Tigers Contact Cubs about Bullpen Help

[Banghart]

I'm not sure Thames is a legitimate option in CF. If that's the case, we already have one decent back-up corner outfielder in Murton. Convince me that Thames is adequate being the right-handed platoon for Pie in CF, and then a Wuertz for Thames deal may make some sense. If he's merely a corner outfielder, I'll just let Murton be that righthanded bench OF and keep Wuertz.

Clearly Thames wouldn't be an option as a platoon partner in CF, but it seems like the Cubs are intent on trading Murton. I guess what I am trying to decide is Murton or Thames a better option as the right handed bench corner outfielder.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I'm not sure Thames is a legitimate option in CF. If that's the case, we already have one decent back-up corner outfielder in Murton. Convince me that Thames is adequate being the right-handed platoon for Pie in CF, and then a Wuertz for Thames deal may make some sense. If he's merely a corner outfielder, I'll just let Murton be that righthanded bench OF and keep Wuertz.

Clearly Thames wouldn't be an option as a platoon partner in CF, but it seems like the Cubs are intent on trading Murton. I guess what I am trying to decide is Murton or Thames a better option as the right handed bench corner outfielder.

 

Until Murton is traded, I'd have no interest in Thames. He's not any better than Murton.

[davearm2]

I'm not sure Thames is a legitimate option in CF. If that's the case, we already have one decent back-up corner outfielder in Murton. Convince me that Thames is adequate being the right-handed platoon for Pie in CF, and then a Wuertz for Thames deal may make some sense. If he's merely a corner outfielder, I'll just let Murton be that righthanded bench OF and keep Wuertz.

I'm right there with you.

 

Upgrading from Murton to Thames as the 4th OF, injury insurance guy? At a cost of an effective BP arm like Wuertz?

 

Pass.

[soapy]

God I wish Murton could play adequate CF. That would just be too perfect. He couldn't be any worse than Monroe was I wouldn't think.

[Bear Cub]

Could Preston Wilson be an option to play 40 games in CF against leftys? He is still a FA. I know he had a knee injury last year. Wonder if he is totally recovered?

.

[rawaction]

Could Preston Wilson be an option to play 40 games in CF against leftys? He is still a FA. I know he had a knee injury last year. Wonder if he is totally recovered?

.

 

I don't believe Preston is an adequate CF anymore.

[wade]

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080321/SPORTS02/80321002/1050/SPORTS02

 

I guess this is worthy of an update. Thames or Inge do not sound good for Wuertz. Inge would be o.k. (he can actually play centerfield well, and about 4 other positions including catcher) but he can not hit worth a crap. If he ONLY played against lefty pitchers he could be o.k. I guess, as he has some decent splits there.

 

That said, it could only be a good deal for the Cubs if Detroit ate all of Inge's bad, bad salary and even then I'm not sure it would be good.

 

Detroit needs bullpen help and I'd like to see them get it since I like them too, but I can't think of anything they have to trade back that the Cubs need. Excluding Carlos Guillen back at short, of course.

[anabiono]

dempster and wuertz for guillen!!!

[brinoch]

Marmol for Renteria.

[C.C.]

Marmol for Renteria.

 

 

In a heartbeat!

[CuseCubFan69]

Marmol for Renteria.

 

 

In a heartbeat!

 

It's a lovebeat.

 

I really wish Hendry (at least I think he didn't) made a move for him in the winter before the Tigers did.

[BigbadB]

Neither Inge or Thames do anything for me. We have Soriano and Fukudome locked up in the outfield corners and Murton and Ward to back them up and Ramirez and Lee are solid on the infield corners with DeRosa and Ward to back them up, making either of these guys nothing more than bench fodder. I'm not willing to part with an ace reliever for a pinch hitter.

 

Renteria is the guy the Cubs should be targeting. If I had to guess, Detroit has spent beyond their means this offseason in acquiring Renteria, Cabrera and Willis while sapping their farm system.

 

We can provide a bit of salary relief and farm help by taking Renteria off their hands. The Renteria deal happened well before the Cabrera/Willis deal happened. If the Tigers reversed those deals, I'm guessing they never would have made the Renteria deal after trading for Cabrera and Willis.

 

So, put a package together for Renteria that they would have a tough time saying no to. It's possible they will say no, but it sure doesn't hurt to try. This is a bit of a "go for it" year for Detroit. They stand to lose some talent at the end of this year, so maybe they won't part with Renteria. But, it makes more sense than spending 3+ months trying to trade for a 2b when the glaring hole is on the other side of the 2b bag.

[CuseCubFan69]

Neither Inge or Thames do anything for me. We have Soriano and Fukudome locked up in the outfield corners and Murton and Ward to back them up and Ramirez and Lee are solid on the infield corners with DeRosa and Ward to back them up, making either of these guys nothing more than bench fodder. I'm not willing to part with an ace reliever for a pinch hitter.

