Detroit Tigers Links: Drew a Tiger in June, Boston disclosed injury, Nate in the house & Christmas morning at the Copa

June 20, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Boston Red Sox third baseman Jose Iglesias (10) makes a throw against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Stephen Drew to the Detroit Tigers’ rescue? Maybe in June – John Lowe, Detroit Free Press

"If the Tigers aren’t getting competent play at short by mid-June … and if they are losing games because of it … and if Drew remains unsigned … then perhaps the Tigers and Drew will compromise on a price and decide it’s worth spending the rest of the season with each other."

Sure this is a possibility, but that’s a lot of “ifs.” The Tigers would have to be desperate to go down this route in June. I still contend Drew is not a significant upgrade at the position from who they already have. The price would be less mid-year (no forfeiture of a first-rounder) but would still be too much money for a player of Drew’s caliber, especially with Iglesias slated to be back to 100 percent in 2015. (Fingers crossed)

Tigers GM: Red Sox Shared Jose Iglesias’ Medical Tests Before 2013 Trade – Ricky Doyle, NESN

"“At that time, they were dealing with the premise of shin splints,” Dombrowski said. “The Red Sox had all the tests that they had, and they shared all those tests with us. I’m sure that’s what they felt he had at the time. He was able to play with (the Red Sox), too. We received all the information. Our people checked it over and felt comfortable with it. “These are very hard to detect. You have to remember, X-rays didn’t show any of this. Bone scans didn’t show it. MRIs didn’t show it. And those were done more than once.” Red Sox manager John Farrell said earlier this week that the club needed to monitor Iglesias’ shin issues last season. It wasn’t until recently, however, that Iglesias was diagnosed with stress fractures that likely will sideline the shortstop for the entire 2014 season."

Well that answers one question I had in my article from Friday: Boston did disclose the injury. But my other question remains unanswered: Did the Tigers simply shrug off the injury out of desperation over possibly losing Jhonny Peralta for the stretch run? If they did, that was a pretty bad mistake–a mistake which cost them one of the organization’s top prospects in Avisail Garcia.

Robertson not giving up big league dream – Jason Beck, MLB.com

"“Some guys think I’m a coach,” Robertson joked, noting that ex-teammate Mike Maroth is the pitching coach for the Class A team in Lakeland.Four years and seven teams after the Tigers traded him to the Marlins at the end of Spring Training in 2010, Robertson returned to his old organization two weeks ago on a Minor League deal. It’s not really a comeback attempt, because he pitched last year in the Rangers’ farm system. It’s more like a homecoming for his potential last stop.“I reached out to Detroit,” Robertson said. “I know there are a lot of factors involved. With that being said, I wanted at least these guys here to get their eyes on it, just to look at it. And I’m fortunate and thankful for them just to take a look. And I’m having fun.”"

I can’t see Nate really making much of an impact at the big league level again, but he was a colorful character and a team guy, so I wish him nothing but the best of luck.

Former MCB staffer, James Chipman now working with TigsTown, was in attendance for Nate’s appearance with the AAA squad on Thursday. He noted that Robertson was, perhaps doing his best Matthew Stafford impression, converting to a side-armed delivery. James stated Robertson had so-so results.

Sod Arrives At Detroit’s Comerica Park Ahead Of Tigers Opening Day – CBS Detroit

"Two trucks arrived at Comerica Park early Thursday morning to deliver massive rolls of Kentucky bluegrass sod. The trucks came all the way from Colorado and six more are on the way."

For someone like myself who has bemoaned the look of Comerica Park’s patchwork outfield grass the last couple of seasons, the arrival of this truck and this sod was as anticipated as my children tracking Santa’s sleigh on Christmas Eve.

Merry Christmas, Tigers’ fans.