Beck's Blog

Putz and the Tigers, revisited

2009-11-07T00:50:09Z

Jason Beck / MLB.com

While Fernando Rodney filed for free agency and Brandon Lyon weighs his options on the open market, the Tigers might well be gaining another option at closer ~~once the Mets make their expected decision to decline~~ now that the Mets formally declined the 2010 option on J.J. Putz.

A year ago, the Tigers were deep in talks with the Mariners for Putz, then Seattle's closer but on the trading block. A deal with Detroit was supposed to be the dream situation for Putz, the Trenton, Mich. native who pitched at the University of Michigan. But the M's reportedly wanted both Matt Joyce and Jeff Larish as part of a return package, while the Tigers would only offer Joyce. That opened the door for the Mets to snag Putz in a three-way trade that the Indians helped facilitate to help keep Putz out of the division.

It's a way different situation now, of course, and Putz as a free agent is just part of it. The Tigers, spurned by Seattle, sent Joyce to the Rays for Edwin Jackson. Putz battled elbow problems all year en route to a disappointing season as a setup man for Francisco Rodriguez.

The Tigers aren't looking for a high-priced closer, but after two years of injury concerns, Putz has the chance to be more of a low-risk, high-reward signing. On Putz's side, it's believed he would not only enjoy a chance to pitch for his hometown team, but welcome the chance to close again. It could be quite a match.

For now, it's just theoretical. Putz hasn't filed for free agency yet, and once he does, the Tigers can only talk interest and not contract terms with him until Nov. 20.

On a side note, looking back at the Putz trade, the Mariners had by far the best of that deal thanks to a player who was little more than a side mention in the deal. Franklin Gutierrez went from Cleveland to Seattle, got a full-time job in the M's outfield and proceeded to set career highs with a .283 average, 18 homers, 70 RBIs and 16 stolen bases while playing stellar defense in center.

Tigers part ways with Thames, Treanor

2009-11-06T21:29:33Z

Marcus Thames' Tigers tenure is likely over. The team removed him from the 40-man roster Friday, the first step towards making the slugging outfielder a free agent.

The move was part of the Tigers' maneuverings to prepare their 40-man roster. Catcher Matt Treanor also was taken off the roster and will become a free agent. The moves free up spots for reliever Joel Zumaya and infielder Jeff Larish, both of whom were reinstated from the 60-day disabled list as required.

Infield prospect Michael Hollimon also was taken off the DL, but he was outrighted to Triple-A Toledo. Pitching prospect Jay Sborz, who would've been a minor league free agent, was added to the 40-man roster.

Thames was eligible for arbitration and was thus expected to be non-tendered this offseason. From that standpoint, Friday's move makes him a free agent sooner than he would've been had the Tigers waited until the December deadline to offer a contract. Nonetheless, it likely ends a career that included several big home runs and torrid stretches in the Tigers lineup, though never culminating in the everyday role he would've liked.

Five Tigers file for free agency

2009-11-06T00:50:47Z

As the veteran Tigers scribe Jim Hawkins likes to say, no sense waiting (yes, I recycled that line from my Twitter account, @beckjason). Five Tigers -- Adam Everett, Aubrey Huff, Placido Polanco, Fernando Rodney and Jarrod Washburn -- filed for free agency Thursday, the first day players could do so. The only Tiger eligible for free agency who didn't file Thursday was Brandon Lyon, and that's more of a formality. His agent and the Tigers haven't talked yet. Look for a free-agent roundup on the site tonight.

The Tigers have exclusive negotiating rights with their free agents through Thursday, Nov. 20. While those players can talk with other teams, they technically can't talk contract terms or exchange offers, though agents seem to get around the contract terms part. Starting Nov. 21, it's a free-for-all.

Also, the Elias rankings that determine compensation for free agents came out today. Polanco qualified for Type A status, meaning the Tigers would receive at least a sandwich pick between the first and second rounds of next year's draft, and possibly a first-round pick as well, if they offer him arbitration and he signs somewhere else. That leaves the Tigers with a decision to make whether they offer him arbitration, and I'm not sure the Tigers won't take a chance and offer it. After all, if he accepts it, the Tigers have him for one year.

