Comments on: Avila and Lambert up http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/08/avila-and-lambert-up/ News, views, and analysis on the Detroit Tigers and baseball Tue, 16 Mar 2010 23:22:19 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Coleman http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/08/avila-and-lambert-up/#comment-127015 Coleman Thu, 13 Aug 2009 04:37:05 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/08/avila-and-lambert-up/#comment-127015 I forgot to mention: this is a text-message transcript intercepted from the brain of "John" I forgot to mention: this is a text-message transcript intercepted from the brain of “John”

]]> By: Coleman http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/08/avila-and-lambert-up/#comment-127014 Coleman Thu, 13 Aug 2009 04:36:00 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/08/avila-and-lambert-up/#comment-127014 Avila Sr: don't you think it's time to bring up jr? DD: We agreed we'd bring him up in Sept Avila Sr: yeah but the wife is kinda bugging me about it DD: Uncle Smokey will freak Avila Sr. Yeah, but he's like the manager, I'm the assistant GM DD: Um, and I'm the Assistant GM's Boss Avila Sr: Yeah but you know Ilitch promised me Jr would play DD: In September Avila Sr: Stop BS-ing me, I already told you the wife is antsy. Besides like, Oh, poor Uncle Smokey, how can he manage without the Big Laird Bat in the lineup DD: OK now let's be logical about this. Avila Sr: Besides, boss-man Caesar knows the Wings are screwed if I walk DD: WTF? How do you have anything to do with that Avila Sr: Wouldn't you like to know DD: Well yeah I would...OK, look, we bring the kid up, but he only catches the rookie and that other guy we're gonna dump. Avila Sr: OK, that will work...for now... Avila Sr: don’t you think it’s time to bring up jr?
DD: We agreed we’d bring him up in Sept
Avila Sr: yeah but the wife is kinda bugging me about it
DD: Uncle Smokey will freak
Avila Sr. Yeah, but he’s like the manager, I’m the assistant GM
DD: Um, and I’m the Assistant GM’s Boss
Avila Sr: Yeah but you know Ilitch promised me Jr would play
DD: In September
Avila Sr: Stop BS-ing me, I already told you the wife is antsy. Besides like, Oh, poor Uncle Smokey, how can he manage without the Big Laird Bat in the lineup
DD: OK now let’s be logical about this.
Avila Sr: Besides, boss-man Caesar knows the Wings are screwed if I walk
DD: WTF? How do you have anything to do with that
Avila Sr: Wouldn’t you like to know
DD: Well yeah I would…OK, look, we bring the kid up, but he only catches the rookie and that other guy we’re gonna dump.
Avila Sr: OK, that will work…for now…

]]> By: Mark@HOU http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/08/avila-and-lambert-up/#comment-127008 Mark@HOU Thu, 13 Aug 2009 02:07:21 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/08/avila-and-lambert-up/#comment-127008 Really? Really? He put the best Ab on Beckett the whole night. 11 pitches!! Then hit a ball 365 to right thats out in most parks. This is baseball. Pitchers pitch, Hitters Hit. No one is perfect. Avila looks like he's going to be good. He's not intimidated by anything. His biggest issue will be when teams get his scouting reports. Really? Really?

He put the best Ab on Beckett the whole night. 11 pitches!! Then hit a ball 365 to right thats out in most parks.

This is baseball. Pitchers pitch, Hitters Hit. No one is perfect. Avila looks like he’s going to be good. He’s not intimidated by anything. His biggest issue will be when teams get his scouting reports.

]]> By: billfer http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/08/avila-and-lambert-up/#comment-127005 billfer Thu, 13 Aug 2009 01:49:19 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/08/avila-and-lambert-up/#comment-127005 He was never close to going to Lakeland and it has nothing to do with his Dad. It was probably the only reason he was drafted also in your world right? Otherwise he'd be pumping gas somewhere but 'cuz his old man works in a front office they burned a 5th round pick on him. He was never close to going to Lakeland and it has nothing to do with his Dad. It was probably the only reason he was drafted also in your world right? Otherwise he’d be pumping gas somewhere but ‘cuz his old man works in a front office they burned a 5th round pick on him.

