Beck's Blog

A tip of the cap to Mike Hessman

2009-11-19T03:10:33Z

Mike Hessman was a Toledo Mud Hen for five years. He joined the club back when they had a prospect named Curtis Granderson in center field, a slugger named Marcus Thames and a first-base mix of Chris Shelton and Carlos Pena.

Now, Hessman is a free agent at long last, and it appears his time as a Mud Hen is over.

Baseball America's full list of minor league free agents is out, and while the Tigers don't have a lot of them, they include some familiar faces. Brent Clevlen is one, and with a full outfield of prospects ready to come up from Double-A Erie, Clevlen's Toledo tenure is likely at an end as well. He spent three years with the Hens, but could never quite seem to strike the balance between hitting for contact and hitting for power.

Macay McBride is also a free agent, though his baseball future seems to be in question. His injuries haven't allowed him to pitch in a game since he left the Mud Hens season opener in 2008 after one inning.

But make no mistake, the biggest name heading out of Toledo is Hessman, whose 140 home runs as a Mud Hens are easily a franchise record. By comparison, nobody in Detroit this year has that many homers as a Tiger. He's a familar, welcome face for many fans at Fifth Third Field, and he'll be missed.

Still, this is a bittersweet parting, because it finally gives Hessman the chance to find a better opportunity elsewhere. There was talk last winter of an opportunity to play in Japan, but with Hessman on Detroit's 40-man roster, that wasn't going to happen. No idea whether that's still a possibility, but if it is, it can be a lucrative one. Many Triple-A veterans make more money playing overseas or in Mexico.

If Hessman ends up staying in the States, he can look for an organization that might give him a better chance at a call-up to the Majors, even in just a spot role. He didn't get any time in Detroit this year after the Tigers outrighted him out of spring training.

Hoping for the best for him. He's a good guy and he deserves to see what opportunities he can get. Whatever happens, it'll be odd going to Toledo and not seeing him there.

Here's the full list of Tigers minor league free agents:

RHPs Nate Bump, Ruddy Lugo, Patrick Stanley
LHPs Ryan Ketchner, Macay McBride, Kris Regas, Jason Waddell
C Dane Sardinha
IF Mike Hessman
OFs Brent Clevlen, Jeramy Laster, Maiko Loyola

Nothing going on with Tigers, Smoltz

2009-11-18T19:46:25Z

Once again, John Smoltz is on the open market, and questions of a return home to Michigan naturally follow. Again, however, that doesn't appear to be happening.

While several teams have expressed interest in Smoltz, including some clubs examining him as a closer, the Tigers aren't one of them. They've been in touch with agent Keith Grunewald, but those talks are in regards to shortstop Adam Everett.

The Tigers had some interest in Smoltz last offseason, but weren't going to outbid the Red Sox, who signed him to an incentive-laden one-year deal for the chance to start in Boston by summer. He struggled with the Sox and was released in August, but found some success again in the National League with the Cardinals down the stretch.

Leyland places 6th in AL Manager of the Year voting

2009-11-18T19:39:18Z

Jim Leyland received two third-place votes out of 28 ballots for American League Manager of the Year from members of the Baseball Writers Association of America.

Angels skipper Mike Scioscia, for whom Leyland has been outspoken in admiration, won the award with 15 first-place votes. Minnesota's Ron Gardenhire was the runner-up, following by World Series champion Joe Girardi, Seattle's Don Wakamatsu and Texas' Ron Washington.

Highlights from Ernie Harwell interview

2009-11-18T02:28:03Z

Honestly, there were more highlights from Ernie Harwell's lengthy interview with Bob Costas for the hour-long Studio 42 show than I have room to describe. Some were included in the preview article from last week. Still, it's worth finding room to mention quite a few, especially those that would be pertinent for Tigers fans.

