Tigers expected to look at Furcal
The Tigers have not yet had formal discussions with the agent for Rafael Furcal, who just filed for free agency this week, but they're expected to enter the mix for the speedy shortstop. How far they delve into the bidding should be telling for Detroit's approach this offseason. Team president/general manager Dave Dombrowski has said multiple times that they should have help coming at short from the farm system in 2010, whether it's Cale Iorg (who played at Class A Lakeland last year) or Danny Worth (who made it all the way to Triple-A Toledo in his first pro season).
When healthy, Furcal has the capability of an outstanding all-around shortstop, including a speed element Detroit would love to add. Injuries, however, have limited him to just 174 games over the last two seasons, including just 38 games and 164 plate appearances this year. If questions about his health limit him to a shorter-term deal with incentives, he could fit into the timeframe the Tigers seek.
A report in the San Diego Union-Tribune also linked the Tigers to interest in Padres shortstop Khalil Greene, whom San Diego could try to deal this offseason. He's due $6.5 million next year before becoming eligible for free agency next winter.
-- Jason Beck
When healthy, Furcal has the capability of an outstanding all-around shortstop, including a speed element Detroit would love to add. Injuries, however, have limited him to just 174 games over the last two seasons, including just 38 games and 164 plate appearances this year. If questions about his health limit him to a shorter-term deal with incentives, he could fit into the timeframe the Tigers seek.
A report in the San Diego Union-Tribune also linked the Tigers to interest in Padres shortstop Khalil Greene, whom San Diego could try to deal this offseason. He's due $6.5 million next year before becoming eligible for free agency next winter.
-- Jason Beck
Spend the money on pitching and play Brandon Douglas at SS. He is the spark and attitude they need to get back to the show!!!
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Rather see them sign Nick Punto. Played good defense on the Metrodome turf in Minnesota, and a pesky hitter to get out... has the grinder attitude and approach that the Tigers could use a little more of.
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Why not put Brandon Inge at SS? That was his original and college position. Put him at SS and Guillen back at third and get him out of the OF. I agree, use the $$ on pitching.
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Pitching Pitching Pitching, this league is all about pitching, if Tigers dont understand that now they never will. Big names obviously dont get you to the big show. A quality grind it out baseball team with consistent good pitching, Justin cant do it on his own. WE NEED MORE PITCHING!!
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The first mention of looking at anything else but pitching, Dombrowski and his bags, bye bye. Tigers CANNOT afford anymore frivolous trades or pick-ups. He has just done way to many. You give up a huge pitching prospect for a guy you were likley to only have for a year (Jurjeins for Renteria), and another plain old stupid trade was Infante for Jauque Jones. If Dombrowski cannot focus on what struggled the most in '08 he has to go. He has so many prospects in his minor league system, Furcal should not have even been mentioned.
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There are plenty of good candidates for starters in the rotation next year with Bonderman, Verlander, Garcia, Robertson, Gallaraga, Willis, and Porcello and the front end of the bullpen can be solid if not erratic with Rodney, Seay, and Zumaya, but where is the talk of a closer that's going to make the ninth inning irrelevant for Tigers' opponents. Furcal should absolutely not be a consideration for their roster that's already supposed to be an All-Star lineup.
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