2012-13 Offseason Discussion

[sagnam]

If I had my way they would have, in the immortal words of Benke, a FIRE SALE!!!

Honestly, I'm way too frustrated, disappointed, and even a bit embarrassed by this team to give any thoughts to next year. Right now I'm not thinking rationally and would like to see several players moved along simply for and entire career of postseason ineptitude.

[sabretooth]

Since the biggest disagreement seems to be over how much $$ to pay Sanchez, the bakcup C and the color of the visiting clubhouse, I offer something a little more provocative: any remote chance that they try to market Fielder, and if so, any chance that they can get someone to bite on the contract for something worthwhile?

[Jeff6851]

Since the biggest disagreement seems to be over how much $$ to pay Sanchez, the bakcup C and the color of the visiting clubhouse, I offer something a little more provocative: any remote chance that they try to market Fielder, and if so, any chance that they can get someone to bite on the contract for something worthwhile?

I doubt it and there's no way they trade him.

[TheCouga]

Don't look now, but Cody Ross appears to be a free agent this offseason!

[pyrotigers]

I wouldn't want to trade Fielder because that would leave the team with exactly (1) reliable offensive player going into next year. As bad as his postseason was he hit .313 .412 .528 in the regular season.

The Tigers need a lot more players who can get on base within 50 points of that. The last thing I want to do is get rid of the one guy getting it done.

[Jeff6851]

Don't look now, but Cody Ross appears to be a free agent this offseason!

I wouldn't mind kicking the tires. Give him a one year deal and he'll be the best player ever!

[RJBBREZ]

I, like many others, would like to see Sanchez re-signed is possible. Opens up trading Porcello for a corner OF position.

I am ready for them to move on from Peralta but I think he will be back because he is cheap.

If Garcia is good enough to play everyday thank keep him up, but i'd hate to see him in a platoon role. I think Dirks can play everyday if given a chance.

The bench must be improved bigtime. I wouldn't be against keeping Berry around as a late game sub. If Santiago doesn't show he can play in Spring Training let him walk. Kelly shouldn't be back either.

Obviously Valverde, DY, and Raburn will be gone.

With a few moves this team should easily be favored to win the Central again. Hopefully with a new manager.

[Shooter McGavin]

If you have ESPN Insider, Jim Bowden has an article about the Tigers and how to improve in the off-season.

While the Detroit Tigers and their fans are obviously feeling a bit blue Sunday night, they will soon come to realize that the 2012 season was a huge success. They won the AL Central, swept the New York Yankees in the American League Championship Series and appeared in the World Series.

His five steps:

1. Let Delmon walk, VMart will replace him.
2. Let Valverde walk, mentions the Tigers could go after Rafael Soriano or trade Porcello for help there
3. Retain Sanchez and Peralta
4. Make a play for Swisher (or Pagan as a cheaper option). Garcia in one corner, Swisher in the other, Dirks/Berry as the 4th and 5th
5. Give Leyland another year (go year-to-year with him)

How the Tigers can get even better - The GM's Office by Jim Bowden Blog - ESPN

[T&P_Fan]

So what are the options for a corner outfielder? Swisher gets on base.

[Yoda]

^^^ in that scenario Dirks would likely be the starter over Garcia.

I'm with everyone else, Garcia should not be wasted in a platoon role. Let him start in AAA and come up when he's ready to play full-time.

[Gehringer_2]

The bench must be improved bigtime.

I think this is a bigger issue than is usually recognized. We didn't have a single bench player make a significant contribution this yr. Laird maybe. That really puts a lot of pressure on the performance and health of everyone else.

DD has to revamp his approach as he has allowed our bench to get too old. Bench players need to be of two types and only two types: Younger (pre 'peak' or <28) marginal guys, who are at least not declining, or very good older guys who can no longer play full time- Visquel being the prototype for the 2nd class.

[Gehringer_2]

If you have ESPN Insider, Jim Bowden has an article about the Tigers and how to improve in the off-season.




5. Give Leyland another year (go year-to-year with him)

I guess bottom line is I'm tired of the drama with Leyland. His inability to cut bait on bad players, his refusal to pay attention to OBP at the two and 5 spots in his line-ups, going down with the ship with Valverde instead of recognizing and preparing for his ultimate implosion before it became a crisis in the playoffs, constantly trying to stretch more outs from clearly spent or ineffective pitchers than they have in them, the over-commitment to platoon match ups when the player removed is still better overall even against opposite hand pitchers. The overall balance has tipped for me.

