SB Nation Detroit - Tigers Offseason News: Will Rhymes, Five Other Players Agree To One-Year Contractshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48919/detroit-fave.png2012-11-13T18:46:04-05:00http://detroit.sbnation.com/rss/stream/14921872012-11-13T18:46:04-05:002012-11-13T18:46:04-05:00Mariners are interested in Jeremy Bonderman
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<p>The Seattle Mariners have asked about the free agent right-hander, who has an offer from the Tigers</p> <p><span>Jeremy Bonderman</span> is a free agent, and has <a target="_blank" href="http://detroit.sbnation.com/tigers/2012/11/9/3623102/jeremy-bonderman-detroit-tigers">already been offered a new contract by the Tigers</a>. Another club interested in acquiring Bonderman's services is the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lookoutlanding.com/">Seattle Mariners</a>, according to ESPN's Buster Olney:</p>
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<p>The Mariners have expressed interest in Washington native Jeremy Bonderman, who has an offer from the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Tigers</a> in hand.</p>
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) <a href="https://twitter.com/Buster_ESPN/status/268393865311039488" data-datetime="2012-11-13T16:44:18+00:00">November 13, 2012</a>
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<p>Bonderman has not pitched in a major league game since 2010, when he went 8-10 with a 5.53 ERA for Detroit. The four-year, $38 million extension he signed with the Tigers in 2006 expired after the 2010 season, which coincided with him needing a ligament replaced in his throwing elbow with Tommy John surgery.</p>
<p>Bonderman says that he's healthy and his throwing arm is in better shape than it was during the 2010 season. He <a target="_blank" href="http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20121109&content_id=40230742&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb">expects to be prepared to throw off a mound</a> in time for Spring Training 2013.</p>
<p>Bonderman graduated from Pasco High School in Pasco, Wash., a town about 225 miles southeast of Seattle on Interstate 90, and he still maintains his home in that state.</p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/tigers/2012/11/13/3642384/jeremy-bonderman-seattle-marinersJosh Brokaw2011-02-21T17:44:25-05:002011-02-21T17:44:25-05:00Tigers Sign Will Rhymes, Five Other Players To One-Year Contracts
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<p>As the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Detroit Tigers</a> go into their first full week of spring training, the team has agreed <a href="http://www.freep.com/article/20110221/SPORTS02/110221028/1050/sports02?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+FreepDetroitTigers+%28freep.com+%7C+Detroit+Tigers%29&utm_content=Twitter">to one-year contracts with six players </a>for the 2011 season.</p>
<p>Of the six, second baseman <span>Will Rhymes</span> is the one who saw the most action with the Tigers last year. He hit .304/.350/.414 with one home run and 19 RBIs in 213 plate appearances after being called up from Triple-A Toledo in late July. Rhymes also provided solid defense in the field.</p>
<p>Pitcher <span>Robbie Weinhardt</span> also joined the major league club in July before being sent back down to Toledo in mid-August. He was called back up in September and stuck around for the rest of the season. In 28 appearances, Weinhardt compiled a 2-2 record and 6.14 <span class="caps">ERA</span> with 21 strikeouts in 29 1/3 innings.</p>
<p>Left-handed relievers <span>Daniel Schlereth</span> and Brad Thomas also agreed to terms with the Tigers, along with starting pitcher Andy Oliver and infielder <span>Cale Iorg</span>.</p>
<p>Schlereth and Thomas are expected to win jobs in Detroit’s bullpen to begin the season, as the team needs lefty relievers with <span>Phil Coke</span> moving to the starting rotation. Oliver could be a midseason call-up, depending on his performance in the minors and what the Tigers need.</p>
