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Pitching

Liqourish
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Pitching 

Post#1 » by Liqourish » Wed Mar 18, 2009 6:28 pm

Leyland has said that his top 4 pitchers will be Verlander, Galarraga, Bonderman and Jackson with that 5th spot open. Dontrelle and Zach haven't done much this spring but Nate has pitched well and Porcello might earn that 5th spot with his play this spring as well. Nate is showing improvement from last year but depending on Porcellos start scheduled against the Yankees, he could be the favorite. I like this kid alot.

I've seen a little of Brandon Lyon this spring and he looks really strong. He's going to be a good closer but he might be watched closely for fatigue down the stretch of the season.

Bullpen is taking shape. Ryan Perry has been the breakout player this spring. He wasn't expected to make the roster but he has really impressed. I wouldn't mind having him in the bullpen.

There has been alot of focus on the pitching this spring. With good reason. The Tigers last year could score runs, the pitching just allowed even more runs. New pitching coach and young players pushing for roster spots has really stepped it up.
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Re: Pitching 

Post#2 » by ajaX82 » Mon Mar 23, 2009 7:16 pm

If we were smart, we would put Porcello in AAA all year and let him work on everything, not worry about winning. Give it to one of the morons (nate or DWillis) and brig up Rick next year
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Re: Pitching 

Post#3 » by m23uza1hem36 » Tue Mar 24, 2009 2:39 am

ajaX82 wrote:If we were smart, we would put Porcello in AAA all year and let him work on everything, not worry about winning. Give it to one of the morons (nate or DWillis) and brig up Rick next year


I think our pitching is competitive enough to win, even if he was sent to AAA.

About Perry, he's impressed me since he was drafted, he really has a ton of upside. My only concern is that we put him in the bull pen and use him to much.

Also, Zumaya isn't going to be ready for opening day I read a few days ago, anyone giving up on this guy? I don't think he'll ever be the same pitcher as he was a few years ago, too much injuries, I just don't think he can go out there and be a for sure safe inning or two.
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Re: Pitching 

Post#4 » by chrbal » Tue Mar 24, 2009 4:46 pm

Zumaya, Willis, yeah I'm giving up on them.
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Re: Pitching 

Post#5 » by Snakebites » Thu Mar 26, 2009 9:25 pm

I'm definitely ready to throw in the towel on Dontrelle.

He didn't just look bad when he pitched last year, he looked as bad as I've ever seen a pitcher look in this league. His fastball lost everything, his control was awful, his mechanics were positively frightening, I could go on and on.

Zumaya is a sadder story. I don't want to give up on the guy, but I'm definitely VERY worried.

The real question is whether Verlander can bounce back and have a season more like the one he had two years ago. I believe he can. Bonderman's long absences last year are also worrying.

There is some good in the pitching staff, but theres also a confoundment of question marks that make me less than optimistic.
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Re: Pitching 

Post#6 » by Liqourish » Sun Mar 29, 2009 5:36 pm

Willis has been put on the DL with an anxiety disorder. I don't think he'll be in the starting rotation anytime soon.

Zumaya will start the season on the DL and could miss at least another month of baseball.

With Zumaya out of the rotation, Ryan Perry could find a spot in the bullpen at least for a couple games. Could be a good barometer for the kid. If he can't handle it, he can be assigned to the minors.

The 5th spot is between Porcello/Robertson according to Leyland. I know Nate has a big contract ($4,250,000) and people don't like throwing young kids out there, but I'd rather have the better pitcher, even if he's young.

Supposedly the Tigers could "sell" players this season to cut salary.

1. Magglio Ordonez 15,768,174
2. Gary Sheffield 13,326,306
3. Carlos Guillen 12,000,000
4. Miguel Cabrera 11,300,000
5. Jeremy Bonderman 8,500,000
6. Dontrelle Willis 7,000,000
7. Brandon Inge 6,200,000
8. Placido Polanco 4,600,000
9. Nate Robertson 4,250,000
10. Brandon Lyon 3,125,000

Willis/Robertson seem like the likely players to be traded. Especially if they aren't contributing to the team. Although i don't know what team would want Willis at $7,000,000.

Isn't this Sheff's last year under contract? Do you think he could be moved?

I would think Inge could be moved, but he's a very good defensive 3rd basemen and not having him at 3rd base hurt us last season.
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Re: Pitching 

Post#7 » by chrbal » Mon Mar 30, 2009 3:53 pm

I think Dontrelle Willis should start off at Toledo and build up some kind of confidence. You're not going to get anything worth trading for unless its Willis and major prospects.

I think this is Sheffs last year and I think he could get moved. I doubt Inge would get moved.
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Re: Pitching 

Post#8 » by Liqourish » Tue Mar 31, 2009 4:49 pm

Bondermans been put on the DL with shoulder issues again. Don't know how long he'll be sidelined.

We might be trying to find two starting pitchers in spring training.

