MLB news roundup: Tigers negotiating with Brian Wilson, Rockies listening on Dexter Fowler
The Tigers might have found their closer. The Rockies apparently haven’t settled on a center fielder, even though they’ve had a decent one for five seasons.
The Detroit Tigers and free-agent reliever Brian Wilson are working toward a deal, according to Lynn Henning of the Detroit News. The Tigers are looking for a closer and previously had talks with Joe Nathan and Grant Balfour, though nothing materialized with either player.
Wilson, 31, rebounded strongly from Tommy John surgery, posting an 0.66 ERA in 13⅔ innings with the Dodgers in 2013 after missing most of the 2012 season. He didn't rack up any saves while in Los Angeles but has converted 171 of his 196 career attempts.
Colorado Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd is willing to listen to offers for center fielder Dexter Fowler, he told 850 KOA's Dave Krieger on Monday. O'Dowd also expressed concern about Fowler's toughness and passion for baseball during the interview and mentioned that Carlos Gonzalez would be able to move to center field if Fowler isn't in a Rockies uniform next year.
Free-agent catcher Dioner Navarro is closing in on a deal with an unnamed team, reports MLB Network's Peter Gammons. That team is not the Boston Red Sox, per Gammons.
Navarro, 29, had a career year with the Cubs in 2013, hitting .300/.365/.492 with 13 home runs in 266 plate appearances. He hasn't received full-time work behind the plate since his days with the Tampa Bay Rays in the latter part of the last decade.
Longtime big-league reliever Chad Durbin has retired, according to ESPN's Jerry Crasnick. Durbin was released by the Philadelphia Phillies in May after sporting a 9.00 ERA through 16 innings of work.
Durbin pitched for six different MLB teams in parts of 14 seasons. The 36-year-old right-hander finished his career with a 5.03 ERA.
