Tigers refuse to rule out trades

Lynn Henning / The Detroit News

After he had shaken hands, kibitzed with cohorts and at least mulled trade thoughts during three days in Chicago, Dave Dombrowski conceded Wednesday the general manager meetings had been beyond routine.

"I think I feel very comfortable in saying that there are generally a lot of conversations at these meetings, and this year there were really a lot of conversations," said Dombrowski, the Tigers president and general manager, during a phone interview late Wednesday.

Whether the dialogue translates into deals involving the Tigers -- perhaps for center fielder Curtis Granderson, or right-handed starting pitcher Edwin Jackson -- Dombrowski would not say.

But he acknowledged that "we are always open to talking about players, and we'll continue to talk and see if anything makes sense."

The Tigers will be as open as 29 other clubs appear to be receptive to talking business as free agents move closer to signing contracts. Payrolls and a murky economy have conspired to make the offseason potentially one of the most dramatic in memory, although there has been no sign Tigers owner Mike Ilitch has ordered any drastic cuts in a payroll that could reach or exceed $130 million in 2010.

Dombrowski would not discuss particulars there, except to say that a "generous" Ilitch has continued to be supportive of his front office.

But realities could prod Dombrowski to consider making some ambitious trades. The Tigers were fourth in the American League in attendance in 2009 but still drew one-quarter fewer fans than they did during the 2008 season, when they had their all-time high of 3.2 million.

Granderson is a highly attractive trade chip, not only because of his age (28), home runs in 2009 (30) and sterling reputation. He also has a friendly contract -- $23.75 million through 2012, with a $13 million club option for 2013.

Granderson likely would be able to net the Tigers multiple players, even if it would necessitate finding a replacement in center field and at the leadoff spot in manager Jim Leyland's lineup.

Jackson, 26, is coming off a 13-9 season that follows a 14-victory year for Tampa Bay in 2008. He's regarded as an authentic top-of-the-rotation pitcher capable of throwing 200 innings.

Pitchers of that caliber are pure gold for teams, as they are in the Tigers' view. But there are realities for the Tigers to consider there, including Jackson's free agency, which is set to arrive after the 2011 season. Jackson is represented by Scott Boras, and while the Tigers have done effective business with Boras, they know that negotiating contracts ahead of free agency isn't one of Boras' preferences.

That could make life unsettling when the Tigers have all but resolved to sign Justin Verlander, another 2011 free agent, to a long-term deal.

Dombrowski said last month the Tigers hoped "to have Justin Verlander for a very long time," which made clear how seriously they will attempt to sign him to an extension, ideally in 2010.

Dombrowski would not speculate Wednesday on chances the Tigers might retain any of their current free agents. The offseason market, he acknowledged, appears to be evolving by the day.

But he also has said previously that there was little way the team could hold onto all of its free agents, several of whom -- second baseman Placido Polanco, closer Fernando Rodney and reliever Brandon Lyon -- are looking for multi-year deals.

The Tigers aren't interested in contracts of any length. Not in this economy, and not for players of that trio's vintage.

It's no doubt one of the reasons why trade talks were so robust this week. And why they'll likely continue to flow freely until some potentially dramatics deals are done.

lynn.henning@detnews.com (313) 222-2472