Bonderman to 'pen; Willis a starter

Liqourish · Post #1 » by **Liqourish** » Thu Jun 11, 2009 1:07 pm

http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090610&content_id=5260396&vkey=news_det&fext=.jsp&c_id=det

The Tigers rotation situation has been solved. Dontrelle Willis make his next start Sunday at Pittsburgh, while Jeremy Bonderman is headed for the bullpen for now.

The move brings Detroit's starting ranks from six pitchers to five after Monday's day-night doubleheader. What it means for Bonderman's return from shoulder problems remains to be seen.

It really was the right call. Dontrelle has throw fine but needs to work on locating his pitches. Bonderman needs to work on his velocity, movement and location. Neither of them look to far off, but both of them need work. Right now, Dontrelle just needs less work.

Post #2 » by **Snakebites** » Thu Jun 11, 2009 3:46 pm

I'm still not sold on Dontrelle as a reliable starter at this point, but Bonderman looked pretty bad. He's definitely not ready. Hopefully he can get himself going, he was a pretty darn good pitcher before he had all these problems.

Liqourish · Post #3 » by **Liqourish** » Thu Jun 11, 2009 4:54 pm

I'm not sold on anyone past our 1-2-3, but if it were between those two, Bondo still needs more work than Willis. I really have no problem with the move. I'd be interested in seeing if we could make a trade for another reliable starter.

tmorgan · Post #4 » by **tmorgan** » Thu Jun 11, 2009 5:36 pm

I'd rather trade for a pen arm than a starter at this point -- or even a bat. We have extras already in Bondo, Miner, and Robertson. Granted, none of them have looked great recently, but we just need 2 of the 5 (those guys plus Galarraga and Willis) to be decent.

The AL should be afraid of us if we make the playoffs, as you only really need three starters there.

Post #5 » by **Snakebites** » Thu Jun 11, 2009 8:21 pm

^I firmly believe Verlander is back and will continue to be among the best pitchers in the AL for the rest of the season.

Jackson has been incredible, but he also had a second half slump last year that I'm cautiously optimistic won't repeat itself this year (its the main reason we got him relatively cheap in a trade).

Porcello is a rookie, so he could go either way.

Hopefully all of our top 3 will hold it together all year.

Liqourish · Post #6 » by **Liqourish** » Sat Jun 13, 2009 10:02 am

Well before he got to the pen, Bondo has been placed back on the DL with shoulder issues. I really hate to say it, but if he can't get his shoulder straightened out, and soon, I think he might be done.

Ryan Perry was called up for the bullpen. Which is good to see because he shouldn't have been sent down to begin with.

Also, Leyland sent Clete down to Toledo and brought Don Kelly.

Post #7 » by **ajaX82** » Sat Jun 13, 2009 2:49 pm

Why is Clete down? And who the hell is Don Kelly?

Bondo's fastball is hovering in the high 80's. he has given me no reason to believe he isnt done

chrbal · Post #8 » by **chrbal** » Sat Jun 13, 2009 4:30 pm

Yay? on the Pitching moves.

Liqourish · Post #9 » by **Liqourish** » Sat Jun 13, 2009 7:38 pm

Clete had a couple games where he couldn't hit and so Leyland bumped him for Don Kelly, a 29 yr old miner leaguer who spent a few games with the Pirates years ago.

I don't like the move. Clete was still hitting as much (or as little) as anyone else in the lineup. Also his glove and fast release was great in the outfield. He prevented a number of runs at the plate which helped us win games.

Clete always gets the short end of the stick for some reason. And guys like Raburn are forced into roles that they haven't earned. I don't quite understand Leylands thinking.