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Detroit Tigers Links: Looming free agents, injury concerns, Miss U Don Kelly

By Matt Pelc

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Poor David Price.

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Every day he keeps answering the same question over and over again. Yes, he would be agreeable to a good deal to remain a Detroit Tigers‘ player longterm. No he is not aware of any offers or negotiations currently taking place.

Rinse, repeat.

Perhaps it is the hypersensitivity of the Detroit media who have chronicled not only Max Scherzer leaving this offseason but also seeing the Detroit Lions lose the services of Ndamukong Suh. Could Price be next?

Well if he is, the Tigers do have some decent alternatives to fill his role next offseason.

While Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez have been the main injury stories during Spring Training (though it appears the return of both is imminent), the Tigers have suffered through a bunch of very minor injuries that have kept players like Ian Kinsler, Yoenis Cespedes, Alex Avila and Jose Iglesias out of the lineup from time to time. While it is nothing to be too concerned about, the various time missed has not really allowed any sort of Opening Day lineup to materialize after two weeks of Spring Training.

Taylor Dayne once said that saying goodbye is never an easy thing, so it was especially hard for Tigers’ fans to follow yesterday’s game in Jupiter against the Miami Marlins knowing that one Don Kelly is patrolling multiple positions for another team. Donny Baseball thinks he is a very good fit with the Marlins.

So Miami stole the talents of Suh and the heart of Detroit Tigers’ baseball in a two-month period. Screw you, South Beach, screw you.

Free agent options give Detroit Tigers safety net if they cannot reach deal with David Price – Chris Iott, MLive

"The starting pitching market this past offseason consisted mostly of three players: Scherzer, Jon Lester and James Shields. Which pitchers are likely to be free agents next offseason? How does Price, Johnny Cueto, Jeff Samardzija, Doug Fister, Rick Porcello, Mat Latos, Hisashi Iwakuma and Jordan Zimmermann sound? Zack Greinke can opt out of his contract and become a free agent as well.Supply and demand says that having that many starting pitchers on the market should make the price more reasonable for teams. But the market shows premier pitchers will get $200 million or more. The statistics show Price should be the most sought after starting pitcher to hit the market in the offseason."

Injuries continue to blur outlook for Tigers – Chris McCosky, Detroit News

"The opening day lineup, while mostly set, hasn’t played a single game together. Victor Martinez (knee) and Miguel Cabrera (ankle) are working their way back from surgery. Shortstop Jose Iglesias, after missing last season with stress fractures in his legs, hasn’t played back-to-back games in the field yet.Second baseman Ian Kinsler is out with a left shoulder strain. Catcher Alex Avila has only caught seven innings, missing time for paternal leave and back stiffness. Left fielder Yoenis Cespedes has been bothered by back and now leg issues."

Ex-Tiger Don Kelly says he’s a good fit with Marlins – George Sipple, Detroit Free Press

"Kelly, who left the Tigers this past off-season, is trying to stick with the Miami Marlins past the spring.“I think it’s been pretty good,” Kelly said. “To bounce around. Everything that goes on in a National League game, is one of the reasons it was such a good fit. To bounce around and play all over the place. Double switches, pinch hits, stuff like that.”Kelly, 35, was one of those players that was either loved or hated in Detroit. Those who loved him saw a polite person who worked hard for every opportunity. And there were those who thought the Tigers could do way better with someone else as the last man on their bench than Kelly."

Next: Tigers fall to Marlins 4-2

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