Tiger Geist

Everyone’s in camp… lets move on to relief pitching.  This one is pretty easy… no one really knows.  Plus injuries and the return from injuries could play a major part.

Who are the players involved:  Everyone not listed in the original seven “starting pitching” possibilities.  Also, the Tigers have said that the minor league starting pitchers (Porcello, etc) will remain in that role and will not make the team as relief pitchers.

Who will make the team:  All relievers with major league contracts:  Fernando Rodney, Joel Zumaya, Brandon Lyon, Bobby Seay.

Who has a chance to make the team if healthy:  Juan Rincon, Scott Williamson

Who may make the team as a reliever if no trade happens:  pick top 7 starting pitcher with a major league contract

Who has a shot:  Insert recent draft pick here, insert rule 5 draft pick here, insert guy traded for Jason Grilli here.

Seriously, here is what’s happening:  Detroit drafted a solid group of guys last year (Perry, Satterwhite), picked up another one possibly for Jason Grilli (Simons), and have some other guys that are coming on (Fien, Rapada).  They have a couple of main-stays (Zumaya, Rodney, Seay, new comer Lyon).  They have some guys who, if healthy and throwing well, are solid major leaguers (Williamson, Rincon).  Detroit wants the older guys to do well in camp, and then they can pitch them until their arms fall off this summer.  That gives more time for the young guys to develop.  This gives detroit many trade options in May and June if they do contend, and also slightly trims the payroll in 2010 when they let Lyon and Rodney walk — no way either guy is re-signed in the off-season.

The flip side is bringing up a youngster or two and trying to slip an older guy through waivers to start the season.  If Perry makes the team but falls apart in May, they have to bring up another youngster.  If Williamson makes the team and his arm falls off in June, they’ve got Fien, Perry to call up.  If Seay gets hurt, they can call up Rapada.  Or, if a few guys are doing well in AAA or AA, Rodney or Lyon may be useful to a contender.

So there is your bullpen.  Detroit will want to stock it full of veterans, and give a little more time to manage the farm system.  I agree with Lynn Henning on this, Rodney and Lyon will not be Tigers in 2010, though with recent free agent issues (many Type A’s are still unsigned due to giving up on draft picks), its entirely possible Detroit just moves them before the end of the year.  Lest we not forget any revenue issues, Lyon and Rodney make $7million+ combined.