Detroit Tigers

Where will Tigers Joel Zumaya, Carlos Guillen end up?

The Tigers brought back one of their free agents, infielder Ramon Santiago.

They might just be saying farewell to the rest.

A report by Enrique Rojas of ESPN Deportes says as many as five times are intereseted in second baseman Carlos Guillen. Among them: the Athletics, Mariners, Marlins, Royals and Twins.

Guillen is 36, and injuries have limited him severely the last four years. He hasn’t played more than 120 games since 2007. But he’s still drawing some interest, probably for a super utility role. He can play second base, shortstop and third base, though his days as a starting fielder are likely over. If healthy, Guillen could be a designated hitter; it’s worth noting four of those five teams are AL clubs.

Either way, his Tigers career is coming to an end. GM Dave Dombrowski has said as much.

Same with outfielder Magglio Ordonez.

But Dombrowski has expressed an interest in bringing back hard-throwing — but oft-injured — reliever Joel Zumaya. That might prove tricky, however. MLB.com reported last week that Zumaya will soon work out for as many as 10 ballclubs, with the Red Sox believed to be among them.

With so much apparent interest, it’s a good bet Zumaya, 27, will get a low-risk major league deal from somebody hoping he recaptures that 2006 glory. And the Tigers don’t appear at all interested in committing to Zumaya with anything more than an invitiation to spring training.

Of course the Tigers are hesitant to do any more than that. They’ve had high hopes for a Zumaya resurgence countless times, only to watch him suffer any number of injuries. He hasn’t pitched in more than 31 games in a season since that remarkable rookie season.

 

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