<p>Iorg was once considered a top shortstop prospect, but poor hitting (.215/.251/.347 between Double-A Erie and Toledo last year) has stunted his development. However, the Tigers must think enough of his future (and their thin depth among infield prospects) to keep him on the 40-man roster.</p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/detroit-tigers/2011/2/21/2006622/tigers-sign-will-rhymes-five-other-players-to-one-year-contractsIan Casselberry2011-02-11T13:20:28-05:002011-02-11T13:20:28-05:00Tigers Agree To One-Year Contracts With Phil Coke, Seven Other Players
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<p>We’re a few days behind on this news, but when <a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110207&content_id=16590722&vkey=news_det&c_id=det&partnerId=rss_det">eight players agree to contract terms</a> with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Detroit Tigers</a>, it’s still probably worth noting.</p>
<p>Let’s begin with <span>Phil Coke</span>, the one player among the eight who is assured a spot on the active major league roster in 2011. Coke, 28, is one of the more intriguing players for the Tigers as they head into Spring Training, as he’ll be moving from the bullpen to the starting rotation.</p>
<p>As a reliever last season, Coke was probably Detroit’s best man out of the bullpen. The left-hander pitched in 74 games, compiling a 7-5 record, 3.76 <span class="caps">ERA</span>, and 53 strikeouts in 64 2/3 innings. He’s expected to fill the fourth spot in the Tigers’ starting rotation, providing a left-hander that Detroit didn’t have among its starters for most of last season.</p>
<p>Coke’s contract is believed to be for $425,000, the same amount he made last year. He’s eligible for arbitration in 2012, however, and if he’s able to pitch successfully as a starter this season, a hefty boost in salary seems likely.</p>
<p>First baseman-outfielder <span>Ryan Strieby</span>, infielder <span>Audy Ciriaco</span>, left-handers Charlie Furbush and <span>Duane Below</span>, and right-handers Brayan Villareal, <span>Lester Oliveros</span> and <span>Jose Ortega</span> are the seven other players who signed. All are minor-league prospects. Among those seven, Strieby and Furbush are the ones most likely to see the majors next season, or maybe even some time this year.</p>
<p>Strieby has dealt with hand and wrist injuries over the past two seasons, but the Tigers like his power bat enough to move him to left field so he might eventually have a place in the major-league lineup. Last season, Strieby hit 10 home runs and 49 RBIs in 325 plate appearances with Triple-A Toledo.</p>
<p>Furbush pitched at Single-A Lakeland and Double-A Erie last season before finishing the year with the Mud Hens. The left-hander compiled a 3-4 record and 6.29 <span class="caps">ERA</span> in nine starts, with 37 strikeouts in 48 2/3 innings.</p>
<p>No financial details on any of the other seven contracts were released. The deals are major-league contracts, however, meaning they won’t take effect unless the player sees time in Detroit this season. (Salaries would then be prorated.)</p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/detroit-tigers/2011/2/11/1988524/tigers-agree-to-one-year-contracts-with-phil-coke-seven-other-playersIan Casselberry2011-01-24T19:52:44-05:002011-01-24T19:52:44-05:00It's Official: Tigers Trade Armando Galarraga To Diamondbacks For Two Minor League Pitchers
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<p><a href="http://detroit.sbnation.com/detroit-tigers/2011/1/24/1953434/tigers-on-verge-of-trading-armando-galarraga-to-diamondbacks">Earlier Monday</a>, Brian posted the outline of a trade between the <a href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Detroit Tigers</a> and <a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Arizona Diamondbacks</a> involving <span>Armando Galarraga</span>. All that had to be worked out were the final details. The deal is <a href="http://twitter.com/OFFICIAL_TIGERS/status/29644270352732160#">now official</a>, as announced by the Tigers on Twitter.</p>
<p><a href="http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110124&content_id=16490666&vkey=news_det&c_id=det">Via Jason Beck on Tigers.com:</a></p>
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<p>“I talked with Armando earlier today and thanked him,” Tigers president/general manager Dave Dombrowski said on a Monday afternoon conference call, "and he was very thankful of everything from the organization. I told him it was a good opportunity for him. Arizona was very aggressive in trying to get him, and he has a great chance of making their rotation.</p>
