Tigers eyeing free agent reliever LaTroy Hawkins

Tigers eyeing free agent reliever LaTroy Hawkins

November 28, 2007

By JON PAUL MOROSI

FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER

The Tigers have moved swiftly to pursue free agent reliever LaTroy Hawkins this week, and there were indications Wednesday that the team had already offered him a multi-year contract.

Detroit is one of several teams interested in Hawkins, a 34-year-old right-hander who went 2-5 with a 3.42 ERA in 62 relief appearances with the Colorado Rockies this season.

Hawkins has appeared in 15 postseason games, a key feature on his resume. He allowed one earned run in five postseason innings this year, during the Rockies’ surprise run to the World Series.

The Tigers seem to be a good fit for Hawkins, who had some of his best seasons in the American League Central while with the Minnesota Twins. He is a Midwest native (Gary, Ind.) and is a close friend of new Detroit outfielder Jacque Jones.

If he signs with the Tigers, Hawkins would fill the late-inning relief role vacated by Joel Zumaya, who will be out until midseason after shoulder surgery. Detroit had previously shown interest in free agents Octavio Dotel and Francisco Cruceta.

Another 30+ guy.....yay

I am sure they are looking for experienced pitching to help with our young bullpen and also they come a little cheaper.

34 is sure a whole lot younger than Rogers, but we have some good young arms that will be ready in a couple years.

From the Denver Post

According to the Denver Post, the Rockies have offered one-year contracts to free agents LaTroy Hawkins and Matt Herges.

The newspaper reports that both deals are "in the neighborhood of $1.5 million to $2 million." Colorado previously declined its mutual option on Hawkins for $3.75 million. "We have made it loud and clear that we want our guys back," manager Clint Hurdle said. "But we have only certain numbers where we will go."

I can see the TIGERS topping that offer. Hawkins was good with the Twins about 10 years ago.....

Desperate times.....

tigersaint wrote:

I can see the TIGERS topping that offer. Hawkins was good with the Twins about 10 years ago.....

Desperate times.....

I'm not sure I like this move. We tried that last year with Jose Mesa, and everyone knows how well that turned out!

Editor's note: Updated at 12:51 p.m. Thursday The agent for LaTroy Hawkins said today that the Tigers have had a “preliminary” discussion with him about the free agent reliever but that they have not offered Hawkins a contract.

Larry Reynolds said he believes four or five teams will make offers to Hawkins by the middle of next week’s winter meetings in Nashville. Hawkins, a 34-year-old right-hander, will likely make his final decision next week, Reynolds said.

Detroit is among the most likely destinations for Hawkins, who went 2-5 with a 3.42 ERA in 62 relief appearances with the Colorado Rockies this season. An industry source told the Free Press on Wednesday that the Tigers had already offered Hawkins a multi-year deal.

“We may or may not hear from them as we move forward,” Reynolds said. “If we do have a discussion with the club, LaTroy would have some interest.”

Hawkins has appeared in 15 postseason games, a key feature on his resume. He allowed one earned run in five postseason innings this year, during the Rockies’ surprise run to the World Series.

The Tigers seem to be a good fit for Hawkins, who had some of his best seasons in the American League Central with the Minnesota Twins. He is a Midwest native (Gary, Ind.) and is a close friend of new Detroit outfielder
Jacque Jones. And his lifetime 4.68 ERA would surely benefit from the pitcher-friendly confines at Comerica Park.

Hawkins, a hard thrower, has been better as a setup man than as a closer – although he has saved 75 games in his career. If he signs with the Tigers, Hawkins would fill the late-inning relief role vacated by Joel Zumaya, who will be out until at least midseason after shoulder surgery.

Detroit has also shown interest in free agents Octavio Dotel and Matt Herges. Dotel remains unsigned. Herges is expected to re-sign with Colorado, according to the Rocky Mountain News.

The Tigers had been intrigued by the versatile Dotel – they pursued him at the trade deadline this year – but he asked for a two-year contract in the neighborhood of $10-12 million. The club did not seem eager to meet that price for Dotel, who missed six weeks this year with a right shoulder strain.

Dotel was limited to 62 appearances over the last three seasons because of injuries. Hawkins pitched in three times as many games (188) and had a better ERA during the same time frame.

It’s not clear whether Hawkins’ potential signing would affect Detroit’s interest in right-hander Francisco Cruceta, a minor-league free agent. Cruceta, 26, is 1-1 with a 1.03 ERA in 13 relief appearances for the Gigantes del Cibao of the Dominican Winter League.

He's younger than Mesa...

Not LaTroy Hawkins, oh my word NOOOO!

Why not? Does he have one of those Chinpit thingies?

But Mesa was like... a God!

A God DAMN loser, you mean!!

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TIGERS NOTEBOOK: Dombrowski comments on fifth starter race

December 2, 2007
By JON PAUL MOROSI
FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER

News and notes

• GM Dave Dombrowski reiterated on Friday that the team’s fifth starter
will likely be a young pitcher who is already part of the organization.
The candidates could include Andrew Miller, Yorman Bazardo, Jose
Capellan, Chad Durbin, and perhaps Macay McBride.

• The Tigers’ major-league roster is full at 40 players, so they will not
be able to select anyone in Thursday’s Rule 5 draft unless they make
another move. Erie reliever Randor Bierd, who was not protected, is one
candidate to be selected by another club.

Rogers' deal update

Some specifics on Kenny Rogers’ one-year deal with the Tigers:

• Payment on the $2 million in innings-based performance bonuses would be deferred until 2010.

• Rogers would receive standard awards bonuses, including $75,000 if he makes the All-Star team or wins a Gold Glove.

• The contract includes no-trade protection.

Quick hit

• Larry Reynolds, the representative for free agent reliever LaTroy
Hawkins, said Friday that he may meet with Detroit officials this week
to discuss his client.

MESA RULES!

JUST KIDDING

MESA SUCKS!

gs78 wrote:

MESA RULES!

Why would you post something like that??