Detroit Tigers fill a need, trading for SS Renteria from Braves

The Detroit Tigers made the first splash in baseball’s offseason as they addressed a pressing priority.Again.

Detroit filled its No. 1 void Monday, acquiring shortstop Edgar Renteria and cash from the Atlanta Braves for two prospects.

Shortly after reaching the World Series last season, the Tigers pulled off the first major move when they traded for Gary Sheffield.

“The Tigers don’t wait around for the winter meetings, when all the owners and agents get involved,” All-Star catcher Ivan Rodriguez told The Associated Press. “We got Sheffield early last year and now we got Renteria right away.

“I think this was a good move because Renteria is a great player, who is a winner with a championship under his belt.”

Detroit hopes this year’s deal at the start of the offseason, necessitated by shifting Carlos Guillen to first base, helps the franchise get back to the postseason after falling short this year with 88 wins.

“We were able to address our biggest need, heading into the winter, with one of the best shortstops in the game,” Tigers president and general manager Dave Dombrowski said on a conference call.

Renteria, a five-time All-Star, hit .332 with 12 homers and 57 RBIs in 124 games with Atlanta this season.

In exchange for the 32-year-old Renteria, Detroit gave up right-hander Jair Jurrjens and minor league outfielder Gorkys Hernandez.

“We gave up a couple of good players, but in order to acquire a player like Edgar we knew we had to give up some talent,” Dombrowski said.

With Dombrowski running the front office and current Tigers manager Jim Leyland in the dugout for the Florida Marlins, Renteria ended a thrilling World Series Game 7 in 1997. His hit with two outs in the bottom of the 11th inning gave Florida its first World Series championship with a 3-2 win over the Cleveland Indians.

“I’m real happy to be a Detroit Tiger player,” Renteria said. “I know Dave and Jim Leyland and I think I’m going to be comfortable in Detroit.”

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