Comments on: Tigers relief notes http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/12/tigers-relief-notes/ 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: scotsw http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/12/tigers-relief-notes/#comment-136427 scotsw Mon, 14 Dec 2009 05:39:09 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/12/tigers-relief-notes/#comment-136427 In all seriousness, why do you think that? He's still quite young, and hasn't had the chance to play all that regularly due to injuries. He has worked very, very hard to rehab from each injury, and seems to be completely healthy (so they say). He looked very good at times last year, despite having another shortened year. It's on him to be ready and to play consistently, but the ability is certainly there. In all seriousness, why do you think that? He’s still quite young, and hasn’t had the chance to play all that regularly due to injuries. He has worked very, very hard to rehab from each injury, and seems to be completely healthy (so they say). He looked very good at times last year, despite having another shortened year. It’s on him to be ready and to play consistently, but the ability is certainly there.

]]> By: scotsw http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/12/tigers-relief-notes/#comment-136426 scotsw Mon, 14 Dec 2009 05:35:44 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/12/tigers-relief-notes/#comment-136426 His secondary stuff is often very, very good. He has an excellent curve ball. I do worry that he's afraid of using his change-up, though, after giving up a dramatic homerun with it. News to Joel: Guys have hit your heater out, too. It happens. That doesn't mean it's not a great pitch to have. For what it's worth, I think it's about 80 percent sure they sign a veteran to compete for the closer's job this year. Maybe a 1-in-4 chance that veteran is Rodney. His secondary stuff is often very, very good. He has an excellent curve ball. I do worry that he’s afraid of using his change-up, though, after giving up a dramatic homerun with it. News to Joel: Guys have hit your heater out, too. It happens. That doesn’t mean it’s not a great pitch to have.

For what it’s worth, I think it’s about 80 percent sure they sign a veteran to compete for the closer’s job this year. Maybe a 1-in-4 chance that veteran is Rodney.

]]> By: Mark http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/12/tigers-relief-notes/#comment-136399 Mark Mon, 14 Dec 2009 02:45:48 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/12/tigers-relief-notes/#comment-136399 Not sure if we'll score enough runs and have a lead to even need a "Closer" ?? Not sure if we’ll score enough runs and have a lead to even need a “Closer” ??

]]> By: jcm http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/12/tigers-relief-notes/#comment-136381 jcm Sun, 13 Dec 2009 18:54:45 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/12/tigers-relief-notes/#comment-136381 Matt Capps Is now available Matt Capps Is now available

]]> By: Mark L http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/12/tigers-relief-notes/#comment-136311 Mark L Sat, 12 Dec 2009 04:37:50 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/12/tigers-relief-notes/#comment-136311 Maybe he's hoping that by predicting it, it will turn out wrong and we'll have a great season. Maybe he’s hoping that by predicting it, it will turn out wrong and we’ll have a great season.

]]> By: kes http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/12/tigers-relief-notes/#comment-136294 kes Fri, 11 Dec 2009 13:22:22 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/12/tigers-relief-notes/#comment-136294 You really think Bondo could close. It seems like he always gets rocked his first inning out. I would put Inge in the closers spot before Bonderman. (Maybe not, just a thought) You really think Bondo could close. It seems like he always gets rocked his first inning out. I would put Inge in the closers spot before Bonderman. (Maybe not, just a thought)

]]> By: ian (seattle) http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/12/tigers-relief-notes/#comment-136281 ian (seattle) Fri, 11 Dec 2009 04:12:55 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/12/tigers-relief-notes/#comment-136281 BRING BACK TODD JONES!!!! seriously, I could see Weinhardt/Zumaya/Perry closing out the games...a rotating role. BRING BACK TODD JONES!!!!

seriously, I could see Weinhardt/Zumaya/Perry closing out the games…a rotating role.

]]> By: TSE http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/12/tigers-relief-notes/#comment-136278 TSE Fri, 11 Dec 2009 02:55:19 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/12/tigers-relief-notes/#comment-136278 Our best bet is to hope we have dominant pitching. If all of these pitchers can pan out then we can be quite dangerous. Also it would be nice if Inge and Guillen had career years, and if Sizemore and AJ can blossom. That's all we need is a few breaks there and we're set. It could be a great season, and maybe we get a killer player at the deadline if things end up looking good. Our best bet is to hope we have dominant pitching. If all of these pitchers can pan out then we can be quite dangerous. Also it would be nice if Inge and Guillen had career years, and if Sizemore and AJ can blossom. That’s all we need is a few breaks there and we’re set.

It could be a great season, and maybe we get a killer player at the deadline if things end up looking good.

