Guzman on waivers, Tigers still looking for lefty

Guzman on waivers, Tigers still looking for lefty
by Danny Knobler
Thursday March 27, 2008, 10:26 AM

LAKELAND, Fla. -- No new players yet in Tiger camp, but there has been one more subtraction.

Outfielder Freddy Guzman isn't in uniform today, and baseball sources said he is already on outright waivers. The Tigers will find out this afternoon whether Guzman has been claimed. If he clears, he'll likely be outrighted to Triple-A Toledo.

It still appears that outfielder Clete Thomas will be the 25th player. There's some sentiment in the organization for keeping catcher Dane Sardinha instead of Thomas, but Thomas seems to have the inside track.

Thomas is definitely traveling with the team tonight, when they go to Houston for the final two exhibition games.

Jim Leyland asked him the other day if he had a sportscoat to wear on the plane. Thomas said no. Leyland then asked if Thomas had ever worn a sportscoat. Thomas said he'd worn a tuxedo for his wedding, but otherwise hadn't.

"Well, you might want to get one,'' Leyland said.

The only other uncertainty about the opening day roster is whether the Tigers can find another left-hander for the bullpen. They've checked the waiver wire daily, but it's not known whether they've put in any claims.

Thursday, March 27, 2008
Tigers send Guzman to AA Erie
Lynn Henning The Detroit News

LAKELAND, Fla. -- The Tigers officially eliminated outfielder Freddy Guzman from the race to win a 25th roster position when Guzman, 27, was optioned today to Double A Erie.

Guzman had been in the running for the final position place on manager Jim Leyland's 25-man roster that will open the 2008 season Monday against Kansas City at Comerica Park.

He became a factor when regular center-fielder Curtis Granderson broke a bone in his right hand Saturday in a game against the Philadelphia Phillies. Granderson will be sidelined for at least the first two weeks of the regular season.

Guzman was acquired in a December trade with Texas that sent Chris Shelton to the Rangers.

Leyland said Thursday that the final roster spots for pitchers and position players were still unresolved.

It is believed the Tigers, barring a trade, will choose between reserve catcher Dane Sardinha and rookie outfielder Clete Thomas, a top 10 Tigers prospect who during spring camp has been among the most impressive of the farm system's young players.

Thomas, 24, was a sixth-round draft pick in 2005 from Clemson. He is a left-hand hitter who has impressed Leyland from the start with his hustle, baseball smarts, and with a steady stream of strong at-bats against Grapefruit League pitching.

Apart from a trade or waiver acquisition, the Tigers will likely go with Bobby Seay as their only left-hand reliever. Leyland likely would settle on Yorman Bazardo and Aquilino Lopez as his 11th and 12th pitchers.