TIGERS RUMORS & GOSSIP

Francisco Rodriguez was on fire last year, but his game went up in flames in 2017. On top of it all, it appears the free agent is in some hot legal waters now that he’s been sued by his former landlord.As reported by John Wisely of the Detroit Free Press, “Akram Namou filed the lawsuit earlier this month, claiming Rodriguez signed a seven-month lease in March 2016 to rent the...

With just a few days to go before the trade deadline, the Houston Astros appear to be calling an audible of sorts.According to ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick on Thursday, the Astros may be the “most focused team” in the hunt for Detroit Tigers closer Justin Wilson, who now seems to be ahead of Baltimore Orioles closer Zach Britton on their wishlist. The initial report linking Britton...

As Monday's non-waiver Trade Deadline approaches, many fans are wondering what Detroit will get done. With that in mind, it's time to clear out the Inbox.

The Detroit Tigers have already traded one of their best players, but they haven’t exactly committed to a full-on rebuild yet. One of their players who has been mentioned in some trade talks hopes the team goes all-in on the rebuild if they commit to doing so.Michael Fulmer, who won Rookie of the Year last season and was an All-Star this year, shared his thoughts on the team�...

Mikie Mahtook offered no excuse for his baserunning error late in Tuesday's 3-1 loss to Kansas City. Instead, the oft-energetic Mahtook solemnly owned up to his mistake of being doubled up at first base on a deep fly ball that he initially though was a base hit he could score on.

Scores, news, and notes from the Detroit Tigers farm system on Tuesday, July 25, 2017. Pawtucket Red Sox 5, Toledo Mud Hens 3 (box) The Mud Hens out-hit Pawtucket 11-9, but a solo home run from catcher John Hicks was their only extra base hit on the evening. That lack of power came back to bite them, as they left eight runners on base in a 5-3 loss. Logan Kensing took the loss...

Having already acquired Jose Quintana from the Chicago White Sox, most figured the defending champion Cubs might be looking in another direction to find an upgrade on their roster.But that can pretty much be thrown out the window after Chicago reportedly expressed interest in both Sonny Gray and Justin Verlander. Adding another top-end arm to the rotation would be a big deal for�...

The Milwaukee Brewers may have the Detroit Tigers to shout out if they hang on to win the National League Central.According to a report by Jon Morosi of MLB Network on Tuesday, the two teams are having discussions on a trade involving Tigers second baseman Ian Kinsler as well as Tigers closer Justin Wilson, though no deal is imminent. Both players are relatively cheap veterans under...

Want more news first thing in the day? Sign up for the Yardbarker Morning Bark newsletter here.Good morning and welcome to the YB Box Score, what we're reading while we completely erase our phone's history – just in case. (We're having a torrid affair with our local sandwich shop. Order the Larry Mantle. Don't tell our main dish, salads, about it.) Happy birthday today to Kellen...

No matter how you look at Michael Fulmer, you’ll probably come away impressed. Today’s Tigers starter is making good on his sophomore season and currently has the 10th-best ERA among qualified starters. But if you look at strikeouts and walks, traditionally thought of as the outcomes over which a pitcher exerts the most control, Fulmer is 43rd best among that game group. Which...

The Arizona Diamondbacks are 54-39, but find themselves 10.5 games back in the NL West. That’s because as of Tuesday night, the Los Angeles Dodgers are winners of 10 in a row and 30 of their previous 34. And before Arizona’s 11-2 thrashing of the Cincinnati Reds, they had lost eight of nine. In six of those, Arizona would fail to muster more than three runs. Yet for the time...

The Diamondbacks have added a big bat to the middle of their lineup, swinging a trade for slugging outfielder J.D. Martinez. In exchange for Martinez’s services, the Arizona sent Detroit a trio of minor-league infielders: Dawel Lugo, Sergio Alcantara and Jose King. I do not have a KATOH projection for Jose King, as all but 13 of his professional games have taken place in the Dominican...

The Tacoma Rainiers took on the Albuquerque Isotopes on Monday in an otherwise unremarkable Triple-A baseball contest. The remarkable part took place before the game.Relief pitcher Mark Lowe, infielder D.J. Peterson, first baseman Dan Vogelbach, and pitcher Pat Light didn’t want to have to get up at 3 a.m. in order to take the team flight from Phoenix alongside the rest of...

One of the biggest obstacles in a potential Justin Verlander trade is his contract. But according to a report from Jon Morosi of MLB.com, the Detroit Tigers may be willing to help in that regard. Obviously, how much Detroit is willing to help will go a long way toward determining how realistic a trade is. Verlander is signed through 2019 at $28 million per year, with a $22 million...

Former New York Yankee Alex Rodriguez made headlines when he suggested the Boston Red Sox and the Tigers should work on a deal that would send Miguel Cabrera to the Red Sox. Yes, the Red Sox need a third baseman, and yes, Miguel Cabrera has experience playing third base, but that’s about the only match these two teams have when it come to this deal. There are some many things wrong...

With the season all but over for the Tigers, it’s time for the team to start selling the pieces they have. However, big contracts, slumping players and market value are getting in the way of Tigers making more deals. The team has some pieces they can move and looking toward the future is what the Tigers need to do. The Tigers have two guys that will likely be dealt before the deadline...

Venezuela is currently embroiled in a complex economic, political and humanitarian crisis, with violence surging and hunger everywhere. It’s a messy situation with no end in sight.Major League Baseball players across the league have been vocal about Venezuela’s problems, widely opposing president Nicolas Maduro and attempting to raise awareness of the chaos back home however...

The Detroit Tigers are 38-48 heading in to the last game before the All-Star break, which is tied for last in the AL Central Division. The team is likely out of contention for a playoff spot and will sell at the trade deadline. However, despite a losing record, they do have some players that have had good season. Let’s take a look at some mid-season winners and losers. Winner...

Justin Verlander on Wednesday acknowledged and was realistic about the trade rumors swirling around him, saying, “Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.”The Detroit Tigers are 37-46, seven games back in the AL Central and 6.5 games out in the Wild Card. A rebuild arguably may be in order for the Tigers, and if so, Verlander obviously would be among the longtime stars who could...