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The Detroit Tigers are not close to moving Rick Porcello, reports Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com. The Tigers don't feel any real pressure to move him and won't do it unless the deal is right. Knobler goes on to say that they are shopping outfielder Brennan Boesch.
Porcello, 24, has been the subject of trade rumors all offseason long. At one point or another his name has been mentioned in connection with the Orioles, Mariners, Pirates, Padres, Cubs and Diamondbacks this offseason, but nothing has been done. The Tigers have a lot of starting pitching depth with Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer, Doug Fister, Anibal Sanchez, Porcello and Drew Smyly.
Porcello avoided arbitration last week and will earn $5.1 million in 2013. He was 10-12 with a 4.59 ERA in 31 starts for Detroit last season. For his career, Porcello is 48-42 with a 4.55 ERA over four seasons. He has made at least 27 starts every year since 2009.
Boesch, 27, hit a disappointing .240/.286/.372 with 12 home runs in 503 plate appearances last season as the Tigers right fielder. For his career, the lefty is hitting .259/.315/.414 with 42 home runs over three seasons. With the signing of Torii Hunter, the return of Victor Martinez and the emergence of Avisail Garcia, Boesch is expendable.