1. Justin Verlander
2. Edwin Jackson
3. Armando Galarraga
4. ???????
5. ???????

Who knows, Robertson and Porcello might end up in the starting rotation to start the year.
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Re: Pitching 

Post#9 » by ajaX82 » Wed Apr 1, 2009 6:05 pm

I saw on Yahoo! that Miner might take a spot, which makes sense; he seems to be good when starting, bad when relieving
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Re: Pitching 

Post#10 » by ajaX82 » Wed Apr 1, 2009 7:06 pm

http://www.mlive.com/tigers/index.ssf/2 ... .html#more

Well guys it is set

Porcello is a starter, Miner is a starter, Robertson is a reliever, Perry is also a reliever.

Raburn and Rapada to AAA

Larish and Cleven competing for last spot

Hessman released

Oh and it looks like Rodney is the closer

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Re: Pitching 

Post#11 » by Liqourish » Thu Apr 2, 2009 1:08 pm

Not really shocking, Porcello and Perry have stepped up in the spring. I don't care how young they are, they earned their roster spots by beating out the competition. If they can't handle the big league pressure, then they can always be sent down.

Miner originally was told he wasn't going to start, but then Robertson fell apart in the games he did pitch that Leyland had to take him out of the SL. It'll be interesting to see what happens when (or if :-? ) Bonderman gets healthy.

Rapada to AAA was news considering Leyland said he had a spot in the bullpen. He pitched better than Rincon and Bonine this spring.

Tigers are trying to trade Raburn. They've had two deals so far that have fallen through in just the past few days.

Rodney and Lyon are going to be competing for that closer role all year. Rodney started out bad while Lyon had a few good games. Lyon had a couple really bad outings and now Rodney is back in that role. I expect them to duke it out, and that's not a bad thing.

I think Larish will get the spot over Clevlen. Larish is young, can play 1st and 3rd and is a power lefty. Clevlen can play outfield, but we just got Josh Anderson who is going to be backing up the outfielders while everyone takes turns being DH for a day.

We all know Marcus Thames will be DH most days, but the Tigers brass has said that they'd like to make Guillen/Maggz/Cabrera all take turns being DH while giving the young guys some burn at their everyday positions.
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Re: Pitching 

Post#12 » by ajaX82 » Thu Apr 2, 2009 8:08 pm

Larish officially takes the last spot today
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Re: Pitching 

Post#13 » by Snakebites » Thu Apr 2, 2009 8:25 pm

Rodney is the closer? :o
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Re: Pitching 

Post#14 » by ajaX82 » Fri Apr 3, 2009 4:55 am

Pistons#1 wrote:Rodney is the closer? :o


Yeah

What can i say. bust out the tums, cuz its gunna be a wild ride

7.00+ Spring Training ERA FTW
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Re: Pitching 

Post#15 » by Liqourish » Fri Apr 3, 2009 1:04 pm

25 man roster-

Pitchers:
SP: Justin Verlander
SP: Edwin Jackson
SP: Armando Galarraga
SP: Zach Miner
SP: Rick Porcello
RP: Bobby Seay
RP: Nate Robertson
RP: Ryan Perry
RP: Brandon Lyon
RP: Eddie Bonine
RP: Juan Rincon
CP: Fernando Rodney

Catchers:
Gerald Laird
Matt Treanor

Infielders:
1B/DH: Miguel Cabrera
2B: Placido Polanco
SS: Adam Everett
3B: Brandon Inge
1B/3B: Jeff Larish
2B/SS: Ramon Santiago

Outfielders:
RF/DH: Magglio Ordonez
CF: Curtis Granderson
LF/DH: Carlos Guillen
DH/LF: Marcus Thames
RF/CF: Josh Anderson

There is ALOT of youth on the team, but everyone one of them has earned their spot. The oldest guys on the team are Maggz, Polanco and Guillen.... who are all still playing at a high level.

Anderson is a lefty who has great speed. Larish is a power lefty. That should give the Tigers 3.5 left handed batters at their disposal which I think is great.

Our pitching is going to be key this year, we need everyone to be healthy and to get some outs.
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Re: Pitching 

Post#16 » by Snakebites » Fri Apr 3, 2009 8:20 pm

I just want to see some REAL baseball this year.

It felt like all last year's team knew how to do was swing for the fences.

The starting pitching makes me nervous, but not NEARLY as much as the relief.
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Re: Pitching 

Post#17 » by Liqourish » Mon Apr 13, 2009 7:14 am

Well besides Verlanders first game and a horrible debut for Lyon, our ptiching has looked pretty good so far.

Starters: Edwin Jackson looks like a great pick up. Galarraga is still pitching like last year. Porcello had a decent start. Miner looked good. Verlander looks much better against Texas when he had his fastball going. If he can keep locating that pitch and trust the defense behind him to get the out, he'll throw more strikes and get out of innings quicker.

Bullpen: Seay, Perry, Robertson and Rodney have been lights out so far. God it's good to see them all getting off to a nice start. Bonine is okay. He's not great but he's not horrible either. Rincon has been bad so far. Lyon almost got ran out of town his very first game but he came back nicely in yesterdays game. I hope the rest of the season, he continues to play like the latter.

We lost two games due to pitching so far, but both pitchers came right back with good games. Let's hope that keeps up. So far, so good.

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