The Tigers bolstered their bullpen today by acquiring Kyle Farnsworth from the Cubs for Scott Moore, Bo Flowers, and Roberto Novoa. At first glance I like this move. Novoa showed some potential, but he probably won’t turn out to be more than Farnsworth is now. Moore is another former first round pick who won’t be helping the Tigers. He has struggled in the minors but is still young. Flowers is athletic, but I don’t know how much of a prospect he really is.
I don’t think the Tigers are done dealing though, either that or they have lowered expectations for some of their current bullpen arms. Perhaps Urbina won’t be ready to pitch due to the situation with his mother. Or maybe Fernando Rodney isn’t as far along as they hoped.
I’ll have to chew on this a little more, but for now I’ve got to run.
I like this pickup. Farnsworth has topped 10.5 K/9 in three of the last four seasons and at 29 is no geezer. He walks a few more than you’d like, but he has balanced those out quite nicely with K’s two years running. He should be solid this season.
Farnsworth is a big SOB who throws hard. A definite DD type guy. Moore could still turn out to have value. The other guys likely have limited upside. Chances are they gave up nothing plus they get a PTBNL. Farnsworth is inconsistent and a headcase, but he has wicked stuff; if Cluck can get into his head he could be a real help. I like the deal.
The only thing that would’ve made this deal better is if Farnsworth was left-handed. Suddenly, the bullpeh looks pretty nice, with three power arms for the last three innings. Plus, there’s some insurance, in case Rodney’s not ready and German hasn’t gotten it together.
Too bad about Scott Moore, though. Yet another first-round draft bust. Ouch. David Chadd has nowhere to go but up in his job.
Yeah Farns has wicked stuff but he has no movement on his pitches. Yes he throws 100 MPH on his fastball, but it is straight as an arrow. His slider is a joke, and not an out pitch.
He lives and dies by his fastball. Some days it works, somedays you will rip the hair out of your head wondering why he can’t find the plate. Cubs fans are glad he is gone.
This a a quality trade. It sets us up for this season and the future. Also at this point we gave up no quality major league prospects…just 4A guys. This will sure up a still weak bullpen. Urbina is only signed for this year so Farnsworth can be the setup guy next year and maybe setup Rodney in the distant future after Percival leaves. DD has proven great at late off season moves!
Also, Farnsworth pitches way better in odd-numbered years, a good omen for ’05. Our bullpen Saberhagen?
I totally was thinking Saberhagen too!
Jason Johnson has the same streak. Hopefully this will be a good pitching year for Detroit.
I have a certain perspective on Farnsworth being from Chicago. You gotta love that he’s an imposing, lefthanded, SOB – a bullpen presence the Tigers have lacked. Watch him when he comes out of the pen to warm-up – he leaves nothing in the tank – all you need to hear is the sound of the ball hitting into Pudge’s glove – holy crap! That’s half his MO – pure intimidation. Yes, he’s been terribly inconsistent but he is at his best at night (I don’t quite know the exact stats but his ERA is substantially lower in the dark) – making the obvious observation that he’ll be pitching a lot more night games in Detroit. Plus this last year he developed a slider that he keeps in the low 90s in addition to his heater (in disagreement with the above a 90 mph slider coming from a lefty, even a mediocre one, is hard to pick up). If he matures even the slightest he could be dangerous.