 

Renteria is the guy the Cubs should be targeting. If I had to guess, Detroit has spent beyond their means this offseason in acquiring Renteria, Cabrera and Willis while sapping their farm system.

 

We can provide a bit of salary relief and farm help by taking Renteria off their hands. The Renteria deal happened well before the Cabrera/Willis deal happened. If the Tigers reversed those deals, I'm guessing they never would have made the Renteria deal after trading for Cabrera and Willis.

 

So, put a package together for Renteria that they would have a tough time saying no to. It's possible they will say no, but it sure doesn't hurt to try. This is a bit of a "go for it" year for Detroit. They stand to lose some talent at the end of this year, so maybe they won't part with Renteria. But, it makes more sense than spending 3+ months trying to trade for a 2b when the glaring hole is on the other side of the 2b bag.

 

Why would the Tigers want to give up their starting SS? Hendry missed this one and there is no second chance unless the Tigers completely fall apart.

[BigbadB]

Okay, I timed how long it would take for Hendry to find out if Detroit would be willing to part with Renteria.

 

30 seconds. 8 seconds for Detroit's GM to pick up the phone, 12 seconds to explain that we have oodles of relievers but a need to upgrade SS and 10 seconds to decide whether Detroit is willing to part with their SS to improve their pen. If Hendry has 3 months worth of time to salivate over Brian Roberts, surely he has 30 seconds to ask about Renteria.

[CuseCubFan69]

Okay, I timed how long it would take for Hendry to find out if Detroit would be willing to part with Renteria.

 

30 seconds. 8 seconds for Detroit's GM to pick up the phone, 12 seconds to explain that we have oodles of relievers but a need to upgrade SS and 10 seconds to decide whether Detroit is willing to part with their SS to improve their pen. If Hendry has 3 months worth of time to salivate over Brian Roberts, surely he has 30 seconds to ask about Renteria.

 

I agree 100% he should call but I see no reason why the Tigers would trade him.

[Yestheydo]

Okay, I timed how long it would take for Hendry to find out if Detroit would be willing to part with Renteria.

 

30 seconds. 8 seconds for Detroit's GM to pick up the phone, 12 seconds to explain that we have oodles of relievers but a need to upgrade SS and 10 seconds to decide whether Detroit is willing to part with their SS to improve their pen. If Hendry has 3 months worth of time to salivate over Brian Roberts, surely he has 30 seconds to ask about Renteria.

 

Except it may take years to convince him Theriot isn't an everyday player.

[BigbadB]

Why would the Tigers want to give up their starting SS? Hendry missed this one and there is no second chance unless the Tigers completely fall apart.

 

Have you seen their bullpen? They will lose a lot of games late due to the lack of any quality relief. The one thing they can afford to part with is offense. Inge has been on the market all offseason and no one wants him. Teams need 3b's out there, but they aren't willing to spend talent and the contract money necessary to take on Inge or Crede. If Detroit wants relief help, it will cost them their SS, otherwise I'd tell them to keep looking. We could happily send them a SS back in exchange if that really left them without a SS.

 

Why would they trade their SS? Because when they traded for their SS, they did it before they knew they were getting Cabrera, Willis and Jacque Jones.

 

Had the Tigers traded for Cabrera and Willis first, they probably would have spent more effort improving the pen instead of trading Omar Infante for Jacque Jones and farm talent to Atlanta for Renteria. Renteria isn't a difference maker for this offense. They will score enough runs to win games with or without Renteria. Renteria cannot pitch the 7th, 8th or 9th inning, however, which very well could be Detroit's undoing.

[anabiono]

Why would the Tigers want to give up their starting SS? Hendry missed this one and there is no second chance unless the Tigers completely fall apart.

 

Have you seen their bullpen? They will lose a lot of games late due to the lack of any quality relief. The one thing they can afford to part with is offense. Inge has been on the market all offseason and no one wants him. Teams need 3b's out there, but they aren't willing to spend talent and the contract money necessary to take on Inge or Crede. If Detroit wants relief help, it will cost them their SS, otherwise I'd tell them to keep looking. We could happily send them a SS back in exchange if that really left them without a SS.

 

Why would they trade their SS? Because when they traded for their SS, they did it before they knew they were getting Cabrera, Willis and Jacque Jones.

 

Had the Tigers traded for Cabrera and Willis first, they probably would have spent more effort improving the pen instead of trading Omar Infante for Jacque Jones and farm talent to Atlanta for Renteria. Renteria isn't a difference maker for this offense. They will score enough runs to win games with or without Renteria. Renteria cannot pitch the 7th, 8th or 9th inning, however, which very well could be Detroit's undoing.

