- Sources out of Boston have indicated that the Red Sox have narrowed their managerial search down to former Mets manager Bobby Valentine and current Tigers third base coach Gene Lamont.
- Technically the Tigers still have arbitration decisions to make on outfielder Magglio Ordonez and third baseman Wilson Betemit. Unless something changes, both will not be offered arbitration. Both are Type B free agents.
- Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski recently told Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports that their has been no consideration moving first baseman Miguel Cabrera at third base next season. The only time however Cabrera may start at third is during interleague play but this is to keep the bat of Victor Martinez in the lineup.
- An unnamed baseball executive told Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com that if Justin Verlander were a free agent right now, he could have been in position to earn at $25 million dollars per season. Prior to the 2010 season, Verlander signed a five-year, $80 million dollar contract that provided the team with three additional years of control. If Verlander didn’t sign the deal he would’ve been one of the offseason’s top free agent targets and may have received a deal greater than C.C. Sabathia’s $161 million dollar contract. Currently no other starting pitcher has received more guaranteed money.
- According to MLBTradeRumors.com, The Tigers announced that they added lefthander Matt Hoffman, righthander Tyler Stohr, lefthander Casey Crosby, outfielder Avisail Garcia and infielder Hernan Perez to the 40-man roster.
- The Tigers optioned infielder Cale Iorg to Triple-A Toledo. The infielder who at times was seen as the teams next starting shortstop split 2011 between the Tigers’ top two minor league affiliates.
- John Lowe of the Detroit Free Press writes that Free agent outfielder Yoenis Cespedes is scheduled to work out for the Tigers. A Cuban defector, Cespedes prefers to play center field however would play a corner outfield position which is where the Tigers are interested in using him at. The Tigers are also looking at him as a lead off man.
Ref: Detroit Free Press, MLBTradeRumors.com, FoxSports.com, CBSSports.com, Twitter, MLB.com (image)