Detroit Tigers showing interest in reliever Luis Ayala

Even though Dave Dombrowski said the Detroit Tigers were done spending for the offseason, he's still looking to improve the team and do it in an affordable way.

The Tigers have shown interest in right handed veteran reliever Luis Ayala. Ayala spent most of last year with the Atlanta Braves after pitching in two games with the Baltimore Orioles. He went 1-1 with a 2.90 ERA in 37 games with the Braves.

In three years with the Atlanta Braves Ayala has made about 157 appearances while posting a 2.58 ERA. Ayala, 36, must have himself a top agent if he’s able to get the attention of almost every organization in the league. The Cleveland Indians and Seattle Mariners are also said to be courting the well traveled veteran.

Overall Ayala has a career record of 38-47 with a 3.34 ERA and 367 strikeouts in 554 1/3 innings for the Montreal Expos, Washington Nationals, New York Mets, Minnesota Twins, Florida Marlins, New York Yankees, Orioles and Braves.

Nelson Cruz is the biggest loser in free agency

When former Texas Rangers slugger Nelson Cruz rejected the Rangers' one year qualifying offer of $14.1 million, many figured he would land somewhere with a multi year deal. In 2013 Cruz batted .266 with 27 home runs and 76 RBI. That was with a 50 game suspension he had to serve because of his involvement in the Biogenesis PED scandal.

Instead it's Cruz on the outside looking in as spring training gets closer. Cruz has been linked to the Seattle Mariners, New York Mets, and Baltimore Orioles, but still sits at home waiting for a contract offer to roll in. You would figure if Jhonny Peralta can land a 4 year, $53 million deal with the St. Louis Cardinals it would be a no brainer that Cruz would land a similar deal, since Peralta also was involved in the same PED scandal. Instead teams see a player who hasn't played in a full 162 game season and has been hit with injuries instead of a bat they can plug into the middle of the lineup.

Cruz would be a fit for most American League teams. At age 33 he isn't finished, but is more on the downside than most would think. He's only hit for more than 30 homers once in his career in a stacked Rangers lineup. He can't run very well and he's a defensive liability. Not someone you want to throw a ton of money at. The guy has DH written all over him. Teams see a player who hasn't played in a full 162 game season and has been hit with injuries instead of a bat they can plug into the middle of the lineup. Being involved with PED's hasn't helped. They wouldn't know what kind of player they would be getting.

Here’s another thing about Nelson Cruz: nobody really wants him. It’s the middle of January and Cruz remains a free agent, and he’s a free agent without a strong market. The best fit, at this point, is probably Baltimore, but Baltimore hasn’t done anything. Seattle’s the only other fit, and they haven’t done anything. The Phillies looked obvious from the get-go, but they instead went with Marlon Byrd. Maybe, in the past, Cruz would’ve secured a major payday, but teams are smarter now, and one of the first things smart baseball people learn is that players like Cruz are overrated.

Cruz is better off seeking a one year deal and proving himself again instead of looking for a big payday. If Mark Reynolds can lock up an invite to spring training at the very least, Cruz should be able to secure a one year deal.

Cruz has definitely turned out to be the biggest loser during this free agency period.

New York Mets targeting Nelson Cruz

With the team finally being able to shed the cumbersome contracts of Johan Santana and Jason Bay, the New York Mets are looking to add some power to their lineup.

One name being mentioned is Texas Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz. Cruz turned down the Rangers' one year $14 million offer in search of a multi-year conract. Cruz who is 33, was involved in the Biogenesis scandal reportedly is being targeted by the Mets, Seattle Mariners and Texas Rangers.

The Mets are trying to challenge in the NL East and may feel that Cruz can help get them there. The team is looking to get some pop in the lineup and have also been mentioned as a possible landing spot for Curtis Granderson.

The Mets are hesitant to spend big for outfielders Jacoby Ellsbury and Shi Soo Choo. and are looking at the second tier and more affordable options.

Cruz served a 50 game suspension for his role in a PED scandal, but since he has never hit less than 22 home runs and  never driving in less than 76 runs  in the last five seasons teams might be willing to overlook the possible baggage he brings to the table.

Eric Wedge and Dusty Baker interested in Detroit Tigers managerial opening

With Jim Leyland stepping down as manager of the Detroit Tigers speculation has begun on who'll take over for the American League Central champions.

There might be two guys interested in the job. Former Cincinnati Reds skipper Dusty Baker and former Seattle Mariners manager Eric Wedge.

Wedge stated that he would love the opportunity to manage the Tigers. Baker said that he would be flattered to manage the Tigers.