[JustinCylander]

I guess bottom line is I'm tired of the drama with Leyland. His inability to cut bait on bad players, his refusal to pay attention to OBP at the two and 5 spots in his line-ups, going down with the ship with Valverde instead of recognizing and preparing for his ultimate implosion before it became a crisis in the playoffs, constantly trying to stretch more outs from clearly spent or ineffective pitchers than they have in them, the over-commitment to platoon match ups when the player removed is still better overall even against opposite hand pitchers. The overall balance has tipped for me.

Is that really Leyland's issue? He has to play the players he's given by DD. Yes, guys have sucked or struggled for us, but what else can Leyland do?

[Yoda]

Is that really Leyland's issue? He has to play the players he's given by DD. Yes, guys have sucked or struggled for us, but what else can Leyland do?

No, he doesn't have to play them, not nearly as much. And Jim absolutely has a lot of pull with the 25-man roster.

[John_Brian_K]

Holy over reaction batman! Leyland has been the skip for 7 years and we went the the WS twice in that time. Made the playoffs 4 times. I hope he comes back. Anyone that seriously thinks he 'costs us more games than he wins' does not watch enough of the other teams IMO. We were HUGE over achievers this year. I am one of the biggest slappies you will see, but I never expected a WS out of them this year....not seriously anyway. I hoped for it of course, but I didn't rationally think they would make it.

Getting there and getting blown out sucked, but I was still glad they were there.

As far as other changes....

I would like to see them get a little more speed so guys can go first to thirrrd next year. There were dozens of times this past year where I just assumed a guy would be standing on thiird after a hit to RH and they pan in to show someone at 2nd. Frustrating.

Maybe that guy comes from the outfield position or maybe someone new at SS. I would not terribly mind Peralta coming back at the right price and I am not sure who is available at SS next year.

Thanks for the memories Delmon, you were one of our best hitters in the playoffs, but you do have to go.

Hopefully they re sign Sanchez and release Valverde. Where does that leave the #5 starter? Porcello? Smyly? Some trade? I have no idea, but I like our top 3 and would love our top 4 if Anibal comes back.

I have always liked Coke in the pen and Al Al even though he was barely used in the playoffs I like him as well. Dotel, Benoit also.

I like Infante at 2nd. Obviously nothing is changing at first or thiiird. I would love to have Laird back as a back up...unless they go out and sign a GREAT offensive catcher to make Avila the back up, but I think Avila will bounce back next year. He has a great eye at the plate IMO and just needs to harness some of that power.

AJ will be the main stay at center for awhile IMO and I like Dirks in the outfield as well.

How many pieces are we away from being better? Kind of hard to be better than making the WS IMO, but we need to try of course. Martinez coming back (as long as he plays to his career norms) will be HUGE IMO....almost like a free agent signing really.

Having another guy to hit 20+ HR's would be nice as well.

So in recap I guess I would not mind a new SS and another OF, maybe a new closer (or just another bullpen guy and do it my committee), but I would love to see a little more speed on the team.

[RatkoVarda]

To me, SS is the key. I assume they pick up Peralta's option, but then try to trade him. I assume they don't have the pieces to get Andrus (I would not trade Max, but DD might), but Elvis would be the best player to get for this team long and short term. I could see them going with a Brendan Ryan-type if they do this:

Resign Sanchez
Trade Porcello for Dexter Fowler
Sign Hunter (whose son just committed to play WR at Notre Dame)
Keep Garcia and Castellanos at Toledo for at least 3 months
and because DD cannot stop himself, sign Affeldt for 3/$15

Jackson (R), Fowler (S), Cabrera (R), Fielder (L), Martinez (S), Hunter (R), Avila (L), Infante (R), Defensive SS
Dirks, Laird or another RH C, Worth, one more from Toledo
Verlander-Sanchez-Fister-Scherzer-Smyly
Benoit, Dotel, AA, Villareal, Coke, Affedlt, one more from Toledo

[Euphdude]

I think DD's biggest challenge this off-season is building depth. The Tigers are a very top heavy team, and it showed during the season.

[Nolan]

Is there money to sign Sanchez? I imagine he will be demanding some pretty big dollars.

[djhutch]

Might as well have the list of FA on here if we're gonna talk about it.

A less than stellar group, with a few stars in there that will break the bank. No point in spending money on a guy like Josh Hamilton, but if you don't believe Garcia is ready I would take a flyer on a guy like Johnny Gomes for a year. Or see about signing BJ Upton & putting him in RF (If the price is right, which it probably won't be)

I think we have to replace Peralta & get someone with better range.

