The Detroit Tigers and Octavio Dotel look to be close on deal that would bring the veteran right-handed reliever to the Tigers for the 2012 season.
According to a report first broke by Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, talks between the Tigers and Dotel began to heat up Wednesday as the Tigers are interested in bringing in the well-traveled veteran as a 7th inning option.
However the Tigers aren’t alone in the race for Dotel.
It’s now known that the Cardinals, Dotel’s most recent team is also in the running for him. St. Louis reportedly offered Dotel a one-year contract with the length of the Tigers’ contract presently unknown.
Dotel and his agent have stressed that a two-year deal would be preferable however a one-year deal could work if reasonable. Despite St. Louis’ interest, it appears as though the Tigers are the lead candidate for Dotel. Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski further mentioned that he wouldn’t totally rule out a multi-year deal for Dotel.
The 38-year-old Dotel is very effective against right-handed hitters going 5-4 with a 3.50 ERA in 65 games for Toronto and St. Louis last season.
If Hanley Ramirez is shopped… Will the Tigers come calling?
With the addition of Jose Reyes in Miami and the request by incumbant Marlins shortstop Hanley Ramirez for a restructured contract, it looks as though the Fish may begin to shop the talented shortstop in Ramirez around.
If this is the case, would the Tigers give the Marlins a call?
ESPN Insider’s Jim Bowden takes a look at some different trade scenarios which includes what a Tigers/Marlins deal for Ramirez may look like…
Ramirez to the Tigers for Austin Jackson, Jacob Turner and a prospect
Jackson didn’t have a great year with the bat, but he’s an ace in center field, something the Marlins need. And while Turner doesn’t have a big-time ceiling in my opinion, he could still project as high as a No. 2 starter in the NL. Detroit could add a prospect to the mix, but the Marlins get a lot back in pitching and defense here. Detroit could certainly use the bat, and could move Jhonny Peralta to third base, keeping Ramirez at the position he wants to play.
Again, not a likely one, particularly because I think Jim Leyland and Dave Dombrowski really see the value of Jackson in center at Comerica. He covers a ton of ground. But a middle of the order with Ramirez, Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez in some order would do some damage. And the Tigers could afford to take on the remainder of Ramirez’s deal.
No go for Gio Gonzalez and no interest in Wandy Rodriguez
There were some pretty strong rumors circulating Tuesday night and into Wednesday morning that the Tigers were going hard after Oakland Athletics lefty starter Gio Gonzalez.
These rumors were pointing to a trade between the A’s and Tigers that could’ve involved, Jacob Turner and/or Brennan Boesch going to Oakland for Gonzalez. Talks however broke down between the two teams due to Oakland’s insistence that Tigers third base prospect Nick Castellanos be part of the deal.
Gonzalez, 26, went 16-12 with a 3.12 ERA in 2011 while striking out 197 in 202 innings pitched.
The Tigers were also reportedly approached about obtaining Houston starter Wandy Rodriguez. These talks however didn’t last long considering Rodriguez still has 2 years and $23 million dollars left on his contract. That contract could turn into a 2 year contract with a player option for a third year which is estimated around $13 million dollars.
Ref: MLBTradeRumors, MLB.com, Mlive.com, FOXSports, Twitter, Zimbio (image), CBS Sports