]]> By: Stormin Norman $ http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/12/tigers-relief-notes/#comment-136272 Stormin Norman $ Thu, 10 Dec 2009 23:47:24 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/12/tigers-relief-notes/#comment-136272 The Tigers should proceed with their 2010 pre-season plans as if Robertson, Willis, Bonderman and Zumaya are not even on the team...and should one or two of them becomes healthy (physically and mentally) they should view that as an unexpected bonus - but i doubt they get any meaningful long-term production out of any of these 4 next year... so unless some youngsters (a/o Coke and Gallaraga) step up, the Tigers will likely have three reliables and a committee of pitchers making up the 4 and 5 spot in the starting pitching rotation... not unlike a lot of other teams out there. The Tigers should proceed with their 2010 pre-season plans as if Robertson, Willis, Bonderman and Zumaya are not even on the team…and should one or two of them becomes healthy (physically and mentally) they should view that as an unexpected bonus – but i doubt they get any meaningful long-term production out of any of these 4 next year… so unless some youngsters (a/o Coke and Gallaraga) step up, the Tigers will likely have three reliables and a committee of pitchers making up the 4 and 5 spot in the starting pitching rotation… not unlike a lot of other teams out there.

]]> By: Steve http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/12/tigers-relief-notes/#comment-136270 Steve Thu, 10 Dec 2009 23:27:11 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/12/tigers-relief-notes/#comment-136270 well... here's the thing i know you all are going to grill me, but todd jones wasn't the best closer but he got the job done because he had the closing mentality. Rodney... closing mentality, he kicked ass in a save opportunity. I fear that if you keep switching things up and don't give someone the closing job, that mentally it could mess things up. i can see them calming zoom down and doing the 7th or long relief same with coke , 8th ni, and then hit them with schlereth/perry. *granted sclereth and perry get some strike throwing ability. think about it. verlander throws 7 (batter gets used to the righty) hit them with ni as the specialist then BLAST them with perry switch it up again, and hit them with schlereth... who's the k-king or even better scherzer for 6 innings (k them to hell) knock em down with zumaya back of with coke (avg fast ball 90.8) nail them again them with perry or schlereth. (i really liked the verlander (fast) rodney (faster) zumaya (fastest) todd jones (... todd jones) idea because of the change in velocity but thats only my idea well… here’s the thing
i know you all are going to grill me, but todd jones wasn’t the best closer but he got the job done because he had the closing mentality. Rodney… closing mentality, he kicked ass in a save opportunity. I fear that if you keep switching things up and don’t give someone the closing job, that mentally it could mess things up.
i can see them calming zoom down and doing the 7th or long relief same with coke , 8th ni, and then hit them with schlereth/perry. *granted sclereth and perry get some strike throwing ability.

think about it.
verlander throws 7 (batter gets used to the righty)
hit them with ni as the specialist
then BLAST them with perry
switch it up again, and hit them with schlereth… who’s the k-king

or even better

scherzer for 6 innings (k them to hell)
knock em down with zumaya
back of with coke (avg fast ball 90.8)
nail them again them with perry or schlereth.
(i really liked the verlander (fast) rodney (faster) zumaya (fastest) todd jones (… todd jones) idea because of the change in velocity
but thats only my idea

]]> By: JAY RC http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/12/tigers-relief-notes/#comment-136269 JAY RC Thu, 10 Dec 2009 23:03:02 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/12/tigers-relief-notes/#comment-136269 Rotation: Verlander/Porcello/Scherzer/Bonderman/Coke or Robertson As for the bullpen, assuming that Seay is dealt and Rodney not re-signed: Miner Ni Schlereth Satterwhite Weinhardt Perry Zumaya While I realize this would be a young and inexpierienced pen, why not find out what some of these kids have got? Then when 2011 rolls around they actualy have some innings logged. Thoughts? Side note: Just think of 2011 Verlander/Porcello/Crosby/Scherzer/Turner and Oliver joins the pen Rotation:
Verlander/Porcello/Scherzer/Bonderman/Coke or Robertson

As for the bullpen, assuming that Seay is dealt and Rodney not re-signed:

Miner
Ni
Schlereth
Satterwhite
Weinhardt
Perry
Zumaya

While I realize this would be a young and inexpierienced pen, why not find out what some of these kids have got? Then when 2011 rolls around they actualy have some innings logged.

Thoughts?

Side note:
Just think of 2011
Verlander/Porcello/Crosby/Scherzer/Turner
and Oliver joins the pen

]]> By: Stormin Norman $ http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/12/tigers-relief-notes/#comment-136268 Stormin Norman $ Thu, 10 Dec 2009 22:42:23 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/12/tigers-relief-notes/#comment-136268 If there has been one consistency with respect to Joel Zumaya, its been his inconsistency. I question whether he has what it takes between the ears to be an effective and consistent big league pitcher. Note to self: there are numerous big league hitters (on every team) that will crush 95-100mph fastballs if they're thrown belt high with no movement. If there has been one consistency with respect to Joel Zumaya, its been his inconsistency. I question whether he has what it takes between the ears to be an effective and consistent big league pitcher.

Note to self: there are numerous big league hitters (on every team) that will crush 95-100mph fastballs if they’re thrown belt high with no movement.