If we don't re-sign Sanchez, I'd be okay with a guy like Kuroda. Don't break the bank on RP.

I'd also re-sign Laird.

Link

SP
Scott Baker, MIN *
Erik Bedard, PIT
Joe Blanton, LAD
Bartolo Colon, OAK
Aaron Cook, BOS
Kevin Correia, PIT
Jorge De La Rosa, COL *
Ryan Dempster, TEX
R.A. Dickey, NYM *
Scott Feldman, TEX *
Gavin Floyd, CWS *
Jeff Francis, COL
Freddy Garcia, NYY
Zack Greinke, LAA
Jeremy Guthrie, KC
Rich Harden, OAK
Dan Haren, LAA *
Roberto Hernandez, CLE *
Edwin Jackson, WAS
Hiroki Kuroda, NYY
Francisco Liriano, CWS
Kyle Lohse, STL
Derek Lowe, NYY
Paul Maholm, ATL *
Shaun Marcum, MIL
Jason Marquis, SD
Daisuke Matsuzaka, BOS
Brandon McCarthy, OAK
Kevin Millwood, SEA
Roy Oswalt, TEX
Carl Pavano, MIN
Jake Peavy, CWS *
Anibal Sanchez, DET
Jonathan Sanchez, COL
Ervin Santana, LAA *
Joe Saunders, BAL
James Shields, TB *
Carlos Villanueva, TOR
Chien-Ming Wang, WAS
Kip Wells, SD
Randy Wolf, BAL
Chris Young, NYM
Carlos Zambrano, MIA

RP
David Aardsma, NYY
Jeremy Accardo, OAK
Mike Adams, TEX
Jeremy Affeldt, SF
Luis Ayala, BAL
Grant Balfour, OAK *
Miguel Batista, ATL
Matt Belisle, COL
Rafael Betancourt, COL *
Jonathan Broxton, CIN
Taylor Buchholz, NYM
Sean Burnett, WAS *
Tim Byrdak, NYM
Shawn Camp, CHC
Matt Capps, MIN *
D.J. Carrasco, ATL
Randy Choate, LAD
Todd Coffey, LAD *
Jose Contreras, PHI *
Francisco Cordero, HOU
Juan Cruz, PIT
Octavio Dotel, DET
Chad Durbin, ATL
Kyle Farnsworth, TB
Pedro Feliciano, NYY *
Jason Frasor, TOR
Brian Fuentes, STL *
Mike Gonzalez, WAS
Sean Green, TEX
Kevin Gregg, BAL *
Jason Grilli, PIT
LaTroy Hawkins, LAA
Clay Hensley, SF
Livan Hernandez, MIL
J.P. Howell, TB
Hong-Chih Kuo, CHC
Bobby Jenks, BOS
Brandon League, LAD
Brad Lidge, WAS
Matt Lindstrom, ARI *
Mark Lowe, TEX
Brandon Lyon, TOR
Ryan Madson, CIN
Guillermo Mota, SF
Peter Moylan, ATL
Brett Myers, CWS *
Pat Neshek, OAK
Will Ohman, CIN
Darren Oliver, TOR *
Juan Oviedo (Leo Nunez), MIA
Vicente Padilla, BOS
Brad Penny, SF
Joel Peralta, TB
J.J. Putz, ARI *
Chad Qualls, PIT
Ramon Ramirez, NYM
Jon Rauch, NYM
Francisco Rodriguez, MIL
Mariano Rivera, NYY
Fernando Rodney, TB
J.C. Romero, BAL
Takashi Saito, ARI
Joakim Soria, KC *
Rafael Soriano, NYY *
Hisanori Takahashi, PIT
Robinson Tejeda, CLE
Jose Valverde, DET
Jamey Wright, LAD

C
Rod Barajas, PIT *
Henry Blanco, ARI *
Koyie Hill, TEX
Gerald Laird, DET
Russell Martin, NYY
Brian McCann, ATL *
Jose Molina, TB *
Mike Napoli, TEX
Wil Nieves, ARI
Miguel Olivo, SEA *
Ronny Paulino, BAL
A.J. Pierzynski, CWS
Humberto Quintero, MIL
David Ross, ATL
Carlos Ruiz, PHI *
Brian Schneider, PHI
Kelly Shoppach, NYM
Chris Snyder, HOU *
Yorvit Torrealba, MIL
Matt Treanor, MIL *

