Tigers after Astros OF?

[Lucifer]

This is from an SI article on 10 breakout players for 2007. One very interesting tidbit on the second page:

5. Luke Scott, 28, OF, Astros. Houston will need to find more at-bats for Scott, who hit 30 homers and drove in 100 runs between Round Rock and Houston last season. Scott should find himself at worst in a platoon situation in right field and, if the Tigers get their way in a trade, perhaps even a job in Detroit.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/tom_verducci/12/26/breakout/1.html

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/players/7521/

And he's a left-handed hitter.

[macedonian bengal]

The topic of the Tigers acquiring Luke Scott from the Astros has been kicked around here before, but it's interesting that this rumor hasn't died yet.
After the Astros traded Wily Tavares to Colorado for Jason Jennings, they said they weren't planning on trading any other outfielders.
Luke, however is exactly what the Tigers need in a lefty bat for the bench or platoon role. The Tigers have been trying to flip Marcus Thames to the Astros for Scott, or to Baltimore for OF Nick Markakis, both it seems Thames isn't enought to get it done. There's still a lot of time left between now and Spring Training so we'll see what happens.
BTW Lucifer, "I NEED MORE COWBELL!"

[Shaggy Ry]

To be fair it wasn't Thames for Markakis, but Monroe and reguardless I don't think Dombrowski would have made that offer with a straight face. During the winter meetings there was a Thames to Baltimore|Rodrigo Lopez to Houston|Luke Scott to Detroit three-way trade deal that was said to be close before Houston backed out possibly when Baltimore wouldn't pay some of Lopez' contract.

Houston seems to need Scott more than Detroit does, meaning they'd want more in return than we'd be willing to pay.

[DaYooperASBDT]

It would not be Scott for Thames straight up. Although could you imagine Thames in Houston, with that short porch in left field ?? Wowsa.

[Tyrus]

I like Thames, but he might be a good fit in Houston if we can get something equal in a trade. It would be nearer to his home state of Mississippi, and, as Yoop points out, he could do wicked damage to that short LF porch.

[Shaggy Ry]

Maybe his mother could finally see him play a game if he landed in Houston. I can't believe the Tiger organization never made arrangements to make it happen, even if it was just a regular season game on the road, so you could guarentee Thames would be in the line-up.

[monkeytargets37]

So lets say we picked Luke Scott up for Thames....

C-Pudge
1B-Casey/Shelton
2B-Polanco
SS-Guillen
3B-Inge
LF-Monroe/Scott
CF-Granderson
RF-Sheffield
DH-Ordonez

If Thames can, in fact, play 1st base, then I'd rather see us trade Monroe or Infante (unless we're actually going to use him in '07) instead. I think we'd be better off with Sheff, Grandy, Scott as our outfield, maggs as the DH, and then mixing that up occasionally letting Thames play 1B, RF and DH and getting 400+ ABs between all that.

Considering that Caseys career could end with one bad sneeze, and Shelton not being able to decide between greatness or suckitude....any guy that we have who is capable and willing to play 1st and who has the bat to justify that move should be of above average value to us right now.

Also, I do believe Thames' season was a bit of a fluke (at least the batting average before the all-star brewak), so if we can get a guy with a lot of potential who could help us out in more ways than one, I wouldnt be opposed to it....BUT....I also believe Craig Monroes value right now is as high as its gonna get. I wouldnt shed a tear at losing Monroe for a younger lefty bat since I've grown weary of Craigs slow starts, poor plate discipline, and mediocre defense....

[DaYooperASBDT]

Maybe his mother could finally see him play a game if he landed in Houston. I can't believe the Tiger organization never made arrangements to make it happen, even if it was just a regular season game on the road, so you could guarentee Thames would be in the line-up.

Couldn't he just fly her up to Detroit? Just asking as I know nothing about Mrs. Thames.

[DaYooperASBDT]

(snipped some stuff)

Considering that Caseys career could end with one bad sneeze, and Shelton not being able to decide between greatness or suckitude....any guy that we have who is capable and willing to play 1st and who has the bat to justify that move should be of above average value to us right now.

Also, I do believe Thames' season was a bit of a fluke (at least the batting average before the all-star brewak), so if we can get a guy with a lot of potential who could help us out in more ways than one, I wouldnt be opposed to it....BUT....I also believe Craig Monroes value right now is as high as its gonna get. I wouldnt shed a tear at losing Monroe for a younger lefty bat since I've grown weary of Craigs slow starts, poor plate discipline, and mediocre defense....

Down the road, I like Monroe for our "fourth OF", as he can play CF in a pinch. Hopefully Clevlen gets the "fourth OF" gig eventually.

Thames, as you suggest, is definitely at his peak trade value. I could still see him being moved sometime between now and August .....

As for Monroe, you could do much, much worse. Would like to see him lose some at-bats though, to a guy like Scott, or maybe Ryan Church. Ideally Monroe would be limited to 300 AB's or so.

[eastside billee]

I wouldn' t have a problem trading Thames and another player for Scott.
Thames is very very one dimensional. He's not a good outfielder. NObody knows if he can play first, and somehow I doubt it. He is not that good of a hitter, but has tons of power.

I'd give up Thames 10 times before I gave up Monroe.

[Shaggy Ry]

Couldn't he just fly her up to Detroit? Just asking as I know nothing about Mrs. Thames.

If I have my story right she was paralized from the neck down when Marcus was eight or so years old and as a result cannot fly and can only drive short distances due to the constant care she requires. I believe they told this story during the ALCS, saying that maybe she'd be able to get to a game in St. Louis if both teams met in the World Series, which would be the first time she ever saw him play as a professional.

Edit- Okay so my facts were a little off - click me (http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/22/sports/baseball/22thames.html?ex=1319169600&en=e2c73ed1ac3879c9&ei=5089&partner=rssyahoo&emc=rss) for the Thames NYTimes Story.