Tiger Geist

Jimmy Leyland dropped the bomb yesterday by stating that he could see Joel Zumaya starting in a few years.  This debate started last year, and had everyone weighing in.  Todd Jones says he sees Zumaya as a closer (though this year he said he also sees Freddy Dolsi as a closer).  Zumaya has said he likes either, but felt he had the mentality to be a closer.

Joba Chamberlain is moving from the bullpen to the starting rotation, and generating tons of headlines.  Personally, I think Chamberlain is over-hyped because he’s in New York.  But what really should be a story is Justin Duchscherer of Oakland.  He was an all-star as a reliever (yes all-star pitchers are often chosen at random), but has moved into the rotation this year at age 30 and is having a fantastic year.  I’d take those type of numbers.

I have no idea why Leyland talked about it yesterday;  he must have been asked by a reporter.  But if you look at Detroit’s draft this year, they drafted a bunch of college power armed relievers.  Some of these picks (including their first rounder Ryan Perry) has had much success in the bullpen, but have gotten knocked around as starters.  Their immediate future is out of the pen;  they’ve played college ball, which has a shorter lead time to the majors, and detroit isn’t exactly flush with starting talent.

All of this leads to the inevitable:  If Zumaya is one of their best five starting pitchers, and if they have enough talent in the system to re-vamp the bullpen, they Detroit will look at Zumaya to start.  Leyland says it would be “down the road”, which gives them plenty of time to change their mind.  But the announcement (if you can call it that) shouldn’t be surprising.

Seattle Tidbits:

• Todd Jones has had a rough week or two.
• Its scary to think that right now, our best shutdown reliever is… Fernando Rodney.
• Zumaya isn’t allowing many runs, but he isn’t unhittable.
• The kids were huge in game one;  Hollimon getting his first home run.  Interesting stat:  Edgar Renteria’s lefty / righty batting average splits:  .344 / .247.  I’m sure Leyland wanted to get Renteria some rest, but sitting him against right handers makes a lot of sense.  Hollimon, a switch hitter, gives some added flexibility, though he’s not dominant in the field.
• Dane Sardinha looks to get one to two starts this weekend.  I imagine he’ll get the start today, with the veteran Kenny Rogers on the mound.  Give Pudge to Galarraga on Saturday and figure out Sunday — could go with Pudge again with the off-day on Monday.  I like how Pudge responds to his days of rest, so i’d like him to be as fresh as possible going into Cleveland.  Also, both today’s and Sunday’s game is against left handed pitchers, which Detroit hits well, allowing them to ‘hide’ Sardhina at the end of the lineup.

Happy 4th!