Comments on: I’m looking for pitching http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/03/im-looking-for-pitching/ News, views, and analysis on the Detroit Tigers and baseball Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:06:14 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Mark in Chicago http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/03/im-looking-for-pitching/#comment-111161 Mark in Chicago Wed, 04 Mar 2009 03:06:59 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/03/im-looking-for-pitching/#comment-111161 No team with Brandon Inge and Adam Everett on the left side is going to win 85 games. now THAT^^ is being Stephen. No team with Brandon Inge and Adam Everett on the left side is going to win 85 games.

now THAT^^ is being Stephen.

]]> By: Kevin in Austin (now Dallas) http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/03/im-looking-for-pitching/#comment-111158 Kevin in Austin (now Dallas) Wed, 04 Mar 2009 02:32:03 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/03/im-looking-for-pitching/#comment-111158 Seriously gents, I'm gonna play Stephen here for a bit. JV could contend for a Cy Young, but I wouldn't be surprised if Galarraga were the only guy to win more than 12 games this year. If we are going to win 85 games, I think it will be largely the result of a rebuilt bullpen (we all know that's a much easier task), and not a function of our starters. I'd be shocked if they finished in the top half of the AL this year in W or EqERA. Seriously gents, I’m gonna play Stephen here for a bit. JV could contend for a Cy Young, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Galarraga were the only guy to win more than 12 games this year.

If we are going to win 85 games, I think it will be largely the result of a rebuilt bullpen (we all know that’s a much easier task), and not a function of our starters. I’d be shocked if they finished in the top half of the AL this year in W or EqERA.

]]> By: Mark in Chicago http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/03/im-looking-for-pitching/#comment-111157 Mark in Chicago Wed, 04 Mar 2009 02:19:06 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/03/im-looking-for-pitching/#comment-111157 All right, both of you, knock it off. ;-) All right, both of you, knock it off. ;-)

]]> By: Andre in Chi http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/03/im-looking-for-pitching/#comment-111156 Andre in Chi Wed, 04 Mar 2009 02:16:37 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/03/im-looking-for-pitching/#comment-111156 Kevin, you forgot to hyperventilate :) Kevin,

you forgot to hyperventilate :)

]]> By: Kevin in Austin (now Dallas) http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/03/im-looking-for-pitching/#comment-111155 Kevin in Austin (now Dallas) Wed, 04 Mar 2009 01:04:48 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/03/im-looking-for-pitching/#comment-111155 We have no starting pitching. We have no starting pitching.

]]> By: Mark in Chicago http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/03/im-looking-for-pitching/#comment-111154 Mark in Chicago Tue, 03 Mar 2009 23:45:04 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/03/im-looking-for-pitching/#comment-111154 Before we all hyperventilate that we have no starting pitching, let's remember that each starter has had exactly one turn in spring training, and to think they would all go out and blow hitters away throwing 80% of their pitches for strikes and retiring every hitter over 2-3 innings isn't a realistic expectation. It's March 3. If we're still having this conversation in 2 weeks we can raise the red flag (and maybe the white flag too). My guess is Leyland is probably trying to light a fire under guys like Robertson and Willis by saying that nothing is going to be handed to them; they better earn it. That is, the best 5 guys start and maybe we'll find a role for the other guys. After last season's alleged 'sense of entitlement' culture, this may not be a bad move by Jimmuh. Rotations are rarely a finished product, and while we'd all love to see 5 entrentched starters dominating hitters in spring training, it isn't going to happen. We definitely need to start seeing improvement, but I don't think there's anything here to be worried about (yet). Before we all hyperventilate that we have no starting pitching, let’s remember that each starter has had exactly one turn in spring training, and to think they would all go out and blow hitters away throwing 80% of their pitches for strikes and retiring every hitter over 2-3 innings isn’t a realistic expectation. It’s March 3. If we’re still having this conversation in 2 weeks we can raise the red flag (and maybe the white flag too). My guess is Leyland is probably trying to light a fire under guys like Robertson and Willis by saying that nothing is going to be handed to them; they better earn it. That is, the best 5 guys start and maybe we’ll find a role for the other guys. After last season’s alleged ‘sense of entitlement’ culture, this may not be a bad move by Jimmuh.

