It’s cold and rainy in the Metro Detroit area so let’s get to some quick Detroit Tigers news and noteworthy items to close out a Monday…

  • If any Tigers fans were hopeful that Detroit would bring back Wilson Betemit to challenge Brandon Inge for the third base position this upcoming season, you’re going to be disappointed. According to Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter) Betemit has signed a one-year major league contract with the Baltimore Orioles.
  • According to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com, the Marlins, Cubs and Tigers remain the top three candidates to land the services of Cuban outfielder Yoenis Cespedes. Cespedes has established residency in the Dominican Republic where he’s been playing winter ball. However Cespedes hasn’t yet been granted free agency in the MLB. This could come anytime.
  • Rumors where circulating Sunday and into Monday that the Tigers were interested in veteran starting pitcher Roy Oswalt. There were also rumors that Tigers ace Justin Verlander was courting Oswalt to sign with the team. The feeling however wasn’t mutual as Oswalt has no interest in the Tigers. The leading candidate to get Oswalt appears to be the Boston Red Sox.

Ref: Twitter, FOXSports.com, MLBTradeRumors.com, Baltimore Sun, riveraveblues.com (image)