Espinosa presents some problems for the Reds and now the Tigers. He has tremendous physical tools, but he’s still very raw. There’s definite upside there, but along with Dane Sardinha, Espinosa signed a major league contract and at the rate he’s progressing, he’ll be out of options before he’s close to being ready to the majors. We’ll see who the PTBNLs are. I’m still impressed that the Tigers got someone who is thought of as a prospect for a guy in Brian Moehler’s position.
The Tigers have traded Brian Moehler to the Cincinnati Reds for minor league second baseman David Espinosa (Cincinnati’s 1st round pick in 2000), and two players to be named later. Espinosa will report to Class A Lakeland. Brian Powell from Toledo will take Moehler’s spot in the rotation.
Jamie Walker,1-0 with a 3.52 ERA in 27 games with the Tigers earlier this season, was recalled from Triple-A Toledo, where he was 0-1 with a 1.98 in 10 games. To make room on the roster, right-hander Jose Paniagua was outrighted to the Mud Hens. Paniagua cleared waivers and has 72 hours to report. If he doesn’t, the Tigers don’t have to pay the remaining $550,000 of his $1.325-million contract.
Former hitting coach Dave Engle is a special assignment scout for the Mets and has been a frequent attendee of recent Tigers games in Detroit. According to a person familiar with his assignment, Engle has been in the Motor City looking carefully at left fielder Bobby Higginson, a player the Mets have had interest in before.
The A’s won the big three-way trade, although I’m not sure I see any losers. The Tigers may be less of a winner, but Carlos Pena is already their best player, and gives them someone around which to build a lineup.
He’s drawn favorable comparisons to another Evansville standout, Andy Benes, for his frame and stuff. While he’s not quite as overpowering as Benes, who was drafted by the Padres with the first overall pick in 1988, Larrison can run his fastball into the low-90s and regularly works in the 88-92 mph range with good movement. He also uses a curveball and changeup and has used his three-pitches to hold FSL hitters to a .212 average in 67 innings.
I’m sure by know you’ve heard about‘Nobody Night’ in Charleston. What you may not know is that the opposing team was the Columbus RedStixx and they are managed by former Tiger prospect Torey Lovullo.