Detroit Tigers Roster Report 10-20-11

Detroit had a good season but fell six wins short of what it was hoping for. The Tigers' needs are few -- a second baseman, a stout midgame reliever, a fifth starter, maybe an upgrade at third. Attending to the health of returning regulars (mainly C Alex Avila, RF Brennan Boesch, LF Delmon Young, DH Victor Martinez) will cure a lot of ills.

BIGGEST NEEDS: A solid two-way second baseman tops the wish list, and if one can be found who is a leadoff hitter that would let manager Jim Leyland slide CF Austin Jackson down to ninth, where his strikeouts would be less of a problem. A fifth starter will be needed if the organization decides its rookies need more minor league experience; re-signing RHP Brad Penny isn't out of the question. The Tigers might seek midgame relief help if they think Al Alburquerque was a flash in the pan and Joel Zumaya's injury history isn't worth keeping him from becoming a free agent.

FREE AGENTS: INF Ramon Santiago, INF Wilson Betemit, INF Carlos Guillen, RF Magglio Ordonez, RHP Brad Penny, RHP Joel Zumaya, LHP Brad Thomas.

Betemit, Guillen and Ordonez probably will be allowed to leave. Thomas had elbow problems and might be offered a minor league contract. Zumaya wants to come back, and the Tigers are likely to see if they can make that work; despite five years of injury problems, he's still got a live arm. Santiago wants more playing time and might leave because his role isn't likely to change with the Tigers. Lacking a guaranteed replacement, Detroit might seek another one-year deal with Penny, who was better than anybody else's fifth starter.

ARBITRATION-ELIGIBLE: LF Delmon Young, RHP Max Scherzer, LHP Phil Coke.

No player has reached arbitration during the tenure of CEO/president/GM Dave Dombrowski, and that isn't likely to change. Expect the club to seek deals of two years or more with each of the three. Young can become a free agent after 2012, so a three- or four-year deal is possible unless the player is set on leaving or prices himself off the team.

IN LIMBO: RHP Jose Valverde has a $9 million option that probably will be picked up. 3B Brandon Inge is vulnerable although he's under contract for $5 million for 2012 plus an option for 2013 that can be bought out for $500,000.

MEDICAL WATCH:

--C Alex Avila (knee tendinitis) was to have his sore knees checked out but did not expect to need surgery.

--LF Delmon Young (left rib cage) was expected to heal with rest.

--RF Brennan Boesch (right thumb ligament) was close to regaining full range of motion in his thumb and was expected to be fully recovered long before spring training.

--1B Miguel Cabrera (right shoulder) was told he had no significant damage to his shoulder and would recover by November.

--RF Magglio Ordonez (right ankle re-fracture) was expected to require a second surgery on his right ankle but was hopeful of being ready to play by spring training.

--LHP Brad Thomas (left elbow) rested his sore elbow all summer but was unsure if surgery would eventually be necessary.

--RHP Joel Zumaya (right elbow tip) has resumed throwing and hoped to play winter ball.

--2B Carlos Guillen (left calf) was playing Instructional League games during the ALCS.

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