]]> By: Tim D http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/12/tigers-relief-notes/#comment-136256 Tim D Thu, 10 Dec 2009 21:04:16 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/12/tigers-relief-notes/#comment-136256 Bonderman will be an option to close if they don't think he is up for 200 IP. If we break down the staff they have now: Starters 1. Verlander 2. Porcello 3. Scherzer Candidates for 4-5 Bonderman Galarraga Robertson and Willis (added for courtesy reasons only) Coke? Miner Bonine Figaro Turner (you never know) Bullpen Seay Miner Perry Coke Fu Te Ni Schlereth Candidates Zumaya Fien Losers in starter contest Bonderman is a real key. If he can start they will have a solid 1-4. If he can't but can be effective out of the pen hen could close or set up. If he's crap they are in trouble. Galarraga is another biggie. If he can be league average they will be ok for a number 5. Turner will be in the picture. Soon. Coke will be a valuable middle innings guy, maybe an occasional starter. A LH version of Miner. I see the closing candidates as: 1. Perry 2. Schlereth 3. Zumaya 4. Bonderman 5. Miner I'd rather bet on Perry or Schlereth stepping up than spend a bunch of money on Rodney. We'll likely see Weinhardt, Satterwhite and Sborz at some point this year. I would look at the low risk, high reward possibilities. Brett Myers. Daniel Cabrera as a short reliever? Chad Cordero, Danys Baez, etc. I see 2010 as a re-organization if not rebuilding year. The fans supported the 2009 team very well considering the economy. But the attendance was down 635,000. That's probably $30-40 million off the top line with no savings on the bottom line. And I doubt they will do better this year. They had to do something to cut the bottom line expenses. It will be interesting to see what they can get for some pieces come spring training or the trade deadline. Health and productivity could make several guys valuable to other teams for a run at a pennant: Guillen, Ordonez, Inge, Laird, Bonderman. They will have a lot of holes to fill come 2011 but they will at least have some dough to do it. The great payroll gamble they made after 2006 to "win now" has failed. The economic collapse plays a large part in that. But I think the young core they have now is vastly superior to what they have had in the past. Verlander and Cabrera are the stars and both are way under 30. Porcello, Turner, Scherzer, Sizemore, Jackson, Perry, Schlereth all have big upside. I think they will be fine. For 2010 I'm looking at .500 unless they surprise me and go out and get some more pieces. Bonderman will be an option to close if they don’t think he is up for 200 IP. If we break down the staff they have now:

Starters
1. Verlander
2. Porcello
3. Scherzer

Candidates for 4-5
Bonderman
Galarraga
Robertson and Willis (added for courtesy reasons only)
Coke?
Miner
Bonine
Figaro
Turner (you never know)

Bullpen
Seay
Miner
Perry
Coke
Fu Te Ni
Schlereth

Candidates
Zumaya
Fien
Losers in starter contest

Bonderman is a real key. If he can start they will have a solid 1-4. If he can’t but can be effective out of the pen hen could close or set up. If he’s crap they are in trouble. Galarraga is another biggie. If he can be league average they will be ok for a number 5. Turner will be in the picture. Soon.

Coke will be a valuable middle innings guy, maybe an occasional starter. A LH version of Miner.

I see the closing candidates as:

1. Perry
2. Schlereth
3. Zumaya
4. Bonderman
5. Miner

I’d rather bet on Perry or Schlereth stepping up than spend a bunch of money on Rodney. We’ll likely see Weinhardt, Satterwhite and Sborz at some point this year. I would look at the low risk, high reward possibilities. Brett Myers. Daniel Cabrera as a short reliever? Chad Cordero, Danys Baez, etc.

I see 2010 as a re-organization if not rebuilding year. The fans supported the 2009 team very well considering the economy. But the attendance was down 635,000. That’s probably $30-40 million off the top line with no savings on the bottom line. And I doubt they will do better this year. They had to do something to cut the bottom line expenses. It will be interesting to see what they can get for some pieces come spring training or the trade deadline. Health and productivity could make several guys valuable to other teams for a run at a pennant: Guillen, Ordonez, Inge, Laird, Bonderman. They will have a lot of holes to fill come 2011 but they will at least have some dough to do it.

The great payroll gamble they made after 2006 to “win now” has failed. The economic collapse plays a large part in that. But I think the young core they have now is vastly superior to what they have had in the past. Verlander and Cabrera are the stars and both are way under 30. Porcello, Turner, Scherzer, Sizemore, Jackson, Perry, Schlereth all have big upside. I think they will be fine. For 2010 I’m looking at .500 unless they surprise me and go out and get some more pieces.

]]> By: Brenden http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/12/tigers-relief-notes/#comment-136254 Brenden Thu, 10 Dec 2009 19:55:43 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/12/tigers-relief-notes/#comment-136254 I'm not having very many warm and fuzzy feelings about next season... I’m not having very many warm and fuzzy feelings about next season…

]]> By: Joey in Portland Or http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/12/tigers-relief-notes/#comment-136253 Joey in Portland Or Thu, 10 Dec 2009 19:51:49 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2009/12/tigers-relief-notes/#comment-136253 Sadly, I think Joel had his career year in his rookie year. Sadly, I think Joel had his career year in his rookie year.

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