According to the Detroit Free Press, “reports have said” the Tigers are interested in having free agent second baseman Orlando Hudson replace Placido Polanco, who signed with Philadelphia last month.
We’ve seen Hudson linked to a number of teams this winter -- Mets, Phillies, Red Sox, Rockies, Mariners, Giants and Nationals -- but the Tigers haven’t been one of them. Of course, that doesn’t mean this report isn’t true, but I haven’t found a single report that has linked the Tigers to the 32-year-old.
It’s an unlikely scenario anyway, as the Tigers have top prospect Scott Sizemore at the ready. Sizemore, who turns 24 on Monday, batted .308/.389/.500 with 17 home runs and 66 RBI between Double-A Erie and Triple-A Toledo last season. He underwent surgery to repair a fractured left ankle in October, but there have been no reported setbacks in his recovery.
A few of the teams mentioned above have already settled on other options at second base, leaving a potential landing spot for Hudson in doubt. It’s very possible that Hudson could find himself signing another one-year contract. If his price drops far enough, the Tigers can’t be dismissed entirely.