On his situation: "This will be my last World Series, I think. Back in July, the doctors gave me six months to live, give or take a few months. I'm hoping to reach my birthday on Jan. 25, but I'm pretty sure I won't make the baseball season. But you never know, as the Lord works wonders."

When Costas remarked at how healthy Harwell looked, that he didn't look like he was dying, Harwell cited something he heard from former Michigan governor George Romney: "I want to die healthy." Then he added, "And it looks like I'll die pretty healthy."

On his relationship with Tigers fans and the affection they have for him: "I do feel like those poeple out there were my friends, and I hope I was their friend, because it is a unique association that you have with your listener. I really appreciate the fact that they take an interest in me. I don't know if I deserve that, but all I tried to do was just be myself. I wanted to broadcast the game that I thought I would like to hear as a listener. And I tried to give the score as often as I could. That was my main concern, and then let the play take over. And of course you can't just say ball one, strike one. You have to fill in and usually I did with anecdotes or historical information that maybe nobody came up with and let the chips fall where they may. There's going to be some people who like you and some people who don't like you, and you have to accept that starting out."

He was pretty revealing on Bo Schembechler, the Michigan football coach turned Tigers president. On the decision to let him go after the 1992 season, he admitted maybe he didn't like Schembechler for it, but that he got over it.

"I knew that everybody could be replaced. Nobody lasts forever. And if you work for somebody, he's certainly got the privilege and the right to fire you. It was certainly a blow to me, but I think in the long run, it's probably the best thing that happened to my career, because it brought some undue attention toward me and caused quite a commotion around Michigan and Detroit. I recovered. Mr. Mike Ilitch bought the team and within a year I was back broadcasting for the Tigers. It was something that I had to accept. Once again I leaned on my faith and I knew for some reason this was happening and it would eventually work out for the best."

On whether Schembechler ever came up and apologized to him, or talked to him about it: "No, he never did, but I forgave him. It's in the past. He was a great football coach. I had a lot of admiration for him. I never had any problems with him. It's just they felt they were going in a 'new direction.'"

On his long-lost call of The Shot Heard 'Round the World, which was overshadowed by Russ Hodges' radio call: "Russ Hodges and I were the two announcers, and we alternated between radio and TV. And on that particular day, Oct. 3, it turned out that I was going to be on TV. And I thought, 'Wow, this is going to be a lot better assignment than poor old Russ with those five radio broadcasts. He'll sort of get lost, and I'm on coast to coast by myself on NBC, the first sports series ever telecast coast to coast. This is a big moment. And sure enough, it happened and Russ made that great call. I was on TV when [Bobby] Thomson hit the home run. I just said It's gone and [Andy] Pafko watched it go into the row of the seats for the home run that won the pennant.

"There was no record of my voice at all. People didn't record things in those days, and of course, Russ was recorded. The sponsor Chesterfield got out a record, it became the greatest sports broadcast of all time. And only Mrs. Harwell and I know I was on that afternoon."

Nonetheless, he called that one of his two greatest moments to call in his career. The other was Jim Northrup's triple in Game 7 of the 1968 World Series.

On his move to Detroit to broadcast for the Tigers: "It's probably the best move I ever made, because the people of Michigan have really been super. They're great fans. It's an original franchise. They know their baseball. They have a great passion for it that and other sports, too. It goes generation to generation People that used to come to Briggs Stadium and then Tiger Stadium and then Comerica Park. They hand it down from generation to generation."

On growing up in the south and then breaking into the Major Leagues broadcasting Dodgers games and Jackie Robinson: "I think what tempered my feelings even before I got to Brooklyn was that, when I was with the Marines, I saw that the African Americans were just as good as the white people in whatever they did. I really had a feeling of comfort when I went up there about the racial issue. It didn't bother me at all. It was a little strange because I'd never seen a black man play against white competition, but it was there, and I accepted it. And Jackie became a very good friend of mine. I played cards with him, played golf with him, rode the train with him. It was the most exciting, most eventful thing I think that's happened in sports history, the breaking of the color line by Jackie Robinson and Branch Rickey."