<p>“It’s really the best-case scenario for all involved. We’re happy for him that it’s worked out, and we were able to get a couple prospects in return.”</p>
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<p>In exchange for Galarraga, Detroit gets two minor league pitchers. As posted earlier, one of them is 20-year-old right-hander Kevin Eichhorn. The other prospect is 23-year-old left-hander Ryan Robowski.</p>
<p>Last season, Eichhorn moved from Rookie League to high Single-A, pitching in 15 starts altogether. Overall, he finished with a 5-6 record and 5.00 <span class="caps">ERA</span> with 81 strikeouts in 86 1/3 innings.</p>
<p>Robowski appeared in 35 games for Single-A Visalia last year. compiling a 2-4 record, 5.17 <span class="caps">ERA</span> and 51 strikeouts in 54 innings.</p>
<p>Mark Anderson of <a href="http://tigers.scout.com/2/1042388.html">TigsTown.com</a> posted his thoughts on <a href="https://twitter.com/TigsTownMark/status/29646538355515392">Eichhorn</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/TigsTownMark/status/29646771466539008">Robowski</a> on Twitter, classifying both pitchers as fringe prospects that currently project as relievers in the major leagues.</p>
<p>Galarraga ends his Tigers career with a 23-26 record and 4.58 ERA in 78 starts (87 appearances) over three seasons.</p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/detroit-tigers/2011/1/24/1954217/tigers-trade-armando-galarraga-to-diamondbacks-for-minor-leaguersIan Casselberry2011-01-24T14:24:38-05:002011-01-24T14:24:38-05:00Tigers 'On The Verge' Of Trading Armando Galarraga To Diamondbacks
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<p>When the <a href="http://detroit.sbnation.com/detroit-tigers/2011/1/18/1942547/tigers-officially-announce-brad-penny-signing-designate-armando" target="_blank">Tigers designated Armando Galarraga's contract for assignment</a> last Tuesday, it gave them 10 days to either trade him, release him, or assign him to the bus leagues. The Tigers contended from the beginning that they would try to trade Galarraga to a team deficient of starting pitching. It appears that's exactly what will happen.</p>
<p><a href="http://twitter.com/beckjason/status/28867623496196096#" target="_blank">Dave Dombrowski said on Sunday</a> that a deal involving Armando Galarraga and the Arizona Diamondbacks is "likely." Today, <a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110124&content_id=16490284&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb" target="_blank">an MLB source told MLB.com's Steve Gilbert</a> the deal is "on the verge" of happening and it could go down today. </p>
<p>In the potential deal, the Tigers would get 20-year-old righty Kevin Eichhorn and "another player," according to the source. Eichhorn was the Diamondbacks' 3rd round draft pick in the 2008 amateur draft. In 105 Minor League innings pitched, he has a 4.80 ERA, 1.314 WHIP and 108 strikeouts opposite 28 base on balls.</p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/detroit-tigers/2011/1/24/1953434/tigers-on-verge-of-trading-armando-galarraga-to-diamondbacksPackey2011-01-18T16:17:25-05:002011-01-18T16:17:25-05:00Tigers Officially Announce Brad Penny Signing; Designate Armando Galarraga's Contract For Assignment
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<p><a target="_blank" href="http://detroit.sbnation.com/detroit-tigers/2011/1/11/1928818/tigers-brad-penny-agree-to-one-year-deal">Exactly a week ago</a> the Tigers and Brad Penny reportedly agreed on a one-year, $3 million deal with incentives that will allow Penny to earn another $3 million. Today, Tigers General Manager Dave Dombrowski <a href="http://www.foxsportsdetroit.com/01/18/11/Tigers-agree-to-terms-with-Penny-designa/landing.html?blockID=393174&feedID=3706" target="_blank">officially announced</a> the transaction to the media: </p>
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<p>"We are pleased to announce the signing of Brad Penny," Tigers President, Chief Executive Officer and General Manager David Dombrowski said.</p>
<p>"He’s a proven major league starter that we feel strengthens our rotation."</p>
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<p>The wait for an official announcement was on Penny's pending physical.</p>
