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[kalinecountry]

Tigers not interested in shortstop Yunel Escobar.
The Tigers have been looking at options for a potential defensive upgrade at shortstop. If they moved on one, they would almost surely trade Jhonny Peralta, who would be left without a position.

The Miami Marlins had two shortstops, both strong defensively, but no natural third baseman to start at the hot corner. They were entertaining offers for one of those shortstops, Yunel Escobar.

It sounds like a natural fit, but as headlines showed this past season, it's more complicated than that with Escobar. In any case, there was not a fit for the Tigers, who weren't among the teams talking with the Marlins on Escobar. According to multiple sources, the Tigers weren't interested.

On the field, Escobar has a strong case in what is considered a weak market for shortstops. The 30-year-old Cuban native has had a higher Wins Above Replacement total than top free agent Stephen Drew in five of his six Major League seasons, including each of the last two. His lowest game total in a season over the last five years is 133 in 2011.

Escobar is coming off his weakest offensive season in 2012, batting just .253 for the Blue Jays with nine home runs, 51 RBIs and a career-low .644 OPS. In general, though, he has been relatively consistent offensively with limited expectations.

He's under contract for $5 million next year, and he has a pair of $5 million club options after that.

It's off the field where Escobar's situation becomes complicated. He was suspended by the Blue Jays late this past season for a homophobic slur written onto his eye black, a move that has put a significant blemish on his reputation.

Toronto dealt Escobar to Miami in last month's megadeal that sent Mark Buehrle, Jose Reyes and others to the Jays. Almost immediately upon arrival as a Marlin, speculation arose as to where Miami could send him.

They found a partner in the Rays late Tuesday night, sending Escobar to their in-state rivals in exchange for Minor League infielder Derek Dietrich.

The Tigers, coincidentally, just parted ways with a player whose off-field issues made headlines in Delmon Young.
from the Tigers official site

 

[kalinecountry]

Tigers open to bringing in veteran backup catcher.
Tigers catcher Alex Avila has recently started his offseason workouts after a trying 2012 season that saw him miss time with various injuries, including aches and pains in his knees. Whether those aches and pains affect the way the Tigers address their catching depth remains to be seen.

The Tigers feel Bryan Holaday is ready to handle a backup job in the big leagues, but that doesn't mean he'll get that shot this coming season.

"We think he is ready to do that job," team president/general manager Dave Dombrowski said Tuesday, "but we're also in a spot where we're open-minded, too."

Avila spent November recuperating after the long season, which included brief bouts with tendinitis. One way the Tigers eased the wear and tear on him over the season's second half was to play veteran Gerald Laird slightly more often than a traditional backup. If they want to keep with that plan, they'll have to decide whether Holaday is a fit for that type of role.

Dombrowski hasn't eliminated the possibility of bringing in a veteran to provide some insurance as the backup catcher. Moreover, the Tigers have left a catching spot open at Triple-A Toledo alongside Brad Davis to stash an insurance catcher.

It might be someone more in the mold of past Tigers catchers like Omir Santos or Dane Sardinha. It most likely will not be a major signing.

It also will not be former All-Star catcher Victor Martinez, who is working his way back after missing all of last season recovering from knee surgery. The only field position Martinez might play, Dombrowski said, is first base on the rare day Prince Fielder isn't there. Team officials don't even plan on having Martinez put on catching gear early in Spring Training to catch side sessions.
from the Tigers official site

 

[kalinecountry]

http://mlbdirt.com/2012/12/05/2012-all-fantasy-team/
The 2012 All-Fantasy Team.
from mlbdirt

 

[kalinecountry]

http://beck.mlblogs.com/2012/12/05/winter-meetings-anything-going-on-shortstop-front/
Winter Meetings: Anything going on shortstop front?
from Jason Beck's Tigers blog

 

[kalinecountry]

http://www.blessyouboys.com/2012/12...ear-offers-detroit-tigers-mlb-winter-meetings
Winter meetings rumor mongering: Anibal Sanchez has multiple five-year offers.
from blessyouboystigersblog

http://www.mlive.com/tigers/index.ssf/2012/12/detroit_tigers_mystery_team_am.html
Anibal Sanchez has reportedly been offered multiple five-year deals.
from Mlive

