The Tigers also play baseball--how about Santana for Bonderman?--Freep

If the Tigers still want to win the World Series, Drew Sharp suggests Jeremy Bonderman & prospects for Santana. He doesn't see it only as a Yankee-Red Sox issue. Wow.

• From the Detroit Free Press article: "A breakdown in starting pitching cost the Tigers more last season than an injury-riddled bullpen or Gary Sheffield’s bad shoulder. There’s no questioning that Verlander’s inconsistency late in the season is more likely an aberration, but it’s not a certainty that Bonderman can overcome the obstacles that rendered him a hostage to first-inning difficulties.

He has got the lightning stuff, but there remain concerns regarding his mental toughness. The Twins might show more interest in a 24-year-old with five years of major league experience who’s already under contract for another four years at a reasonable price.

• They’ve already purged enough prospects from the farm system in landing shortstop Edgar Renteria and it would be idiocy parting with Cameron Maybin and/or Rick Porcello in any package for the 28-year-old Santana. It will require a little more outside-the-box thinking to get the better of the Yankees and Red Sox in their annual exercise of looting the less financially fortunate."

***Three cheers for Mr. Sharp although he loses me a bit in his final phrase, the "less financially fortunate," business. Considering the boundless wealth and business interests of Detroit's owners, and reading last year how Scott Boras engineered their winning team, the 'less lucky in life's lottery' argument for the Tigers doesn't hold up. But I like anyone with the courage to state that Santana could cash in with the Tigers...not just the other 2 teams.*** (sm)

• From Detroit Free Press article by Drew Sharp, "Tigers Should Deal Jeremy Bonderman, Prospects for Johan Santana," 12/1/07

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