Rotations are rarely a finished product, and while we’d all love to see 5 entrentched starters dominating hitters in spring training, it isn’t going to happen. We definitely need to start seeing improvement, but I don’t think there’s anything here to be worried about (yet).

]]> By: Chris in Dallas http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/03/im-looking-for-pitching/#comment-111153 Chris in Dallas Tue, 03 Mar 2009 23:13:48 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/03/im-looking-for-pitching/#comment-111153 So here's the 44 worst contracts in baseball. The Tigers have 5 of them, the most of any team. I agree on 4 of the 5 (Bonderman being the exception), and Sheffield expires after this year. Still, DD kinda hamstrung the payroll a bit. Oh well. http://www.springtraining09.com/features/the-44-worst-contracts-in-base.php So here’s the 44 worst contracts in baseball. The Tigers have 5 of them, the most of any team. I agree on 4 of the 5 (Bonderman being the exception), and Sheffield expires after this year. Still, DD kinda hamstrung the payroll a bit. Oh well.

http://www.springtraining09.co.....n-base.php

]]> By: Chauncey http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/03/im-looking-for-pitching/#comment-111152 Chauncey Tue, 03 Mar 2009 22:42:37 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/03/im-looking-for-pitching/#comment-111152 Briggs- I was just thinking the same thing- the Edwin Jackson trade looks like it may have helped save the season before it even started- imagine the rotation without him right now- Verlander, hoping Galaragga wasn't a fluke and a bunch of headaches everywhere else. I agree with people above in that the Bondo issue may have been blown out of proportion- its one thing when Rodney had this problem a year ago when he had been healthy the year before, but with Bondo coming off of shoulder surgery, while its a concern, hopefully it isn't a sign of any lingering problems, but rather just normal stiffness from throwing regularly for the first time in a while. Also, at least it happened early enough in ST so that Bondo if healthy will still be ready for the season. On a side note, I noticed that Willis made it through 3 innings today without getting absolutely hammered. While he still had 3 BB's, he had a hell of a lot better outing than last time out, and it was against legitimate hitters. Robertson stunk again- so it looks like if Willis can't get it sorted out, Porcello may have a real shot at the rotation. Briggs- I was just thinking the same thing- the Edwin Jackson trade looks like it may have helped save the season before it even started- imagine the rotation without him right now- Verlander, hoping Galaragga wasn’t a fluke and a bunch of headaches everywhere else. I agree with people above in that the Bondo issue may have been blown out of proportion- its one thing when Rodney had this problem a year ago when he had been healthy the year before, but with Bondo coming off of shoulder surgery, while its a concern, hopefully it isn’t a sign of any lingering problems, but rather just normal stiffness from throwing regularly for the first time in a while. Also, at least it happened early enough in ST so that Bondo if healthy will still be ready for the season.

On a side note, I noticed that Willis made it through 3 innings today without getting absolutely hammered. While he still had 3 BB’s, he had a hell of a lot better outing than last time out, and it was against legitimate hitters. Robertson stunk again- so it looks like if Willis can’t get it sorted out, Porcello may have a real shot at the rotation.

]]> By: Briggs45 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/03/im-looking-for-pitching/#comment-111151 Briggs45 Tue, 03 Mar 2009 21:16:09 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/03/im-looking-for-pitching/#comment-111151 Thank God Leyland doesn't have to find three starting pitchers to begin the season. The trade for Edwin Jackson looks better and better. Thank God Leyland doesn’t have to find three starting pitchers to begin the season. The trade for Edwin Jackson looks better and better.

]]> By: Chris in Dallas http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/03/im-looking-for-pitching/#comment-111150 Chris in Dallas Tue, 03 Mar 2009 18:03:34 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/03/im-looking-for-pitching/#comment-111150 Dre: I didn't take it as a swipe. Rather, I was taking credit for being a worry wart. I think the Boof Bonser story out of Minnesota had me a bit freaked. (As an added note, anytime I can find it relevant to mention the name 'Boof', I know I'm having a good day) I'm actually quite bullish on the Tigers pitching staff. In my view, there have been solid additions to the rotation (EJax) and bullpen (Lyon). Combine that with the theoretical health of some guys who missed significant time in '08 (Zumaya, Rodney, Bondo) and the likely bounceback of their best guy (Bonine) and I think you've got the makings of a potentially decent year from them. Dre: I didn’t take it as a swipe. Rather, I was taking credit for being a worry wart. I think the Boof Bonser story out of Minnesota had me a bit freaked. (As an added note, anytime I can find it relevant to mention the name ‘Boof’, I know I’m having a good day) I’m actually quite bullish on the Tigers pitching staff. In my view, there have been solid additions to the rotation (EJax) and bullpen (Lyon). Combine that with the theoretical health of some guys who missed significant time in ’08 (Zumaya, Rodney, Bondo) and the likely bounceback of their best guy (Bonine) and I think you’ve got the makings of a potentially decent year from them.

