The Tigers and Boesch

Brennan Boesch exploded onto the scene for the Tigers in April of 2010, becoming an offensive force as a rookie with tremendous power.  Power that he still has.  He finished the second half off terrible and rebounded in 2011 before an injury and then this past year he had his worst year yet, falling out of favor.  Now look, I don’t think Boesch is a starter, but I know that even if he is inconsistent he could help the Tigers a lot from the bench.  He may have only hit 12 homers last year, but that number is bound to go up.  I know players such as Chase Headley who have increased their power.  Now I know  Boesch is no Chase Headley but he has power like him.  If the Tigers do trade Boesch, they’ll be getting a bunch of low grade, low level prospects and for a guy like Boesch, a guy who could possibly help out the Tigers like he did just two short years ago that’s not enough.  To just let him go isn’t smart either. I’d hold onto him at least through Spring Training and see how it goes with him.  If he can tweak his swing some, he could be a decent fourth or fifth outfielder and I think he’s waiting to help the Tigers out in 2013 and he could surprise you.  Boesch has a brighter future ahead if himself than 2012 no matter what and he will get off to a fast start somewhere if given the chance.  So, if the Tigers do trade him, they should ask for at least one half way decent prospect who has a shot.  Boesch has been a special talent I’ve watch move up in the system with his power  His defense may not be there but if he improves just a little, I can see him going on to be a great player who can play a few different roles.

Angels Sign Ryan Madson

The Angels have signed closer Ryan Madson to a one year deal for an undisclosed amount of money probably in the $4-7 million range that he got last year, I would guess.  This creates a bit of competition in Angels camp now since Ernesto Frieri has closing experience and did a good job last year and Madson was a great closer before getting hurt last yea.  It only takes one bad year for a closer to become a permanent middle reliever but Madson is probably the better fit for the closing job to start the year off and Frieri to be a setup man along with Scott Downs.  This makes the Angels better as a whole and this move is adding just another quality player to the Angels for the year.  The Angels bullpen will benefit from this move a lot as Madson should lower their numbers and as a full time closer, I could see 35-40 saves in Madson future very easily.  Madson should have a year like some of the ones he had in Philly.  He’s not out of his prime yet and more teams should have went for him and should go fro players like him even with the risk after surgery.  Teams like the Tigers could’ve also gotten him and had a great closer, but this should just work out for all and be a great signing.

Best Fits LF/CF

LF
Bobby Abreu (39) Mets
Jason Bay (34) Athletics
Travis Buck (29) White Sox
Endy Chavez (35) Giants
Aaron Cunningham (27) Royals
Johnny Damon (39) Mariners
Mark DeRosa (38) Nationals
Matt  Diaz (35) Braves
Kosuke Fukudome (36) Japan
Scott Hairston (33) Tigers
Bill Hall  (33) Marlins
Josh Hamilton (32)  Rangers
Raul Ibanez  (41) Yankees
Reed Johnson (36) Braves
Andruw Jones (36) Astros
Austin Kearns (33) Marlins
Don  Kelly (33) Cardinals
Ryan Ludwick (34) Reds
Darnell McDonald (34) Brewers
Nate McLouth  (31) Yankees
Xavier Nady (34) Giants
Scott Podsednik (37) Red Sox
Ryan Raburn (32) Marlins
Juan  Rivera (34) Angels
Cody Ross (32) Red Sox
Shane Victorino (32) Reds
Delmon Young (27) Astros
CF
Rick Ankiel (33) Indians
Michael Bourn (30) Brewers
Josh Hamilton (32) Rangers
Reed Johnson (36) Braves
Nyjer  Morgan (32) Padres
Angel Pagan (31) Giants
Scott Podsednik (37) Red Sox
Grady Sizemore  (30) Rays
B.J. Upton (28) -Braves
Shane Victorino (32) Reds

Best Fits For SS/3B

SS
Jason  Bartlett (33) Rays
Ronny Cedeno (30) Angels
Stephen Drew (30) Athletics
Alberto Gonzalez  (30)Yankees
Alex Gonzalez (35) Rays
Cesar Izturis (33) Mariners
Munenori Kawasaki (32) Padres
Marco Scutaro (37) Giants

Miguel Cairo (39) Reds
Eric Chavez (35) Angels
Mark DeRosa  (38) Nationals
Alberto Gonzalez (30) Yankees
Orlando Hudson (35) Red Sox
Brandon Inge  (36) Diamondbacks
Jeff Keppinger (33) Rays
Jose Lopez (29) Reds
Casey McGehee  (30) Rockies
Placido Polanco (37) Tigers
Scott Rolen (38) Reds
Drew Sutton  (30) Cardinals
Steve Tolleson (29) Nationals
Ty Wigginton (35) Indians
Kevin Youkilis (34) Phillies

Thanks to MLBTradeRumors for the list!