Fernando Rodney and Brandon Lyon both qualified for Type B status. If the Tigers offered them arbitration, they'd get a draft pick after the second round if they signed elsewhere.

Porcello named Tigers Rookie of the Year

2009-11-05T19:47:16Z

In case you missed it (sorry, but blog program wasn't working earlier today), Rick Porcello won the Tigers Rookie of the Year award today. It wasn't really a surprise, but it was another moment to appreciate what he did this year after he surprised a lot of people by making the rotation out of spring training in the first place.

As reported many times already, Porcello is just the fourth pitcher since 1970 to put up a 14-win season before his 21st birthday, the last being Doc Gooden. What stood out to me, though, was the way he adjusted his game after a midseason slump and thrived down the stretch for it. He went 5-2 with a 3.07 ERA over his final 13 starts, allowing just 66 hits over 73 1/3 innings. Just 18 of those hits went for extra bases. He lost only one of his final eight starts, and his 5 2/3 innings with eight strikeouts in the AL Central tiebreaker gave Detroit a shot at winning the division before falling in extra innings.

Want to know what else was impressive about that stretch? Look at his ground ball to fly ball ratio. He had one of highest ground-ball rates in the American League for the season, but he was close to even for the final two months. He went from throwing sinker after sinker to mixing in more four-seam fastballs down the stretch, partly at catcher Gerald Laird's suggestion, and batters popped them up.

Did the Tigers manage him well? Sure, and they deserve credit for it, especially pitching coach Rick Knapp. But this kid worked well with Laird and made adjustments, and he showed an aptitude well ahead of his time. He probably won't get the credit he deserves for that when AL Rookie of the Year voting comes out next week -- too bad, because the Tigers would've lost the division before Game 163 without him -- but it's going to be fun to look at this season's AL rookie crop in a few years and see where Porcello stands.

Bill James predicts 22 HRs for Raburn

2009-11-04T20:29:42Z

Jason Beck / MLB.com

So what happens every November, right around the time that the Bill James Handbook comes out, is that they send out an email to writers detailing what they project for the next season from certain players on their team. Generally, it's a look at last season's stats and a projection whether the player will build on those numbers or regress.

This year's version is out, and the projections include a 22-homer season in 439 at-bats from Ryan Raburn, But as Bill James admitted in the email, they can't predict or project playing time.

The projection on Raburn includes a .276 average, 73 RBIs and 10 stolen bases. What interested me, though, were projections for some of the hitters. Curtis Granderson, under their scenario, would bat .275 with 27 homers, 76 RBIs, 17 stolen bases and an .844 OPS -- keeping a lot of his home-run power while still getting a bounceback on batting average. Magglio Ordonez is projected to bat .311 with 17 HRs and 84 RBIs.

On the pitching side, Rick Porcello would get a bit of a sophomore slump, going 10-11 with a 4.25 ERA in 195 innings.

Washburn would like to return to Seattle

2009-11-02T22:38:12Z

MLB.com Mariners reporter Jim Street caught up with likely former Tigers pitcher Jarrod Washburn, who should be healthy next spring after having his knee cleaned out last month. That said, even a healthy Washburn seems unlikely to return to Detroit.

As many expected, Washburn sounded like someone who would very much like to return to Seattle, where he credits his success for the first half of this past season and the clubhouse atmosphere with pulling him away from a possible retirement.

"We had a lot of fun and the coaching staff made it a much more pleasant working environment," he said. "You looked forward to coming to work."

On the July 31 trade to Detroit, Washburn said he had mixed feelings.

"Going to a first-place team was nice," he said, "but I was leaving a group of players that I loved. It was both good and bad."

Return of the Inbox

2009-11-02T18:21:18Z

For better or for worse -- no, really, it is for the better -- I'm bringing back the Inbox feature for the offseason. You might remember it as the Mailbag.

