Red Sox, Tigers talking Lugo deal

11/16/08 1:07 PM EST
Red Sox, Tigers talking Lugo deal
Willis or Robertson could reportedly be headed to Boston

By Robert Falkoff / MLB.com

The Tigers are looking for shortstop help, and may have the Red Sox's Julio Lugo on their radar screen.

The Boston Globe reported on Sunday that Detroit is contemplating a deal with Boston to send either left-hander Nate Robertson or left-hander Dontrelle Willis to Boston for Lugo, but that some money issues would have to be resolved.

Lugo, who turned 33 on Sunday, hit only .139 with runners in scoring position last year, but the Tigers might have visions of Lugo delivering a strong bounce-back season with a fresh start.

Lugo appeared in just 82 games in 2008 and was lost for the season when he suffered a severly torn left quadriceps on July 11. He posted a . 268 average with one home run and 22 RBIs. Lugo also struggled defensively, committing 16 errors in 292 total chances.

The Red Sox might have the same notions about Robertson or Willis bouncing back in 2009. Boston has been known to take chances on reclamation project pitchers, including Bartolo Colon and Wade Miller.

Willis, who was traded last offseason to the Tigers in a blockbuster trade with the Marlins, was 0-2 with a 9.38 ERA in just eight games with Detroit. The Tigers eventually demoted Willis to the Minors on June 10, and he returned to make three September starts, going 0-1 with a 8.53 ERA.

Robertson was 7-11 with a 6.35 ERA in 32 games (28 starts) with Detroit. The southpaw recorded 108 strikeouts and issued 62 free passes over 168 2/3 innings.

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

Lugo could still be fit for Tigers

The idea of Julio Lugo as Detroit's short-term answer at shortstop in a deal with Boston for one of the Tigers' back-end starters, either Nate Robertson or Dontrelle Willis, still has some life. The Boston Globe reports the Tigers contempating monetary concerns on what would essentially be a swap of large contracts.

Lugo, Robertson and Willis are all under contract for two more seasons -- Willis at $22 million, Robertson at $17 million and Lugo at $18 million. Lugo has an option for 2011 that could automatically vest based on plate appearances. That could be a concern for Detroit, which wants to have the shortstop job ready for Cale Iorg and/or Danny Worth as soon as 2010.

Lugo is a veteran shortstop whose defensive stats have ticked down over his two seasons in Boston, including a Range Factor below that of Renteria this year to go with 16 errors over 81 games. Dombrowski has noted that defense is going to be a focus in replacing Edgar Renteria, whose drop in range proved alarming in Detroit.

The Tigers appear to be weighing their options at short for the time being. Dombrowski noted Friday that the team has had an uptick in calls from other clubs. The Tigers have also shown interest in San Diego's Khalil Greene, and it remains to be seen if the Padres feel any pressure to deal him and his salary with Jake Peavy trade talks seemingly stalled.

-- Jason Beck

* Posted on November 16, 2008 at 1:48 PM

My opinion, if Lugo has a range worse than Rent... then this is dumb! Keep Rent 1 year, BEFORE LUGO!

Maybe Lugo would be a bit of a help, I mean, lets not just count anyone out. Look at where we were last year, and we're gonna complain?

I rather keep Willis and Robertson


Willis gonna have a big year in 09

And I like Robertson

Don't Do It DAVE!

gdennis59 wrote:

Maybe Lugo would be a bit of a help, I mean, lets not just count anyone out. Look at where we were last year, and we're gonna complain?

Where would Lugo be an improvement???

Quote :

including a Range Factor below that of Renteria this year to go with 16 errors over 81 games.

That sure makes me feel secure.

San Diego's Khalil Greene may be much better!

I agree

GoGetEmTigers wrote:

gdennis59 wrote:

Maybe Lugo would be a bit of a help, I mean, lets not just count anyone out. Look at where we were last year, and we're gonna complain?

Where would Lugo be an improvement???

Quote :

including a Range Factor below that of Renteria this year to go with 16 errors over 81 games.

That sure makes me feel secure.

San Diego's Khalil Greene may be much better!

I know, but still, I would rather platoon Lugo and Santiago than have Rent.

