Dave Dombrowski says the Tigers aren’t interested in Rafael Soriano

By Craig CalcaterraNov 29, 2012, 11:33 AM EDT
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Many have assumed that the Tigers are going to go after Rafael Soriano or some other free agent closer. They need a closer. They have the money. They’ve worked quite nicely with Scott Boras before. If they don’t go after someone they’re going to be forced to go with a rookie closer in Bruce Rondon. It just makes sense, the reasoning goes.

Not so fast, Dave Dombrowski tells the Detroit News’ Lynn Henning:

 

Of course, no GM would ever downplay his interest in a free agent in an attempt to improve his negotiating position. That, like, never happens.

Orioles “have begun fielding calls of interest” on Manny Machado

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By Drew SilvaMay 24, 2018, 3:21 PM EDT
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Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports reports Thursday that the Orioles “are said to have begun fielding calls of interest” on superstar Manny Machado and “are close to the point of seriously weighing whether to trade him.”

You’d think it would be a no-brainer for the last-place O’s to flip Machado — an impending free agent — for prospects, but Heyman notes there is “still a question whether or not longtime Orioles owner Peter Angelos” will give the go-ahead. One person familiar with the situation put it a “50-50” likelihood. Another suggested that it would take a massive return, which, sure.

Machado entered play Thursday with a sensational .328/.405/.635 batting line, 15 home runs, and an MLB-leading 43 RBI in 49 games. It’d be a real shock if he’s still wearing an O’s uniform by the end of July.

Heyman reported previously that at least nine teams made aggressive plays for Machado this winter, including the Cubs, Phillies, Dodgers, Indians, Diamondbacks, Yankees, Red Sox, White Sox, and Cardinals. A whole lot of those teams still make sense here in late May — maybe all of them except the White Sox.