2011 Winter Meetings

Your Winter Meetings thread.  I’ll update when I can, but I figure we’ll let the comments take care of the breaking news.

Here’s what we already know – Jose Reyes is taking his talents to South Beach.  Did you know that they are the “Miami Marlins” now?  Isn’t that Jamie Foxx’s team in Any Given Sunday? Rumor is that Buehrle could be next.  It’s about time for the Marlins to buy another WS.  Hey, whatever works.  Though I’m not sure if anyone can afford Reyes, Buehrle and Pujols.

Uhhhh, no thanks.

ESPN free agent tracker here.

 

 

 

38 thoughts on “2011 Winter Meetings”

    1. Reports say he was chasing a slider that was low and away but he just couldn’t hit the brakes in time to hold up.

  1. My favorite comment from the Free Press site: Too bad he couldn’t
    have run into a multi-player trade.

    1. I know our contest budget here at DTW is not what is used to be. But I think it would be worthwhile to post a challenge for the best prediction of what a conversation between Kevin in Dallas and Jim Leyland would go like.

  2. Jim Bowden’s proposal for a Hanley Ramirez trade:
    >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

    Scenario 2: Ramirez to the Tigers for Austin Jackson, Jacob Turner and a prospect

    Jackson didn’t have a great year with the bat, but he’s an ace in center field, something the Marlins need. And while Turner doesn’t have a big-time ceiling in my opinion, he could still project as high as a No. 2 starter in the NL. Detroit could add a prospect to the mix, but the Marlins get a lot back in pitching and defense here. Detroit could certainly use the bat, and could move Jhonny Peralta to third base, keeping Ramirez at the position he wants to play.

    Again, not a likely one, particularly because I think Jim Leyland and Dave Dombrowski really see the value of Jackson in center at Comerica. He covers a ton of ground. But a middle of the order with Ramirez, Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez in some order would do some damage. And the Tigers could afford to take on the remainder of Ramirez’s deal.

  3. Well, Buehrle is off the table…but supposedly the Tigers are the frontrunner for Dotel. (Ryan Perry, it was nice to kn

  4. Well, Buehrle is off the table…but supposedly the Tigers are the frontrunner for Dotel. (Ryan Perry, it was nice to know ‘ya).

  5. For what it’s worth Atlanta is looking for somebody to take Jair Jurrjens. Could be a risk chance for a fifth starter….Noel!

  6. Pujols and CJ Wilson to AA for $325M. Cabrera must be licking his chops. Thank goodness he’s locked up for another 4 seasons.

        1. And with the Rangers the supposed frontrunner now for Prince Fielder? Houston, we have a problem…

  7. Who likes longshots? Kevin’s player of the pregame for Game #17 in 2014, Gustavo Nunez, was taken by the Pirates in the Rule 5 draft. The POPG is still technically possible, but…

  8. This should really help Inge’s defense:

    “Somebody told me today that Inge has been working so hard that he gained 17 pounds (this off-season),” Dombrowski said. “We haven’t told him you’ve got to gain weight. It just shows how committed he is to getting ready.

    1. Apparently I have been working hard also. I may not be as committed as Inge yet, but there is still a lot of the holiday season left.

  9. What does everyone think of cespedes kid? Heard asking price may be in the 7 year 10-12 mil year. My thought is back off and go after that other cuban kid that would need year or two in minors but he’s 5 yrs younger then cespedes!

  10. Perry traded to Nationals for Balester. Yawn.

    There was no spot for Perry. Now there is no spot for Balester. Maybe Balester is more valuable as part of a package deal later on, e.g. with Young to ATL for Prado. Otherwise he is just roster fodder for Toledo.

    Speaking of (ex-)Tiger pitchers who spell their name P—y, Purcey (remember: the lefty reliever the Tigers had there eye on for a long time and liked that they got from OAK early last year, but was really awful) just signed a minor league deal with somebody or other.

