Tigers Should Try Trading Magglio to Tampa Bay
By Blake VandeBunte • Oct 27th, 2008 • Category: Edwin Jackson, John Jason, Magglio OrdonezPart of me hates myself for writing that title. Part of me wants to punch myself in the crotch for even suggesting a trade that would send Tigers icon, Magglio Ordonez out of town. However, facts are facts.
- Magglio will be 35 in January.
- Ordonez is owed $18 million in 2009 and a possible $30 million in 2010-11.
- His value is still relatively high.
- The Tigers have plenty of outfield depth.
- The Rays still have loads of young talent.
- Magglio has a limited no trade clause in his deal that does not prevent him being traded to the Rays.
Pursuing a trade with the Rays just makes too much sense not to consider it. The Tigers are getting older and pricier. Trading Ordonez for younger and cheaper players would help ease both of those concerns. Magglio still had a stellar 2008 season as he threatened for the batting title and finished the year with an OPS+ of 127 (100 is average). However, he saw his slugging percentage drop nearly 100 points from the year before and he’s just no longer a threat to hit 30 homers in a season like he was in his prime. He’s also lost a step on defense in right field.
So, why would the Rays want him? It appears as though the Rays season will end tonight in Philadelphia. So far in the playoffs the Rays have started Gabe Gross (.053 AVG), Fernando Perez (.111 AVG), Rocco Baldelli (.176 AVG) and Ben Zobrist (.100 AVG) in right field. When you combine those struggles with the teams disappointing end, it’s possible that the teams management may look to make a bit of a panic move (ahem, Gary Sheffield, ahem). The Rays would not need Magglio to be a 30 HR threat as they already have Carlos Pena and Evan Longoria. This season the Rays employed Cliff Floyd to be a calming veteran leader on their young club, Magglio could do the same thing and contribute a lot more on the field.
Who could the Tigers look to pry from the Tampa Bay roster? Obviously the Tigers would be looking for pitching, which is nice considering the Rays may be the one team in all of baseball with too much pitching (if that even exists). It appears that Edwin Jackson, the teams fifth starter will be the odd man out in 2009 as the team looks to add David Price to the starting rotation. Jackson is only 25 and went 14-11 with an ERA of 4.42 in 2008, easily his best season as a pro. The Rays could also sprinkle in some Minor League talent to help complete the deal.
Another possible target in this deal could be catcher, John Jaso. Jaso just turned 25 and is blocked on the Rays depth chart by All Star, Dioner Navarro. Jaso is a career .295 hitter in the minors with a little bit of pop in his bat. He also boats a career on base percentage of .381 which is often a pretty good indication that guy has good strike zone recognition. If the Tigers could pick up Jaso and Jackson in a deal for Magglio, I really think they would have to consider it.
I have heard no rumors at all to support what I am writing, I just think it makes a ton of sense. Normally the Rays payroll has been very low but I don’t think that should be an issue for them over the next few years as the promise to be very very good (good=money coming in).
While it would be sad to see Magglio go, I would be impressed by the Tigers willingness to move on and make the team better over the long run, while also addressing some current weaknesses.
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I actually thought the Cubs might be a good trade partner for Magglio, though they’re more interested in a left-handed hitter.
You make a pretty good case for the Rays.
Who becomes the 3 hole hitter? and if someone says Granderson, now who bats leadoff?
Maggs is one of those true professional hitters that can hit a single to right center with a risp, or pull one through the hole between third and short, as well as hit a good amount of doubles and has 20-25 homerun power. Yes he dropped back to earth in 08 from his all world numbers in 07, but there are very few players that can be considered a clutch professional hitter in the 3 spot of the batting order.
Maybe they do move him, but I personally don’t think they would get full value even at his age 35.
Good point, Ron. I think that either the number one (if Granderson moves) or three (Granderson stays put) spot could be filled by Mr. Outside-Hire.
I fully understand how talented Magglio is but the fact is, he’s getting to the end of his career and if the Tigers can get something of value for him while dumping salary at the same time then they should go ahead and do it.
The Rays would be dumb to trade one of their young arms for Magglio. If you look at the young teams that have made the playoffs over the last 5 years I am sure you see a major dip in production from their young starters. These young pitchers arent used to pitching an extra month longer so there arms are not the same the next year. Just look at the Tigers pitchers from 2006 to 2007 to 2008.
Ken makes a good point here. I think that pitchers are groomed to build up to the 200 plus innings by 25 innings per year. There was a drop in Tigers pitchers success for several reasons, one was the departed chuck hernandez pitching philosophy, and the extra month of pitching into the 06 world series.
The Tigers should move quickly with some news of trade(s), within a week of the world series ending. So there will be more to discuss. Maybe Maggs, maybe something less dramatic, but we will know the team payroll for 2009 was an issue if he is traded.
Love the idea. I also love Magglio, and it would be hard to see him go. I’m not nuts about Edwin Jackson and I think a pack of minor leaguers plus Jaso could be a smarter move. To give up Magglio, I think you need to get a potential 2-3 starter in return, and if we’re going to get someone with a 4.42 ERA, we might as well go sign Mike Maroth or just rotate guys in from the minors.
The thing with Edwin Jackson is that he’s still very young and was once considered one of the top pitching prospects in the game. Couple that with the fact that he had a very good year pitching in the AL East and I think he would be a welcome addition to the Tigers.
Also, I think we saw this past season that posting a 4.42 ERA isn’t always a given with a starting rotation.