What are your thoughts on Brad Lidge? Sifting from the rumor mill, acquiring Lidge looks like a deal DD is trying to make

By the way, what is the “smart” scouting report/general opinion on Cordero?

I hear your drums. But until we hear “Jones is going on the DL with a tired-arm…” (only likey after surrendering a consecutive string of embarrassing blown saves — due to the injury, of course)… you’re just gonna have to endure some unenjoyable ninth innings. I don’t see any moves to replace the closer.

That said, if the Tigers ever DID make such a bold move, bet the farm that an injury will be involved.

I think the main focus should be to bolster the setup guys, and if Zumaya and/or Rodney comes back to form, consider it a bonus. Then, if Jones does fall off the mound to the point where a move has to be made, you can always re-shuffle within the ranks with what you got.

It’s not ideal, but the reality is, it’s July 23rd, a seller’s market, and not much out there.

I hear your drums. But until we hear “Jones is going on the DL with a tired-arm…” (only likey after surrendering a consecutive string of embarrassing blown saves — due to the injury, of course)… you’re just gonna have to endure some unenjoyable ninth innings. I don’t see any moves to replace the closer.

That said, if the Tigers ever DID make such a bold move, bet the farm that an injury will be involved.

I think the main focus should be to bolster the setup guys, and if Zumaya and/or Rodney comes back to form, consider it a bonus. Then, if Jones does fall off the mound to the point where a move has to be made, you can always re-shuffle within the ranks with what you got.

It’s not ideal, but the reality is, it’s July 23rd, a seller’s maket, and not much out there.

If you guys think Jones is sufficient, you’re entitled to your opinion and I’ll be happy to be proven wrong when all is said and done.

All I know for sure is that I hate watching him pitch because in my gut I never feel ANY lead is big enough with him, and therefore don’t enjoy watching even when its one, two, three.

“Cordero said yesterday that he was open to changing roles.

‘I’ll do whatever the manager wants me to do,’ Cordero said. ‘If they want me to close, if they want me to be a seventh- or eighth-inning guy, whatever they want me to do.’”

So who do you think it’d take to get Izzy and what would you guys give up to get him?

I also agree with Billfer on Todd Jones. The size of the lead doesn’t have anything to do with anything; striking out only 11.9% of hitters, does. He’s a contact pitcher who’s been successful because he normally doesn’t walk hitters — which was his problem early in the year.

Brandon Inge has struck out in 16 of his last 17 games. 8 of those games, he’s K’d twice. His longest stretch without striking out was 11 AB’s in a row, from April 29th-May 2nd.

The thing is:

To make room for these kind of losses, which are inevitable, you have to finish the games you’re supposed to win. It’s actually kind of refreshing to just endure a loss as a loss, instead of one of the more frustrating losses (which of late have seemed much more prevelant) of a blown game variety, or a loss due to some ridiculous, avoidable twist of luck/fate/unfortuante circumstance/sub-par bullpen performance.

I have no problem losing this series. If every game this team loses, from this point forward, were of a similar vein, I feel fine about this team. I feel confident this team wins 100+ games this year and represents the AL in the classic.

That doesn’t mean I’m advocating we skate into post-trade season without doing anything to bolster the pen, as, unfortuately, I don’t see the picture playing out quite that favorably.