The MLB Winter Meetings in Dallas are scheduled for next week and it seems that Detroit Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski is adding a name or two to the Tigers’ shopping list this offseason.
According to Lynn Henning of the Detroit News, Dombrowski will head into the meetings with interest in White Sox left hander Mark Buehrle…
Six years ago next week, the Tigers signed a 41-year-old left-handed pitcher named Kenny Rogers to balance a starting rotation heavy with youth.
The Tigers are packing for next week’s Winter Meetings in Dallas and hope to grab a modern-day version of Rogers for a staff top-heavy with right-handers and with starting pitchers in their 20s.
The pitcher who makes the most sense is free agent Mark Buehrle, an old friend who has pitched 34 times against the Tigers, piecing together a record of 18-10, with a 3.36 ERA.
Buehrle, 32, has become the hottest available pitcher during an offseason that has featured fewer elite stars and a slow-poke start to Hot Stove bidding.
The Tigers aren’t talking about Buehrle, although it’s known they have been one of many clubs inquiring what it might take to sign the fast-working, strikes-throwing, innings-gulping, finesse left-hander who is Rogers’ virtual clone in style and consistency.
Buehrle’s career numbers document why teams are lining up for the potential four-year deal that could be required to sign him: 161-119 record, 3.83 ERA, 223-inning annual average, and 1.28 WHIP (walks plus hits per inning).
The Tigers’ motivation for signing Buehrle was obvious even last season when it became clear fifth starter Brad Penny would be a one-year option.
The White Sox offered the veteran left hander arbitration last week however it remains clear that Buehrle will test the free agent market this offseason.
Here are some other names that could appear on the Tigers’ shopping list at the Winter Meetings according to Henning…
- Kelly Johnson – The Tigers are still looking for infielders to fill the third or second base position. Johnson would fit that need up the middle.
- Ocatvio Dotel – Even though relief pitching is further down on their priority list, Dotel is also a name that Tigers could go after. He’s 38 years old but posted an amazing .098 WHIP during a combined 65 appearances with the Blue Jays and Cardinals.
- Yoenis Cespedes – Cespedes is a name that has been linked to the Tigers for a couple of months now. The Cuban outfielder is expected to generate a bidding war among the powers of the MLB and the Tigers are expected to be right in the thick of it.
Ref: Detroit News, CityTV.com (image)