He closed out the interview by reciting his speech from his Hall of Fame induction, by memory, word for word. Amazing.

Reminder: Harwell interview on MLB Network tonight

2009-11-17T23:47:46Z

Just a reminder that MLB Network will be airing the Bob Costas interview with Ernie Harwell on Inside Studio 42 tonight at 8pm ET. It looks like a very good piece, likely to tug at the heart again. If you miss it, it'll air again tonight at 11pm ET.

Verlander places third in AL Cy Young voting

2009-11-17T19:20:56Z

Justin Verlander wasn't expected to win the AL Cy Young award, but his 19 wins and 269 votes presented a strong case. He got one first-place vote, but finished third behind Zack Greinke and Felix Hernandez. He beat out CC Sabathia and Roy Halladay. Halladay actually got more votes, but they were all for third place, and Verlander's first-place nod and nine third-place votes outpointed him.

Verlander's the first AL pitcher since Pedro Martinez in 2002 to lead the league in two of the three pitching triple crown categories and not win the Cy Young, but Greinke's performance was going to be tough to top, even with playing on a contender. As it is, third place is the best showing by a Tiger in Cy Young balloting since Willie Hernandez won it in 1984.

Porcello edged out in AL Rookie balloting

2009-11-16T19:04:40Z

Rick Porcello finished third in AL Rookie of the Year balloting, just released. A's closer Andrew Bailey earned 13 of the 28 first-place votes. Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus finished second.

Porcello received seven first-place votes, eight votes for second place and five votes for third. He was left off of eight writers ballots. But then, even Bailey was left off of four.

Yes, there's still free agency for Tigers

2009-11-14T02:48:06Z

While trade rumors build around the Tigers regarding players they control, their interest in their own free agents hasn't gone away, at least not for most of them.

The Tigers have had contact with the agents for relievers Fernando Rodney and Brandon Lyon, second baseman Placido Polanco and shortstop Adam Everett, but those discussions were believed to be preliminary ahead of follow-up talks later.

Meanwhile, president/general manager Dave Dombrowski confirmed to Booth Newspapers that they will not be pursuing free agents Jarrod Washburn and Aubrey Huff, both late-season trade acquisitions for the Tigers this past summer who struggled down the stretch.

Neither was expected to be a Tigers target. Washburn had told reporters last week that he hadn't heard from the Tigers other than to check on his knee after surgery.

"We called both Jarrod and Aubrey this week and told them we will not be pursuing them," Dombrowski told Booth Newspapers. "We wished them well."

Dombrowski said the team had not made such calls to its other four free agents.

The Tigers acquired Washburn from Seattle at the nonwaiver trade deadline July 31, but knee problems hampered him in August and September until the Tigers shut him down for the final couple weeks. He posted a 1-3 record and 7.33 ERA in eight Tigers starts, compared with an 8-6 record and 2.64 ERA in 20 starts for the Mariners.

Huff batted .189 with two homers and 13 RBIs in 40 games for the Tigers after coming over from Baltimore in a mid-August trade. Detroit's plans to rotate players between designated hitter and the outfield, including Magglio Ordonez and Carlos Guillen, essentially sealed Huff's departure.

The Tigers hold exclusive negotiating rights on their free agents for seven more days. Other teams can talk to them now, and all four have drawn interest, but those teams can't make contract offers or talk contract terms until next Friday.

By then, the Tigers should have a better idea about any trade talks, where they may lead, and what holes any deals could fill.

All four are expected to seek multi-year contracts, according to industry sources, but that's no surprise. The Tigers didn't sign any free agent or arbitration-eligible player to a multi-year contract last year, and aside from possibly Justin Verlander, it remains to be seen whether they would do so now.