]]> By: John http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/08/avila-and-lambert-up/#comment-127000 John Thu, 13 Aug 2009 01:26:10 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/08/avila-and-lambert-up/#comment-127000 The only reason Avila is up is because of his dad. If his father wasn't the assisant GM, he would have been sent to Lakeland. If you believe anything else, you are living in a fantasy world! The only reason Avila is up is because of his dad. If his father wasn’t the assisant GM, he would have been sent to Lakeland. If you believe anything
else, you are living in a fantasy world!

]]> By: Coleman http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/08/avila-and-lambert-up/#comment-126097 Coleman Fri, 07 Aug 2009 21:48:43 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/08/avila-and-lambert-up/#comment-126097 I'm guessing with a long stretch without off-days there was thought of giving Porcello an extra day off (and remember the callup was before Porcello's nice outing). It's not much more than the Eddie Bonine callup was, just without a specific game in mind for him. And it seems like a "non-phenom" who has been performing consistently well is just the kind of guy you want in that situation. I’m guessing with a long stretch without off-days there was thought of giving Porcello an extra day off (and remember the callup was before Porcello’s nice outing). It’s not much more than the Eddie Bonine callup was, just without a specific game in mind for him. And it seems like a “non-phenom” who has been performing consistently well is just the kind of guy you want in that situation.

]]> By: Mark in Chicago http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/08/avila-and-lambert-up/#comment-126095 Mark in Chicago Fri, 07 Aug 2009 21:45:09 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/08/avila-and-lambert-up/#comment-126095 If memory serves, a player needs to have appeared on the active roster prior to the September 1 deadline in order to eligible for the postseason roster (injury may warrant an exception). So Vince, your point about Miner is a really good one, and they might want to have the flexibility to move pieces around if they have to. You are right Miner has been terrible lately, he should try throwing strikes some time. If memory serves, a player needs to have appeared on the active roster prior to the September 1 deadline in order to eligible for the postseason roster (injury may warrant an exception). So Vince, your point about Miner is a really good one, and they might want to have the flexibility to move pieces around if they have to. You are right Miner has been terrible lately, he should try throwing strikes some time.

]]> By: Vince in MN http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/08/avila-and-lambert-up/#comment-126092 Vince in MN Fri, 07 Aug 2009 21:40:28 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/08/avila-and-lambert-up/#comment-126092 Lambert may be getting checked out for the long relief role. Since Miner hasn't been too competent of late (a long late actually) they are likely looking at any possible way to improve the bullpen. This year even more than last, Toledo is functioning as an extended roster for the Tigers, with lots of shuffling going on. The close proximity to Detroit makes it easy. As they search for the missing pieces to the puzzle, this could continue right up until the rosters expand. Lambert may be getting checked out for the long relief role. Since Miner hasn’t been too competent of late (a long late actually) they are likely looking at any possible way to improve the bullpen.

This year even more than last, Toledo is functioning as an extended roster for the Tigers, with lots of shuffling going on. The close proximity to Detroit makes it easy. As they search for the missing pieces to the puzzle, this could continue right up until the rosters expand.

]]> By: Mark in Chicago http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/08/avila-and-lambert-up/#comment-126082 Mark in Chicago Fri, 07 Aug 2009 21:09:54 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/08/avila-and-lambert-up/#comment-126082 Lambet is back-of-the-bullpen filler, at least at this point, it's not a big deal. They maybe wanted Fein to work on something or get some innings, and Lambert has pitched well enough to earn the gig. There's also no guarantee it's permanent. He's also provides flexibility as a spot starter if they want to skip Porcello or some such thing. Lambet is back-of-the-bullpen filler, at least at this point, it’s not a big deal. They maybe wanted Fein to work on something or get some innings, and Lambert has pitched well enough to earn the gig. There’s also no guarantee it’s permanent.

He’s also provides flexibility as a spot starter if they want to skip Porcello or some such thing.