2B
Jeff Baker, ATL
Robinson Cano, NYY *
Mike Fontenot PHI
Orlando Hudson CWS *
Maicer Izturis, LAA
Kelly Johnson TOR
Adam Kennedy, LAD
Jeff Keppinger, TB
Jose Lopez, CWS
Freddy Sanchez, SF
Ryan Theriot, SF

SS
Jason Bartlett, SD
Yuniesky Betancourt, KC
Ronny Cedeno, NYM
Stephen Drew, OAK *
Alex Gonzalez, MIL *
Cesar Izturis, WAS
Jhonny Peralta, DET *
Luis Rodriguez, SEA
Marco Scutaro, SF

OF
Bobby Abreu, LAD
Alfredo Amezaga, CHC
Rick Ankiel, WAS
Michael Bourn, ATL
Marlon Byrd, BOS
Melky Cabrera, SF
Johnny Damon, CLE
Matt Diaz, ATL
Kosuke Fukudome, NYY
Jonny Gomes, OAK
Curtis Granderson, NYY *
Scott Hairston, NYM
Josh Hamilton, TEX
Torii Hunter, LAA
Raul Ibanez, NYY
Reed Johnson, ATL
Andruw Jones, NYY
Ryan Ludwick, CIN *
Hideki Matsui, TB
Xavier Nady, SF
Angel Pagan, SF
Juan Pierre, PHI
Juan Rivera, LAD *
Cody Ross, BOS
Luke Scott, TB *
Grady Sizemore, CLE
Ryan Spilborghs, TEX
Ichiro Suzuki, NYY
Nick Swisher, NYY
B.J. Upton, TB
Shane Victorino, LAD
Reggie Willits, LAA
Delmon Young, DET

[djhutch]

The decisions start with Leyland.

[lordstanley]

I'd be very surprised if we got Sanchez. If he wasn't already on the team, would people feel signing a free agent starter to pretty big money to be our most pressing need? And if he weren't already on the team, would Sanchez choose to sign with the Tigers over the 15 other teams that will be interested in him?

[theroundsquare]

I really like the idea of trading for Josh Rutledge from Colorado. He is blocked by Tulowitzki (sp?) and maybe Colorado would want to market him. I don't know what they'd want or need (everything?), or whether the Tigers have the goods to bring him back short of trading Castellanos, which would be a bad idea. But if the Tigers are going to continue to play Cabrera at 3B, they need a rangy SS.

[DET Mr Malefic]

I'd rather the Tigers go after Soria than Soriano. Soria is coming off of an injury but he was better than Soriano when healthy, he's four years younger, and most importantly I think the injury will make him a cheaper option. I'm not certain that the Tigers aren't well positioned with in-house options to replace Valverde, nor do I believe much in throwing money at closers, but if the Tigers are going to do it I'd rather do it for Soria. Soriano is going to want a multi-year deal of the variety that will lead to us watching the Valverde movie all over again by the end of it undoubtedly.

[ballmich]

Maybe someone to replace Santiago but that's about it.

Santiago is coming off a poor season, but he's under contract for 2013 at $2.1 million. Unlikely that they eat that in my opinion. But the bright side is that with Infante also under contract for 2013, it likely means that Santiago's role is greatly diminished next season.

[ballmich]

I really like the idea of trading for Josh Rutledge from Colorado. He is blocked by Tulowitzki (sp?) and maybe Colorado would want to market him.

Tulo is oft-injured, so I doubt they are looking to trade their SS depth.

[john doe]

I guess bottom line is I'm tired of the drama with Leyland. His inability to cut bait on bad players, his refusal to pay attention to OBP at the two and 5 spots in his line-ups, going down with the ship with Valverde instead of recognizing and preparing for his ultimate implosion before it became a crisis in the playoffs, constantly trying to stretch more outs from clearly spent or ineffective pitchers than they have in them, the over-commitment to platoon match ups when the player removed is still better overall even against opposite hand pitchers. The overall balance has tipped for me.

Very concise and accurate post. +1. The Tigers "success" has been in spite of the above stated weaknesses.

[Jeff6851]

I really like the idea of trading for Josh Rutledge from Colorado. He is blocked by Tulowitzki (sp?) and maybe Colorado would want to market him. I don't know what they'd want or need (everything?), or whether the Tigers have the goods to bring him back short of trading Castellanos, which would be a bad idea. But if the Tigers are going to continue to play Cabrera at 3B, they need a rangy SS.