“If the Tigers have interest in me, I would love the opportunity,” Wedge said today. 

“I’ve always respected Dave Dombrowski and what Dave has accomplished,” Baker said. “I have the ultimate respect and friendship for Jim Leyland. I’d be flattered and honored to be given such an opportunity.”

Wedge resigned from his post in Seattle due to philosophical differences with the front office. Wedge wanted a win now approach while the front office felt the team should build with young players. Baker was fired from the Reds for his team practically collapsing late in the season and for sticking up for a coach the team wanted to fire.

The Tigers would also like a manager that is driven to win now. The team is clearly in a win now mode and is looking to win it's first World Series since 1984. The Tigers came up short in 2006 and 2012.

I don't know if Baker or Wedge are viewed as bonafide candidates, but I'm sure their names will be thrown in the mix.

If I had my choice I'd pick Wedge since Baker has a bad track record with overworking pitchers (Kerry Wood, Mark Prior).

This is the problem with fans wanting Leyland gone. No one seems to be thrilled with the possible list of candidates and can't name anyone to take over the reins of a possible championship team.

Jamie Moyer hasn't ruled out pitching again

Even after spending 25 years in the majors, former longtime Seattle Mariners pitcher Jamie Moyer still hasn't officially retired. Moyer was in Seattle to throw out the ceremonial first pitch against the Houston Astros Monday night and told reporters that he still hasn't ruled out trying to pitch again. Even at the age of 50.


“I haven’t closed that door yet,” Moyer said. “I don’t know when I would make a decision. I really haven’t put a lot of thought into it. I’m enjoying my time at home at this point. I’ve got  a college senior playing baseball. A college freshman starting at Pepperdine, playing baseball. By the way, they beat U-Dub two out of three this weekend and he had the game-winning hit on Saturday in extra innings. I’m a proud dad, I was there to see it.

“I’ve got a daughter graduating from high school, going to college. Another daughter that’s going to be a junior next year. And then I have two fourth graders and two first graders. So, I’m enjoying my time. And I’ve got a garden growing. I’ve got lettuce I’m eating now and micro-gardens. I’m excited about that. I’ve got some fruit trees going in. I’ve got a puppy. So, I’m doing some things I haven’t done in a long time.”

“But I haven’t discounted potentially maybe trying to come back but I don’t forsee it happening this year.”

Moyer must really love the game or he wouldn't bring up the possibility. I don't think it'll happen but he's a lefty and as long as he could be efficient in a short span of a game someone might sign him. Besides who am I to tell him that he shouldn't do it.

I just think it's a player that move on but if he feels he can still contribute to some team, why not give him a chance to prove it. Just because he's 50 doesn't mean he can't help anyone.

John Lackey hurts arm again

It's hard to believe that in December in 2009 John Lackey was a desired commodity. The Seattle Mariners, New York Yankees, New York Mets, Boston Red Sox, and Pittsburgh Pirates, were all interested in Lackey.

Lackey had been the Angels ace and was one of six pitchers that won at least eleven games from 2004-2009. Baseball Prospectus said that, "Lackey stands alone as the best of the best, a relatively young righty who carries significantly less risk than the other high-upside hurlers."

Well, the man who was once considered to be the best pitcher in the 2010 free agent class is down again.

In late December 2010, the BoSox thought they were getting an elite pitcher, but after a mediocre 2010 season and sub-par, injury riddled 2011 season, Lackey appeared to be just another starter.

Lackey did not pitch a game in 2012 due to Tommy John surgery, spending the entire year on the disabled list.

And sadly on his first start in a Red Sox uniform since 2011, Lackey left the game in the fifth inning. Currently as of Saturday night, Lackey's arm injury has only been diagnosed as a strained right bicep.

“It’s sore. But hopefully not too serious,” a downcast Lackey said after the Sox were beaten, 5-0.

“I turned around and he was holding his arm. Hopefully he’s OK,” catcher David Ross said. “It stinks. I think everybody is worried about him and will say a prayer for him. He’s such a good teammate, first of all. To come back and how well he was throwing the ball, I was excited for him.”

This is of course horrible news for all Red Sox fans, who were looking for a bounce back season from the number 41.

Hopefully he only strained his right bicep, or else his season and possibly even his career in Boston may be finished.

Mariners' Felix Hernandez rocking Seahawks gear

It's not uncommon for teams in one city to cheer one another on. Seattle Mariners ace Felix Hernandez couldn't make the trek to Atlanta so he stayed home to cheer on the Seahawks. Here's Hernandez all decked out in Seahawks gear.