The Tigers are close to signing former Marlins catcher Matt Treanor to serve as their backup backstop to Gerald Laird. Treanor has spent five seasons with the Marlins and not once has he topped 70 games. His best season is 2007 when he hit a career high .269 with four homeruns.
For now, it looks like Dusty Ryan is going to find his time for the Mud Hens. That’s not a horrible move because it’ll give Ryan the chance to work every day. Treanor’s deal appears to be for just one year ($705k salary) so if Ryan performs as expected, he should slide into at least the backup role in 2010.
And while you’re over at MLB.com, there’s also a good column on Fernando Rodney. I think to rely on Rodney to close all season is a risk but for now, that’s the hand we’ve drawn.