When organizations ranked their top 20 prospects earlier this year he was not on the list e is not highly touted

Also, anyone wanna discuss a Torri Hunter deal with incentives?

[ballmich]

I think the off season evolves around re-signing Sanchez. Probably everything else will be dictated by what happens with him. We need 1-2 bullpen parts, but I don't expect us to break the bank on that. We need some corner OF coverage, I think we might see another platoon type RHB signed for that role. We can accumulate the right parts to platoon both corner OF spots, if Leyland desires that.

I think you need 6 SP's in today's game, so I believe we (try to) re-sign Sanchez, and keep Porcello/Smyly. Smyly can start at Toledo, or pitch out of the pen to begin with. If you were to trade Porcello, there is minimal SP depth at AA/AAA in case of an injury. You are talking Wilk, Crosby or Below -- with nothing legitmate behind that.

[Jeff6851]

As for manager, I love Leyland.
Managers don't have anything to do with wins or losses, maybe three in a season at most for some teams.

But look at Terry Francona. He was not fired because the Red Sox choked, he was fired because he couldn't keep his team under control. Leyland is excellent at that and there are never any big clubhouse problems. Cabrera has a very embarrassing arrest, the team is there for him. Delmon is racist when drunk? No one hates in him. No one throws anyone under the bus, they win and lose as a team, when one fails the others just try to pick him up.

[Jeff6851]

I think the off season evolves around re-signing Sanchez. Probably everything else will be dictated by what happens with him. We need 1-2 bullpen parts, but I don't expect us to break the bank on that. We need some corner OF coverage, I think we might see another platoon type RHB signed for that role. We can accumulate the right parts to platoon both corner OF spots, if Leyland desires that.

I think you need 6 SP's in today's game, so I believe we (try to) re-sign Sanchez, and keep Porcello/Smyly. Smyly can start at Toledo, or pitch out of the pen to begin with. If you were to trade Porcello, there is minimal SP depth at AA/AAA in case of an injury. You are talking Wilk, Crosby or Below -- with nothing legitmate behind that.

When you have the top 4 that you have I don't care if one of them has to be #5

[ballmich]

When you have the top 4 that you have I don't care if one of them has to be #5

I do. One of the biggest competitive advantages a team can gain (and at a reasonable cost) is on the discrepancy between #5 SP's league-wide. It's really quite important.

[Vonlenska]

Someone on mlbtraderumors just said he'd be "happy if none of those return" and the list consisted of Valverde, Leyland and Sanchez.

..lol

[tater6]

Is that really Leyland's issue? He has to play the players he's given by DD. Yes, guys have sucked or struggled for us, but what else can Leyland do?

Yes I believe it is a Leyland issue. I believe DD brings in or keeps players that Leyland wants not the other way around. Leyland is already talking about how good a season Peralta had. If Leyland is back, so is Peralta.

Overall the pitching is in good shape with or without Sanchez. Signing Sanchez gives them the flexibility to make a trade using Porcello or Sherzer. With Valverde gone, Benoit becomes the weak link. They need to improve SS, C and one OF with someone not named Swisher. Did anyone see how bad Swisher is in the OF? The bench also needs a big improvement. Part of the could come from having guys like Avila, Berry or Dirks there if they are not part of a trade package. I don't think Garcia is quite ready for the bigs just yet but he's not far from it.

[will the thrill]

anyone think Porcello could close? Give the kid a chance to throw hard again (assuming he still can) and if the trade market isn't good on him, he could be Derek Lowe type productive as a closer. Lowe's first coupld of years out of the pen were pretty impressive and he was throwing 100+ innings a year.

Re-Sign Sanchez and turn Porcello loose in the pen where he's not worried about pitch count and thinking past the first time through the lineup where his OPS in a players 1st at bat in his career is .651 vs .769 overall

[Nastradamus]

I wouldn't mind looking at a SS, whether Rutledge, one of the guys out of Cincinatti, Yunel Escobar, JJ Hardy or someone else. However, I am not near as against bringing Peralta back as some. I think his D is underrated and his O is pretty solid for the most part. He finsihed under a 700 OPS, but his 400 something September really sunk the average and paints an inaccurate pitcher. Something was clearly off with him and he seemed to have righted it by the playoffs. He was a mid 700s guy from May through August.

People overrate what Porcello is going to bring back and I don't think signing Sanchez is realistic. The one caveat to that is, Illitch may just keep firing money at the problem until we get one. We got so close and he wants one soon.

I'm excited about Garcia and Castellanos, but they aren't quite ready and you don't bring them up to use as platoon guys.