<p>But perhaps it was also to figure out Armando Galarraga's contract situation, who, if signed, would likely compete with the newly-acquired Penny for the fifth and final rotation spot. (Galarraga was guaranteed a 2011 contract of some type because Detroit tendered him a deal last month). <a target="_blank" href="http://detroit.sbnation.com/detroit-tigers/2011/1/18/1941432/report-tigers-and-armando-galarraga-agree-on-one-year-contract">As Ian mentioned last night</a>, Galarraga was eligible for arbitration, something the Tigers haven't had to experience since Dombrowski took over in 2002. By agreeing to a contract with Galarraga now, they would avoid it once again. </p>
<p>A mere six hours after coming to an agreement with Galarraga (one-year, $2.3 million), <a target="_blank" href="http://twitter.com/beckjason/statuses/27459021967462400">as Jason Beck pointed out</a>, the Tigers supplemented the official announcement of Penny's arrival by designating Galarraga's very fresh contract for assignment. The move makes room for Penny on the 40-man roster and gives the Tigers 10 days to either trade, release, or assign Galarraga to the minors. </p>
<p>So why did the Tigers sign Galarraga in the first place if they were just going to designate him for assignment hours later?</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://twitter.com/beckjason/statuses/27460411666202624">According to Jason Beck</a>, it's a formality. The Tigers could've wasted time and money by waiting on an arbitration date in February or they could've simply agreed to terms with Galarraga now, as they did. By designating him for assignment, Galarraga still has a chance to pitch somewhere or at the very least receive a decent severance payment of around $380,000. The move also benefits the Tigers in that it gives them a little time to either work out a trade -- <a target="_blank" href="http://twitter.com/Tom_Gage/statuses/27472730936836096">which Tom Gage thinks will happen</a> -- or convince Galarraga to stick it out in the minors with a chance to return to the bigs if a rotation spot opens up along the way, as it tends to happen. </p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/detroit-tigers/2011/1/18/1942547/tigers-officially-announce-brad-penny-signing-designate-armandoPackey2011-01-18T00:22:26-05:002011-01-18T00:22:26-05:00Report: Tigers and Armando Galarraga Agree On One-Year Contract [UPDATED]
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<p>It appeared as if the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Detroit Tigers</a> and <span>Armando Galarraga</span> might take negotiations on a new contract right up until an arbitration hearing. The two sides were scheduled to exchange salary figures on Tuesday, and <a href="http://apps.detnews.com/apps/blogs/tigersblog/index.php?blogid=2385">most indications</a> were that Galarraga might seek a significant raise. But he probably lost some negotiating leverage when the team signed <span>Brad Penny</span> <a href="http://detroit.sbnation.com/detroit-tigers/2011/1/11/1928818/tigers-brad-penny-agree-to-one-year-deal">last week</a>.</p>
<p>Detroit hasn’t gone to arbitration with a player since Dave Dombrowski took over as team president in 2002, however. And it looks like that streak is going to hold. SI.com’s <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/SI_JonHeyman/status/27222383869825024">Jon Heyman</a> reported via Twitter that the Tigers and Galarraga have reached agreement on a one-year contract worth $2.3 million.</p>
<p>Last season, Galarraga finished with a 4-9 record and 4.49 <span class="caps">ERA</span>. But coming within one out of pitching a perfect game, only to be robbed of the achievement on a blown call by umpire Jim Joyce, brought him national attention. Galarraga was especially celebrated for the compassion and sportsmanship he demonstrated toward Joyce in light of what happened.</p>
<p>But he still had an inconsistent season, as his final numbers illustrate. One month later, Galarraga was even sent down to the minor leagues. The demotion was a temporary one, as the Tigers needed to shuffle their starting rotation. But if Galarraga had pitched better, such a move wouldn’t have even been considered.</p>
