http://www.papagrandellc.com/

The only FA position player that even catches my interest is Felipe Lopez . Lopez is a pretty good hitter and would be a great super utility guy. He’s also good enough to be a starter at either 3B/2B if Inge or Sizemore have setbacks. I doubt Lopez would want to play here though. He’ll probably wants a guarantee that he’ll be the starter at either 2B, 3B, or SS.

Otherwise, I don’t think the FA market is going to help us hitting wise. Valverde is the best single option for the Tigers to make the team better.

I cross my fingers that we already have that good lefty hitter. We can still hope that Clete Thomas, Alex Avila, or Jeff Larish up their game to the next level.

You’re right, I took the easy route looking at saves. My main objection to this supposed deal is that it seems to me that $7m could better be used upgrading the lineup, rather than the pen. Again, its hard to nitpick an upgrade, but I think we’ll get a lot out of the young / cheap arms we already have in the pen and I’d love to seem them add a bat.

I will be paying attention this season to Milton Bradley’s response to being acquired by Seattle. If the Cubs took Silva, surely they would have taken Robertson. For that matter, maybe Dontrelle could have been moved.

Offensively speaking, a couple “old” guys, playing for 31 million no less, could give us the feel of an upgrade by returning to career norms. I have no idea what Guillen has left, but Maggs’ second half of last season offers a lot of optimism. I heard on some Tiger podcast (poor citing attempt alert) that Leyland was predicting 90 RBIs for Ordonez this season. I hope that can be interpreted he plans to bat the Big Tilde 3rd…as opposed to Clete.

Optimism simply for optimism’s sake: I believe Verlander’s best season is still ahead.

It’s January, it’s frickin’ cold outside, and I cannot wait to get this season started. Hopefully Bilfer is someplace warm and sharpening some sabremetrics about how the Tigers will flourish, freed from the weight of Grandy…

I’m surprised at you. Normally you are spot on with your analysis but you fell into the trap of looking at saves. First you said, “Rodney made what, $2.7m last year, saving 37 games…what’s the over/under on Valverde topping that? Worth the extra cost?”. It’s not a question of cost here, its a question of measuring the proper metrics (not saves).

However, you redeemed yourself and got it right with, “Don’t start land-wars in Asia, draft kickers, or pay for saves.” (which is genius, by the way)

They aren’t paying for saves, they are paying for:

Valverde: 9.33 K/9, 1.19 WHIP, and .626 OPS against
vs.
Rodney 7.26 K/9, 1.47 WHIP, and .731 OPS against
(these number from 2009 only, but aren’t too far off from career norms)

Rodney’s numbers aren’t bad, but Valverde is the superior pitcher. Nobody would argue this point, I think. The question you should be asking is: is another 2 K/9, 0.3 fewer baserunners per inning and .105 OPS points worth an extra $1.5 million per year (comparing the rumored 2 years/$14 mill to Rodney’s 2 year/$11 mill deal). I would say it most definitely is, if we can get him at that price.

Don’t get me wrong, he’s an upgrade for sure, but the offense isn’t exactly stacked and team doesn’t project to start that many lefty bats now does it? So what’s the money better spent on, pitching or batting? That’s outside of the fact that some of these offseason moves look strange in retrospect, given this supposed $6-7m we have available for him.

Its hard to question an upgrade, but consider that two of the top-ten closers made less than $500k. Rodney made what, $2.7m last year, saving 37 games…what’s the over/under on Valverde topping that? Worth the extra cost?

Don’t start land-wars in Asia, draft kickers, or pay for saves.

As for our draft pick, yea it sucks but we do get TWO compensation picks which sometimes are hidden gems or better then 1st rounders.

Overall if he signs, it will be a overhaul upgrade, great mentor to Daniel Schlereth, or Perry whoever takes over, as well has getting one of the top 10 or even 5 closers in the Majors at only 6 mil a year. DD did good on this one if he signs, if not then Tigers should put up a white flag at Comerica from opening day!

Which is probably a steal…especially if the salary estimate is right. FR – 2/11mil, JV 2/12 mil.

I could handle that.

On the other hand, signing Jose really flies in the face of trading Grandy for “payroll reduction.” (It’s gonna be a long time before it doesn’t suck to talk about THAT trade.)

http://www.blessyouboys.com/20.....n-for-jose

Plus, The Pineapple is now a Phillie…