“Depends on how you define “a career”.”

True, and it could be Miner’s destiny, for all I know. I thought he was in line for more, didn’t see anything that made me think his occasional struggles were anything worse than any other new/replacement starter, but I’m not a pitching coach. Maybe it’s a Chris Shelton thing, where they see a guy who’s just not going to get “better enough.” Ever.

Long relief seems to be a way station for pitchers. No one makes a career of it (or am I wrong?).

Depends on how you define “a career”. It’s certainly not a good career (and rarely a very long one), but a lot of guys do spend the bulk of their major league career there.

a tag-team with Rogers might make even more sense.

You’re probably right.

I’m not sure what the long-term plan is for him either, but I tend to agree that his opportunity to start on a regular basis has probably passed. It’s possible they may view him as a swing guy like Durbin was; my guess why they passed him over was Miner’s inability to throw strikes consistently.

I was briefly part of the muddy mess over at the Ugly Thread, and I should really know better. Some folks had been getting on my nerves that day and I really felt like nitpicking an issue. Oh well, live and learn. Would have liked to see your absurd but harmless joke, though.

Jeff Molby, a tag-team with Rogers might make even more sense.

Long relief seems to be a way station for pitchers. No one makes a career of it (or am I wrong?). I’m not sure what they’re waiting for with Miner. It seems his moment to get into the rotation has come and gone, and where he fits now is a position you fill with any spare part that gets it done a couple outings in a row. I keep waiting for another team to ask the Tigers, “Say, are you going to eat those fries or not?” It’s irrational, but I’m antsy for Miner to go. I get that way with any decent player (Omar Infante was an example) that doesn’t fit the plan. It’s entirely rational for the Tigers to be content with Miner where he is now. I guess.

Yeah, I know who you mean. When I saw things getting icky over in the Ugly Thread, I had the idea for an absurd but harmless and non-political way to poke fun. Defuse the tension, maybe. But I’m glad I didn’t bother with such a post. I’m dying to use it some other time, though. It’s my Zach Miner.

Also of interest is the Tigers’ 4-15 record against the Central. Tough to win the division when you can’t beat teams you play 19 times each.

The tricky thing is getting Willis stretched out again when he rejoins the rotation.

As long as we’re in the mood for unconventional moves, they could stretch him out by having him tag team with Nate every fifth day.

Miner as a starter anytime this year looks like a longshot to me. We already have 6 guys to run out there with Willis back, and a handful of guys in the minors to pull up for an emergency start. Plus they’d have to stretch him out if they planned to run him out there for more than 1-2 spot starts.

It could happen, but I would guess it’s unlikely. To make me look bad though, I would expect Leyland to announce that Miner is going into the rotation effective immediately.

Speaking of bullpens, I get the impression that the Tigers hitters must have put up abysmal numbers overall against other teams bullpens so far. That’s alarming.

Speaking of the Red Sox and Angels, while “watching” the tail end of last night’s Tigers game, I saw that the Red Sox were beating the Royals. I wanted to say something like “stunning upset,” “mighty Royals dethroned by upstart BoSox,” or “gee, why can’t the Tigers learn how to do that?”
0-6 vs. KC and 1-7 against Boston. Boy, do the Tigers have something to prove.

Rule #1 when you find yourself in a hole: Stop digging.

On Miner, the idea just popped into my head, and I mentioned it in hopes of “calling it” just in case it happened. I’m not clairvoyant, but gaining such a reputation would improve my standing here, I feel.

You’re right, and I can’t offer up any ideas on what the Tigers could get for Miner that they need. Do you think there’s any chance he gets another shot as a starter this year? I never really understood why he was passed over in favor of Chad Durbin in 2007.

No reason to trade Miner unless you’re getting something particularly useful or attractive for him. He has an option remaining and if he has enough crappy outings they’ll just send him down. I’d be surprised if they moved him.

That said, he has been pitching better lately.

YIKES!!!!!!! Let’s hope we don’t.