March 29, 200521 yr So the Tigers are supposed to eat 8 million, plus 4.5, so they can trade a 4th outfielder in their crowded OF for another? Nice. But wait, there's more. The Tigers are now supposed to eat 8 million and then 4 million more for Urbina, and send this all to us for another 4.5 million OF they don't need AND a pitcher who can't throw until 2006? Do you listen to yourselves? Major League ballclubs are NOT this stupid.
March 29, 200521 yr Time will tell but I don't see how the $$$ math works for either team. 723635[/snapback] I think the money situation works out great for the Tigers, as long as you begin with the assumption that the Tigers are planning to cut this guy if they can't get something done. If they cut him, they're on the hook for the entire $8 million with nothing to show for it. By trading for Enc and paying half of Higgy's salary, they essentially spend the same $8 million, but get a player who (assumedly) they would actually keep on the roster. From our perspective it's trickier - it would essentially be a straight swap, same price for either player. The only reason to do it would be if we just plain want Higgy more than Encarnacion. But, from what i've seen from his stats and our need for a lefty bat, that may be the case. Something seems fishy here, though. If this goes down as it is - a basic straight-swap of outfielders - it stands to reason that both teams are pretty desperate to get rid of their respective players. It's gotta make you suspicious why the Tigers are so eager to dump this guy that they're otherwise ready to cut him and eat the salary. It certainly makes you think there might be more to this deal.
March 30, 200521 yr How 'bout this deal: DET gets: Juan Encarnacion, Trevor Hutchinson FLA gets: Bobby Higginson, Ugueth Urbina, $$$ Det wants to rid itself of Higgy, and Urbina wants to close. 723703[/snapback] Nice deal, but I think Hutchinson is out for the year...I believe? Encarnacion and Willingham could swing the deal..."JMO"
March 30, 200521 yr Why not give them Howard for Higginson? We are going to have to release him any way, because he is out of options.
March 30, 200521 yr How 'bout this deal: DET gets: Juan Encarnacion, Trevor Hutchinson FLA gets: Bobby Higginson, Ugueth Urbina, $$$ Det wants to rid itself of Higgy, and Urbina wants to close. 723703[/snapback] Nice deal, but I think Hutchinson is out for the year...I believe? Encarnacion and Willingham could swing the deal..."JMO" 723843[/snapback] :thumbdown
March 30, 200521 yr No to reacquiring Urbina. He was shaky here as a closer. Just 1% less shaky than Looper. Would be a quality set-up guy, but it's not worth the prospects. We have a pretty good bullpen, if a few arms implode and it turns into a mess by the end of April, we can trade one of the newly acquired arms but only then not any sooner. Let's not be too greedy. Just trade righty crap with speed for lefty crap with patience. Conine/Higginson, Aguila, Willingham, Treanor, W. Delgado, Easley is a damn fine bench. Best of all the possiblities.
March 30, 200521 yr Sunday will be an interesting day as teams have to make hard decisions about personnel as they whittle their way down to a 25 man roster. While you're not going to find the next Albert Puljos available there's probably going to be a half-dozen players who would fit nicely in teal. I think the Higginson thing is Dombrowski just trying to get ahead of the herd, and the Marlins would be wise to wait.
March 30, 200521 yr Sunday will be an interesting day as teams have to make hard decisions about personnel as they whittle their way down to a 25 man roster. While you're not going to find the next Albert Puljos available there's probably going to be a half-dozen players who would fit nicely in teal. I think the Higginson thing is Dombrowski just trying to get ahead of the herd, and the Marlins would be wise to wait. 723928[/snapback] Care to answer the questions I posted back a few pages? I don't think the Marlins can wait. Encarnacion is taking up valuable playing time from Aguila and Willingham and whatever player might be available Sunday.
March 30, 200521 yr I think an overrated Enc is better than an overrated Higginson 723357[/snapback] Higginson and his .350+ on-base for anything less than $4.5 Mill > Juan Encarnacion and his s*** on-base for $4.5 Mill
March 30, 200521 yr Not only is higginson better than enc, but if he comes here it will be with the intention of keeping him on the bench. If/when conine gets healthy, he will be our starter. Higginson can platoon with him once ina while, and provide solid defense and a decent bat off the bench. If the tigers take up at least 5 million of higginson's salary, we can end up paying 3.5 million for higginson and get rid of enc, who is dead weight, even when hes healthy. Enc will only take away playing time from conine, which is bad for team chemistry and for offensive production.
March 30, 200521 yr At the game Monday I was getting Carnys autograph after the game and somebody asked him if he is going to be the starting right fielder and he said that we are working something out right now. So take that for what its worth.
March 30, 200521 yr Sunday will be an interesting day as teams have to make hard decisions about personnel as they whittle their way down to a 25 man roster. While you're not going to find the next Albert Puljos available there's probably going to be a half-dozen players who would fit nicely in teal. I think the Higginson thing is Dombrowski just trying to get ahead of the herd, and the Marlins would be wise to wait. 723928[/snapback] Care to answer the questions I posted back a few pages? I don't think the Marlins can wait. Encarnacion is taking up valuable playing time from Aguila and Willingham and whatever player might be available Sunday. 723936[/snapback] You're assuming Detroit would be willing to take on Enc's $4.5 million contract, or absent that someone else would, whole or in part. I know I'm repeating myself, but I don't see how the $$$ works unless the Fish wait for Higginson to be cut, then pick him up for the MLB minimum - and then make a deal (or cut) Enc, and then cut the 25th player to make room for him. If the Marlins were to trade Enc and pay his contract (or assume an equal amount of Higginson's contract, then you are left with a $4.5 million platoon player. Not good. If The Marlins could trade Enc first, even paying upperwards of half his contract, and then subsequently pickup someone at the ML minimum (Higgy, Grieve, etc.) they would be much better off. As for questions - who knows what's in the heads of Grieve or Higginson and whether they would sign here if Enc was still in the squad? I'm not a mind-reader. Their decisions may be made on ego - wanting to remain on a MLB roster regardless of playing time. As for who's roster spot? I expect it would be Delgado's but that's just a seat of the pants guess. And lastly, no I don't think it puts the Marlins in a bad light to have Enc platooning or sitting on the bench, that's baseball.
March 30, 200521 yr BTW, did anyone reader Kevin Baxter's piece in the Herald today? I'd reprint it here but if you read my post YESTERDAY from the Detroit Free Press on Tuesday you've already read it. As close to plageurism as you'll find.
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