Tigers SIGN free-agent pitcher Freddy Garcia

Tigers still watching free-agent pitcher Freddy Garcia
'At least 15 teams' scout right-hander

BY JON PAUL MOROSI • FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER • August 6, 2008

CHICAGO -- A Tigers official was among those in attendance Tuesday when free-agent right-hander Freddy Garcia threw in a showcase for scouts at the University of Miami.

Peter Greenberg, Garcia's agent, said "at least 15 teams" -- half the clubs in baseball -- sent a representative to watch the two-time All-Star.

"We thought it was a great success," Greenberg said in a text message. "Freddy looked great."

Garcia, 33, hasn't pitched this season while recovering from right shoulder surgery. Still, he could be an intriguing option for contenders looking for rotation help -- especially now that the non-waiver trade deadline has passed.

A postseason track record is a big part of Garcia's appeal. He is 6-2 with a 3.11 ERA in nine postseason starts, including a victory in the deciding game of the 2005 World Series for the White Sox.

Greenberg said Garcia threw his fastball up to 86 and 87 m.p.h. Tuesday, along with a curveball, change-up and slider.

The next step, Greenberg said, is for Garcia to begin pitching in minor league games.

Greenberg hopes that four starts in the minors will be sufficient preparation for Garcia to pitch in the majors by the start of September.

Given that timetable, Garcia could sign quickly.

The reason for the Tigers' interest is obvious: Entering Tuesday night, their rotation had one victory in a span of seven games.

Still, they have a significant obstacle in their way -- the standings. Garcia could have multiple offers from which to choose, and he likely will want to sign with a team that has a high probability of reaching the postseason. The Tigers entered Tuesday 6 1/2 games back in the American League Central.

8 1/2 games back

They will probably "watch" him pitch for Boston this coming October.

RHP Freddy Garcia agrees to deal with Tigers

DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Tigers will give Freddy Garcia a chance to prove he can still pitch.

Out of the majors since June 2007, the two-time All-Star agreed to a minor league contract with the Tigers on Tuesday. Garcia had season-ending surgery on his right shoulder last August while with Philadelphia.

The Tigers also promoted lefty Dontrelle Willis to Triple-A Toledo.

Acquired with Miguel Cabrera in an offseason trade with Florida, Willis has struggled all year. In five major league games and 11 1-3 innings this season, he is 0-1 with a 10.32 ERA.

Willis was sent to Class-A Lakeland in June to work on his control. He is scheduled to pitch Friday for the Mud Hens.

Garcia was a free agent looking for a team. More than a dozen clubs sent scouts to Miami to watch the 33-year-old righty throw last week.

Pitching is always at a premium in the stretch — Boston acquired Paul Byrd from Cleveland on Tuesday.

The Phillies got Garcia in December 2006 from the Chicago White Sox for two minor leaguers. He had $10 million left on his contract but never found his form.

Garcia began last year on the disabled list because of biceps tendinitis and went 1-5 with a 5.90 ERA in 11 starts for Philadelphia.

Garcia was 17-9 for Chicago in 2006, the sixth straight year he pitched at least 200 innings. He is 6-2 lifetime in the postseason with Seattle and the 2005 World Series champion White Sox.

08/12/2008 3:37 PM ET
Garcia signs with Tigers
Veteran right-hander will go to Minors to continue comeback
By Jason Beck / MLB.com

DETROIT -- The Tigers became the team to sign much-scouted free-agent pitcher Freddy Garcia, signing the veteran right-hander on Tuesday to a Minor League contract for the rest of the season.

The signing connects Garcia's summer-long comeback attempt with a destination, albeit a team whose playoff hopes have faded over the past couple weeks. Detroit entered play Tuesday in third place in the American League Central, eight games behind the division-leading Twins, but they've seen pitching as the key to staying in contention.

The 33-year-old Garcia went 1-5 with a 5.90 ERA in 11 starts with the Phillies last year before undergoing season-ending surgery to repair a torn labrum. He has spent this year working his way back into pitching shape, which culminated in a mound session last week before scouts from about 15 teams. His fastball reportedly topped out in the mid to upper 80s.

He still has some ways to go before being ready for a big-league game, hence the Minor League contract. His agent, Peter Greenberg, has told various publications that Garcia should be ready by the start of September. For now, he'll pitch in the Tigers farm system. He can be a free agent at year's end, but given the Tigers' pitching situation, Detroit could try to re-sign him if it likes what it sees.

Garcia has a 117-76 record in 263 games over nine Major League seasons with the Mariners, White Sox and Phillies. A native of Caracas, Venezuela, he is a close friend of Tigers third baseman Carlos Guillen among Detroit's Venezuelan players.

In addition, the Tigers have promoted left-hander Dontrelle Willis from Class A Lakeland to Triple-A Toledo. The left-hander will pitch for the Mud Hens on Friday.

Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Yay? And way to go Willis! He's this close to making the majors

Merged two topics.

....well done.