Trade glance: July 26
posted in 2007 season, trade rumors |The new rumor: Farnsy
Claiming multiple sources, the New York Post reported today the Tigers have an eye on bringing back KYLE Farnsworth. He was last in Detroit at the trade deadline, 2005, when unable to sign him, GM Dave Dombrowski shipped him to Atlanta for Zach Miner and a mixed martial artist.
Tigers scout Dick Egan was at last night’s Yankees’ 7-1 win over the Royals in which Farnsworth didn’t pitch in. What the Yankees would get back depends on how much money the Tigers want to pay on Farnsworth’s salary.
And Etc.
SI’s Jon Heyman has a roundup of what he’s hearing and thinking.
The Tigers blogosphere says:
As the deadline approaches, watching the range of opinions posted is interesting, sometimes educational. There is no consensus among the bloggers about whether anything should be done, what it should be and who it should be.
I fully understand that the team has to “win it all this year” because “you never know when you’ll get another opportunity.” But even taking the best team into the playoffs doesn’t mean that you win it all.
(Posted following the double header loss Tuesday) Anyone who thinks the Tigers don’t need bullpen help just need to take a look at the boxscore of tonight’s game. Virgil Vasquez left with a 7-2 lead in the sixth inning, likely thinking he was going to earn his first major league win. Three innings later, the whole thing exploded like those fireworks the White Sox shoot off after the home team wins.
Al thinks the Tigers need to make a move, as he doesn’t want to trust Joel Zumaya and Fernando Rodney’s comebacks as sure thing, dubbing them Zumdney.
Why a set-up man, and not a closer? Because it’ll be easier to find, and less costly. It’s also due to the fact that Todd Jones’ value is as a closer. I’d have absolutely no trust in him working the higher leverage 6th through 8th innings. His “Pitching to contact” style of relief is not exactly conducive to putting out rallies. The Tigers need a reliever who can strike batters out, rather than depending almost entirely on his defense.
This is a new blog out there I wanted to point to.
The question I’ve heard the most from Tigers fans: Why should we make a trade? While this may be the first thought of a casual fan, I think we can upgrade our team.
You can find just about every idea, good and bad, there.
My take
I think the Tigers have to make a move, but not a major one. The Jose Capellan and Macay McBride trades have both been beneficial. If Dombrowski can find someone a bit higher profile than that, and (this is a requirement for me) with a good strikeout pitch, I’d feel a lot better off.
As is, this bullpen is curious, at best. There are too many lefties with splits suited for LOOGYs — Bobby Seay, Tim Byrdak, Macay McBride — and too many guys who can’t throw a strikeout — Jason Grill, Zach Miner, Todd Jones.
And then you have the guys who may help — Fernando Rodney and Joel Zumaya. I say may because you just don’t know. Who can look into a crystal ball and tell me Zoomer will come back throwing 103 and striking out guys, giving the Tigers their only stopper in the bullpen? Who can guarantee to me when Fernando Rodney comes off the DL, as he will very soon, the extra rest for his shoulder will be enough to get him back to strikeout throwing form? You can’t.
The Tigers have to plan for the worst — neither R nor Z contributes — and hope for the best — an overabundance of good relief arms.
They shouldn’t give up the farm. But they don’t need to.
Sphere It
Yes - a strikeout pitcher. That’s what this Tigers bullpen doesn’t have, and it’s why they have to make a deal. If such a guy isn’t available, then maybe they don’t make a deal, go with what they have, and hope for Rodney and Zumaya. But such a guy would make a huge difference for the Tigers right now.