Could the Tigers be interested in Carlos Ruiz?
The Phillies have been long linked to the Tigers and Jonathan Papelbon. However, according to a new report from CBS Sports' Danny Knobler, the Phillies are scouting the Detroit Tigers' farm system …but not for a potential Papelbon trade:
Phillies scouts have been spotted doing a second tour of the Tigers' farm system.
It's not hard to connect the dots and see what that could mean, with the Tigers needing a closer and with Jonathan Papelbon sitting in the Phillies bullpen.
Connecting dots doesn't always lead to a trade, and people who speak regularly with Tigers management continue to insist that they won't be involved in a Papelbon trade. Money is reportedly the biggest roadblock, with Papelbon making $13 million a year through 2015 (with a vesting option for 2016).
What Knobler does not make clear is who the Tigers would be interested in. My best guess: Carlos Ruiz.
The Tigers have been working with two catchers producing very mediocre offensive results. Alex Avila is hitting .176 in 188 at bats. Branyan Pena is hitting .289 in limited play, but the Tigers do not view him as a starter or else Avila would not be getting the bulk of the at bats. Victor Martinez, once a catcher, has not caught since 2011 when he caught just 26 games. I would say they are due for an upgrade.
The Phillies fared okay without Ruiz…could the Phillies move him and still contend? Possibly. But they probably are simply doing their homework in case they fall too far behind the Atlanta Braves over the next couple weeks. Time will tell.
UPDATE: Jon Paul Morosi of Fox Sports adds:
Was told Phillies had a high-level scout watching Toledo recently, with A. Garcia and Castellanos playing there.
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 10, 2013
