Which FA should the Tigers sign?

[Trots]

Well, who do you want the Tigers to sign next? I'm leaving Carlos Beltran out because I think the odds of him arriving are so small. He would be my first choice, if it were possible.

[yagsy]

I like your idea of Cory Koskie for 3rd. That would be a wise signing compared with Kent and moving a kid who did well at 2nd.

How about a return for Lima Time? Dunno if the fans would accept him, dunno if he would come back to Detroit but I like him trying to help the kids out and he would be relatively cheap. I would offer an incentive laden contract anyway.

Antonio Alfonseca might be a nice addition to the bullpen. Veteran, not too expensive, had resurrected his career in Atlanta.

Or Antonio Osuna who did a fine job in relief for the Padres this season. I think he's a good pitcher but for some reason, I get nervous when he came out on the mound. And he was one of the more stable middle relievers the Pads had this past season, so I am not sure why I feel the way I do about him. I just do.

[PissedPrincess]

Derek Lowe.

[Panzram]

They definately need pitching the most. Clement or Lowe.

[27atwater]

OK folks, ya really need to think BIG. Not to bash, but some of these choices are players that the OLD Tigers would go after. The NEW Tigers with a new positive outlook should go after... CARLOS DELGADO. A nice BIG bat at the 1B or DH spot would do wonders for the lineup. Although the wall is deep, Carlos can get it over 30 times. And when he doesn't, the gappers will roll for days. The team has that nice Latin feel already and Carlos would be a great complement to an improving ballclub.

Next, I would go after Lowe and Glaus. Glaus will have a fairly low price tag and is better than Koskie. Pavano may be a one hit wonder, but Lowe has been solid as a SP. He has had SOME down times, but performs in the clutch. Get 2 of the 3 guys I mentioned and the Tigs are contending for the Division THIS year!

[Trots]

This list was derived from the initial rumors once the season ended. Thoughts of Delgado, Beltran and Beltre were not considered realistic then. In all honesty, they may not be now. Although, Ilitch may be willing to make a big jump in payroll which makes it more likely the better FA's may arrive.

If you read some of my latest posts, you'll see that the Tigers have upped my expectations for this off-season. Honestly, I think both Glaus and Lowe are the type of players the OLD Tigers would pursue as well. Some in town have compared Glaus to Dean Palmer (a nice man, but a terrible signing) and Lowe's a veteran with declining numbers. That's 1990's Tigers baseball if I ever heard it.

As for Delgado, specifically, he presents some problems. First, the Tigers have a busload of firstbase/DH types on the payroll. Dmitri Young is the DH and ain't going anywhere. Carlos Pena is at first. They also have Chris Shelton who is a catcher/1B/DH prospect who was the Arizona Fall League MVP. Eventually, he will probably hit his way on to the big league club.

For the Tigers to add Delgado, someone from that group probably has to go. Young isn't leaving and Pena (who led the team in HRs) and Shelton are younger and cheaper than Delgado. Delgado is better with the bat, but I play better firstbase than he does.

Delgado is also going to command big money. As Detroit has more pressing needs, imo, at thirdbase, all three outfield spots, starting pitching, relief pitching, firstbase hardly seems like a priority. Delgado's bat would be great, but it just doesn't seem like a smart decision.

Back to Lowe for a minute. I've mentioned something about him elsewhere, but as much as I want him to join the Tigers, he's an up-and-down pitcher. His numbers have gotten worse each of the last three years. He's going to make far more money than I think the Tigers should pay him, especially when you see what guys like Jaret Wright and Russ Ortiz just got. If Wright can get seven million, Lowe might get nine or ten million, which I hope the Tigers have no intention of offering him.

Koskie provides a solid, cheaper option than Glaus while still leaving the Tigers some financial flexibility. As they need a number of players (Please, please get a good outfielder), the Tigers need to balance quality and quantity.

The Tigers have to spend wisely, as they are not a big market club. (They should be, but that's another story altogether.) As you are new to Tigertown, I'll be kind, but suffice to say the last decade plus in Detroit is a fine example of money poorly spent.

The big contracts to guys like Cecil Fielder and Bobby Higginson (sorry, Jen) to name just two, have painted this team into a financial corner. It was all that dead money that led to the complete disaster of two seasons ago.

Don't misunderstand, if the Tigers want to spend with the Yankees and Red Sox, I'm all in favor, but I just don't want to have one big off-season spending spree followed by five more years (or more) of crying over bad contracts and watching terrible baseball.

Btw, Steve Atwater is one of my all-time favorites.

[~*TiGeRs f@N*~]

Delgado is better with the bat, but I play better firstbase than he does.

:rolling :clap: Good one! :thumbsup:



The big contracts to guys like Cecil Fielder and Bobby Higginson (sorry, Jen) to name just two, have painted this team into a financial corner.

That's alright Brian. I'm used to the fact that you aren't a Higgy fan, but I do appreciate that you're respectful about my feelings and don't go bashing him like others on the board. You're a good man Brian :)

[Blue56]

I think Derek Lowe will sign and maybe some other players via trade.