By now, you all know the deal with these: I can't guarantee that a question is going to get into the story. In fact, given the ratio of questions submitted to space available for the story, it's safe to say that most questions won't make it. The better the question, and generally the more specific the question, the better the chance of getting answered.

You can email your question here, or click the link at the bottom of this post. Please include your first name, last initial, and your hometown. If you decide to email me directly, please be sure to include "Inbox" in the subject line. That'll save a lot of hassle.

Click here to send an inbox question.

Granderson wins Marvin Miller Man of the Year award

2009-10-30T19:42:08Z

For those who missed it this morning, Curtis Granderson was selected by MLB players as this year's Marvin Miller Man of the Year for excellence on and off the field. The story is on the site if you want to read more, but from what I've looked up, it's the first time a Tiger has won a national baseball award for community service since Al Kaline.

Here's Granderson's reaction to the award:

"I am honored to not only be receiving such an award, but also humbled that this was voted on by other Major League Baseball players. I am in a position to use my status as a professional baseball player to help others in need to rally others to help those in need.

"Working with the Detroit Tigers Foundation, the Detroit Action Team and the various other programs along with my own Grand Kids Foundation, I have seen first-hand impacts being made in Detroit and other inner cities throughout Michigan. I am excited at being able to continue to help enhance the educational experience for many of Michigan's students.

"I want to help others realize that they do not have to be rich and famous to make a positive impact in their community. Volunteering just one hour a week at any community organization or school can make a difference."

Granderson also was on the Mike and Mike show this morning talking about it. There's a sound clip available on the show's home page on the ESPN Radio site.

Whatever your reactions on Granderson's season at the plate, and I know there's a range of reax, this is a nice award to get. The way the postseason awards are shaping up, it's probably going to be the only individual award the Tigers get this year.

Sizemore undergoes surgery on ankle

2009-10-27T20:01:52Z

Scott Sizemore underwent surgery on his fractured left ankle Tuesday, including screws inserted to stabilize it, but the Tigers still expect him to be healed and ready for the start of spring training next February.

According to the Tigers, Sizemore will spend two weeks with a splint on his ankle, then a CAM boot to immobilize the ankle and foot. If all goes well, doctors will remove the screws in January.

While the surgery will obviously alter Sizemore's offseason rehab -- before the tendon damage was discovered, the Tigers hoped the simple fracture could be healed with six weeks in a protective boot -- it shouldn't impact his season. He'll begin full weight-bearing activity once the screws are out and have at least a month between then and the time position players report to camp.

Tigers confirm interest in Cuban defector Chapman

2009-10-27T01:46:06Z

Jason Beck / MLB.com

Add the Tigers to the meeting list for Cuban pitcher Aroldis Chapman as he talks with Major League teams.

Tom Moore, the team's director of international operations, confirmed a published report that the team has shown interest in meeting with the highly-regarded left-hander and his representatives in the next couple weeks.

The interest was first reported by SI.com. The report lists the Tigers among nine teams to have shown some level of interest in Chapman, joining the Yankees, Red Sox, Orioles, White Sox, Cubs, Mets, A's and Cardinals.

That doesn't mean the Tigers are going to get into a bidding war. At this point, the Tigers don't go in with financial expectations. But with Chapman and his representatives meeting with clubs and allowing teams to get to know the highly-touted hurler, the Tigers will take the opportunity and talk.

"We're basically just at the interest level," Moore cautioned. "Because of the nature, I think it's a situation where they're going to take the time to allow clubs to spend some time with the player and see who he is."

Sizemore visits team doctor

2009-10-26T20:15:18Z

Tigers 2B prospect Scott Sizemore visited a team doctor for a follow-up exam on the left ankle he fractured last Thursday in the Arizona Fall League. Should be hearing something out of that on Tuesday.

UPDATE @ 8pm: Sizemore is expected to require surgery, though the team has no comment. Detroit Free Press reports quotes Sizemore saying it'll be Tuesday. Nothing firm on timetable, though Sizemore told the Freep he hopes to be ready for spring training.

