951 replies to this topic

[GoWings1905]

Ryan Perry traded by the Tigers today to the Nationals today for some character named Collin Balester.

Don't know anything about Balester besides what I just read, but I know he's not Ryan Perry. That in itself makes this trade a win. It appears Balester will provide the long-relief role in the Tigers bullpen next season.

Edited by GoWings1905, 09 December 2011 - 11:11 PM.

[cusimano_brothers]

Cheetah!

[Travis]

Disappointing news about Ryan Braun, though a spokesman says there is a medical reason for his test results.

I am under the impression that Balester will report to AAA Toledo if he doesn't impress out of Spring Training. He appeared in 28 games with the Nationals AAA affiliate last year and with Coke, Pauley, AlAl, Dotel, Benoit, and Valverde it looks like Balester will have to compete with the likes of Below to earn a spot.

ESPN Chicago reports that Aramis Ramirez has agreed to terms with the Milwaukee Brewers on a 3 year deal.

[NeverForgetMac25]

Disappointing news about Ryan Braun, though a spokesman says there is a medical reason for his test results.

I am under the impression that Balester will report to AAA Toledo if he doesn't impress out of Spring Training. He appeared in 28 games with the Nationals AAA affiliate last year and with Coke, Pauley, AlAl, Dotel, Benoit, and Valverde it looks like Balester will have to compete with the likes of Below to earn a spot.

ESPN Chicago reports that Aramis Ramirez has agreed to terms with the Milwaukee Brewers on a 3 year deal.

Hell Yeah! McGhee was terrible last year and Ramirez definitely shores things up.

As for Braunie, I'm absolutely sick and just can't believe what I'm hearing. It really doesn't make sense at all and I'm more than curious to see how this plays out.

[Travis]

The Tigers do not tender the contract of 2B Will Rhymes, immediately making him a free agent.

[GoWings1905]

Good. Rhymes isn't a major league player and should have never gotten the job last year over Sizemore. Worth is better than Rhymes too, so he's an option as well at the revolving door of second base for the Tigers. I'm actually somewhat OK with the platoon of Santiago and Raburn, but I will be pissed if the Tigers don't address third base. Brandon Inge and Don Kelly is not going to cut it in any way. It sucks Ramirez is off the market now; still hoping for a deal that doesn't include Turner or Castellanos to land Chase Headley.

I'm bummed by the Braun news -- one of my favorite players in baseball. I read somewhere that MLB has never overturned a suspension related to PED's, so it doesn't look too promising for Braun or the Brewers going forward. If Braun does gets suspended, it once again looks very bad for baseball. This isn't some minor leaguer getting caught. Matt Kemp deserves the MVP too if Braun is guilty.

[NeverForgetMac25]

Good. Rhymes isn't a major league player and should have never gotten the job last year over Sizemore. Worth is better than Rhymes too, so he's an option as well at the revolving door of second base for the Tigers. I'm actually somewhat OK with the platoon of Santiago and Raburn, but I will be pissed if the Tigers don't address third base. Brandon Inge and Don Kelly is not going to cut it in any way. It sucks Ramirez is off the market now; still hoping for a deal that doesn't include Turner or Castellanos to land Chase Headley.

I'm bummed by the Braun news -- one of my favorite players in baseball. I read somewhere that MLB has never overturned a suspension related to PED's, so it doesn't look too promising for Braun or the Brewers going forward. If Braun does gets suspended, it once again looks very bad for baseball. This isn't some minor leaguer getting caught. Matt Kemp deserves the MVP too if Braun is guilty.

Bruan was tested all regular season with each result coming back clean. His "dirty" result (which his people say there's a medical reason for) didn't take place until the playoffs. Most importantly, with the voting being for the regular season only, it stands to reason he should keep the MVP award.

Still, something just doesn't add up here. Braun is one of the smartest players in the MLB and he had already gotten his lifetime contract earlier this season. It makes no sense for him to use PED's. Anyone that does is a cheater in my mind, but there just seems to be something amiss with this one and I'll wait until after the appeal process is completed before passing judgement.

[GoWings1905]

Bruan was tested all regular season with each result coming back clean. His "dirty" result (which his people say there's a medical reason for) didn't take place until the playoffs. Most importantly, with the voting being for the regular season only, it stands to reason he should keep the MVP award.

Stil, something just doesn't add up here. Braun is one of the smartest players in the MLB and he had already gotten his lifetime contract earlier this season. It makes not sense for him to use PED's. Anyone that does is a cheater in my mind, but there just seems to be something amiss with this one and I'll wait until after the appeal process is completed before passing judgement.

All very fair points. I like Braun too and hope this turns out to be a mistake, but I just don't see that being the case. Any player that uses PED's still after the whole Mitchell Report is flat-out stupid and asking to get caught.

