Monday, November 12, 2007

Wheeling and dealing

Dave Dombrowski continues to make solid moves for the Tigers, in my opinion. Today, he got OF Jacque Jones from the Cubs for utilityman Omar Infante and signed closer Todd Jones to a one-year deal.

Jacque Jones will play left for the Tigers and gives them a solid left-handed bat in the lineup. He struggled at times with the Cubs in 2007 as Chicago tried to figure out what to do with its outfield. But Jones batted .349/.377/.532 in 27 games in August and .342/.376/.430 in 24 games in September. Overall he was .285/.335/.400. He should see the majority of time in left, but righty powerman Marcus Thames will also get ABs.

Infante was expendable with Ryan Raburn figuring to fill the utility role. You can't complain when you pick up a regular for a sub. Plus, the Cubs are sending $2 million to Detroit to offset Jones' $5 million due in 2008.

The Tigers gave Todd Jones a one-year, $7 million deal. Jones might not be the ideal closer, but with Joel Zumaya out for at least half the season, getting Jones back was a good move. It's probably better to bring back a guy you know and are comfortable with rather than find a newcomer.

Now, we'll see what Dombrowski does to finish filling the rotation. Kenny Rogers is going to entertain offers, so there's no guarantee he'll be back.

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