Tigers Still Need to Round Out Their Team

The Detroit Tigers have made the first major free agent signing of the year by bagging Boston Red sox free agent catcher Victor Martinez. This does help their team as he can catch or DH. They also need a few more signings or trades that can round out their roster. They signed Tampa Bay reliever Joaquin Benoit to a 3 year $16 mil contract and they're not sure that they will offer Joel Zumaya arbitration. The Benoit and Martinez signings are solid, but the Tigers need to do more if they are to be thought of as serious contenders for next season.

First, I'd try to find a starting pitcher. Someone that may be a reclamation project or a solid number five that can eat some innings. I'd even look at the number four spot in the rotation since I'm not sold on Phil Coke as a starter. Maybe a Chris Young, Erik Bedard, Jon Garland, Jeff Francis, Jorge De La Rosa, or Vincente Padilla could help. Maybe it's just wishful thinking, but who else do you have. Andy Oliver and Jacob Turner aren't ready and you never know what you're gonna get from Armando Galarraga, Alfredo Figaro,etc. I say look for someone on the cheap that could actually help.

Maybe try to get another reliever. Right now I call it a long shot since they signed Benoit and they will see what they can get out of Zumaya. Throw a bone to Octavio Dotel, J.J. Putz, or Kerry Wood and see what happens.

Last but not least, try to get an affordable position player or two on the cheap. They won't get Adam Dunn. I'd be shocked if they do. But how about Xavier Nady, who can play the outfield and give Miguel Cabrera a day off every once in a while. They do have a need at second base and Orlando Hudson is available. Maybe David Eckstein could work out. If they fall out of the Carl Crawford and Jayson Werth sweepstakes, which i suspect will happen, Pat Burrell, Bill Hall, or Austin Kearns could go platoon in left. In right try to bring back Magglio Ordonez at a reduced price or throw an incentive laden deal at Andruw Jones or Jeff Francouer.

It's not my money so I can't spend it. I'm just saying that if you can catch the big fish, look at possible lower cost alternatives. If they suck, cut bait with them and move on. If they can get the job done it buys time for a pretty bad minor league system to grow. It may not be the most practical solution, but it can't be any worse than what they did in 2008.