NEWSLETTER
Well, it didn’t take long for those Carlos Marmol rumors to pop up, as expected and discussed earlier today.
Bruce Levine this evening reports that “several teams” are taking a look at acquiring the Chicago Cubs’ closer, who is under contract for 2013 at $9.8 million. League sources tell Levine that the Detroit Tigers are included among those teams.
Levine goes on to add that, although Marmol can veto a trade to four West Coast teams (we know the identity of one of those teams – the Angels – and we know he’s willing to accept a trade there), he would likely accept a deal to just about any contender.
Phil Rogers suggests that, indeed, Rick Porcello would be a possible target in talks between the Cubs and Tigers, and adds an additional layer to the possible Marmol-Tigers connection by speculating that the Cubs could try and add Alfonso Soriano to the deal. The Tigers added Torii Hunter already this offseason, but it’s plausible that they could use another right-handed power bat in the outfield, at least on a part-time basis. But would Soriano accept a deal knowing he might not be a regular, even if it’s to a contender like the Tigers? Eh. I’m going to just focus on the Marmol part until there are any indications that a Soriano inclusion could actually have legs.
Levine has been banging the Carlos Marmol trade drum all Winter, stating several times with confidence that Marmol would not leave Spring Training with the Cubs. It’s no surprise, then, that he’s been hearing of a great deal of interest in Marmol.
Oh, and by the way, you can expect to see a strongly-worded denial from Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski by tomorrow, because, like, that’s what he does.