 

[kalinecountry]

RT @mlb: Want the chance to win a @JustinVerlander signed ball? Bid now at our Groundskeeper Charity Auction: http://atmlb.com/VED1Hk

 

[kalinecountry]

http://motorcitybengals.com/2012/12/04/detroit-tigers-free-agent-target-matt-diaz/
Detroit Tigers Free Agent Target: Matt Diaz.
from mcb-tb

 

[kalinecountry]

http://motorcitybengals.com/2012/12/04/is-ex-tiger-edwin-jackson-drinking-invisible-juice/
Is Ex-Tiger Edwin Jackson Drinking Invisible Juice?
from mcb-tb

 

[kalinecountry]

http://beck.mlblogs.com/2012/12/05/lamont-bench-coach-move-was-mutual-decision/
Gene Lamont: Bench coach move was mutual decision.
from Jason Beck's Tigers blog

http://www.foxsportsdetroit.com/12/...anding_tigers.html?blockID=830899&feedID=3701
Putting Lamont on bench smart move by Tigers.
from DetroitFox

Steve Kornacki comes out and says what we have been for 3 years running.

 

[kalinecountry]

http://www.beyondtheboxscore.com/2012/12/5/3727806/drawing-aces
Drawing Aces.
from beyondtheboxscore

 

[kalinecountry]

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/are-league-wide-batting-orders-more-optimized/
Optimizing Batting Orders Across MLB.
from fangraphs

 

[kalinecountry]

http://www.fangraphs.com/not/index.php/assistant-hitting-coach/
(More) Assistant Hitting Coaches.
from fangraphs

 

[kalinecountry]

http://www.sbnation.com/longform/2012/12/5/3723012/make-up-game
Makeup Game.
from SBNation

Old friends, 1968 Tigers, and Leyland explosion.

 

[kalinecountry]

http://www.freep.com/article/201212...ter-meetings?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Detroit Tigers
Manager Jim Leyland addresses Tigers' closer situation at winter meetings.
from the freep

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/...ttee-Tigers-Jim-Leyland-would-rather-just-one
Closer-by-committee? Tigers' Jim Leyland would rather have just one.
from the detnews

 

[kalinecountry]

http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=25516995&topic_id=40205068&c_id=det
Late edition webvideo Leyland accepts Miggy's GIBBYs.
Tigers manager Jim Leyland accepts Miguel Cabrera's GIBBYs for MLB MVP and Hitter of the Year.
from the Tigers official site

 

[kalinecountry]

http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/news/...05&content_id=40543640&vkey=news_det&c_id=det
Jim Leyland remains refreshingly honest.
from the Tigers official site

 

[kalinecountry]

Andy Oliver traded to pirates for catcher Ramon Cabrera.

The Pirates have acquired minor league LHP Andrew Oliver from Detroit in exchange for minor league catcher Ramon Cabrera.

Ramon Cabrera is more Santiago than Miguel. Based on stats, seems like he has more offensive potential than Holaday. Don't know about Defense.
new Cabrera is from Venezuela. Caracas. He's 23.
DetroitTigerTales

Cabrera hit .276 .342 .367 .709 with 3 HR, 50 RBI, and 0 SB in 429 PA at AA last year. Tigers have to put him on the roster.
Cabrera is a switch hitter, was a mid season all star in 3 minor leagues. Signed in 2008, so needs protection from Rule 5 draft.
Tigerdog

Ramon Cabrera is not a candidate for Tigers backup catcher. He'll start out at Toledo or Erie, depending on whether Holaday makes team.
Jason Beck

http://www.mlive.com/tigers/index.ss...left-hand.html
Detroit Tigers trade left-hander Andy Oliver to Pittsburgh Pirates for catcher Ramon Cabrera.
from Mlive

http://www.blessyouboys.com/detroit-...-ramon-cabrera
Prospect Swap: Tigers Trade Andy Oliver to Pittsburgh for Ramon Cabrera.
from bybtb