So far, Porcello getting no ROY credit

2009-10-26T19:05:21Z

Still a few weeks to go until the Rookie of the Year award from baseball writers. However, various other publications have come out with their own choices, and Rick Porcello isn't winning any of them. White Sox third baseman Gordon Beckham won AL honors from The Sporting News, while Pittsburgh's Andrew McCutchen won Baseball America's Major League Rookie of the Year award. Porcello didn't even make the list of three AL finalists for the Players Choice award as voted on by players; Beckham, Jeff Niemann and Elvis Andrus beat him out there.

To be fair, a lot of the credit given to Porcello this year was more about what he showed for his age, rather than what he has done as a rookie. But without Porcello, the Tigers wouldn't have led the AL Central for as long as they did, and they almost certainly would've been in trouble in the division tiebreaker game a few weeks ago. Porcello's performance in that game may or may not bolstered his award hopes, depending on how many writers waited until then to vote. Ballots were due when the postseason began, which technically wasn't until the next day.

Sizemore out for AFL season with fractured tibia

2009-10-24T20:40:05Z

The Tigers' second baseman of the future won't be playing anymore this year. Scott Sizemore will miss the rest of the Arizona Fall League season after breaking his left ankle trying to turn a double play during a game Thursday.

Sizemore is traveling to Detroit this weekend for follow-up exams. However, he told the Detroit Free Press that the injury is not expected to require surgery to repair, meaning he should be ready in time for Spring Training.

The 24-year-old was off to a scorching start to the AFL campaign, going 7-for-19 with two doubles, three homers and nine RBIs in five games for the Peoria Javelinas. He was following up a regular season in which he batted.308 with 39 doubles, 17 homers and 66 RBIs between Double-A Erie and Triple-A Toledo.

Those numbers, combined with his progress defensively over the course of the season -- he turned 100 double plays and made 21 errors in 118 games at second base -- convinced team officials that he's ready for the jump the Major Leagues. Team president/general manager Dave Dombrowski said in his end-of-season remarks that Sizemore would be their starting second baseman if they can't re-sign soon-to-be free agent Placido Polanco.

This injury isn't expected to change those plans. Barring a setback, he'll be fully recovered well ahead of the start of camp in February. He'll be the second Tigers infielder there to have spent the offseason recovering from injury. Brandon Inge will undergo surgery on both knees Nov. 3 but is on schedule to be ready for baseball activity around the start of February.

Inge to have surgery on both knees

2009-10-22T16:02:15Z

Just got confirmation from the Tigers, who say Inge will have surgery on both knees, which Inge did not confirm Wednesday night. He's still expected to be ready for the start of spring training. Team physician Dr. Stephen Lemos will perform the surgery Nov. 3 at Detroit Medical Center.

Brandon Inge to have knee surgery

2009-10-22T06:30:25Z

Jason Beck / MLB.com

Brandon Inge will undergo surgery on his left knee to repair the damage inflicted this summer that hobbled him the last few months.

Inge confirmed the surgery to MLB.com via text message Wednesday evening, adding it was scheduled for the end of October or early November. No official announcement has been made.

The timing should give Inge enough recovery and rehab time to be ready for Spring Training.

An examination since season's end apparently revealed enough damage in Inge's left knee to prompt doctors to recommend surgery. Team president/general manager Dave Dombrowski said two weeks ago that they hadn't yet determined whether Inge would need surgery, but that there was the possibility he could recover without it. That was apparently before doctors took another look.

"I think it's more a matter of looking at what they have on MRI and X-rays and examining those," Dombrowski said two weeks ago, "and they'll have a feel of where he is now compared with where he was before."

The surgery isn't a complete surprise; Inge openly wondered about the possibility last month. At the time, he said his knee felt worse at times down the stretch than it did over the summer. When Inge made diving stop on two occasions in September, he said it was the worst his knee had felt in a while.

Plus, if the rehab option hadn't progressed as hoped, Inge could've ended up needing surgery anyway.