[Barrie]

Yesterday the NY Post ran a story saying Jeter gives his one night stands autograph Baseball's.

http://www.usmagazin...eballs-20111312

Edit: Here's the NY Post link http://www.nypost.co...bpsBGJXpyHoMKSN

Edited by Barrie, 14 December 2011 - 11:15 AM.

[NeverForgetMac25]

All very fair points. I like Braun too and hope this turns out to be a mistake, but I just don't see that being the case. Any player that uses PED's still after the whole Mitchell Report is flat-out stupid and asking to get caught.

Couldn't agree more.

[NeverForgetMac25]

Cheetah!

Looks like you might have to take that back. I knew something had to be up!

http://www.terezowens.com/more-on-ryan-brauns-herpes-situation/

I have more inside information on the Ryan Braun ‘herpes rumor’ situation. I heard this yesterday from two guys who both work for the Brewers. According to them, “Braun will be let off because he tested positive for Herpes and the medication given to him by his doctor (legal to fight this) is what caused the spike. Braun and his lawyers plan to go after whoever leaked the story because of HIPAA laws. That is why Braun has not made a statement and that is also why in Mark’s statement he referenced it being a “personal issue”. So we’ll see what happens, but from the sounds of it, the Brewers brass is pretty confident he will be let off. Still extremely embarrassing for him, but better than roids and more importantly better for the team. I guess one thing we did learn about Braun through this whole ordeal is he is not exactly intelligent.” This is a lose lose situation for Braun…Kinda crazy for an MVP to be dealing with such an uncomfortable dilemma.

[Travis]

Looks like you might have to take that back. I knew something had to be up!

http://www.terezowens.com/more-on-ryan-brauns-herpes-situation/

Wow. Bummer.

[Travis]

The Tigers report that Al Alburquerque had surgery to repair a fracture in his elbow. He could be out until the All-Star Break.

[GoWings1905]

The Tigers report that Al Alburquerque had surgery to repair a fracture in his elbow. He could be out until the All-Star Break.

Just read that too; makes the Dotel signing even more necessary now. AlAl really struggled after getting hit in the head, so I'm curious to see how he comes back next year from yet another injury. Like Zumaya, he has great stuff but the health seems to be an issue so far.

I don't understand why David Pauley's name is never mentioned for the bullpen. Maybe he has more of a shot now, but it seems like he never really got much of a chance since coming over to the Tigers. He pitched pretty often and multiple innings for the Mariners. Fister is obviously the gem of that trade, but the Tigers gave up a lot to only utilize Fister.

Off-topic, but the Twins signed Josh Willingham and Michael Cuddyer went to the Rockies today. Too bad the Tigers weren't in on either. Both are better options than Delmon Young in left.

[cusimano_brothers]

Looks like you might have to take that back. I knew something had to be up!

Pending headline: "Uncle Bud's Streak Stops at 13".
The better news: A whole new product endorsement avenue has Ryan Braun's name on it.

[cusimano_brothers]

[GoWings1905]

Been a rather boring off-season for the Tigers so far, but there are rumors tonight the Tigers are making a push for Matt Garza. The Cubs are obviously in rebuild mode and will most likely be demanding a couple of the Tigers top prospects. I still don't want Turner to get dealt at all, but at least the Tigers have a pretty strong arsenal of starting pitchers to offer.

Verlander-Fister-Garza-Scherzer-Porcello would be pretty damn sick. Honestly if the Tigers end up with Garza, I wouldn't be opposed to dangling Porcello to address some of the other needs on the team.

Edited by GoWings1905, 09 January 2012 - 10:20 PM.

[Travis]

I would be pretty happy to see Garza in a Tigers uniform. Not sure how I feel about trading Turner at this point, but you can't argue with that rotation.

They still need some help on offense, I think. Or I guess I should say, I'd like to see them get some.

I can't believe how quiet this off-season has been for Detroit.

[GoWings1905]

I would be pretty happy to see Garza in a Tigers uniform. Not sure how I feel about trading Turner at this point, but you can't argue with that rotation.

They still need some help on offense, I think. Or I guess I should say, I'd like to see them get some.

I can't believe how quiet this off-season has been for Detroit.

Same here. I know the Tigers won the division by 15 games, but the Indians and Royals are both going to be better and you have to think the Twins will bounce back too if healthy. Granted, I still believe this is easily the Tigers division to lose even if they don't make any other moves. I don't really just want to make the playoffs, though.

[Travis]

Same here. I know the Tigers won the division by 15 games, but the Indians and Royals are both going to be better and you have to think the Twins will bounce back too if healthy. Granted, I still believe this is easily the Tigers division to lose even if they don't make any other moves. I don't really just want to make the playoffs, though.

Yeah, especially with Verlander and Cabrera entering their primes and having a very real opportunity to add some World Series-caliber talent in only a couple of spots where we need upgrades, really. I understand that the last time the Tigers tasted success and Dombrowski went all H.A.M. on bringing in new talent that it blew up in his face; but to me that just says spend intelligently, not batten down the hatches.