| Donald Ellsworth. 29th July, 2005 - 11:49 pm
 After the All-star break, Tigers President Dave Dombrowski said that he would let outcome of the upcoming series with division rival Royals, White Sox, and Twins decide whether or not the Tigers will be buyers or sellers come this July 31 trade deadline. In this span the Tigers went 7-5 in that twelve game period and current stand at 49-49 record going into tonight’s game against the lackluster Mariners. The Tigers showed with this AL Central stretch that they can compete within their division and make a legit run at the wild card which they are currently only four games back of the Twins. The question we are left to ask is whether with the non-waiver trade deadline coming up can Dombrowski improve this team to make them a contender or will he build for next season?
The biggest need though the Tigers need to address in the immediate future is acquiring a left handed bat. At the beginning of the season, the Tigers were hoping that Carlos Pena would be that guy. Unfortunately after sub-par play by Pena and remarkable play by right handed first baseman Chris Shelton after an early season call-up, we see Pena at Triple A (struggling might I add) and Shelton hitting over .366 with 9 home runs and 33 runs batted in at the major league level this year. He has been one of the surprises of the season along with the emergence of thirteen game winner Jeremy Bonderman.
With Pena not an opinion, some of the names on the market that are on teams out of contention that the Tigers could acquire are: Raul Ibanez of the Mariners, Adam Dunn and Ken Griffey Junior of the Reds, Lyle Overbay of the Brewers, Aubrey Huff of the Devil Rays, Todd Helton of the Rockies and Matt Lawton of the Pirates. The market is going to become very thin very quickly for the Tigers in this regard in the up and coming week. The best and most practical for solution for Mr. Dombrowski would be to make a play for outfielder Adam Dunn.
Adam Dunn is currently hitting .248 with 28 home runs and 63 RBI in 99 games played. He could easily take advantage of that short porch in right field. The Reds realistically know that they will not be able to contend for anything this season and are looking to build for preverbal future, IE not this season. They are currently 21.5 games back of the division leading St. Louis Cardinals.
The Reds already have a loaded outfield with Dunn, Ken Griffey Junior, Willy Mo Pena, and Austin Kearns. Pena and Kerns are 23 and 25 respectively. Despite their struggles, one would believe that they are the future at the corner spots for the Reds. Dunn would fit in this Tigers roster in either the fourth or fifth spot depending on where Manager Alan Trammell sees fit to have him batting. Outfielders Nook Logan and Rondell White currently are unable to play the field due to shoulder injuries. That leaves it down to two healthy outfielders in Magglio Ordonez and Craig Monroe. This now has forced injured Dmitri Young to left because of injuries to the other two outfielders. We may even see Brandon Inge play some outfield if Young is unable to play the outfield effectively. Brandon Inge did play all three outfield spots last year for the Tigers. As you see the Tigers have set themselves up to make room for a player of Dunn’s capability.
With the addition Adam Dunn, this would also let the Tigers look to move White who is all but gone next year when one factors in his age and that he is in his final year of his current deal. Then add the surprise play of youngsters such as Craig Monroe and Nook Logan, White could become a good trade piece for bull-pen help if the pen starts to flame out. With current closer Kyle Farnsworth looking at a six game suspension and Troy Percival out for the year with a possible career ending injury, White could be dealt for bull-pen help. A team definitely interested in White would be Baltimore who are looking for a right handed bat now after the former Tiger farm system product Phil Nevin vetoed a deal to the O’s. Rondell could essentially step in the middle of that line-up at the DH spot. Would Baltimore’s mouth not water at the chance to acquire White after losing out on Mr. Nevin? Other teams rumored to be interested in Rondell White are the Cardinals, the Braves and the Angels. All are in need of a right handed bat.
There are two snags though that would prevent the Tigers from acquiring Dunn, his contract and the Tigers ability to get the Reds to move him despite all the rumors of his availability. Dunn’s contract in which he makes $4,600,000 expires at the end of the season. When one thinks of what the Reds would be asking for in return, most likely starting pitching or pitching prospects, one would assume Dombrowski would want to have a contract extension in place if a play was made for him. Rumor has it that the Reds want a starting pitcher back in a deal for Dunn. The Tigers realistically could deal left-handed starter Wilfredo Ledezma in a deal. He has possibly become expendable with his up and down play and the belief that Justin Verlander will be in this rotation next year. The fact that Ledezma has shown signs and is a lefty would most likely create interest on the Reds in him if the Tigers were willing to part ways with him.
A potential Dunn acquisition makes sense for the Tigers on so many levels. It would not just be a deal for this wild card race but could have long term potential for this team in the future as well if Dunn’s contract was extended. He could easily slide into the fifth spot in the line-up just after Ordonez and right before Pudge at sixth. We know that Dave Dombrowski has accompanied the team on its current west coast swing which would be the first time he has traveled on the road with the team at the deadline. The real remaining question is whether the Tiger will be buyers or sellers? This is a question that only is answered by Dave Dombrowski and owner Mike Illitch.
Quick Hits: The Tigers sent Justin Verlander back down to the minors and they promoted left hander Vic Darensbourg from Triple A Toledo. While in Toledo, he allowed one earned run in 30 2/3 innings for the Mud Hens this season. He joins Jamie “The Cat” Walker as the only two lefties in the Tigers bull pen. Darensbourg fills the need for another left in the Tiger’s bullpen and should be available for the second game of the series verse Seattle. This move should allow manager Alan Trammell to play match-ups better in games now that he has two lefties in the pen at his disposal as opposed to one. Second Baseman Placido Polanco was actived for tonight’s game. To make room on the 25 man roster the Tigers sent Outfielder Curtis Granderson back to Triple A Toledo. |