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/2...-Ramon-Cabrera
Tigers send Andy Oliver to Pirates for minor league catcher Ramon Cabrera.
from the detnews

http://detroit.sbnation.com/tigers/2...-ramon-cabrera
Tigers trade Andy Oliver to Pirates for Ramon Cabrera.
from DetroitSBNation

http://beck.mlblogs.com/2012/12/05/t...ramon-cabrera/
Tigers trade Oliver to Pirates for Ramon Cabrera.
from Jason Beck's Tigers blog

http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/news/a...r_det&c_id=det
Tigers Acquire Ramon Cabrera from Pirates.
Press Release from the Tigers official site


found on twitter;
I heard Andy Oliver was so excited that he got traded to Pittsburgh, he couldn't control himself.

Ramon Cabrera takes Oliver's place on Tigers 40-man, protecting him in tomorrow's Rule 5 draft. Detroit now has 38, and could be drafting.
Pirates had excess C's on roster (4), Tigers had excess LHP with control issues on roster, so they swap...

http://www.detroittigertales.com/201....html?spref=tw
Tigers Acquire Catcher Ramon Cabrera from Pirates.
from DetroitTigerTalesblog

Mark Anderson of TigsTown tweeted that Cabrera will provide competition for Bryan Holaday in 2013. Jason Beck reports that he is not a candidate to back up next year. Which one is right? I suspect both may be right, because I still expect the Tigers to add an experienced major league receiver to be the primary backup.

http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/news/...05&content_id=40544562&vkey=news_det&c_id=det
Tigers acquire Ramon Cabrera, give Andy Oliver fresh start.
from the Tigers official site

http://marioimpemba.com/1/post/2012/12/tigers-trade-andy-oliver.html
Tigers trade Andy Oliver.
from Mario Impemba's Tigers blog

 

[kalinecountry]

http://www.mlive.com/tigers/index.ssf/2012/12/detroit_tigers_have_eye_one_at.html
Detroit Tigers have eye on at least one player they would pick if he is available in Rule 5 draft.
from Mlive

 

[kalinecountry]

http://www.mlive.com/tigers/index.ssf/2012/12/detroit_tigers_jim_leyland_wan_1.html
Detroit Tigers' Jim Leyland prefers to avoid closer-by-committee, will give Bruce Rondon a shot this spring.
from Mlive

 

[kalinecountry]

December 6 in Tigers and mlb history:

1939: In a trade of veteran shortstops - or "worn-out shortstops?" as one newspaper describes it - the Cubs acquire Billy Rogell from the Detroit Tigers for Dick Bartell. Rogell? who injured his arm playing handball the previous year? will hit just .136 before hanging up his spikes. The Tigers will release "Rowdy Richard" 5 games into the 1941 season? but he will stick with the Giants until 1946.

1952: The American League approves a 2-league waiver rule curbing inter-league trading after June 15th.

1952: At the Winter Meetings a new bonus rule is approved? replacing the one that was instituted in 1946 and repealed in 1950. This new rule sets the bonus limit at $4?000 or the player could be lost though the draft. This second bonus rule lasts until abolished in 1957.

1954 - The Tigers trade 1B Walt Dropo with P Ted Gray and OF Bob Nieman to the White Sox for 1B Ferris Fain and Jack Phillips.

1958 - The Senators give walking papers to 3B Eddie Yost? sending him to Detroit along with Rocky Bridges and OF Neil Chrisley. The Nats receive infielders Reno Bertoia and Ron Samford and OF Jim Delsing in exchange. The "Walking Man Yost" will lead the AL in OBP for the next two seasons.

1968 - William Eckert resigns as commissioner.

1990: Fifteen more players become "free look" free agents as part of the settlement of the most recent collusion case against the owners. It will also cost the clubs a whopping $280 million in damages.

2004 - Baseball officials report that they are closer to an agreement on a drug-testing program that will incorporate more tests? and stiffer penalties. Donald Fehr says he expects the plan to be in place by spring training.

Tigers players birthdays:

http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/wardga01.shtml
Gary Ward 1989-1990.

from baseball reference