Prospect Scott Sizemore has been deemed ready for the big leagues, while relievers Cody Satterwhite and Robbie Weinhardt could conceivably be ready within a year. Shortstop is a different situation, and barring a trade acquisition, there's expected to be mutual interest for Everett to return.

Telling comment on Jackson from Brewers GM

2009-11-13T19:53:58Z

By now, you can tell it's going to be a crazy stretch of reported interest in the Tigers' trading pieces, and it's just starting. But Brewers general manager Doug Melvin, in confirming contact with the Tigers on Edwin Jackson, had a telling remark to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel on how this could play out:

"Dave's in charge of that one," Melvin told the J-S. "They'll identify which clubs are matches and they'll call them. He's looking for young players and young pitchers."

That's a little bit more than listening, though not necessarily a quick sale. The youth part isn't a surprise, of course.

They might've had a better match before the Brewers traded J.J. Hardy trade with Minnesota, but the Brewers still have some young pitching. They also have outfielder Corey Hart, in whom the Tigers reportedly had interest in the past.

Add Angels to Granderson suitors

2009-11-13T16:23:08Z

Trade interest in Curtis Granderson is expected to draw teams that already have an established center fielder. That group is now believed to include the Angels.

The Angels have talked with the Tigers about a Granderson trade, according to a report in New York's Newsday, with the enticement of slotting in Granderson as a corner outfielder alongside Gold Glove center fielder Torii Hunter and adding a left-handed bat to a lineup that had a lot of right-handed hitters in the middle of the order this past season.

Angels general manager Tony Reagins declined comment to Newsday, much like Tigers officials have been quiet on the Granderson front this week.

Granderson is a friend of Hunter dating back to their days as AL Central rivals in Minnesota, and while Granderson loves center field, he understandably has a lot of respect for Hunter as one of the greats at the position. Granderson has also talked about how much he enjoys Angel Stadium, and the way the stadium plays.

It probably helps that the Angels have seen some of Granderson's best performances. He's a .353 (30-for-85) career hitter at Angel Stadium, and his eight home runs in 21 games there are as many as he has hit anywhere other than Detroit.

The Angels have position prospects that could entice the Tigers, including outfielder Chris Pettit. They also have some level of bullpen depth that could provide Detroit with some late-inning help.

Dombrowski: Tigers aren't having a fire sale

2009-11-11T23:07:30Z

As the GM meetings rumor mill began to swirl around the Tigers Wednesday, team president/general manager Dave Dombrowski wanted to dispel a notion that popped up.

"We're not having a fire sale," he said by phone Wednesday.

He was surprised the question came up, in fact, and he thought it was a rather ridiculous question. Still, given the buzz coming out of the meetings on Curtis Granderson and Edwin Jackson, it had to be asked.

Others gave no impression of a looming payroll purge, either, so far as they knew. Agents who have talked with the Tigers, too, suggested that wasn't their understanding, though they didn't claim to have an intricate knowledge of the team's plans.

The impression that came out today was that of a team that needs to get creative to look for ways to improve a team that didn't win the AL Central while having a lot of money tied into untradeable contracts. So they have to look at what the tradeable contracts can get them. One source suggested that after a season like the Tigers had, they could listen to interest on a lot of their players, that the notion of untouchable players was questionable.

So on Jackson and Granderson, and maybe Gerald Laird, maybe even others, they're going to listen and discuss. If you look at it, they don't have a whole lot of other players who would attract a nice package in return. But there's no indication they're going to move if they don't like the return.

More on Jackson

2009-11-11T17:30:26Z

When rumors started up last fall about the Tigers potentially trading Magglio Ordonez, team president/general manager Dave Dombrowski eventually said that they weren't looking to trade him. He also said, however, that they would listen on just about any player another club would call him about.

Fast forward to now, with the Tigers reportedly at least listening to interest on Edwin Jackson, and Dombrowski isn't saying much, which is telling.

