Tigers Trade Rumors

Dombrowski vows to fix pitching, get closer; Renteria likely done as a Tiger
"Next year's Tigers probably won't include shortstop Edgar Renteria or record-setting relief pitcher Francisco Rodriguez. But the Tigers intend to look outside the organization for a successor to Todd Jones as the ninth-inning closer. Tigers president and general manager Dave Dombrowski said that -- and more -- in a wide-ranging, season-ending session with Tigers beat writers before Monday's season-ending makeup game in Chicago. Before he took questions and addressed issues, Dombrowski -- calling himself "my own harshest critic" -- summed up his performance in assembling the club. "It's been a disappointing year for all of us," he said. "It's been a bad year. It's been a bad year for me. ..."
Tigers' top priority will be a new shortstop
"As expected, the Tigers will not pick up shortstop Edgar Renteria's $11 million contract option for 2009. Dave Dombrowski, the Tigers president and general manager, confirmed Monday that seeking a new shortstop will be one of the team's top priorities during the coming off-season. The Tigers were to play the Chicago White Sox in an afternoon make-up game at U.S. Cellular Field as the White Sox attempt to force a Tuesday playoff with the Minnesota Twins for the American League Central Division title. Rain, however, was falling heavily at game time and threatened to, at the very least, delay today's game. Advertisement Renteria was to have made $11 million in 2009, the final year of his ..."
Tigers pitching coach Hernandez out?
"Tigers' pitching coach Chuck Hernandez has told those close to him that he's been fired by the Tigers. The report has not been confirmed by the Tigers, though. Before the game, when asked about the status of coaches, manager Jim Leyland said he was not ready to comment on the matter. It's also been learned that bullpen coach Jeff Jones will be replaced."
With 2008 a bust, Tigers have payroll matters to weigh
"The Tigers' postseason hopes expired long before Labor Day, and mathematical elimination is close at hand. One of the most disappointing seasons in franchise history is nearly over. Many fans already are thinking about 2009. Dave Dombrowski is different. Dombrowski said in a telephone interview last week that he will keep his focus on 2008 until the final out of the season. He said he has not met with his advisers -- or owner Mike Ilitch -- regarding next year. "Every year, we wait until the end of the season," said Dombrowski, club president and general manager. "We haven't had any 2009 meetings at all." The Tigers will have spent roughly $134 million on their major league players by the ..."
Jones done, possibly for good
"Feel the breeze? They aren't yet gusts of change blowing tumbleweeds across the wasteland of the Tigers' season. But the whirlwind is coming. It involves names we know and people we like, such as Todd Jones and Kenny Rogers. It also involves those we don't know well, a rookie and veteran trying to make it back, Chris Lambert and Freddy Garcia. But September creeps closer, and it's third place the Tigers continue to play for, not first. The inevitable transition this club will experience after such an abject disappointment has started. Todd Jones returned home on Wednesday. His sore shoulder landed him on the disabled list and prevented him from making the previous trip, to Texas and ..."
Kenny Rogers placed on waivers, could be traded soon
"If a trade involving Tigers left-hander Kenny Rogers is going to happen before the end of this season, it likely will occur within the next several days. The deadline to set postseason rosters is Sunday, and multiple officials from other teams believe the Tigers will consider trading Rogers before then. Rogers said Monday that he was not aware of any trade discussions involving him. And he did not appear concerned with the prospect of being dealt. "Dealing in hypotheticals is very difficult -- I'm not one to do that," Rogers said. "I haven't thought about a deadline. I'm not worried about one, that's for sure." The Tigers placed Rogers -- and several other players -- on trade waivers ..."
Robertson sent to 'pen
"Nate Robertson will have to find his slider while pitching in relief. On Friday, two days after he became just the second Tigers pitcher since 1961 to give up five home runs in a game, he was moved from the Tigers' starting rotation to the bullpen. He's not made a relief appearance since 2004. Robertson's replacement for Tuesday night's start against the Indians at Comerica Park, however, will not be Dontrelle Willis, who struggled in his last start for Toledo."
Source: Tigers put disgruntled Sheffield on waivers
"One day after Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland said he was "flabbergasted" by Gary Sheffield's complaints about playing time, Sheffield was among several Tigers placed on waivers by the club Tuesday, according to a major league source. Teams aren't permitted to comment on the waiver process, so it's possible the timing is coincidental. But there were indications that the Tigers floated Sheffield's name in trade talks before the July 31 trading deadline. So it seems likely that Sheffield's latest remarks have prompted them to see if interest in him may have picked up this month in the wake of a number of injuries to prominent players on several contenders. Other teams would have until ..."
Thames sits with sore shoulder
"Marcus Thames does not take games for granted. When he has a chance to play, he plays. On Sunday, he was supposed to start in leftfield and bat third. Shortly before the game, though, the Tigers announced he had been scratched from the lineup with a sore right shoulder. Rather than hit, he underwent treatment. His status for tonight's game against Toronto is unclear. "It's bothering him pretty good," manager Jim Leyland said. "I don't know exactly what it is. "It could be a dangerous one, as far as time. ... We can't fool around too many days. It's getting to crunch time, and we've got to go out there with all the ammo we've got." Team officials will assess Thames' condition today. They ..."
He feels like a caged Tiger
"Gary Sheffield is healthy enough to help a team in the pennant race; problem is, the Detroit Tigers, the team he plays for, isn't in one. Such is the frustration surrounding the latter part of Sheffield's career. After about a year of dealing with a bad shoulder - the surgery, the rehab, the reduced performance - he has reached the point where he is a platoon DH and part-time outfielder, not what he had in mind for the final two years of his career. Sheffield, 39, still puts fear into pitchers. His numbers don't show it, but lately the thump has begun to reemerge. Would he waive his no-trade provision to join a contending team? Most likely. He lives in Tampa Bay, and wouldn't that be ..."
Tigers interested in pitcher LaTroy Hawkins
"The Tigers are interested in acquiring right-handed reliever LaTroy Hawkins, one industry official said this week. Hawkins is available on the trade market, now that the New York Yankees designated his contract for assignment. He went 1-1 with a 5.71 ERA in New York, leaving some doubt as to how effective he could be in the American League over the remainder of this year. Detroit pursued Hawkins as a free agent during the winter. He went 2-5 with a 3.42 ERA as a member of the National League champion Colorado Rockies. The recent arm trouble of Freddy Dolsi and Joel Zumaya - along with the demotion of Todd Jones from his role as the team's closer - has magnified the Tigers' need for ..."
Pudge Rodriguez faces uncertain future
"For five seasons, the Tigers have relied on Pudge Rodriguez as their everyday catcher. He played an average of 132 games over his first four years here. He is on track to appear in 126 this season. He has not been on the disabled list since 2002. Even at 36, he remains one of the most dependable catchers in baseball. Yet he is facing an uncertain future. Rodriguez will be a free agent at the end of this season. He could also be traded next month if the Tigers fall out of the American League Central race. When he was asked Sunday about his approach to free agency -- and whether he would consider waiving his limited no-trade clause -- his response was the same. "I'm ready for anything," ..."
Blue Jays may have players who fit Detroit's needs
"In baseball, trades happen when teams "fit." When one club has an abundance of outfielders and needs a reliever, for example, its general manager will seek a trade partner with an arm to spare and need for outfielders. So, four days before baseball's non-waiver trade deadline, which teams are most compatible with the Tigers? Pittsburgh and San Francisco, which are trying to accumulate all the young talent they can, belong on the list. Both have at least one appealing left-handed reliever: John Grabow and Jack Taschner, respectively. Seattle may also do business with Detroit. The Mariners are in the midst of an