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Tigers' Jacob Turner Draws Heavy Interest At Winter Meetings

In their efforts to swing another big deal at this year's baseball Winter Meetings, one thing became undeniably clear: everyone really likes Jacob Turner.

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Tigers' manager Jim Leyland said that every team the club talked to asked about the 19-year-old righty when they approached them in trade talks.

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"Every time we discussed possible trades at the Winter Meetings, every team that talked to us wanted Jacob Turner," Leyland said in an interview with WDFN Detroit. "So I think that speaks in volumes. Not only are our scout’s really impressed with him, but it’s obvious everyone in baseball thinks this guy is a No. 1 on a pennant-winning team."

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Despite the impression Turner has made on MLB clubs, he's not expected to make it to the big leagues just yet. Detroit is pretty much set on its starting rotation for 2011, with Phil Coke on track to nail down a spot along with Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer, Rick Porcello and possibly Armando Galarraga. However, Leyland wouldn't rule out the possibility that Turner could crack the roster at some point next year.

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"He’s a guy we’re hoping can come along fast," Leyland said. "I would say it would be a real, real longshot that he would break with the club out of spring training, although there are some people that think at some point during the season, a possibility. It's still probably a bit of a longshot, but a possibility."

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