Detroit Tigers

If Detroit is taking the trade route as the highway to improve its team -- and general manager Dave Dombrowski vows "there is no question about that" -- it would appear high-ceiling right-hander Edwin Jackson will be the vehicle the Tigers use to improve their offense.

"To me, you're always in position where you listen to what people have to say," Dombrowski said in a recent discourse on the club's financial situation. "I don't know what we're going to do at this point. These are just conversations at the moment.

"If we make any trades, I would assure you that we will make a trade because we think it's a good trade for us. But if we make any trades -- and that's if -- we'll settle on a situation that makes sense. It will not be done to move a salary."

Dombrowski was in charge at both Montreal and Florida when such payroll slashing was mandated.

"Slashing payroll is not a term we use," Dombrowski said. "We're looking to be fiscally responsible, and there have been economic changes in our community."

Reports Detroit is entertaining offers for Jackson and Curtis Granderson have circulated for a couple of weeks now. Trading Granderson would leave the Tigers searching for both a center fielder and a leadoff man.

Moving Jackson would deprive Detroit of one of its key 2009 starters. It would also make sense on a certain level.

Jackson enters his second arbitration-eligible season and becomes able to test free agency following the 2011 season. Jackson's agent, Scott Boras, and the Tigers have a history of being able to make deals beneficial (at least at the time) to both sides, but he is also known for taking his players through free agency to potentially maximize their paydays.

With that in mind, it would make sense for Detroit to see what it could get for Jackson in terms of top prospects that would include at least one potent bat.

Detroit could troll the pool later this winter and be fairly certain of coming up with a reliable back-of-the-rotation starter who could win 10 to 12 games.

--2b S

cott Sizemore, who could challenge for a spot on the opening-day roster next spring, was added to the Tigers' 40-man roster. Detroit also purchased the contracts of OF Brennan Boesch, SS Audy Ciriaco and 1B/OF Ryan Strieby.

• RHP Justin Verlander was a distant third in the recent voting for the American League Cy Young Award by the Baseball Writers' Association of America. Verlander, 19-9 and the league strikeout leader with 269, had 14 points to place behind winner RHP Zack Greinke of Kansas City (134 points) and RHP Felix Hernandez of Seattle (80 points). It was the team's highest finish in Cy Young balloting since LHP Willie Hernandez won in 1984. Verlander was the third Detroit pitcher to lead the majors in wins, strikeouts, innings and starts. He is eligible for arbitration, and the Tigers would like to get him signed to a long-term deal that would take him past the date he is able to become a free agent. "I won't get into that because that is best kept internal," GM Dave Dombrowski said. "But it is safe to say that we would like to have Justin in the organization for a long time."

• RHP Rick Porcello was a strong third in voting for American League Rookie of the Year. Porcello, who turns 21 Dec. 27, collected 64 points to finish one behind the runner-up, Texas SS Elvis Andrus. Oakland RHP Andrew Bailey won with 88 points. Porcello went 14-9 with a 3.96 ERA in his second pro season, including a 5-0 record and 1.50 ERA in May plus a 5-2 record with a 3.07 ERA after Aug. 1. His ratio of 2.23 groundballs for every flyball ranked second among all AL pitchers, and his 24 groundball double plays placed fifth. "He is a quality pitcher that's only going to get better," GM Dave Dombrowski said. "He has great makeup, a great work ethic and projects to be a No. 1 starter in the rotation. Those are not easy to find."

• LHP Jarrod Washburn won't be offered a contract for 2010, he was officially informed by Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski. Washburn had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee after the season and hopes to be 100 percent next year. His knee was given as the main reason he went just 1-3 with a 7.33 ERA for the Tigers after being acquired at the trade deadline from Seattle, for whom he was 8-6 with a 2.64 ERA.

• DH Aubrey Huff, acquired from Baltimore on Aug. 17 to give Detroit some punch from the left side, won't be tendered a contract for 2010, he was informed recently by Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski. Huff hit just .189 with two home runs and 13 RBIs in 40 games with Detroit after batting .253 with 13 homers and 72 RBIs for the Orioles.

