Jose Mesa
That deal is a bit of a head-scratcher, isn't it? On one hand, you have to appreciate the desire to add some veteran help in the sixth and seventh inning after Jim Leyland often tried to get through the seventh and eighth with just Joel Zumaya and Fernando Rodney down the stretch. On the other hand, you wonder whether $2.5 million might've helped the Tigers get a left-handed reliever. That said, the difference in the two cases is that Mesa gets a one-year deal, something that doesn't seem possible with the bigger-name lefties still on the market.
This does not set up a trade, Dave Dombrowski insists (though one wild Rocco Baldelli rumor floating last week suggested the Devil Rays wanted a young closer such as Fernando Rodney). Nor does it set up a move to return Joel Zumaya to starting. What it does set up is a spring training battle between Jason Grilli and Zach Miner for the long relief spot, assuming the Tigers take two left-handers in a seven-man bullpen. Grilli, you'll remember, picked up some of those seventh-inning assignments in games when Zumaya and/or Rodney were rested.
Without having watched much of Mesa this year, the difference between his home and road splits is pretty surprising. He also tired a bit down the stretch from all those appearances. We'll see how it plays out in Detroit.
Jason, is it possible that this is (at least partly) about bringing Mesa's work ethic into the bullpen? According to Lynn Henning, he's kind of a machine about conditioning. It might make more sense from that perspective - making sure the young guys develop good habits. It also probably helps that Lloyd McClendon likes him (apparently).
matt
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As long as Mesa can throw strikes, I'm fine with this. Two out of the three times I saw Grilli in person this season, he was a human walk machine. Against Boston with the bases loaded, he hit the first batter he faced, and then walked the next three batters. He walked the bases loaded on 12 straight pitches in the ALCS after getting Frank Thomas to hit into a double play. The other time I saw him he took the loss against Baltimore at home. I can't even use "Roller Coaster" to describe him because he so seldom has anything good going for him, at least when I'm in the park.
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Mesa is insurance?
I know, he hasn't been a closer in forever, and his skills are greatly diminished. However, if Jones goes through a ten game or so stretch where his arm is a little tired, and remember Zumaya had some injury concerns last year as well, then Mesa would probably fill in adequately. He could probably save 3 out of 4 chances, at least in the short run.
I like it. If nothing else, he would be able to come in, in the 3rd or 4th innning of a game that is getting out of hand, and keep the team in the game during the long season.
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Mesa's days as a closer are probably over. I would anticipate Rodney or Zumaya getting a shot to close if Jones were hurt again. It would be a way to nurse Zumaya into some ninth-inning work if they went that way.
As for his work ethic, the folks I've talked to say he's a stand-up presence in the clubhouse. He could replace some of the mentoring presence that Jamie Walker brought in. I don't think that's the primary reason the Tigers brought him in, of course, but it didn't hurt.
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Please help. Why is Perez still a tiger? some one till me why would you keep him over Gomez? He had low number's but as a pinch hitter they were great. .364 (4-for-11) They say that's one of the hardest things to do come up with a big hit, plus he left handed.
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I was surprised to see the Tigers let Alexis Gomez go...I agree with prior writer who wondered why Neiffi Perez is still on the roster...Can't see him getting much play in, unless there are multiple injuries in the infield...Still would like to see the Tigers look to pull off a trade or two...What about trading Bonderman, Granderson and Inge to Seattle for Beltre and Ichiro?
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No way on that deal! Detroit wouldn't like it, Seattle wouldn't like it and I'll bet Beck's Bloggers wouldn't like it either. I wholeheartedly agree with your wondering on Neifi though. My guess is Santiago or Infante might get dealt or Santiago starts in Toledo again. Druther Perez go, myself.
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As I stated in the last mailbag, trading for Ichiro is not going to happen. He's not going anywhere.
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Any opinions on Guitar-Hero-Gate?
For anyone who didn't see it, the Free Press is reporting that Zumaya's arm problems late in the season were due to Guitar Hero, a PS2 game that he was favoring at that time.
I have to say, I think it's the funniest thing I've heard all week. It brings into focus the fact that we're mostly talking about guys in their early 20's, with all that encompasses. It's easy to lose sight of that when people toss around 100s of millions of dollars. I'm assuming they may add a few additional clauses to his next contract...
matt
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I'm another Tigers fan who wonders why OF Alex Gomez, a lefty hitter with potential, speed and plays all three OF positions, was let go, rather than IF Neifi Perez, who can catch and throw, but has no clue with a bat. Can someone please explain this? As for signing RP Jose Mesa, it does help provide an experienced reliever. And it was done cheaply.
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I've signed up for the Mesa deal provided it means Grilli goes.
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Bag the trade business for a leadoff hitter or closer. The Tiger's already have two for this year, Granderson and Jones, and two for the future, Maybin and Zumaya.
I would personally like to trade Nefi and Grilli for Santana and Mauer, but that ain't happening. So keep your fantasy or X-Box trades to what they are.
Mesa is a good move. He brings more positives then negatives at a cheap price. With Mesa, Rogers, and Jones the Tigers have 3 veteran, gray-haired, work-a-holic, personable mentors for the youngster's to listen to, talk to, ask for advice, and immulate.
Mesa, if the Tigers can limit his innings, can still be very productive. He is going to be pitching in the 6th mostly, with some 7th,8th, or even 9th inning appearances. I also could see him as a early inning rally stopper.
Gomez isn't nescessarly gone. The Tiger's can still re-sign him. As far as Perez, I wouldn't be surprised to see him traded or released during spring training. I see him as a motivator for Infante and Santiago. If both of them do good during the spring, bye-bye to Nefi. Who ever out of those three losses their spot in spring training will be gone.
I would like a bench of Wilson, Santiago, Infante, and Thames. Screw a left handed batter. If you can play, then you should be able to hit both types of pitchers.
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Hoot, I believe you have become the voice of reason here. Couldn't agree more with your assessment. However I wouldn't take that Santana, Mauer trade unless the Twins sweetened the deal, throwing in a top prospect as well.
Now I feel compelled to comment on the trade of Bonderman, Granderson, and Inge for Beltre and Ichiro. Regardless of which team got the better end of the deal,(I'm betting Seattle in the long run), why would two teams want to trade away a huge part of their respective heart and soul for, at best, a shot at marginal improvement? Loyalty and respect have to count for something. I know it would upset me, and I hope it would upset a few other Tiger and Mariner fans out there as well. I'll say one thing java, you do think "big".
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Forgot to add my disappointment in the Tigers not retaining Gomez on their 40 man roster, but rather keeping Perez. I doubt there is a single blogger out there who understands why. Is it the 2.5 million, and the mind set that "we have to get our money's worth?"... Jason, please enlighten us. If you have to whack me over the head with my own baseball glove I'll understand (maybe). It must be something obvious that we're all missing.
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Nefarious being kept on the roster can only be explained by an apparent lack of trust in either Santiago or Infante by Leyland.
If not that, then his ability to play both short AND second("play", being the operative term in this sentence, VERY open to interpretation).
It is obvious Gomez has a talent and an ability to hit certain kinds of pitchers, but not the ability to play every day. But, that is the definition of a bench player, isn't it? I mean, even if he only played three times a month, if started against the kind of pitcher he was in the post season, he would be worth keeping on the bench, and also would be valuable as a late innning replacement for Maggs.
Nefarious is one dimensional(and I fear that dimension is: BAD), so this move is hard to accept.
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