The Miami Herald has reported that the Detroit Tigers and Florida Marlins are closing in on a deal that would send OF Bobby Higginson to the Florida Marlins for OF Juan Encarnacion. It has been reported that the Marlins want to improve their bench with a lefty power hitter and the Detroit Tigers are looking for a center fielder. The only obstacle in this deal is the amount of money the Marlins would recieve in the deal.

Sounds good to me, I dont want to have to pay Carny all that money to sit on the bench I would rather have Aguila coming off the bench.

Wow. Seems a bit above a rumor now.

I'll trust the FO if it includes trading Enc. And, I've been optimistic about Enc's contribution this Season.

 

Seems like a crap-shoot between two over-paid players. Advantage Marlins?

 

Enc's advantage is he can play all 3 OF positions. But, we don't need him while waiting for JP's return. Aguila can do it (and he's coming on strong.)

 

And then there's Conine, LF, RF.

And Little, CF, LF, RF.

And Willingham and Dillon back-up on the corners until JP returns.

And then there's Miggy. LF!

 

I think Jack has been hinting there's a trade brewing.

I think an overrated Enc is better than an overrated Higginson

I'm sure all the "seam-heads" around here will love Higgy.

 

:whistle

I think I would rather have Encarnacion based on defense if nothing else. Aguila is showing he can play this spring.

I like how the Hearld uses this picture in their article, doesn't it make you all warm and fuzzy over Higginson?

 

BTW, it doesn't say it is going to be Enc for Higginson, just said he was mentioned in the talks. The Tigers just happen to be looking for a CF. Why? I am not sure since they are having to cut Higginson because they have too many OFs as is.

 

Here is the article:

link

There's something more to this than I know about. The Tigers already have way too many OF's, hence the reason why they're trying to trade Higgy in the first place.

 

I thought that the CF position was pretty much set with Monroe having a great spring and proving that he can play the position efficiently. Why would the Tigers need to trade one outfielder for another outfielder?

Why trade for Higginson when he will be cut soon? This makes no sense. I wish we would have signed Alex Sanchez.

There's something more to this than I know about. The Tigers already have way too many OF's, hence the reason why they're trying to trade Higgy in the first place.

 

I thought that the CF position was pretty much set with Monroe having a great spring and proving that he can play the position efficiently. Why would the Tigers need to trade one outfielder for another outfielder?

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Reports this am on XM radio that the Tigers and Mets are talking about Rhondel White now..

This would be a bad deal. I like Enc. better than Higginson. Let's trade them a mid level prospect, cut Lenny, and just use Higginson as our lefty off the bench.

No deal....come on Front Office. Bobby Higginson? ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

Why the hell does everyone want Bobby Higginson? How is he all of a sudden Babe Ruth?

Crap for crap.

 

+ Higginson gives a natural platoon partner for Conine and a better lefthanded bat off the bench than old Lenny.

- Encarnacion can play center while Pierre is injured

+ Aguila did reasonably well in September and spring. He's atleast earned a shot. Let him show it.

- It's still crap for crap.

Crap for crap.

 

+ Higginson gives a natural platoon partner for Conine and a better lefthanded bat off the bench than old Lenny.

- Encarnacion can play center while Pierre is injured

+ Aguila did reasonably well in September and spring. He's atleast earned a shot. Let him show it.

- It's still crap for crap.

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+ Higginson would come $3.5 million cheaper, or there about.

- Who knows if Higginson will take a walk this year

+Higginson's OBP, SLG, TB and AVG went up last year (all of Juan E's dropped)

+Higginson's OBP last year was just 0.001 less than Juan E's career best which was in 1998.

+Higginson took about the same amount of walks last year Juan E has taken the last 2 years combined.

+Higginson had 13 assists to Juan's 6. (Juan's career high 10/Higginson's 19)

+Both had the same amount of steals, Higginson was caught 2 less times last year.

+Higginson had more SFs

+Higginson had more RBIs

+Higginson had less Ks

+Higginson had a better runs-created figure

 

All of this with about 40 less ABs than Juan E mind you.

oh please make it so!

oh please make it so!

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Agreed

I am not convinced. However, if it saves us money and gives Conine more playing time then go for it.

Pull the trigger, it would save us some serious $

It seems to me people are forgetting Encarnacion's $4.5 million contract for 2005.

 

What would probably happen IF SUCH A TRADE were to take place is that the Marlins would wind up paying virtually all of Enc's contract and the Detroit Higginson's. So we'd wind up paying the $4.5 for Higginson instead of Enc.

 

That being the case (because the Tigers are not about to pay both contracts - almost $13 million for the luxury of having Enc playing CF) I don't expect this gets done.

 

Rather, as one article implied, the Marlins will slow play this and wait, probably until he's cut or moments from being cut, and offer a minor leaguer of minimal value, or if they really want the guy, sign him as a free agent upon his release.

 

Enc for Higginson makes no sense. I only hope we don't offer a Chris Aguila or Josh Willingham. As for Greive, there may be better fish to fry.

 

P.S. Nice post PhishPhan :thumbup

Even if the actual talent is equal (crap) the fit is much better for us making it a net plus.

Just to add a little something, from today's FREEP (Detroit Free Press):

 

"Instead of releasing Higginson this weekend, the Tigers can designate him for assignment. He would then be off the roster, but the Tigers would have 10 days to trade him before they had to release him. Higginson might not reach the job market until the second week of the regular season.

 

The Tigers owe Higginson $8.85 million this season, even if they let him go (and they would probably have to pay most of that contract even if they trade him)."

A few questions to ponder:

 

Would Higginson or Grieve :drool sign here if Encarncion was still on the roster?

 

Whose place on the roster would they take? Harris, Willingham, Aguila? One of those three have to be sent to AAA to make room for Wilson Delgado or a 12th pitcher anyway. Two of those three might better than both Higginson and Encarnacion.

 

If Encarnacion receives Darren Oliver early July playing time after Pierre returns, would that reflect badly on the Marlins?