Rick Porcello rumors: Diamondbacks, Mariners talking with Tigers

The Seattle Mariners and Arizona Diamondbacks have had discussions with the Detroit Tigers about acquiring young right-hander Rick Porcello, reports Jon Morosi of FOX Sports:

#Mariners and #DBacks have had talks with the #Tigers about acquiring Rick Porcello, sources say.

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) January 14, 2013

While the Mariners have been in contact with the Tigers about Porcello for a while, this is the first word that the Diamondbacks are in pursuit of him as well.

Arizona GM Kevin Towers stated over the weekend that the club is "fine" going forward without trading Justin Upton, Jason Kubel, or any other of its several outfielders, but the Tigers' want of a corner outfielder could change that. Detroit currently has Andy Dirks slotted in as their starting left fielder, but if his stellar half season last year ends up being a small sample size illusion then the club would likely prefer to have options.

The addition of either Upton or Kubel would give the Tigers yet another power bat to complement their already stacked offense.

The Angels, Orioles, Padres, and Pirates have also inquired about the 24-year-old Porcello, who posted a 4.59 ERA and 5.5 K/9 rate in 31 starts for Detroit in 2012, his fourth full season.