Best Free Agent Fits For Second Baseman

Yuniesky Betancourt (31)- Padres
Emmanuel Burriss (28)- Dodgers
Ronny Cedeno (30)- Marlins
Mike  Fontenot (33)- Cardinals
Willie Harris (35)- Red Sox
Orlando Hudson (35)- White Sox
Kelly Johnson  (31)- Dodgers
Adam Kennedy (37)- Orioles
Jeff Keppinger (33)- Rays
Freddy  Sanchez (34)- Red Sox
Marco Scutaro (37)- Giants
Ryan Theriot (33)- Rangers
MLB Trade Rumors gets a special Thanks for this list

Best First Baseman Fits

Lance Berkman (36)- Astros
Miguel Cairo (39)- Reds
Jason Giambi (42)- Retirement or Rockies
Eric Hinske  (35)- Braves
Aubrey Huff (36)- Yankees
Travis Ishikawa (29)- Brewers
Kila Ka’aihue (29)- Indians
Jeff  Keppinger (33)- Rays
Casey Kotchman (30)- Padres
Adam LaRoche (33) – Nationals
Carlos Lee (37)- Rays
James Loney (29)- Rays
Casey McGehee  (30)- Rockies
Mike Napoli (31)- Rays
Lyle Overbay (36)- Dizmondbacks
Carlos Pena (35)- Marlins
Juan Rivera  (34)- Angels
Nick Swisher (32) – Orioles
Ty Wigginton  (35)- Indians
Kevin Youkilis (34)- Phillies
Thanks to MLBTradeRumors for the list

Top Fits For FA Catchers

Rod Barajas (37)- Dodgers
Henry Blanco (41)- Diamondbacks
Gerald Laird (33)- Tigers
Russell Martin  (30)- Yankees
Mike Napoli (31)- Rays
Dioner Navarro (29)- Marlins
Mike Nickeas (30)- Padres
Miguel  Olivo (34)- Angels
Ronny Paulino (32)- Astros
A.J. Pierzynski (36)- White Sox/Yankees
Humberto Quintero  (33)- Phillies
Brian Schneider (36)- Phillies
Kelly Shoppach (33)- Rangers
Chris Snyder  (32)- Astros
Yorvit Torrealba (34)- Rockies
Matt Treanor (37)- Yankees
Thanks to MLB Trade Rumors for the list

Torii Hunter Visits Detroit, Tigers Leading Bidder

Torii Hunter was in Detroit today visiting the Tigers and they are prepared to offer him a multi-year deal.  Hopefully only worth about two years as he is getting older and a decline is due at some point, but or the Tigers to have him in right field and hitting second would be huge for them, and he is a major upgrade over Delmon Young.  Of all the outfielders in this free agent class, Torii may not fit the best with the Tigers and Victorino may be the best fit but Torii has talent and the defense he brings to the Detroit outfield is great.  To have Dirks in left and Jackson in center along with him will be a great outfield and signing him and teaming that up with a Victor return the top of the Tigers line-up could be a machine.  At this point, Torii signing with Detroit seems likely and possibly the best move.  The Angels would hurt from his loss but with all of their players can’t afford to keep hom.  The Rangers are the only competition at this point and he though he fits with them and makes them a ton better too, he looks to be Detroit bound.  This is the player the Tigers need and he can hit well in Comerica.  He is just a good choice,a nd could add 20 homers from the two spot.  Torii will sign soon, as he did when coming to LA in the 2007/08 offseason.  PREDICTION: Tiger for 2 years, 23 Million

Line-Up With Torii

1. Jackson CF
2. Hunter RF
3. Cabrera 3B
4. Fielder 1B
5. Martinez DH
6. Dirks LF
7. Peralta SS
8. Avila C
9. Infante 2B

That looks amazing and Hunter protects Jackson and is protected by Cabrera, a hitter’s dream, even better than in LA with Pujols.  Martinez can handle all the pressure in the five hole too, so this line-up looks great

Detroit Tigers Awards

Tiger Of The Year

1. 3B Miguel Cabrera
2. SP Justin Verlander
3. CF Austin Jackson
4. 1B Prince Fielder
5. SP Max Scherzer

CY Young

1. SP Justin Verlander
2. SP Max Scherzer
3. SP Doug Fister

Rookie

1. SP Drew Smyly
2. LF Quintin Berry
3. RP Brayan Villarreal
4. RF Avisail Garcia
5. RP Darin Downs

Comeback: CF Austin Jackson
Relief Man: Brayan Villarreal
Breakout Star: OF Andy Dirks
Gold Glove: CF Austin Jackson
Postseason MVP: Phil Coke

My Silver Slugger Awards

AL
C: Joe Mauer
1B: Prince Fielder
2B: Robinson Cano
SS: Derek Jeter
3B: Miguel Cabrera
OF: Mike Trout
OF: Josh Hamilton
OF: Adam Jones
DH: Edwin Encarnacion

NL
C: Buster Posey
1B: Adam LaRoche
2B: Aaron Hill
SS: Ian Desmond
3B: Chase Headley
OF: Andrew McCutchen
OF: Ryan Braun
OF: Matt Holliday
P: Mike Leake