Why not give Santiago a full time shot?

What if he gets too fatigued?

gdennis59 wrote:

What if he gets too fatigued?

What if he don't?

It could go either way with the what if, but I would feel better safe than sorry.

gdennis59 wrote:

GoGetEmTigers wrote:

gdennis59 wrote:

Maybe Lugo would be a bit of a help, I mean, lets not just count anyone out. Look at where we were last year, and we're gonna complain?

Where would Lugo be an improvement???

Quote :

including a Range Factor below that of Renteria this year to go with 16 errors over 81 games.

That sure makes me feel secure.

San Diego's Khalil Greene may be much better!

I know, but still, I would rather platoon Lugo and Santiago than have Rent.

Rent had 16 errors in 138 games... Lugo only needed 81 games to do the same! That scares me. Rent batted well the 2nd half of the season,

Renteria - BA.270; OBP .317 SLG .382; DP 91 FP .972
Lugo - BA .268; OPB .355; SLG .330; DP 34; FP .945 Salary $9 mill.

gdennis59 wrote:

It could go either way with the what if, but I would feel better safe than sorry.

I rather keep Willis and Nate

GoGetEmTigers wrote:

San Diego's Khalil Greene may be much better!

Khalil Greene makes Brandon Inge look like Babe Ruth...

bobrob2004 wrote:

GoGetEmTigers wrote:

San Diego's Khalil Greene may be much better!

Khalil Greene makes Brandon Inge look like Babe Ruth...

Boy, the Tigers are in trouble at SS then! Santiago needs to get durable quick, or bring up another SS. Maybe Inge could be SS/3rd base platoon with Santiago and Larish.

bobrob2004 wrote:

GoGetEmTigers wrote:

San Diego's Khalil Greene may be much better!

Khalil Greene makes Brandon Inge look like Babe Ruth...

Bullshit!

gs78 wrote:

bobrob2004 wrote:

GoGetEmTigers wrote:

San Diego's Khalil Greene may be much better!

Khalil Greene makes Brandon Inge look like Babe Ruth...

Bullshit!

So you are implying Khalil Greene is good? Next to Greene anyone looks like Babe Ruth....hell, there's pitchers that look like Babe Ruth next to Khalil Greene.

Seems Ive lost my sense of argument, so Im done with this topic, Ill just end by saying we should sign Furcal and let that be.

Dombrowski: Tigers looking at SS options

While Tigers president/general manager Dave Dombrowski wouldn't specifically on reports that they're looking at Red Sox shortstop Julio Lugo in a possible deal for Dontrelle Willis or Nate Robertson, he indicated Monday morning that they're looking at their options at shortstop and casting a rather wide net, and that they aren't on the verge of any deal.

The Boston Globe reported Sunday that the Tigers were contemplating a possible swap of Lugo for Willis or Robertson, a suggestion that has been floated around for for a while as an exchange of big contracts. Two baseball sources said Sunday evening that no deal was close, while another suggested that talks were progressing.

As for Willis, he's currently working out at home on an offseason program designed to strengthen his lower body after a hyperextended knee in April contributed to his disappointing season. Agent Matt Sosnick said Sunday that Willis is focused on coming to Spring Training in a few months in the best shape of his life and trying to regain the form that earned him a three-year, $29 million contract from the Tigers last December.

-- Jason Beck

bobrob2004 wrote:

Just say no to Lugo...

catbox_9 wrote:

gs78 wrote:

bobrob2004 wrote:

GoGetEmTigers wrote:

San Diego's Khalil Greene may be much better!

Khalil Greene makes Brandon Inge look like Babe Ruth...

Bullshit!

So you are implying Khalil Greene is good? Next to Greene anyone looks like Babe Ruth....hell, there's pitchers that look like Babe Ruth next to Khalil Greene.

Greene ain't that bad.



And for as much as I like Brandon


I don't think there are any postion players that make him like Babe Ruth



However; Inge is an awesome defensive 3B

If he can hit about 250


That be good enough



I think?

I won't get Greene either



The best trades sometimes are the ones you don't make



This proposed trade is a good example

I dont want Greene, but I do think we should sign a SS.

Maicer Izturis? Is he an FA?