The 2011 Detroit Tigers gave it all they had, but in the end, it just wasn’t enough. Here’s a look at what players Dave Dombrowski and Jim Leyland should be looking to bring aboard:
5. Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez
Detroit will be looking to add a back-up catcher’s services to the 12′ squad, and maybe some more veteran leadership. So why not bring back the former Tiger, Pudge?!?
Pudge may not be the player he was 5-10 years ago, but the guy can still call a pretty good game. His offense may even be an upgrade over Omir Santos’s. Last year in Washington, Rodriguez was limited to 44 games due to injuries, but he expects to be 100% by spring training. In 21 Major League seasons, Ivan has an average of .297 and 311 homers. Sign the veteran backstop to a one 2.5 million year deal.
4. David Wright
If the 2012 campaign started right now, Brandon Inge would be the Tigers starting 3B, need I say more? Inge didn’t even hit over the Mendoza Line in 2011, so why even consider him for the starting job?
David Wright may seem like a longshot, but with Jose Reyes getting all the attention in NY, why not try to steal him? Wright hit a combined .254 this year in 102 games. He was injured a good portion of the year but was still able to hit 14 homers in a park that doesn’t yield many. David is a career .300 hitter and his bat would fit nicely into Detroits lineup. Though it may cost a little. One of the Tigers top prospects, Turner or Castallanos, would HAVE to involved in the deal.
3. Erik Bedard
The Tiger rotation is solid as it is, but its lacking one important thing, a Lefty.
Erik Bedard is definitely injury prone and could become a liability. I consider him as a low-risk, high reward type guy, but the price won’t be that low. Bedard will be asking for a multi-year deal around the 14 million range. I think it could be worth the risk. The Tigers have a nice training staff headed by Kevin Rand, that won’t let Bedard get injured as much as the past. In 24 starts last year, Erik had a respectful, 3.62 era. Not to mention he pitched in the A.L East the second half of the season. Hey, worst case scenario he gets injured and Jacob Turner takes his spot.
2. Omar Infante
Omar Infante, the former Tiger, should be brought aboard to man the 2B position. As of right now, the Tigers do not have a Second basemen, and no Santiago isn’t a starter.
Infante may be the perfect fit in Detroit. He could fill the leadoff spot need as well as the 2B need. Omar did not leadoff in 2011 but might be the Tigers best candidate in 2012. IF Leyland decides sticks with Jackson as his leadoff man, Infante could easily slide into the #2 hole, where he hit .278 last year. So a nice .270 average and a solid glove, hmm. Go get him Dombrowski!
1. Aramis Ramirez
Ramirez is coming off an extremely productive season, a season in which he hit 26 homeruns and drove in 93. Aramis may be looking to cash in this winter, and very well could if he tested the open market. Thats the problem. No one knows if he’s going to hit the market, its no rumors that he wants back with the Cubs. But with new management in Chicago, will they be willing to bring Ramirez back at a 4 year deal?
This is where the Tigers come in. Let’s say we don’t want Inge or Betemit to be our Third basemen, or we don’t get David Wright. Ramirez is the best choice right? In fact he may fit perfect into the Tiger lineup, right behind Victor Martinez in the #6 slot. Aramis would get ALOT of RBI chances with Young, Cabrera, Martinez, and possibly Boesch, all batting ahead of him. DD, give him a 3-4 year deal around 45 mil, similar to what V-Mart got last winter.