]]> By: Walter55 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/03/im-looking-for-pitching/#comment-111149 Walter55 Tue, 03 Mar 2009 16:39:08 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/03/im-looking-for-pitching/#comment-111149 I really wish they could hold off bringing him up until later in the season kind of like TB did with Longoria so we would get another year out of him before he is eligible for FA. I really wish they could hold off bringing him up until later in the season kind of like TB did with Longoria so we would get another year out of him before he is eligible for FA.

]]> By: Andre in Chi http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/03/im-looking-for-pitching/#comment-111148 Andre in Chi Tue, 03 Mar 2009 16:38:03 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/03/im-looking-for-pitching/#comment-111148 Chris in D, by no means was i singling you out in all this. i fought hard to keep myself from becoming too excited about this season for a reason (rhyme!), but i found myself getting caught up in the hype just the same - especially with regards to Porcello (please do not open till 2010). i think the key is moderation in how we react. yes there are question marks, yes they concern some key players, no they aren't new and early spring training setbacks do not ruin a season; neither for the player(s) concerned, nor for the team. its a little early to start worrying too much about Miner, Willis, et al. that Miner got lit up in spring training doesn't worry me at all. obviously Bondo, Willis and Robertson are different because of their recent histories, but even with them, its a little premature to write them off...we just don't know enough yet. i struggle with it too...but just like last year people penciled the Tigers in for the W.S. before the first pitch was thrown, lets not do the opposite and assume a lost season just yet. Chris in D,

by no means was i singling you out in all this. i fought hard to keep myself from becoming too excited about this season for a reason (rhyme!), but i found myself getting caught up in the hype just the same – especially with regards to Porcello (please do not open till 2010). i think the key is moderation in how we react. yes there are question marks, yes they concern some key players, no they aren’t new and early spring training setbacks do not ruin a season; neither for the player(s) concerned, nor for the team.

its a little early to start worrying too much about Miner, Willis, et al. that Miner got lit up in spring training doesn’t worry me at all. obviously Bondo, Willis and Robertson are different because of their recent histories, but even with them, its a little premature to write them off…we just don’t know enough yet. i struggle with it too…but just like last year people penciled the Tigers in for the W.S. before the first pitch was thrown, lets not do the opposite and assume a lost season just yet.

]]> By: Chris in Dallas http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/03/im-looking-for-pitching/#comment-111147 Chris in Dallas Tue, 03 Mar 2009 16:22:11 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/03/im-looking-for-pitching/#comment-111147 Andre 3000: That was my idle speculation (Bondo's shoulder). You know, a lot of times you'll see a guy go from 'normal stiffness' to 'visit team doctor' to 'visit Dr. Andrews' to 'see you in 2010'. Fortunately it looks like they're just being extra cautious on Bondo and that he should be OK. Andre 3000: That was my idle speculation (Bondo’s shoulder). You know, a lot of times you’ll see a guy go from ‘normal stiffness’ to ‘visit team doctor’ to ‘visit Dr. Andrews’ to ‘see you in 2010′. Fortunately it looks like they’re just being extra cautious on Bondo and that he should be OK.

]]> By: Ronnie D. http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/03/im-looking-for-pitching/#comment-111146 Ronnie D. Tue, 03 Mar 2009 16:19:24 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/03/im-looking-for-pitching/#comment-111146 I'm just happy to be talking baseball again I’m just happy to be talking baseball again

]]> By: Dave BW http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/03/im-looking-for-pitching/#comment-111145 Dave BW Tue, 03 Mar 2009 16:07:50 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/03/im-looking-for-pitching/#comment-111145 Willis pitches against Team Venezuela today. I fear the Tigers will be obliterated. Willis pitches against Team Venezuela today. I fear the Tigers will be obliterated.

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