OT: Robertson on DL
Nate Robertson has been put on the DL for elbow surgery. LHP Fu-Te Ni has been called up to replace him.
http://www.detnews.com/article/20090628/SPORTS0104/906280318/1129/rss15
Considering the way Robertson has been pitching, this isn't that big a loss. Hopefully, Ni is an adequate reliever, as the whole unit (outside of a Todd Jones-esque Rodney) is looking extremely shaky.
That is an awesome name.
Is there no way we can trade for someone? And what's up with Bonderman? He had that crappy outing against the White Sox and now I haven't heard anything from him since.
Bondo's probably done for the year. He had that blood clot last year and the surgery took a lot out of his velocity.
As for potential trades... we are probably ok in the bullpen as long as Perry comes back strong and Ni can handle the LOOGY role (and he had an ERA under 1 against lefties in AAA Toledo). We do need another starter but they will probably try Luke French in that role, and if that fails, they will turn to Miner. I do see us acquiring another OF, though.
They don't want Miner starting in the 5th slot because he's WAYYYY to valuable in long relief. I NEVER worry when the starter has to depart early if Miner is available, because he basically is a 4th or 5th starter (at worst) available for relief.
If Bonderman can't regain his velocity by spring training next year, then he is likely done in Detroit (and probably anywhere else for that matter). He's garbage without a mid 90s fastball.
More millions on the DL
Nate Robertson makes $7 million this year. Edwin Jackson makes $2.2 million and Porcello makes $1.2 million.
http://mlbcontracts.blogspot.com/2005/01/detroit-tigers_21.html
At this point, the money is for all intents and purposes already paid. All that matters is performance.
That said, this really sucks. Robertson is set to make $10 million next year, so that when we Sheffield's massively stupid $14 million contract disappears next year, it gets replaced. Also, Willis makes $12 million next year too.
I'm still optimistic willis can be an adequate 4-5 starter again, as for Robinson he is just garbage!
as a whole, while shaky, still has very nice pieces to work with. Miner is always good for a few solid innings whenever needed. Rodney is 17/17 in saves. Seay has been lights out all year. Even Lyon is pitching well. Now, if Perry and Zoom can figure out control, we're on to something. I'm really intrigued by Ni. And if that doesn't work, there's always Rapada to try out.
Another thing to add to the Rodney being 17/17 that everyone overlooks is his stat splits between save and nonsave situations. He has an ERA of around 1 in save situations (or at least last time I checked a week ago) with a 1 WHIP as well. It's the non pressure innings that have really killed him.
Our bullpen is responsible for 11 blown saves and 9 losses. The problem, as I see it, is not that there aren't guys in the bullpen who are good, but that outside of Rodney in save situations, every single person in the bullpen is somewhat inconsistent. Seay has two blown saves as a situational lefty. He's been great this month, but he still has really bad stretches where he can't get an out, which is especially problematic as we are extremely short on left-handed relievers. Lyon is great at times, and mediocre at others. Rodney has been excellent in save situations, but useless otherwise. Perry and Zumaya are risks every time we put them on the mound. And Ni is simply unknown. The problem isn't a lack of pieces, it's a lack of consistency, which is death to any team come September.
and cant find this Nate Robertson anywhere, must be an incoming freshman