Garcia Signed, Sheffield Placed on Waivers?
By Blake VandeBunte • Aug 12th, 2008 • Category: 2008 season, Freddy Garcia, Gary SheffieldThe Tigers have signed free agent starting pitcher Freddy Garcia to a minor league deal. There were reports of Garcia signing with a contender since he could end up being a valuable contributor down the line. However, since the Tigers have faded from contention, it’s a little bit surprising that they picked up Garcia. Even more surprising is the fact that Garcia wanted to join a fading club. Strange huh?
Conventional wisdom says that Garcia will probably pitch in the minors for at least a couple of weeks before joining the big league club. He’ll report to Lakeland for starters. Garcia could join the Tigers by September 1. Any player on a teams 25 man roster by September 1st is available for post season play. While it’s unlikely that the Tigers will be playing in the playoffs, this will also give them at least a months look at Garcia before he hits free agency this fall.
Garcia just turned 32 in June so he could be good for at least a couple of seasons if he fully heals from his latest injury. You have to think he signed with the Tigers for a reason. I would have to believe that if he does well and the Tigers want him back, they’d have a good shot at keeping him. It’s also worth noting that Garcia is from Venezuela, the home country of many Tigers players. That is quite often a big deal for baseball players.
In other news, ESPN.com is reporting that the Tigers have placed Gary Sheffield on waivers. This probably isn’t that big of a deal, it just seems big because Sheffield is an asshole. When a player is placed on waivers he can be claimed by any team, starting in order by teams with the worst record. If Sheffield is claimed by a team, the Tigers and that team have a week to work out a trade for that player. Hopefully, and seriously cross everything, some team picks up this guy so the Tigers don’t have to deal with him any more.
So, even though things are down in Tiger land, at least we have some stuff to talk about. I’ll keep an eye on the Garcia situation and hopefully we’ll have a Sheffield trade within the next week.
Back in June I did a little bit on Garcia possibly joining the Tigers. Check it out if you have more time than money.
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Blake VandeBunte is a posting fiend.
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Maybe the 2 home runs he hit tonight will bring in some takers.
Surprisingly, Garcia said he hopes to play with the Tigers next year. Part of me says, he’s supposed to say that. But part of me thinks he might actually mean it.
Hopefully he’ll get back to form and want to be a Tiger in 09.
That’s what I’m hoping. Apparently you can never have too many starting pitchers.