The minute an MLB team started showing interest in Brad Thomas, the Hanshin Tigers were likely the last thing on his mind.  And so for the second time this off-season, the Tigers have failed in signing a player they were coveting.

Thomas will be signing a contract with the Detroit Tiger.

Via MLB.com:

Thomas, who last pitched in the Majors with the Twins in 2004, returns to the states after pitching the past four seasons in the Far East. The 32-year-old went 5-11 with 44 saves and a 2.86 ERA over the past two seasons combined for Hanwha of the Korean Baseball Organization. He struck out 119 batters over 113 1/3 innings.

The question now is, how sure are the Tigers, Hanshin that is, are in being able to obtain Randy Messenger.

The Tigers better hope the old Japanese saying of "bad things come in threes" doesn't end up rearing it's ugly head now.

And is it just me that finds this excruciatingly amusing that the Detroit Tigers were the lucky winners in the Thomas sweepstakes.

How's that for irony.

Or would that just be a cruel coincidence?

It looks like the Hanshin Tigers may be entering the final stages of negotiations with Randy Messenger and Brad Thomas.  The two pitchers will likely be relied upon as replacements for Scott Atchison and Jeff Williams.

The Tigers will be sending their International liaison to the States this week to hammer out an extension with Craig Brazell, and then to have a sit down with Messenger.  Afterward, their International liaison will hurry off to Australia to meet with Thomas.

If everything goes according to the Tigers' plans, the two pitchers could be signed and sealed within the week.

The Tigers appear to be interested in both Juan Morillo (Minnesota Twins) and Brad Thomas (Hanwha Eagles out of the KBO).

The Tigers are looking to replace both Scott Atchison and Jeff Williams in the bullpen and the FO apparently feels that Morillo and Thomas are a perfect fit.

Juan Morillo (LHRP) - Baseball Cube

Brad Thomas (RHRP) - Baseball Cube