This time last year, the bullpen was seen as a team plus, and the only big question – big to some, anyway – was who or how to replace the involuntarily departed Jose Valverde at closer. That question was settled much later in the year by Joaquin Benoit, but by then it was clear that the bullpen had gone off the rails, and the closer issue was more of an excuse or distraction than a reason. We come into 2014 with an opposite situation: closer settled and nothing else, bullpen seen as weakness and concern. Kinda funny.

Out with Benoit, Jose Veras, and Darin Downs, in with Joe Nathan, Ian Krol, and Joba Chamberlain. One might wonder why it wasn’t in with Joe Nathan and leave it at that. Was money a big factor? Although both Benoit and Veras were proven and solid, there’s a parallel with the Prince Fielder departure. We remember the 2013 postseason and are encouraged to turn the page. If you remember the 2013 ALCS, you will recall two particular heartbreaks that encourage us not to miss Benoit and Veras. Also, the absence of Benoit will, over the course of a season, save 7 hours of waiting for him to deliver pitches. Enjoy the suspense, San Diego.

Instead of a rock-solid back end, we have Joe White and the Seven Dwarfs. OK, Six Dwarfs, and yes I know it should be “Dwarves.” Among the dwarfs, though, there is a great deal of talent, talent that (as always) may or may not succeed. The rise and fall of bullpens is a volatile and seemingly random business. For most bullpens most years, it’s not a matter of big names turning in big name performances, but one of just enough guys finding their groove to start a movement. Could happen here.

The inside track on 5 spots is held by Bruce Rondon, Chamberlain, Krol, Al Alburquerque, and Phil Coke. Rondon issue: Staying healthy long enough to show anything. We don’t need another Joel Zumaya, Eternal Prospect. Alburquerque issue: His fastball. No one can or ever will hit his slider. Coke issue: Rediscovering the force of nature he was in the 2012 postseason. Chamberlain and Krol just have to show up.

After that, it’s a lot of guys competing for anywhere from 1 to 3 spots. Aside from opining that I was impressed with Jose Ortega last season, I’ll just list the names and leave the analysis and opinion to you. I’ll include all the guys to watch in ST, actually, though some are exceedingly unlikely to be expected to compete for a spot with the big club right now.

Casey Crosby#
Melvin Mercedes
Justin Miller
Jose Ortega
Luke Putkonen
Evan Reed
Jose Valdez
Duane Below#
Blaine Hardy#
Jhan Marinez
Eduardo Sanchez
Luis Marte

Don’t see Mud Hen Kenny Faulk# on the list of non-roster invitees, which doesn’t seem right. Not sure about Jeremy Bonderman’s status with the organization or that of a couple other (other than Faulk) Mud Hens.

In case you missed it:

Rag ball

Kenny Rogers

Taking over

Coordinating D

Eno on Grandy

We look forward to Lakeland dispatches from jud and other commenters bold enough to brave the harsh Florida winter and witness spring training in person. The first games are close at hand.

With the dawn of any new season, there are always a number of (seemingly) pressing stories heading into spring training. Hopefully Coleman and Smoking Loon will take my cue here and allow us at DTW to focus on them one by one.

I’d like to start at third base.

(note, all stats below are from FanGraphs, they could vary slightly at BR)

According to FanGraphs, Miguel Cabrera had the 2nd highest 3B WAR in all of MLB last year at 7.6. Josh Donaldson, and his 12.1 Def rating snuck ahead of Cabrera at 7.7

Cabrera’s -14.6 def rating at 3B was just a shade behind David Freese for the worst 3B Def rating in all of baseball, and was the 6th worst defensive player rating in all of baseball. (Prince Fielder, who managed a -16.5 at 1B, was the 3rd worst according to FanGraphs). The effect of poor corner d in the D has been well documented for the last two years, and was definitely a factor in the Fielder for Kinsler swap last November.

With Cabrera returning to 1B, this shores up 1B, and opens up a spot in the field for Nick Castellanos.

Castellanos, who is by all accounts an average fielding 3B, should still be a noticeable improvement in terms of range on the left side of the infield. Playing next to Iglesias will help significantly. Offensively, Castellenos is expected to hit around .270 with 10-15 home runs, but we’ve got some time to let the kid grow. If he can manage to play average baseball and mature at the big league level, we’ll be alright. He’s been the Tigers top prospect for two years now, so I’m as excited as anyone to see what he can do.

The question for you today is what happens if Castellanos gets injured or isn’t quite yet ready (or insists on playing left field)?. There isn’t another true 3B on the roster and Lombardozzi (picked up from Was for Fister, remember?) and Kelly would have to fill in. Yikes. I can’t imagine that Lombardozzi and Kelly are expected to log a high number of at bats at 3B. I’m guessing that Castellanos will get his shot early, but if things don’t pan out, DD will bring someone else in.

In other news…

Kinsler’s #5 is retired – Hank Greenberg. So he’s gonna wear #3 in the hopes of renewing a little #1 to #3 magic.

This got me thinking of those mid 80’s Tigers teams…not a HoFer on them. And we’ve got two first ballot guys right now.