<p>Right now, Galarraga looks like the odd man out of the starting rotation. Penny was signed to be the fifth starter, and <span>Phil Coke</span> is expected to hold down the fourth spot. Those roles could change depending on how everyone pitches in Spring Training, of course.</p>
<p>Some, such as the Detroit News’ <a href="http://detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?category=OPINION0322">Lynn Henning</a>, believes the pitching surplus could lead to a trade. But does a team ever make it through the season using only five starting pitchers? Galarraga could begin the season in the bullpen, and that depth could be useful if and when injuries and fatigue set in among the Tigers’ starters.</p>
<p>However, the Tigers’ patience with Galarraga seems thin (especially from manager Jim Leyland). Even though this contract seems to be a vote of confidence, you get the feeling that Galarraga also could be on his last chance with this team if he can’t pull himself together this season.</p>
<p><b>UPDATE:</b> MLB.com's Jason Beck has <a href="http://beck.mlblogs.com/archives/2011/01/tigers_galarraga_avoid_arbitra.html">more information</a> on Galarraga's contract. The $2.3 million is the same Jeremy Bonderman received when he was first eligible for arbitration in 2006.</p>
<p>Galarraga's contract is not guaranteed, so if he doesn't perform well in Spring Training, the Tigers could release him by March 15 and owe him approximately $380,000 (or 30 days' termination pay). If he was released by March 30, the Tigers would owe him about $569,000 (or 45 days' pay).</p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/detroit-tigers/2011/1/18/1941432/report-tigers-and-armando-galarraga-agree-on-one-year-contractIan Casselberry2011-01-14T16:53:05-05:002011-01-14T16:53:05-05:00Tigers Sign Joel Zumaya To One-Year Deal, Avoiding Arbitration
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<p>This surely isn’t the last time we’ll say it, but we’ll say it again, anyway: Dave Dombrowski does not do arbitration.</p>
<p>Since becoming the president and general manager of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Detroit Tigers</a> in 2002, Dombrowski and the team have not gone to an arbitration hearing with an eligible player. The Tigers and the player have agreed to terms beforehand every single time.</p>
<p>Today was no exception, as pitcher <span>Joel Zumaya</span> agreed to <a href="http://detnews.com/article/20110114/SPORTS0104/101140421/1129/rss15">a one-year contract</a> with Detroit. The deal is for $1.4 million, approximately a $500,000 raise over <a href="http://beck.mlblogs.com/archives/2011/01/tigers_avoid_arbitration_with_1.html">what he made last season</a>.</p>
<p>Before suffering <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/2010/6/28/1542501/joel-zumaya-video-elbow-injury-tigers">a season-ending fracture</a> in his right elbow, Zumaya was pitching well out of the bullpen. In 31 appearances, he posted a 2.58 <span class="caps">ERA</span> and 34 strikeouts in 38 1/3 innings. It was his best performance since his breakout rookie season in 2006.</p>
<p>Detroit already has the back end of their relief corps taken care of with <span>Joaquin Benoit</span> and <span>Jose Valverde</span> tabbed to pitch in late innings. That frees up Jim Leyland to use Zumaya in any necessary middle relief situation. What if the Tigers find themselves in a bases-loaded jam in the sixth inning and need a strikeout? Zumaya can come in for that.</p>
<p>Given Zumaya’s injury history, signing him to any sort of contract might seem like a risk. And there were some rumblings that the Tigers might not tender him a contract during the offseason. But when healthy, Zumaya can still be a dominant reliever. And if he recovers from his elbow injury and is able to pitch regularly, he provides the Tigers with a bullpen weapon that not many other teams have.</p>
<p>Of course, Zumaya is all about that “if.” He’s had his season cut short by injuries (finger, shoulder, elbow) in each of the past four years. A full season could lead to a big payday, however, as Zumaya is eligible for free agency this October.</p>
<p><span>Armando Galarraga</span> becomes the Tigers’ remaining arbitration-eligible player.</p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/detroit-tigers/2011/1/14/1935642/tigers-sign-joel-zumaya-to-one-year-deal-avoiding-arbitrationIan Casselberry