Detroit Tigers Links: Yoan Moncada odds, no high dollars, J.D. Mart

The Detroit Tigers were one of many teams to give Cuban export Yoan Moncada a workout in the past week. Though some insiders say the usual suspects like the Yankees, Red Sox and Dodgers are the front-runners, you shouldn’t discount the Tigers’ chances.

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The team has yet to land a big named international free agent and would love for Moncada to sign with Detroit. Still, according to admittedly non-scientific odds set forth by the author of the below Bleacher Report article, the Tigers are a long shot.

The Tigers will have to open the wallet to sign the 19-year old, but Dave Dombrowki doesn’t foresee adding a costly veteran before or during Spring Training. Yesterday we reported that James Shields is likely to sign soon and that the Tigers were likely out. Could this be the final nail in the coffin?

Finally we look at who J.D. Martinez says was the reason for his surprising success in 2014.

Final Yoan Moncada Suitor Odds Now That He’s Finally Cleared to Sign – Joel Reuter, Bleacher Report

A private workout by the Tigers (20-1 odds) has been viewed mostly as simple diligence on the part of the team, according to MLB.com’s Jason Beck, while the Cardinals remain on the periphery, having yet to hold a private workout.

Dombrowski says Tigers won’t pursue ‘high-dollar types’ – Anthony Fenech, Detroit Free Press

Dombrowski said there was nothing new on free agents and, when asked about right-hander James Shields, he reiterated the team is comfortable with its rotation, which shapes up as: Verlander, David Price, Anibal Sanchez, Simon and Greene.Dombrowski didn’t dismiss the possibility of adding players who fall through the free-agent cracks on a minor league deal — “It’s not like you don’t take a phone call or know what else is going on out there, so anything can happen,” he said — but he said the Tigers weren’t pursuing any “high-profile or high-dollar types.”“We’re basically set from what we’re trying to pursue,” Dombrowski said. “And if we go into camp this way, we’re content.”

Tigers’ Martinez attributes success to listening to veteran players – Michael Hurcomb, CBS Sports

After struggling in three seasons with the Astros, outfielder J.D. Martinez finally enjoyed a breakout season in 2014 with the Tigers. He said listening to some of the veteran players, including Miguel Cabrera, was a big help in his turnaround.“I learned so much just from watching them and picking their brains, and it really did help me,” Martinez said, per the Detroit Free Press.General manager Dave Dombrowksi agrees learning from veteran players was key for Martinez.“There’s no doubt,” Dombrowski said. “Look at how he used the opposite field. Look at how he drove the ball out of the ballpark to rightfield and centerfield. J.D. definitely benefited, and we saw how good of a hitter he became last year for us.”Martinez hit .315 with a .553 slugging percentage, .912 OPS, 23 home runs, 30 doubles and 76 RBI in 123 games. He said he has spent the offseason fine-tuning his swing after revamping it last offseason.

Next: Rumors: James Shields to sign, but not likely with Tigers