We need an OF or 2 who can get on base and play D. However, we just as badly need guys who can hit lefties. That is the one area dumping Delmon(and I am not saying we shouldn't, we definitely have to) hurts us in. Hopefully we sign a guy like Shoppach and I'm still in favor of looking at Soriano for LF. Other than that, get a lefty batting practice pitcher I guess!

I wouldn't add anything to the bullpen. Hopefully Coke can be something between his regular seaosn performance and his postseason performance. I like Downs as a second lefty and we have good depth with Villareal,Dotel(easy pick up on the option),Benoit(I still believe in him, the stuff is there),AA,Marte and Rondon. I don't even hate Putkonen like others do. I think he has potential.

[Nastradamus]

When organizations ranked their top 20 prospects earlier this year he was not on the list e is not highly touted

Also, anyone wanna discuss a Torri Hunter deal with incentives?

I would imagine he's out of our price range, especially if we keep Sanchez. I like him though.

I'd probably let Sanchez walk and look into signing a gamble type as a 5th/6th starter. Dice K, Jorge De la Rosa,Pavano,Oswalt or someone of the like.

[will the thrill]

I think the Sanchez resigning is easy, throw Delmon and Valverde's money at him and it should get it done. Illitch isn't worried about an extra 20 million a year at this stage in life, his kids will do just fine with what he leaves them

[chasfh]

First of all, there's only one way Dombrowski and Leyland are shitcanned for the crime of taking the team to the ALCS twice in a row and to the World Series this year only to lose, and that is Mike Ilitch. I don't see Mike Ilitch firing them. So they are both coming back.

My basic thoughts are this:

• The Tigers might be willing to meet Sanchez's price, which I am guessing is 5/70 at minimum, but I don't think Sanchez really wants to come back, so I think discussions with him are going to be short. Either he's in or out. We'll know by the first college football bowl game.
• Peralta's option gets picked up because he is easily a $6 million man. Advanced defensive metrics show his fielding has improved each of the last two years, plus he had high profile offensive and defensive accomplishments in the postseason. The Tigers like him. He's back.
• Santiago stays because of the perception of his versatility plus his guaranteed $2.1MM for 13. I know he's terrible, but I think the Tigers will perceive he has sufficient value to retain. (I'm a little wobbly on this prediction because he played hardly at all in the Series.)
• Laird remains the caddy for Avila because he had a decent year and he'll be cheap for a one year deal ~$1.5MM.
• Garcia will be given a chance to win the RF job in spring, and will be sent down to play every day if he doesn't.
• Infante heals and is back starting at 2B.
• We explore an OF option who can play our big LF. I don't know who that might be, but they might take a shot at Melky Cabrera, who will probably be mighty cheap. If they fail to get someone they really like, they will give Castellanos a chance to win the job out of spring training, and if not plug in Dirks.
• They will explore trades involving either Porcello or Smyly, but not both, for LF help or bench depth. They will give long looks to Andy Oliver, Casey Crosby and Duane Below for #5, although it's entirely possible none of them will win it.
• A spot on the roster will be Bruce Rondon's to lose.
• Don Kelly stays on the team as 25th man.
• Gone: Valverde, Raburn, Boesch, Young, Berry.

Wild card possibility: Delmon Young gets re-signed for 1 year/$7MM for FT LF.

[chasfh]

When organizations ranked their top 20 prospects earlier this year he was not on the list e is not highly touted

Also, anyone wanna discuss a Torri Hunter deal with incentives?

I think Torii will be kind of expensive even given his age (37), because his BABIP of .389 helped him to a better offensive season than he is likely to reproduce. He can still cover LF though.

[TheCouga]

I wouldn't be surprised if Sanchez commanded around $12MM/year. With Scherzer and Fister set to earn more through arbitration, I'd rather go with the cheaper Porcello/Smyly.

As people continually forget on here, Porcello is still very young, and has been improving, albeit slightly, every year. I also think Smyly is good enough to be a #4 starter next year. This team's salary structure is already top-heavy enough with Cabrera, Fielder, Verlander and Martinez signed for at least two more years.

There are plenty of much bigger holes where I would rather spend that money, especially middle-infielder. Peralta and Infante could be easily upgraded, and both are gone after 2013. And we have no MI prospects. So we need two long-term solutions at MI, and two short-term solutions at corner OF (biding time for Garcia and Castellanos). We also need a better bench and a closer. Only until those holes are filled would I fork over the kind of dough Sanchez will be looking for.