Lakeland, Fla. — This will start to pick up the pace, the Tigers sending players back to minor league camp. The reality is, with just single-game days remaining, there’s not enough at-bats or innings to go around. So, on Friday morning, they made their second batch of minor cuts, sending pitchers Michael Morrison and Ryan Robowski … Continue Reading →
Covering the Bases
Insights, notes and updates from The Detroit News baseball writers
Tigers' Jack Morris not elected to Hall of Fame -- nobody gets in
Not this year for Jack Morris. Not this year for anybody. The Baseball Writers Association of America failed to elect anybody to the Hall of Fame Wednesday afternoon. Players need to appear on 75 percent of ballots for enshrinement; former Astros second baseman Craig Biggio (68 percent) led the way. Morris, the former Tiers ace, … Continue Reading →
On MLB Network, get behind-scenes look at 2012 World Series
Sometimes MLB Network swings and misses, but I sure give the folks over in New Jersey credit for pumping out original programming — and more often than not, it’s quality work, particularly with their seemingly never-ending countdown series. The latest work from the network — which turns 4 years old Jan. 1 — premieres at … Continue Reading →
With Angels trade, there might be one less suitor for Rick Porcello
The Angels were looking for starting pitching, and they were seen as a possible fit for Tigers right-hander Rick Porcello. That doesn’t appear to be the case anymore. Wednesday night, the Angels and Mariners completed a trade that sends veteran left-handed starter Jason Vargas to Anaheim for switch-hitting designated hitter Kendry Morales. Vargas, 29, was … Continue Reading →
Winter meetings, Day 4: Angels, Mike Scioscia will miss Torii Hunter
The Angels have had a pretty good offseason, particularly with the upgrades to their bullpen. They’e signed the motivated Ryan Madson, who will close a year removed from Tommy John surgery. And on Wednesday, they reportedly reached agreement on a two-year, $8 million deal for Sean Burnett, who might just have been the best left-handed … Continue Reading →
Winter meetings, Day 3: New Tiger will be protected in Rule 5 draft
That’ll probably it for the Tigers at these winter meetings, Thursday’s small trade to add catching depth to the organization. Wednesday night, Detroit acquired switch-hitting Ramon Cabrera for left-handed pither Andy Oliver, who never has lived up to the potential he had when the Tigers drafted him in the second round of the 2009 draft. … Continue Reading →
Winter meetings, Day 3: Finally, a move from the AL Central
In terms of the American League Central, the Indians are dominating the headlines here in Nashville, with their many player pursuits. But it was the White Sox who pulled off the notable move Wednesday, locking up infielder Jeff Keppinger for three years and $12 million. (Here’s what I predicted Keppinger, and the rest of my … Continue Reading →
Winter meetings, Day 3: Old friend Jason Grilli getting ready to sign
Remember Jason Grilli? Of course you do. Once upon a time, he was a maddening reliever for the Tigers — most notable, of course, were those 12 consecutive balls he chucked out of the bullpen in Game 4 of the 2006 American League Championship Series. A year-and-a-half later, he was traded from Detroit to Colorado, … Continue Reading →
Winter meetings, Day 2: Indians miss out on Victorino ... this looks familiar
There’s a whole lot of tension these days between Indians ownership the fleeting fan base. So don’t think the Dolans will score any brownie points just because they’re perceived to be players in the free-agent market. Until they actually bring in a difference-making player, Indians fans won’t give a rip. Cleveland lost out on one … Continue Reading →
Winter meetings, Day 2: Are Yankees ready to trade Curtis Granderson?
Funny how fast perceptions can change. In 2010, the season after the three-way megatrade between the Tigers, Yankees and Diamondbacks, Detroit was getting so many of the rave reviews, after a sensational rookie season by Austin Jackson. Then the following year, Jackson suffered the typical sophomore slump, Granderson learned how to hit left-handed pitching and set … Continue Reading →