"Do not have anything to say about any trade conversations other than to say we have visited with many clubs during the meetings, which is customary," Dombrowski said in an email Wednesday morning from the GM meetings in Chicago.

He did add, however, that they will have to make some tough decisions this offseason, particularly with the number of free agents they have.

Jackson, an All-Star in the first half of the season before struggling down the stretch, is a tough decision, particularly if trading him can net him from help in return at shortstop or in the bullpen.

That doesn't mean it's a payroll decision or a sign of slashing ahead. There's a difference between cutting payroll and swapping it, particularly if any deal would end up even in salary. There's also a difference between cutting a salary and selling high on a player.

At this point, Dombrowski said, nothing is close to a deal on anything.

Could Tigers trade Edwin Jackson? Tough decision

2009-11-11T04:00:08Z

The tight payroll the Tigers have to manage is the biggest challenge in their offseason dealings. That much was clear even before the report Tuesday night on Edwin Jackson. How they deal with it, and the difficult decisions it could prompt, will be a huge factor in how the Tigers look in 2010 and beyond, both with free agents and even with players under team control.

So yes, it could even force the Tigers to make a decision on Jackson, whose maturation as a pitcher this past season made him an All-Star before his second-half struggles left the Tigers trying to figure out what to make of the gifted young right-hander.

A report from FOXSports.com suggests the Tigers are at least listening to interest in Jackson, their No. 2 starter this past season and a 13-game winner. While there are no indications any deal is close, it's at least a reflection of the choices the Tigers have to consider as the offseason unfolds, and what they might have to consider on Jackson regardless of finances.

Like staff ace and 19-game winner Justin Verlander, Jackson is eligible for arbitration and could qualify for free agency in two seasons. The Tigers are expected to talk with Verlander and his agent about a long-term contract this winter. Dombrowski hasn't commented on that matter, but he said last month that they hope to keep Verlander in a Tigers uniform for a long time.

They're both young, both coming off impressive seasons, and both in a position to get a hefty raise in arbitration. Several other Tigers are up for arbitration, too, including catcher Gerald Laird, utilityman Ramon Santiago and relievers Zach Miner, Bobby Seay and Joel Zumaya.

Other Tigers under long-term deals will see their salaries rise next year. Magglio Ordonez's $18 million option was the most publicized situation. Miguel Cabrera's salary leaps from $15 million to $20 million. Carlos Guillen's salary jumps from $10 million to $13 million. Nate Robertson goes from $7 million to $10 million. Curtis Granderson gets a $2 million raise to $5.5 million.

Dontrelle Willis' salary, too, will rise, from $10 million to $12 million.

Those salaries add up to $75 million, with nearly $23 million more going to third baseman Brandon Inge and pitchers Jeremy Bonderman, Rick Porcello and Jacob Turner. The Tigers have a slew of contracts expiring at season's end to provide relief, but that doesn't help them deal with payroll this year while Michigan's economy suggests more tough times ahead.

"We're all aware that the economy is not the same all over the country," Dombrowski told FOXSports.com. "We've been hit hard in our area."

Add in at least four free agents the Tigers must replace or re-sign -- Fernando Rodney, Brandon Lyon, Placido Polanco and Adam Everett -- and the Tigers have a challenge.

That doesn't necessarily mean the Tigers have to make a selloff. Owner Mike Ilitch's desire to win in baseball is a great financial equalizer, and their willingness to even consider Cuban pitcher Aroldis Chapman suggests some ability to spend. But with the long-term contracts likely not going anywhere, simply keeping payroll steady could be a tough squeeze mathematically.

With Jackson, too, there's the question of what to make of his 2009 season. Though he ranked seventh among AL starters with a 3.62 ERA and 214 innings, everyone who followed his season knows his first- and second-half difference. He entered the All-Star break with a 7-4 record and a 2.52 ERA, allowing just 94 hits over 121 2/3 innings with 97 strikeouts and averaging better than 6 2/3 innings per start.