    Speaking of another (ex-) Tiger who spells his name P—y, has anybody heard anything about Bad Penny this winter – not that it matters, but it has been kind of slow on Tigers news lately.

    1. Perry wasn’t good enough for the 7th inning and he didn’t have the endurance to be a long man. Balester supposedly fits as the long reliever. It’s a minor trade, obviously, but it appears on paper that everyone is a little better off by it.

      Penny? He’ll be scooped up for $2m by whoever is still short a starter on Valentine’s Day.

    1. He’s not crazy to be asking for three top prospects. I’d give Turner, Smyly, and a throw-in in a heartbeat, but 3B is such a glaring hole in our organization that we need to keep Nick.

    2. Something that would make our staff a machine over a 162 game season, but not at that price. Beane is shooting for the moon because that is how negotiations in baseball work, and in return DD should offer Turner (we have decent young, right-handed pitchers up in the Show already, I think) and Castellanos and see if Beane bites.

      Castellanos may become a good/great player someday, but the fact that we may have in a glowing hole at 3B so we need to keep him should not be a consideration. Outside of SS, C and CF, players occupying other positions are there because of their bat, not their defensive capabilities. It is very common that a centerfielder can play left or right field, or a SS can play second or third, or a catcher can play 3B, 1st or even a corner slot in the outfield to move up the ranks, but very rare to hear that a guy can shift from another position to those three positions in order to get him up to the Show. It may be that he becomes a great slugger as he matures (his numbers are promising) but the kid is 19 years old. We have a 3-5 year window with our two future hall of famers in their prime to make a run, and trading promising 19 year old sluggers who play 3B for a 3 something ERA lefty is worth it.

  11. Al Al has had surgery for an elbow problem and is now out until at least the All Star break.

    1. Going hard at Dotel makes more sense now, since they were obviously aware of this. Still, this leaves a couple of BP spots up for grabs and it will be interesting to see if they continue to pad it through trades/signings or just wait for ST to settle the debate. Joel Zumaya anyone?

      1. Following your same logic, they also knew this when they dumped Ryan Perry, so it’s pretty clear they were just done with him. (Purcey–who is somehow good enough for the Phillies–was also unceremoniously disposed of). I think one of the minor league arms will get a shot at the BP, with Al-Al / trade deadline pickup as backup plan.

  12. Just a reminder to all that today (19DEC11) is Number 6’s birthday!

    I still can recall the first time I saw him in person; it was at game in 1966 at Tiger Stadium against the Orioles. I recall Kaline coming out to the on-deck circle batting cleanup and to an 11-year old kid, he was like a god quietly going about his business to get ready to bat in a cool and confident manner. Al went 2 for 4 in that game with a double. Tigers took the lost 8-1 but some power guy named Don Wert hit a homer for the Tigers.

    I saw him play many games until the end of his career in 1973. We would go every Lutheran Night and sit in RF stands to give Al, our fellow Lutheran “spirital support.” Of his many talents that were enjoyable to watch, the most I enjoyed was seeing that rocket arm fire bullets from right field. It was the exclaimation point of this talents and one that is missing these days from alot of our current superstars talents.

    My brother and Dad made game 5 of the ’68 World Series and to this day, he still has his scorebook. He brings the scorebook with him to all games in hopes of running into Al so he can get him to sign it. To me that game was the pinnicle Al’s career with his 2 run move ahead single in the 7th to seal the game. The Cardinals never lead after that hit.

    Happy Birthday Mr. Tiger!

  13. The Rangers and Angels continue to make the Red Sox and Yankees look like the Indians and Royals…Texas wins the Yu Darvish sweepstakes, acquiring negotiating rights for 51.7 million. How is that money counted against the salary cap? Oh wait, this baseball, nevermind…

  14. Happy New Year folks! Good grief, is Prince Fielder ever going to find a gig? Everything seems to be going in slow motion.

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