 

while i definitely agree with this post...i still would be shocked if they swapped renteria

[BigbadB]

If I had to guess, Detroit overspent their budget this offseason. They can't move Inge, so they may not have any money to spend to improve the pen.

 

Inge and Renteria appear to have comparable contracts.

[BigbadB]

Why would the Tigers want to give up their starting SS? Hendry missed this one and there is no second chance unless the Tigers completely fall apart.

 

Have you seen their bullpen? They will lose a lot of games late due to the lack of any quality relief. The one thing they can afford to part with is offense. Inge has been on the market all offseason and no one wants him. Teams need 3b's out there, but they aren't willing to spend talent and the contract money necessary to take on Inge or Crede. If Detroit wants relief help, it will cost them their SS, otherwise I'd tell them to keep looking. We could happily send them a SS back in exchange if that really left them without a SS.

 

Why would they trade their SS? Because when they traded for their SS, they did it before they knew they were getting Cabrera, Willis and Jacque Jones.

 

Had the Tigers traded for Cabrera and Willis first, they probably would have spent more effort improving the pen instead of trading Omar Infante for Jacque Jones and farm talent to Atlanta for Renteria. Renteria isn't a difference maker for this offense. They will score enough runs to win games with or without Renteria. Renteria cannot pitch the 7th, 8th or 9th inning, however, which very well could be Detroit's undoing.

 

while i definitely agree with this post...i still would be shocked if they swapped renteria

 

I'd be shocked too. But, that's the only player I would be talking to Detroit about if they want relief help. I'd rather go into the season with one of the best bullpens in baseball rather than a deeper bench and a weaker bullpen.

[CuseCubFan69]

Why would the Tigers want to give up their starting SS? Hendry missed this one and there is no second chance unless the Tigers completely fall apart.

 

Have you seen their bullpen? They will lose a lot of games late due to the lack of any quality relief. The one thing they can afford to part with is offense. Inge has been on the market all offseason and no one wants him. Teams need 3b's out there, but they aren't willing to spend talent and the contract money necessary to take on Inge or Crede. If Detroit wants relief help, it will cost them their SS, otherwise I'd tell them to keep looking. We could happily send them a SS back in exchange if that really left them without a SS.

 

Why would they trade their SS? Because when they traded for their SS, they did it before they knew they were getting Cabrera, Willis and Jacque Jones.

 

Had the Tigers traded for Cabrera and Willis first, they probably would have spent more effort improving the pen instead of trading Omar Infante for Jacque Jones and farm talent to Atlanta for Renteria. Renteria isn't a difference maker for this offense. They will score enough runs to win games with or without Renteria. Renteria cannot pitch the 7th, 8th or 9th inning, however, which very well could be Detroit's undoing.

 

I could see this as possibly being a bigger trade involving more than Renteria/Marmol but I'd be shocked if they dealt him. I see what you're saying and a Renteria + someone for Marmol/Theriot and a young arm might work for both teams.

[BigbadB]

I could see this as possibly being a bigger trade involving more than Renteria/Marmol but I'd be shocked if they dealt him. I see what you're saying and a Renteria + someone for Marmol/Theriot and a young arm might work for both teams.

 

Exactly. They contacted Hendry, not the other way around. If they want bullpen help, we can help them with that. If they need some salary relief to go along with bullpen help, we can help them with that as well. The salary relief allows them to spend even more to fix their pen. But, if Renteria is untouchable to Detroit, there's really nothing more to talk about. "Good luck, I hope you find the bullpen help you need from someone else."

[RammyFanny]

Not advocating the trade, but Inge's last 3 years versus lefties:

 

.370/.504/.458

 

for a .962 OPS.

[CuseCubFan69]

I could see this as possibly being a bigger trade involving more than Renteria/Marmol but I'd be shocked if they dealt him. I see what you're saying and a Renteria + someone for Marmol/Theriot and a young arm might work for both teams.

 

Exactly. They contacted Hendry, not the other way around. If they want bullpen help, we can help them with that. If they need some salary relief to go along with bullpen help, we can help them with that as well. The salary relief allows them to spend even more to fix their pen. But, if Renteria is untouchable to Detroit, there's really nothing more to talk about. "Good luck, I hope you find the bullpen help you need from someone else."

 

Darn....it's too bad the Cubs didn't have a talent like Perez to shop to the Tigers!

 

Hendry better hope Theriot plays as well as he thinks he's going too because leaning on Soto and possibly Pie as well worries me quite a bit.

[CuseCubFan69]

Not advocating the trade, but Inge's last 3 years versus lefties:

 

.370/.504/.458

 

for a .962 OPS.

 

Would Marquis work to rid the salary thing and the Tigers push another starter to the pen?