Statistically, he went 6-5 after that, but gave up a 5.07 ERA. 106 hits and 17 home runs in 92 1/3 innings. Stuffwise, he lost movement in his slider and went predominantly to his fastball in some starts down the stretch. Tweaks in his side sessions between starts made a little difference, but didn't turn things around.

It was his second straight year with a second-half dropoff after a strong turnaround in 2007, and it left some with a sense of befuddlement and disappointment. The Tigers have to decide what it means in the bigger picture. Even with the dropoff, his ability to eat innings was critical to Leyland's management of the bullpen.

What can the Tigers get out of Jackson next year? What can the Tigers get for him? Difficult questions.

Tigers would interest Putz

2009-11-11T00:28:01Z

Yes, free agent reliever J.J. Putz confirmed, the Tigers would be a situation that interests him. But then, a lot of situations would interest him.

"I'd have interest in most teams, including the Tigers," Putz wrote in an email to MLB.com Tuesday.

In other words, while a homecoming to Michigan might be a good fit for Putz, it wouldn't be the only fit.

Both Putz and his agent, Craig Landis, said the Tigers have not contacted them. He technically didn't become a free agent until this past weekend, after the Mets declined to pick up his option for next season. The Mets still hold exclusive negotiating rights with Putz until Nov. 20, though other clubs can call to express interest and talk in non-financial terms.

The intrigue surrounding Putz and Detroit stems from his Michigan upbringing, his college career at the University of Michigan, and the trade discussions the Tigers had with the Mariners last winter before Seattle sent him to the Mets in a three-team trade.

The Tigers moved on, signed Brandon Lyon later in the offseason, and went with Fernando Rodney as their closer out of Spring Training. Rodney and Lyon are both free agents.

The chance to close somewhere is definitely appealing, Putz said, though it isn't the only situation he'd consider.

"I'd rather be a closer," Putz wrote, "but I am open to setup jobs, depending on the fit."

As for how he's feeling after undergoing surgery in June to remove bone spurs from his throwing elbow, Putz was upbeat.

"My arm feels great! I've been throwing and rehabbing with no pain," he wrote.

Polanco wins second Gold Glove in three years

2009-11-10T20:32:42Z

Placido Polanco is the Tigers' lone Gold Glove award winner this year, picking up his second such award in three years and adding another honor to his resume as he hits the free-agent market.

Polanco beat out defending Gold Glove winner Dustin Pedroia for the honor at second base, as voted on by Major League managers and coaches. He becomes the third Tigers infielder to win multiple Gold Gloves, joining the double-play duo of Alan Trammell and Lou Whitaker. The Gold Glove awards date back to 1957.

Though he couldn't duplicate his errorless 2007 season, his error total fell from eight last year to two this past season. Working alongside shortstops Adam Everett and Ramon Santiago, plus with Brandon Inge back at third, Polanco helped turn a career-high 112 double plays. His .997 fielding percentage easily led all AL second basemen, while his 731 total chances and his Range Factor of 5.1 putouts plus assists per nine innings ranked near the top.

The more specialized fielding stats were more favorable on Polanco than one might expect for a middle infielder who turned 34 years old last month. While Polanco ranked lower among AL second basemen on zone rating, a statistic created by STATS Inc. to measure the rate of outs converted in a player's defensive zone, his ultimate zone rating of 11.4 led all Major League second basemen.

Other Tigers fell short in their Gold Glove bids. Gerald Laird's league-leading 42-percent rate of throwing out baserunners couldn't earn him the nod at catcher over Minnesota's Joe Mauer. Brandon Inge's abundance of highlight plays couldn't overshadow his error totals at third, where Tampa Bay's Evan Longoria captured his first Gold Glove. Curtis Granderson couldn't crack the AL Gold Glove outfield mix of longtime standards Torii Hunter and Ichiro Suzuki plus newcomer Adam Jones.

(Photo courtesy Getty Images)