Loose End Rumors

It's been a while since I have posted. So I will sort out the news by Team.

Atlanta Braves-

First was the bad news that Mike Hampton again has falling to an injury while trying to make a comeback from 3 injury plagued seasons. While pitching in the first inning in the Mexican Winter League he apparently put a strain on his hamstring and thus stopped his comeback and will be shelved until pitchers report in January. Hampton entering his final year in a $121 million contract. As the braves see it now and as do i, they don't expect him to be in the rotation this year. This in fact now limits it down to two individuals for the 5th spot: Jair Jurrjens and Jo-Jo- Reyes. I hope Mike can make a recovery but I highly doubt he can come back. Good luck to Mike with his new team next year or with what ever new endeavors he pursues.

On to the rumor mill, A report with the Boston Herald, says the Braves are interested in a 4th outfielder. They named Bobby Kielty as this outfielder. Bobby coming off a injury year also hit the final homerun of the World Series and was a hero as the Sox won that game 4-3. Kielty's move should stem on the fact if the Sox gain Santana for Crisp, and or Ellesbury and other players. He thinks that his fate in the BoSox organization is if Crisp is there or not and then he'll make that decision. Kielty would make a good addition to the Braves but the thing is we already have platoon in LF with Jones/Diaz. But If we are making a trade move for Crisp we might have to move Diaz and or Jones, I believe that It would be a nice package to send Diaz/Jones/and a Pitching prospect to Boston for the combo of Bobby Kielty and Coco Crisp. That way LF and CF are set and CF is easily a stopgap.

Ron Mahay, is still being considered by the Braves but with the Yankees and Mets involved it looks like the bidding could keep the Braves out of the negotiations. Ron Mahay with the Braves went 1-0 with a 2.25 ERA with 23 Ks and 16 BB in 60 innings. Mahay would be a welcome sight back in Atlanta but with bidding for RP FA it probably wont happen. I predict a 2 yrs/$12 million contract for Mahay with the NYY.

Detroit Tigers-

Well It looks like good old Kenny isn't totally ready to accept the $8 million deal with the Tigers just yet. We are still waiting on Kenny Rogers to negotiate a deal with DD before the Winter Meetings. Kenny says he needs time to get situated as his own free agent. I think he still wants a one year $10 million contract. Kenny needs to cool down after his injury plagued season last year, he should take that $8 million easily maybe negotiate for incentives, and maybe he is doing that now but I don't know. We need Kenny for a year and we also need his leadership for the younger kids.

As for our new reliever corp, It looks like we lost out on the Herges sweepstakes as the Rox have signed him for a year. We are now going for LaTroy Hawkins for a multi year deal. I'm not sure about this deal. Sure Hawkins had a phenomenal post season and a decent 2-5 3.42 ERA this season but still a 34 year old getting a multi year contract who is already possible on the decline(especially strikeouts 1.8 Ks/9 innings) is not a very wise. Did we not learn from the Mesa disaster from last year. LaTroy for one year would be very valuable but two or more years, I'm not to sure about that. Guess we shall see.

Apparently the Interest in Octavio Dotel has cooled since Dotel seems to be wanting $12 million two year contract. Dotel's health risk and not reaching the 100 game plateau combined the last three seasons, do not meet the ends. Dotel would still be a good risk for us, but a one year deal worth less then $5 million would not spark an interest with the injury plagued Dotel.

Finally for both the Braves and the Tigers interest in Kei Igawa, is there. Why the Braves are interested is possible to replace the now injured Mike Hampton, The Tigers may want him for depth in case Miller falters or actually for the 5th spot for the rotation. Other then that the Braves are set for their rotation and Dave Dombrowski has said once Rogers is signed they will not pursue a SP.

That is it for now.

Tigers pitching worries?

Well last night I was keeping an eye on the hot stove for the Tigers since getting the news that Rogers and Boras declined two Detroit offers according to the Detroit News. This is getting interesting. With the reported offer that Rogers was given indicated that it was $9-11 million offer for one year with incentives. This base salary is waaaaaay to much even for Rogers and his awesome 2006 season. Bilfer at DetroitTigersWeblog gives a detail description of how much Rogers is worth for another season. He indicates that it should be around $10 million. I still think that is too much but with added incentives he is worth the $11 million. Rogers is getting way old and to pay for a pitcher $10 million when he just came off of a injury plagued season, is just ridiculous. Dave Dombrowski needs to start seriously look at signing Silva or Jennings or try for a trade for say a Willis or a Derek Lowe. I will explain what signing those FA or Trades will do to us.

Our rotation must be fixed and soon. If Rogers signed elsewhere, we must sign Silva, or Lohse.

Kyle Lohse- In 2006 after being traded to Philly, Lohse had a great final two months with plenty run support and controlling his pitches. Lohse's numbers for 2006 A)4.58 ERA, 16 HR allowed, and 6-12 record. His Philly stats indicated a much better pitcher with a lineup with run support, 4.72 ERA, 6 HR allowed and 3-0 record. With both Great American Ballpark and Citizens Bank Ballpark being HR parks, I believe Lohse coming here(to Comerica) would be an added bonus and with the run support, he will be a winning pitcher and possibly a great surprise. The cost will be high.

Carlos Silva- He is another high cost FA pitcher. Though he is younger then Lohse, I'm not sure he would be better. His 2006 stats show a very .500 pitcher at best. He had a 13-14 record, with a 4.19 ERA, and only 89Ks. Even so, he would be a average #4 or 5 spot rotation. If we cant pick up Rogers or Lohse then Silva would be the guy.

Andrew Miller- I mean I'm not a Miller hater, but I don’t want Miller in the rotation because he is still I believe a year out from being a major leaguer. We need an established major league pitcher like Rogers and Lohse to round out the rotation this year and then bring in Miller next year. Sign Lohse/Silva to a 4 year deal worth $50 Million. And that will give us a strong rotation til Porcello comes in.

‘08 Rotation

1. Bonderman
2. Rogers?
3. Verlander
4. Silva/Lohse
5. Robertson

‘09 Rotation

1.Bonderman
2.Verlander
3.Silva/Lohse
4.Robertson/Miller
5.Miller/Porcello

‘10 Rotation

1. Verlander
2. Bonderman
3. Miller
4. Silva/Lohse
5. Porcello

Brian Fuentes- For relief, I still like the idea of bringing in Brian Fuentes. He a established reliever and a possible closer type candidate if Jones were to get injured. Brian helped the Rockies in the 7th and 8th innings in the playoffs and was pretty solid. His ‘07 stats are compelling with an 3.08 ERA, with 56Ks in 61.1 innings. His career stats aren't that different with an 3.53 ERA, 398Ks in 359.1 innings pitched. He would do us a favor and would be great in the backup/setup role. He would come as a huge cost coming off of a great year, so not sure how much DD would pay to get him.

Octavio Dotel- From what I heard from MLB.com Hot Stove, the Tigers are in contact with Octavio Dotel's agent. He still have some nasty stuff with his delivery. The only thing that makes me skeptical is the injuries he has had last season and seasons past. Dotel however, if proven healthy would make a fine back up closer and setup man for the Tigers bullpen, and with his injury woes he should come cheap.

I think that looks good, though the cost of Silva and/or Lohse might be too high for The Tigers but they would look good and be good in the old English D.