]]> By: Keith (Mr. X) http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/08/avila-and-lambert-up/#comment-126081 Keith (Mr. X) Fri, 07 Aug 2009 20:45:25 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/08/avila-and-lambert-up/#comment-126081 What I didn't understand is why the Lambert call-up was fine with some folks. In general, I don't like rookie arms unless they're phenom's like Felix Hernandez, Porcello, Hamels, ects. Lambert doesn't fit the bill of being a phenom. To me, he's a below average pitcher that figured out how to get AAA hitters out. He was terrible last year in his stint with the Tigers. I seriously don't want him pitching in any games that matter until he proves that he's not a liability. Poor pitching hurts 10x more than poor hitting does. Also he's a starter, who will pitch out of the pen, which makes his call-up even more of a head scratcher. What's everyones thoughts of Avila after his debut? He must of turned some heads. Anyone else notice how he moves and throws like a young Pudge Rodriguez? What I didn’t understand is why the Lambert call-up was fine with some folks.

In general, I don’t like rookie arms unless they’re phenom’s like Felix Hernandez, Porcello, Hamels, ects. Lambert doesn’t fit the bill of being a phenom. To me, he’s a below average pitcher that figured out how to get AAA hitters out. He was terrible last year in his stint with the Tigers. I seriously don’t want him pitching in any games that matter until he proves that he’s not a liability. Poor pitching hurts 10x more than poor hitting does. Also he’s a starter, who will pitch out of the pen, which makes his call-up even more of a head scratcher.

What’s everyones thoughts of Avila after his debut? He must of turned some heads. Anyone else notice how he moves and throws like a young Pudge Rodriguez?

]]> By: Andre in Chi http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/08/avila-and-lambert-up/#comment-125928 Andre in Chi Thu, 06 Aug 2009 14:58:40 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/08/avila-and-lambert-up/#comment-125928 Did you email Billfer about this? Did you email Billfer about this?

]]> By: Coleman http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/08/avila-and-lambert-up/#comment-125920 Coleman Thu, 06 Aug 2009 05:03:40 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/08/avila-and-lambert-up/#comment-125920 They could always bring in another infielder and put Inge in Left, since I hear playing Left Field for the Tigers is not only good for your knees but for your shoulder also. (Besides, Mr. Kaline himself said Inge could become the best outfielder on the team if he played there full time. On the other hand--oops, he doesn't have the bat to be a leftfielder, so we're back where we started...). They could always bring in another infielder and put Inge in Left, since I hear playing Left Field for the Tigers is not only good for your knees but for your shoulder also.

(Besides, Mr. Kaline himself said Inge could become the best outfielder on the team if he played there full time. On the other hand–oops, he doesn’t have the bat to be a leftfielder, so we’re back where we started…).

]]> By: Nick http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/08/avila-and-lambert-up/#comment-125919 Nick Thu, 06 Aug 2009 02:51:48 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/08/avila-and-lambert-up/#comment-125919 Ah HA! I just read on ESPN that Avila is the son of the assistant GM. Ah HA! I just read on ESPN that Avila is the son of the assistant GM.

]]> By: scotsw http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/08/avila-and-lambert-up/#comment-125918 scotsw Thu, 06 Aug 2009 02:47:37 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/08/avila-and-lambert-up/#comment-125918 Hallelujah about everything in the first paragraph. Disagree about Sizemore. He's not ready to start. It's certainly not fair to throw him into a pennant race and ask him to save the season. Raburn, not Polly, is your backup 3B, because it's not clear Polanco has the arm to play the hot corner. You can't have Sizemore play backup, because Santiago is backing up SS and 2B and has done nothing to lose that job. The solution was to find an above-average corner outfielder, even if it meant losing Raburn, Clete or Thames in a trade. They need a bona fide starter in left field, which they have not had in a very, very long time. Hallelujah about everything in the first paragraph.

Disagree about Sizemore. He’s not ready to start. It’s certainly not fair to throw him into a pennant race and ask him to save the season. Raburn, not Polly, is your backup 3B, because it’s not clear Polanco has the arm to play the hot corner. You can’t have Sizemore play backup, because Santiago is backing up SS and 2B and has done nothing to lose that job.

The solution was to find an above-average corner outfielder, even if it meant losing Raburn, Clete or Thames in a trade. They need a bona fide starter in left field, which they have not had in a very, very long time.

]]> By: Coleman http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/08/avila-and-lambert-up/#comment-125865 Coleman Wed, 05 Aug 2009 22:47:32 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/08/avila-and-lambert-up/#comment-125865 They just tend to save their SOs for fun situations like runner on 3rd with no out etc. (which they do more than anyone). They just tend to save their SOs for fun situations like runner on 3rd with no out etc. (which they do more than anyone).

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