Big changes to pitching staff coming, but what?
posted in 2007 season, Analysis |This much we know to be true:
- Kenny Rogers comes off the DL Friday. A corresponding move must be made.
- Nate Robertson and Zach Miner make rehab appearances in Erie. Both will likely be coming back to the Tigers. Two more roster moves must be made.
- Andrew Miller will be starting Sunday.
- Chad Durbin or Mike Maroth will be starting Monday.
- The Tigers are activity shopping Maroth on the trade market.
So to sum up: they have two starters coming off the DL and a reliever. That means three guys on the pitching staff must be gone. Most of them would have to clear waivers to go to the minors, if they did not flat out refuse the assignment.
This much is my guess: The Tigers are trying to figure out this week:
- how to keep Andrew Miller on the big club without stunting his growth.
- exactly how much Maroth is worth now, and how much he’ll be worth later if they don’t hear what they want to hear.
- if Eulogio De La Cruz is a longterm answer in the bullpen or not.
- thus, whether they truly need to trade for bullpen help, or if they can fill the need from within.
Most likely, what I think we’ll see happen is the Tigers don’t trade Mike Maroth yet. I think they’ll attempt to send Bobby Seay to the minors. And I think they’ll send Andrew Miller back to Erie. And they’ll probably tell Mr. De La Cruz thanks, go back to the minors and work on a few things specifically, we’ll see you later this summer. There’s your three corresponding roster moves. Not necessarily what I think is best, mind you, just the way I think they’ll do it.
And what of the role changes? Rather than explain what I think happens, I’ll chart it:
SP: Bonderman, R
SP: Rogers, L
SP: Verlander, R
SP: Robertson, L
SP: Durbin, R
6/7: Maroth, L
6/7: Miner, R
6/7/8: Grlli, R
7/8: Ledezma,L
7/8: Byrdak, L
7/8: Rodney, R
9: Jones, R
Ideally, what happens? Maroth gets traded for anything. Preferably something in the bullpen. Grilli and Ledezma are DFA. Miner goes back to Toledo if there’s bullpen help via trade. Durbin goes to the pen and Miller keeps starting. De La Cruz is a rousing success and stays in the 8th. Fernando Rodney gets his head on straight or spends enough time on the DL if there is an injury that isn’t getting enough rest.
Or maybe it’s ideal if Durbin continues to start and Miller does go back to AA to continue working on some things. I’m not yet decided.
Basically, I still see the bullpen as something that will just get stronger as the season goes on and some guys get healthy. But right now, my god, Leyland and Dombrowski must be going through a thousand scenerios. I think I’ve twisted myself in circles trying to come up with what I think is ideal.
This is a tough one for the time being. But, I just think they’re going to make the fewest amount of irreversible changes possible for now.