• INF Michael Hollimon was outrighted to Class AAA Toledo to create space on Detroit's 40-man roster for another player. Hollimon, 27, played just 29 games for Class AA Erie before undergoing right shoulder surgery July 15. He was placed on the 60-day disabled list Sept. 1 and removed after the end of the World Series. Hollimon appeared in 11 games for the Tigers in 2008, hitting .261 as a middle-infield reserve. He had one home run and two RBIs.

• 1B/3B Jeff Larish was activated off the 60-day disabled list recently and restored to Detroit's 40-man roster. He has appeared in 74 games for the Tigers over the past two seasons and was learning to play left field and third base to enhance his chances of helping the club as a utility player. Larish batted just .216 in 32 games with Detroit this season. He played in 61 games with Toledo before requiring surgery to repair a right wrist injury.

• 3B Brandon Inge, who had surgery on both knees earlier this month, faces four more weeks of crutches during which he will work to regain his range of motion before beginning a strength and conditioning program that should have him ready for spring training.

By The Numbers:

0—Increase in season-ticket prices by the Tigers for the 2010 season. Detroit announced recently it would offer discounts for season packages of 81, 41 and 27 games. The organization said it would lower season-ticket cost of some 4,500 seats in specified lower-deck locations by up to $9, and by $5 in certain upper-deck spots.

Quote To Note:

"I can assure you 100 percent that we do not have any kind of fire sale, or salary dump, or whatever you might call it, taking place. I can also tell you that I've been part of that in my career, so I know what that situation is like. … I've done that (at Montreal and Florida), but not here."

—Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski, on reports Detroit needs to dump salaries for 2010.

Offensive upgrades are in order just about any place the Tigers can find them. The back end of the bullpen needs addressing since the setup man and closer elected free agency. Second base and shortstop are also positions where veteran contracts ran out. Detroit will search for back-of-the-rotation pitchers.

Biggest Needs:

The Tigers can be expected to seek out a thumper to pair with 1B Miguel Cabrera in the heart of the order, although it will be tricky because they already have an oversupply of outfield/DH types. Re-signing RHP Brandon Lyon and/or RHP Fernando Rodney would solidify the back of the bullpen, and a determination of who the fourth and fifth starters will be is on the agenda.

Free Agents:

RHP Brandon Lyon, RHP Fernando Rodney, 2B Placido Polanco, SS Adam Everett, LHP Jarrod Washburn, DH Aubrey Huff, DH Marcus Thames, C Matt Treanor.

Getting one of the back-of-the-bullpen Lyon/Rodney combo to return is a key. Washburn and Huff were told they would not be offered contracts. Polanco could be squeezed off the roster for payroll reasons and because a replacement emerged in the minors (Scott Sizemore). Everett could return if the price is right, but Detroit could just as easily go with an internal low-cost replacement such as SS Brent Dlugach. Thames and Treanor were removed from the roster and allowed to become free agents.

Arbitration-eligible:

RHP Edwin Jackson, C Gerald Laird, RHP Zach Miner, INF Ramon Santiago, LHP Bobby Seay, RHP Justin Verlander, RHP Joel Zumaya.

Detroit is inclined to sign Verlander long term, but the others probably will get only one-year contracts at this time.

In Limbo:

Players who could be on the trade market include RHP Armando Galarraga, RHP Eddie Bonine, LHP Nate Robertson and LHP Dontrelle Willis. However, it's hard to imagine Willis attracting much interest given his recent history of injuries and poor pitching.

Medical Watch:

RHP Joel Zumaya (right shoulder surgery in August 2009) is expected to be ready for spring training.

LHP Jarrod Washburn (arthroscopic left knee surgery in October 2009) is expected to be ready for spring training.

3B Brandon Inge (right knee surgery and left knee surgery in November 2009) should be recovered in time for spring training.

LHP Dontrelle Willis (anxiety disorder) continues to recuperate.

C Matt Treanor (right hip surgery in April 2009) will attempt a comeback in the spring.