Comments on: Tigers Minor League Wrap 4-22-0

By: Mike R

Mike R — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 04:50:59 +0000

Yo, Rodney’s probably not coming back.

By: PHT in HK

PHT in HK — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 22:32:26 +0000

If Bautista and Cruceta are still hot over the next couple of months, why would the Tigers rush Rodney back? Also, what makes anybody believe that Rodney will be healthy enough to come back this season? This notion appears to be pure speculation.

By: cib

cib — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 20:31:27 +0000

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.....2/80423062

By: cib

cib — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 20:29:27 +0000

Yes, but Clete T being sent to Toledo.

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.....2/80423062

By: Ken from Cincinnati

Ken from Cincinnati — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 20:20:20 +0000

Has it been confirmed that Granderson is playing in tonight’s game?

By: Mark in Chicago

Mark in Chicago — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 19:32:17 +0000

I agree with Brian BG on this one. You can never have too much depth in your pen, especially given how mercurial they are from year to year. I don’t trust Rodney’s health either, but he’s pretty capable as a setup guy when he’s right. Cruceta has yet to pitch in the majors and Bautista has only done it successfully for about 10 innings or so. Besides, having extra guys around in case someone else is not available that day is a nice luxury to have.

My guess is Rodney pitches early in games until he demonstrates that he’s healthy and effective. Once he does that I would expect to see him in the setup role again, bump Bautista down to the 7th inning, and use Cruceta in low-leverage situations to get him comfortable in the majors.

By: Ryan

Ryan — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 19:29:57 +0000

If Rodney comes back dealing, there’s NO WAY you get rid of him, short of an extremely compelling trade. I think it would be Rapada and Grilli on the firing line (assuming Cruceta is decent and no one else falls apart). Lopez seems like he could easily slide over and become one of MLB’s top long guys. Statistically, Rodney and Zumaya are about the same (except GO/AO, which I think favors Rodney in that he has kept decent numbers while being a ground-ball guy with the 06-07 infield). I still can’t fathom where all the hate of him and love of Zumaya comes from. Is hat angle really more relevant than WHIP? Is throwing 100 that important?

By: Brian - BG

Brian - BG — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 19:00:59 +0000

If Rodney comes back next month healthy why not keep him. Isn’t having quality depth in the bullpen a good thing? Bautista has looked good so far this year but there is still alot of baseball to be played and why not have extra depth in the bullpen. With the way our starting pitching has gone bring Cruceta in the 6th, Rodney in the 7th, Bautista in the 8th and the rollercoaster in the 9th.

By: charlie

charlie — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 18:29:44 +0000

WHOA!
i know you’re just dreaming but cruceta has not yet pitched for the tigers..he may or may not work out. it is only 20 games into the season and i think bautista (although he has been good so far) needs to prove himself over a longer period of time.AND you don’t just throw away a talent like rodney ever. sure glad you guys are not making personnel decisions for the team.

By: Brenden

Brenden — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 18:20:40 +0000

Yeah, I meant cut as in get rid of him. I just don’t think there is going to be room for Rodney on this team anymore if Cruceta and Bautista are solid. I don’t it will be much of a problem when Zumaya returns, considering that he will be hopefully the closer of the near future. I would love to have a bullpen with Cruceta, Bautista and Zumaya closing out the last 3 innings in the next season. I just don’t trust Rodney’s health anymore. After starting out the last two seasons on the DL, it just seems like it is going to be a continuing problem. Not to mention, the guy is a headcase.