Tiger Geist

Not much to say about a game that really didn’t happen, as Detroit was rained out at Cleveland.  13 runs scored in under five innings Nothing to see here.  Good news for Jeremy Bonderman, who pitched but didn’t pitch in the game that didn’t happen.

Bad news for Detroit.  Their starting pitching continues to struggle, sans (gasp) Justin Verlander and Dontrelle Willis.  Can’t really be sure what is in store for the rest of the year.  Also you can’t be sure that Detroit has major-league ready pitchers in the farm system (Armando Galarraga, is he ready again?).  With that, plus Buster Olney hinting that Roy Oswalt is available (though wtih a monster contract), could Detroit be looking to make a deal?

My guess?  No, Detroit can’t afford it.  But it would make sense.  Oswalt is making $15million this year and $16 next, though apparently has had some back issues (Dear Jarrod Washburn:  I still dislike you and your bum knee).  This year’s contract would be the issue though; Detroit has money to spend in 2011 and not a lot of pitching reinforcements with Willis and Bonderman on the last year of their contracts.  Detroit does have enough young outfield talent to offer an offensively-challenged Astros team, which could allow Houston to absorb some of Oswalt’s massive contract.

My fear is Detroit might wait too long to find pitching help (or, conversely, wait too long to find out if their rotation gels).  The AL East is again looking to own the wild-card; if the pitching doesn’t come around, can Detroit wait until the trade deadline?