Another relief trade

Was just about to post on that. So the Brewers had a Campuano, Campusano, and a Capellan and now we've got two of them.

The only really interesting thing about this is who will be replaced? I have a guess......

Also just wanted to throw this in: if we look back at the times the Tigers have struggled this season, you'll see an inordinate amount of 3-run homers being allowed. Look at both Cleveland series. Look at this week. Wilkerson's on Tuesday. Mauer with a slam on Friday. Cuddyer yesterday. One pitch, one swing, game gone. I don't know what you do about that but is sure does demonstrate how a game and season can turn on one pitch.

I hope DD knows what he is doing here and knows something that we don't know (who am I to question anything DD does?? really) However it doesn't seem like to the untrained eye that this Capellan is any great shakes. It has looked like he has had some decent outings this year and a bad outing, but is that any different than what we already have?? Grilli has had some bad outings, some good outing and a few so so outings, and that can be said of everyone on down the line really. I guess that only time will tell, I guess the big issue is who is leaving I would hazard a guess of either Grilli or DeLaCruz. Grilli has been inconsistent and DeLaCruz is maybe showing some inexperience, his first couple of outings were fine but his last few were bad. To me it is a toss up. I'd maybe put the edge on Grill staying up only because of his experience.

Hey GK, you can question whatever you want. That's what this blog is all about. The best GM's out there make mistakes...regularly. This deal doesn't excite me any more than the rest of the pitching moves the Tigers have been making lately. They trade away one of their better arms and best personalities(oops, I said I wasn't going to bring that up again), banking on an unproven de la Cruz and a very young Miller, pick up another lefty reliever in McBride, and now this stop gap type trade. The upside management sees with Capellan is his experience and probably throwing velocity. One interesting thing I saw was that he wanted out of the Brewers organization. He had 61 appearances last year but for some reason was demoted to Nashville after spring training, and he obviously felt he deserved better. Anyway who knows? The main thing is this trade looks like DD is trying desperately to stop the bleeding and continue the run this year. Other than the 5 starters, Zumaya, and maybe Durbin, seems like everyone else is fair game. It has become a revolving door bull pen. Not good.
I don't profess to be anything remotely resembling a baseball genius but what I would like to see is an ownership and management committed to long term team success. This may sound blasphemous (in a baseball sense) but I'd rather have 10 competitive winning years than 1 World Series Championship and 9 stinking losing years. The problem is the Tigers have committed to a narrow window of time with the huge free agent contracts to aging players like Sheffield and Rodriguez. With that kind of money on the line it compels them to rush into these deals. The clock is ticking. Unfortunately unforeseen injuries like Zumaya's and Roger's and Rodney's, etc. etc., illustrate just how tenuous these plans and hopes are.

I guess this is why I like the way the Twins organization does it, through player development and patience. With a smaller payroll they don't have the luxury of playing the free agent game, a blessing in disguise.

Whatever happens this year because of injuries and misfortunes, I hope the organization doesn't mortgage the future for a season in the sun. Boy, once you get a taste of success, it's both intoxicating and addicting.

Tonight's game is arguably pivotal to the season. To win without Shef, with their ace, to get the Twin monkey off their back, and for much needed confidence and momentum going into the Cleveland and Boston series. JL, bless ya but we don't accept the "tired" theory, nice try. I used to wrestle in HS and in the 3rd period I had to tell myself the other guy was just as exhausted. Monroe and Thames really need to come through tonight. I hope saying that turns out to be prophetic.

It appears to be a nothing trade. The way Big Dave goes after hard throwers, it's become surprising he ever signed Kenny Rogers. The bottom line is as it was before: the starters have to go deeper into games, and JL has to LET them go deeper into games. When it gets to the sixth and seventh innings, stick a straw in their cap and tell them to s--k it up.

I was just reading that TBS is going to be televising a large portion of postseason games this year (I guess I had forgotten about that). Well, TBS is not a high-def station to my knowledge. Seems like the more I pay for MLB on TV, the less I'm getting.

At least this Capellan guy shows the POTENTIAL for blowing people away. Also, he's only 26 and relievers tend to bloom a little later than starters. Too bad we had to give up that kid in single A because he seemed to have great potential. However, I think it was worth a try because I have no confidence in Rodney who looks like he doesn't even want to be out there. Zumaya, hey can we really expect much this year?