Sorting out the bullpen
Now that Justin Verlander and Joel Zumaya are both on the team, the Tigers have nine pitchers decided, three left to go, and more than a half-dozen guys left in camp to consider. It’ll be an interesting final stretch if only because putting the two youngsters on the squad leaves some semi-experienced guys fighting for jobs.
At least one of the two rotation runners-up, Jason Grilli and Roman Colon, will probably make the staff as a long reliever. Grilli is out of options, while Colon still has one. Considering Colon has been a seventh-inning guy before, though, both could make it. If that happened, the Tigers would have Chris Spurling, Franklyn German, the two lefties (Hector Mercado and Bobby Seay) and Mark Woodyard fighting for one spot.
German is out of options, too, but that probably wouldn’t be enough reason to keep him if he doesn’t warrant a spot. Spurling struggled early but has settled down since, and he’s coming off a solid second half last year. Leyland said Friday morning he’d like to have a second lefty reliever, but he won’t keep one just for the sake of keeping one. We’ll see where this goes.
Jason Beck
The more I see of Jim Leyland the better I like him. He’s certainly aware by now of the tiger teams of the last 3 years and beyond. Why proceed along the same path? He’s picked a centerfielder, fairly easy, and has a seemingly firm expectation from his offensive lineup. Now what sets him apart from all the rest is his willingness to go with youth on his pitching staff. I don’t know who his last couple choices will be but if I was one of the old guards, I would be nervous. This is the key and he knows it. He wants people who get outs and if they turn out to be would be starters, so be it. If there is improvement to be had for this team it is in the pitching. Other than Rogers, why stay with a group that has a habit of finishing fourth or fifth. Other teams give their up and comers a shot why can’t the tigers. I’m not saying he’s promoting youth just for the sake of have new young blood. He’s doing it with a purpose and with people who have real ability. He’s nearly thrown out the words “minor league developement”. Of course some minor league developement sometimes needs to happen but sometimes final developement can take place at the highest level. The main thing here I believe is that Leyland is not willing to just stand pat and hope that the established people can improve their past performances. Where’s the hope with last years staff. This year Leyland has no reason to stand pat and allow some of those from previous years to continue their mediocre ways. He now has talented people waiting in the wings to push or take over which in my mind is a great improvement. He won’t win with people producing at a 500 or less clip. This starting staff could easily go from three lefties to three or four righthanders if it gets the job done. Don’t think for a second that he has depleted all the potential starting pitchers with ability from the minor league system because he hasn’t. Just wait till the seasons begin and the cream will rise. Other teams do it and I’m glad someone’s finally got the nerve to do it here. More power to them all. I’m looking for an exciting season in Detroit and I hope I can get a few tickets…
I can see both Grilli and Colon going north, but maybe it wouldn’t be a bad idea to send Colon down to Toledo where he can start. I’ve read before that he functions better as a starter, but hasn’t had a lot of opportunities to start.
It’s time to cut ties with German. I think we’re at a point where if you don’t produce or don’t appear to really know what you’re doing, you’re not going to be here. Pena is gone, and German needs to go. Both put in enough time here to show us what they’ve got.