sure what it would take to land Hardy. Some deals come to mind, but giving up 3 pitchers (not JV or AG), or worse still, Polanco… I can’t make a case that the Tigers need Hardy that badly.

Loon,

I’m officially putting all my weight as Fantasy Assistant GM behind the Tigers picking up Punto. I’m not positive, but he doesn’t seem like a significant drop-off defensively from Everett (who I would otherwise have liked) and has a significant (but relative) offensive upside over Everett. Also I have no shame, and wish to vex Chris. As far as Hardy, I agree with T-Cub that with the impending departure of Sabathia, the Brewers will look for pitching in return, and as we’re all painfully aware, the Tigers have a uh, “shortage” of pitching. Lets be honest, there really are too many comedic upsides to having Punto on the team.

I see JJ Hardy’s being thrown around here (and only here) as a target for the Tigers. I would LOVE to snag him. What would the Brewers want in return? I would think pitching – something the Tigers cannot really give up. Still looking at the Brewers, coudl Bill Hall be an option. It is 2 years since he played SS – but he was pretty solid when he was there. He is coming off a down year and might be a better option going forward that Khalil Greene as he is more versatile.

if for no other reason than this, i’m pleased that pirates (of the non-Disney variety) are once again relevant.

Sorry. I’m getting to be quite the nitpicker in these slow times for DTW. I see what you’re getting at. But I think cost remains an obstacle to signing any “name” – let alone big money – starting pitcher. Not that Freddie Garcia isn’t “name,” but you know what I mean.

Pedro Martinez, anyone?

Thinking out loud:

Catcher is the one area the Tigers cannot reasonably leave alone, unless the prospect of a Ryan/Skelton platoon is to be taken seriously. SS, relief pitching, starting pitching – they really could go with what they have already, in-house. (Even if the in-house resembled an outhouse in 2008). Could. But while the most pressing need is at C, the most expensive need is pitching. The most pressing need there is for a closer. Maybe if the Tigers traded for a closer and went cheap at SS and C, there would be money left over for a quality starter whose name didn’t end in ???. But is it necessary? Is it advisable, seeing how much was already committed to Bonderman, Robertson, and Willis, and what happened with that, and with resigning Verlander on the horizon? I can’t see it. I used to, before I understood the money part.

1. Get a closer. Sign Hoffman, trade for Putz or Capps. Someone! Don’t be too cheap.
2. Get a catcher. Sign Blanco or Bard or Zaun. Trade for Montero or Baird. Hire Somali pirates to steal Shoppach.
3. Either move Guillen back to SS or trade for Hardy or get some real middle infield defensive talent. Everett or Punto or Counsell or Aybar or _____.
4. Starting pitcher? Since the Tigers tipped their hand about the need for a lefty setup guy even before 1), there is very little money left, if any, at this point. Two starters the Tigers can now afford to sign – and maybe should – have names that rhyme with “Garcia” and “Rogers.”

http://www.freep.com/article/2.....0/SPORTS02

“Although imagining him playing in an Olde English D would be nice”

if it weren’t for the contract and Madonna, i would be hard pressed to disagree with you. i’ll also admit there’s a potential for M-Cab’s contract to blow up in the Tigers face if he balloons in weight and/or becomes injury prone.

I thought arod was making closer to 20 mil than 30 mil the next few years

based on what you posted he wont be doing that untill 2015, 2016 and 1017

Still a few points

1) Swisher could be their corner OF

2) I don’t think an extension of career averages would be ridiculous , I think it would happen if he got out of NY

Maybe I got over enthusiastic

that contract, you are right, would be a hangup

Although imagining him playing in an Olde English D would be nice

Plus it’s nice to think up crazy stuff considering how quiet it has been since the end of September

i could see Lake Michigan from my office if it weren’t for some sky-scrapers. of course your vision is an extension of his career averages (which are ridiculous, and yes he was a fantastic SS), and should continue for some time as long as nothing unforeseen happens and he doesn’t decline with age (and how rare is that?). i just find it strange that, with the Tigers current state of disastrous contracts, you’d want to gamble on his continued production over the course of his contract. plus the dude’s buying ridic condos to be closer to Madonna…i don’t want the skeeze to rub off (pardon the word-painting) on any of the Tigers. i would vote no on Prop-Rod. also, i thought you were joking at first, but now it seems you’re serious…i wasn’t really prepared for that given the initial postulation.

From Cot’s Contracts:

A-Rod
# 08:$27M, 09:$32M, 10:$32M, 11:$31M, 12:$29M, 13:$28M, 14:$25M, 15:$21M, 16:$20M, 17:$20M

M-Cab
08:$11.3M, 09:$15M, 10:$20M, 11:$20M, 12:$21M, 13:$21M, 14:$22M, 15:$22M

Rodriguez has been cited as among the best all–around players currently in Major League Baseball. He has also been compared with many all-time great players.[1][2][3]

from wiki

Is Miggy going to do any better?