NewsInbox: Is a veteran closer an option?
MLB.com's Beck answers Detroit fans' questions
By Jason Beck / MLB.com
11/02/09 11:17 PM EST
With the Tigers' lack of financial flexibility and so many closers on the market this year, what are the realistic options for the back end of the bullpen? Is the team more likely to use some combination of Ryan Perry and Joel Zumaya, or do you expect the Tigers to fill the role via free agency?-- Matt F., Chicago
Zumaya and Perry are potential options at closer, but neither is positioned as the Tigers' top option heading into November. Though Zumaya is on track to come into Spring Training healthy, the fact remains that three straight injury-shortened seasons leave it next to impossible to count on him in any role until he can stay healthy for a long stretch. If Zumaya can do that, and if he can progress on his secondary stuff, then I think he enters the closer picture. For what it's worth, after all Zumaya's history with this club the past four years, he turns just 25 years old next Monday.
Perry, seemingly the closer in waiting, is in a similar situation that Zumaya held a few years ago before the injuries. Team president/general manager Dave Dombrowski talked about that possibility in his end-of-season discussion, saying some in the organization feel Perry is ready to close. Still, if you look at Perry's game logs and how he was used down the stretch, he didn't have a single opportunity for a hold after Sept. 8, let alone a save chance. His situations over the final two months usually involved keeping the Tigers close in games they were trailing, or filling innings in a blowout.
I'd expect the Tigers to look on the open market for late-inning help on a short-term contract, whether it involves bringing back free agents Brandon Lyon or Fernando Rodney or bringing in someone else. On the surface, one would like their chances at keeping Lyon a little more than Rodney, especially if they can offer the closer's role. But the relief market was so unpredictable last year that I don't think you can tell ahead of time what's in and out of reach for many teams looking for relief help. Detroit didn't really pick up discussions on Lyon last offseason until around the holidays.
Does the organization see a possible replacement for Adam Everett at shortstop in Brent Dlugach? Sure, he's not much of a hitter, but neither is Everett, and Dlugach is supposed to have a very solid glove. Plus, he'd be far cheaper. Thanks.
-- David T., Winston-Salem, N.C.
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Dlugach has some extra-base punch, which he credits to his work at Triple-A Toledo with hitting coach Leon "Bull" Durham, but I get your point. I think the Tigers would prefer a veteran at short, possibly Everett if they can work out a deal, but not necessarily. It would be very interesting if Detroit had rookies on both ends of its double-play combo. I think Dlugach provides a good insurance option, though, in case of injury.
This is killing me and I can't find a consistent answer, even after consulting the rule book. Until Rodney had his one official blown save, he was considered perfect in save opportunities. But I clearly recall a game against the White Sox that went into extra innings in which the Tigers threw a runner out at the plate to stay in the game and then Miguel Cabrera hit a homer in extra innings to win it. As I recall, Rodney walked the bases loaded in the ninth inning with a three-run lead and all of those runners scored, although Jim Leyland may have taken him out before all three scored. Why is that not a blown save?
-- Mark F., Toledo
You're thinking of the June 9 game at Chicago, when Rodney walked all three batters he faced before Leyland pulled him for Lyon, who struck out Jermaine Dye, gave up a run-scoring walk to Jim Thome, then a two-run double to Paul Konerko to tie the game. Once Lyon entered, that became his save situation, and he took the blown save once he gave up the hit to Konerko that tied it. The fact that those runs were charged to Rodney don't matter. The rules for saves are different than the rules for runs charged and wins and losses. As it turned out, Lyon stayed in for the 10th and retired the side in order for the win after Cabrera's homer.
I am wondering where things stand with Dusty Ryan. Is he projected to make the big league roster in 2010 and even possibly start? Gerald Laird is mostly known for his defense, so I didn't know if they planned on him being the starter next season or not. Thanks.
-- Tim C., St. Louis
As it stands now, the Tigers would most likely head into next season with a mix of Laird and Alex Avila behind the plate. Ryan would be an insurance option while getting more time at Triple-A Toledo.
Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
