I think it’s clear that the Tigers bullpen situation will be an on going saga. It’s been the lead story leading up to Tigerfest and will likely hold that distinction throughout spring training (unless of course someone gets injured in the World Baseball Classic). Without an established and healthy closer available, anyone that is brought in to help the pen wouldn’t be a lock to close games anyways.
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Tag: juan cruz
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Like sands through the hourglass
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Tigers relief options dwindling
As we move closer to spring training, the Tigers bullpen still remains highly questionable. This hasn’t bothered me for the most part due to the number of options on the market. And while still not bothered, I am growing more concerned as two more of those options are close to signing deals.
Trevor Hoffman doesn’t appear to be an option as he mulls over a one year offer from the Dodgers amidst reports that he is close to a deal with the Brewers.
Another intriguing possibility, Michigan native John Smoltz, is set to sign with the Red Sos for a $5.5 million base and incentives that could push the deal to $10 million.
I don’t know how excited I would be about either option, but knowing they were out there made me feel better about the Tigers situation. The market for relievers isn’t barren yet. Juan Cruz is in compensation pick purgatory and Brandon Lyon is still available. But the only Tigers rumor floating is that they will watch Chad Cordero throw, along with a third of the league. For a bullpen that has exactly one member who is both productive and not a huge injury risk (Bobby Seay), that doesn’t really instill the warm fuzzies.
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A reliever worth targeting
Junichi Tazawa is an amateur reliever from Japan. He’s decided to skip Japanese professional baseball and come stateside.
Tazawa is younger than the typical Japanese import, because he’s not waiting the 9 years required for international free agency as a pro player. He’s 22 and features a low 90’s fastball, a 12-6 curve and a shuuto (kind of like a screwball it moves in on righties). That repertoire led to a a 56K:4BB ratio in 54 innings.
The advantage of pursuing Tazawa, is that he wouldn’t require any compensation beyond the contract. There’s no players to trade. There’s no draft picks floating away (like with Juan Cruz – is he worth a first round pick?). And he’s young.
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Daily Linking – 8/26
Links of note, or stuff I find interesting, or stuff I think you might find interesting
- Tigers to try Larish at third – Jeff Larish heads to the Arizona Fall League to work on fielding the hot corner. Smart move since he's effectively blocked at first base. At the very least maybe he increases his trade value. On another note, how sad is it that AFL assignments are about the only thing we have to look forward to.
- Tigers’ Kenny Rogers placed on waivers, could be traded | Freep.com | Detroit Free Press – He could be traded, but I doubt it.
- Put the Tigers’ Bullpen in Cruz Control? – Bless You Boys – Ian touts Juan Cruz as an affordable and attractive option for the Tigers as a bullpen free agent target.
- The Immaculate Inning: What’s Wrong: Justin Verlander – What's wrong with Justin Verlander? Maybe nothing.
- Detroit Tigers Thoughts: How to Fix a Bullpen, Part 6 – One more from Eddie. He's really been on a roll, plus my link posting thingy hasn't been working so I'm way behind. But this is part of a 6 part series on how to build a bullpen. Great reading.
- Detroit Tigers Thoughts: Skelton Again – Eddie gets biomechanical and shows that James Skelton slight stature may actually increase his durability instead of inhibiting it – as many have worried about.
- Detroit Tigers Thoughts: Projected Elias Rankings – Eddie has cracked the Elias Free Agent ranking system. Pudge is looking like he could end up being a B type free agent. If he does that means one less draft pick lost in the trade, thus making the trade look better.
- Tiger Tales: A Detroit Tigers Blog: Where does Galarraga’s rookie season rank in Tigers history? – Lee looks to see how Armando Galarraga's season stacks up against other rookie campaigns in Tiger history.