Bullpen changes needed now, not later
posted in 2007 season, injuries, roster moves, trade rumors |The bullpen is a big problem. That seems to be a popular topic. Todd Jones:
“If we don’t start taking advantage of our opportunities, Dave (Dombrowski) is going to close the door by going with other guys.
“And it’s time for all of us to realize that and understand it and be able to produce. I’m talking about me and everybody.” (Freep)
Whether it’s important contributers getting injured — Joel Zumaya’s finger, Fernando Rodney making a second trip to the DL — important contributers who haven’t duplicated 2006 — Jason Grilli, Wil Ledezma — or a roundup of guys going through the two bullpen positions that remain — Aqualino Lopez, Tim Byrdak, Bobby Seay — the bullpen is shaky at best, awful at worst, during the innings before Jones.
Any visiting Cleveland fans can probably sympathize. It was just a year ago they had solid starting pitching (ERA around 4 if I recall) and similarly strong batting and they were no longer in contention by the time most of us sat down on the beach.
Bullpens are by nature streaky and hard to figure out. But I think we’ve figured out this one is no good and must blown up. Dave Dombrowski must make some big changes, or the Tigers are going to find themselves in an uphill battle the rest of the season. No one should think an ERA above 5 — and the heavy lifters closer to the 6s — is acceptable or an aberration. Many of these guys were slated for Toledo, not a contender. They can’t be expected to pitch for a contender.
Who goes?
Jason Grilli. He just doesn’t have it. Thanks for his service in 2006, but he can’t be carried any more than Chris Shelton could.
Jose Mesa. No brainer.
Wil Ledezma is on the hot seat, but young and has starter potential that makes me not want to just cut strings. I’d rather get something in return.
Bobby Seay or Tim Byrdak. Only one can be a lefty specialist. As is it, there are two specialists and both are used in extended roles that do not benefit them. Both are pretty darn decent, too. I like Byrdak’s strikeout pitch this year, but Seay found good success, too.
By my figuring, that makes 2 or 3 guys who it’s time to ditch. So what are some possibilities?
Promotion from within
The options I’d like to see explored not altogether that different than in the past. For one, you’ve got to get a closer look at Eulogio De La Cruz and his ability to force the ball into the ground. His power pitching comes across as Zumaya-like enough that it brings hope, not desperation. He’s young and he failed as a minor league reliever a few years ago. But now that he’s learned how to pitch, I think the Tigers really have to give a look. Ultimately, he’s going to end up in the pen or starting another team.
Scott Warheit suggests moving Chad Durbin to the bullpen (for his reliability, shockingly) and starting Andrew Miller. On a temporary basis, I’m on board with this. We still have to watch Miller’s innings. Hard to remember, but this is his first year of professional ball. Fortunately, Miller does not need to start all season and give the Tigers 200 innings. He only needs to fill the time until Rogers and Zumaya can step back into their roles. Durbin is an improvement over guys in the bullpen, and Miller is an improvement over Durbin, so I like this.
Free Agents
There’s even some talk of Troy Percival making a comeback. At first I laughed. Now I’m intrigued. Again, that sort of speaks of the desperation of the situation. At least he likes Detroit. I have no idea if he can do the job but Todd Jones said Percy would like to play in Detroit after failing to play for much of his 2 year, $12M contract. He wants to come help. Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth. Let him try.
Trades
And then there’s the trade route. This may have to be explored. And I have no problem trading young starting pitching for effective bullpen pitching. You want your starters around. But when you consider that by 2009, four of the rotation spots will be held by young guys, that leaves a lot of good, young minor league pitchers switching to the bullpen or being traded. Right now, Eric Gagne is a popular name, as the Texas Rangers continue going nowhere. His injury history scares me away from giving much at all. But as a Rangers salary dump, I wouldn’t be against it. Brad Lidge wants to be a closer, but he’s proven to be a great middle reliever in Houston. He may be on the block. That’s the direction I’d prefer to go, unless the price was too high.