The Tigers and Chicago Cubs are close to finalizing a deal that would send infielder/outfielder Omar Infante to Chicago and outfielder Jacque Jones to Detroit, according to one industry official with knowledge of the negotiations.
The deal could be announced as early as today, the official said.Jones, who is due to make $5.5 million in 2008, would play leftfield for the Tigers. It?s not clear if he would be an everyday player there, or if the club would use a platoon of Jones and Marcus Thames or Ryan Raburn.
Jones, a left-handed hitter, batted .285 with five home runs and 66 RBIs in 135 games this past season.
Infante, who is eligible for salary arbitration, no longer seemed to fit in Detroit, with the emergence of Raburn and utility infielder Ramon Santiago.
The deal could be announced as early as today, the official said.Jones, who is due to make $5.5 million in 2008, would play leftfield for the Tigers. It?s not clear if he would be an everyday player there, or if the club would use a platoon of Jones and Marcus Thames or Ryan Raburn.
Jones, a left-handed hitter, batted .285 with five home runs and 66 RBIs in 135 games this past season.
Infante, who is eligible for salary arbitration, no longer seemed to fit in Detroit, with the emergence of Raburn and utility infielder Ramon Santiago.
