Nate’s in the bullpen, where he belongs
posted in 2008 season |Nate Robertson likely spending the rest of the year in the bullpen for the Tigers is a good thing, and not (just) for the most obvious reason: Mr. 4 Runs was becoming Mr. 6 Runs. The Tigers have to start working on the 2009 bullpen now. And seeing which mediocre starters might be of better service as one or two inning late-inning guys is a pretty good use of the final five weeks of the year, if you ask me.
Robertson was obviously at one time a pretty good starter. I nicknamed him Tough Luck Nate because for the 2006 season and a chunk of 2007, he seemed to frequently find himself on the wrong end of 2-0 or 2-1 games. Ah, to have that Nate back. But lately, even his quality starts tended to end up badly. He’d allow two or three runs through six innings only to give up another two in the seventh. And most recently, he’d give up those two or three runs in the fourth, third, second, even first innings. In his most recent start, he allowed FIVE home runs. FIVE! That’s like, insane.
Nate calls this the lowest point in his career. And I’m sure it really is. But I really think no names should be taken out of the running when considering a closer for next year. Maybe a bulldog and battler like Robertson would be great in the ninth inning. Obviously the home runs are a concern. And if he doesn’t get his slider back, which is said is the missing pitch this season, I don’t even want to consider him in the ninth inning. But a healthy Robertson with all his pitches could be a late inning boon. It could help revitalize his career and the Tigers’ bullpen.
I’m not saying it will, but I’m saying it’s worth considering the possibility.
I really like this line of thinking. There have been many a time this year when I wished for some different thinking by Leyland towards his pitching staff. It seemed like every pitcher had a preset role in Jimbo’s mind, and if he didn’t work out initially, he was released, traded or demoted. Baseball is full of stories of converted relievers or starters made good. I would love to see Nate work out as top notch reliever, closer or setup, and some folks like Miner and Vasquez given second chances as starters. Not sure why it took so long for them to give Miner his chance this year.
Agree. Hopefully Miner gets back on track tonight and doesn’t make us look silly, but I’m glad he’s back in the rotation this season. I was never comfortable with him in the bullpen.
Miner really looks like a solid back of the rotation starter. I felt this way in 06 and nothing has happened in 08 to dissuade me. Heck, even if you don’t think he can really keep this up as a Tiger, doesn’t he become decent trade bait? If Freddy Garcia looks ready and so does Willis, you could trade Miner for a reliever or two. Either way, Miner has more value as a starter than a reliever.
As far as Nate to closer–why not? His contract leaves us no choice but to keep him around. It wouldn’t be entirely unprecedented (several average to bad starters have made excellent closers) and his stuff would seem to be good enough for the job, provided he gets his slider back.
As bad as Nate has been this season, I’m excited to see him pitch out of the bullpen. Maybe it will give him the jump start he needs. I don’t think his future is there though. I’m guessing if he gets back into a groove in the bullpen they put him back in the rotation.