Another year’s trade deadline passed today at 4PM EST today. These are quite a bit more fun when the team is in contention for the division and that was the case for Detroit this year. Dave Dombrowski was out looking to improve the roster in a few key areas; the bullpen and a backup shortstop, but ultimately decided to stick with the team that we have.
There wasn’t much available at on the market and what was available was going at high prices. I know many are disappointed that no trades were made, particularly to shore up the leaky bullpen, but I don’t really have a problem with it. I don’t see much that was truly going to come in and make a difference on the team this year particularly without mortgaging the future massively.
Below are the key trades that Detroit was reportedly exploring and why they didn’t happen:
1) Jack Wilson – Pirates – SS – I spent most of the day worrying that a deal for Wilson would actually happen before the deadline. I wrote earlier in the week about the prospect of Carlos Guillen playing shortstop for Detroit long-term, but for this year’s team there is a more immediate need for a backup. The likelihood of Neifi Perez returning to the team is looking extremely small and last year’s backup Ramon Santiago is out with a broken finger.
So Dombrowski looked to Jack Wilson who has been rather unimpressive, batting .249/.301/.340 for the Pirates. Thats all fine and good for a backup, as long as he plays solid defense, which he does. What makes him a bad trade is that he doesn’t cost backup money, actually he is to top payed player for Pittsburgh. He is owed $5.25M in ’07 (so this would be prorated), $6.5M in ’08, $7.25M in ’09, $8.4M club option in ’10 ($0.6M buyout). And you thought the Neifi deal was bad? Be glad this didn’t happen.
2) Chad Cordero – Nationals – RHP – Cordero is one player that would have helped the Tigers this year. By the start of today it was apparent this deal was dead but late last week and this was because the Nats GM Jim Bowden was asking hefty prices, namely Cameron Maybin who is/has been clearly off limits.
This isn’t the first time Bowden has held onto players he likely won’t be able to keep long-term due to high asking prices, namely last year an Alfonso Soriano.
3) Eric Gagne – Rangers – RHP – Detroit never had much of a chance for Gagne as he was demanding a closers role and that was not open in Detroit. Regardless of how much some here would like to see Todd Jones replaced, he hasn’t been the problem and Leyland has been clear that he is safe.
Gagne also had a no trade clause and Detroit was on his list of teams to which he could not be traded. Yes, it’s true that Gagne ended up allowing the trade to Boston where he will be a setup man to Jonathan Papelbon. However, Papelbon’s future is likely as a starter, maybe even next year, in which case Gagne could slot right into the closer role for the Red Sox.