Heteroskedastic

June 23rd, 2017 at 5:11 PM ^

My heart thought it would happen after the "I shouldn't be in mop-up duty" comment followed by 7 runs in 4 1/3 innings, but my head didn't think Avila would pull the trigger.  Well done.

King Charles 2

June 25th, 2017 at 4:47 PM ^

It's because we go out everytime and sign a washed up superstar closer (Jones, Valverde, Nathan, Soria, K-Rod...). You would think after the tenth time we would learn, but that group of geniuses running our front office for the last decade thinks that maybe next times the charm. The problem is we are too quick to lose confidence in our prospects (Fransico Rodney, Andrew Miller, Robbie Ray and others) and so we release or trade them and other teams develope them into superstars while we go out and buy some 40 closer.

chomz14

June 23rd, 2017 at 5:18 PM ^

Kind of bittersweet that the Tigers are in rebuild mode. Hate to see guys like J.D. and or Kinsler get traded. But like Houston, Boston and the Yankees. The excitement of young studs could be fun. Then again, not sure I trust a guy who's best move so far has been bringing his son back to be the backup catcher

Sam1863

June 24th, 2017 at 5:11 AM ^

If the right deal came along for Alex, I'd make it. I'll bet a few teams could use a lefty-hitting catcher with some punch who's hitting over .300 and is solid defensively.

Besides, he's an FA at the end of the year. If he wanted to re-sign with Detroit in the off-season, he could. It would make for an interesting Thanksgiving conversation at the Avila house. ("Dad, I want 3 years at $12 million, and pass the cranberries.")

Blue Balls Afire

June 23rd, 2017 at 5:31 PM ^

I know it won't happen, and I'm surprised the Tigers haven't asked for my opinion yet, but I would move Verlander to closer.  At this stage in his career, I think he'd benefit the Tigers more in the closer role than as an every fifth game starter.  It would probably prolong his career too, like John Smoltz.  Win-win.  

Blue Balls Afire

June 23rd, 2017 at 11:14 PM ^

Agreed, he's been fantastic, and his spot in the rotation would be hard to fill. Just from my casual observation of his games over the years, he seems to have the worst luck and run support of any starter.  He has to battle every time out and never seems to have an easy game.  It's a testament to his skill that he has the record that he has because he's had to work for every W.  Nevertheless, a starting pitcher impacts the team every fifth game.  A closer affects the team much more often.  Given that, he might be better for the Tigers as the lock-down closer instead of the ace starter.

Blue Balls Afire

June 24th, 2017 at 4:40 PM ^

Not necessarily.  Depends on the alternatives you have and the overall make up of the staff.  John Smoltz had many years left as a starter, arguably even as the ace once completely over his injury (in fact returned to starting after he closed for a bit IIRC), but became a fantastic closer which is just what the Braves needed at the time.

Blue Balls Afire

June 24th, 2017 at 4:31 PM ^

This is how a dumb GM loses games for you.  "He's making $28M, we can't move him to do what's best for the team, because, well, he's making $28M!!!!" Or, "we have to keep K-Rod on the roster longer than he's effective because he's making too much money!  We have to give him more chances than he deserves because we need to justify his salary.  We can't move an asset to where he can help our team the most because he makes 'starter money.'"  Phhht.  A smart mangager, like Leyland I would argue, wouldn't give a damn how much a person made and would move a player where he could most help, the GM be damned--and a smart GM would let him.  

Blue Balls Afire

June 24th, 2017 at 4:27 PM ^

Oh, and how much did Mariano Rivera make as a closer?  $15M in 2012 the year before he retired.  In today's money five years later, is it equal to Verlander money?  I don't think so, Verlander money is pretty crazy even for today's dollars.  But is it in the same ballpark?  Hell yeah.  So just quoting a dollar amount is not very convincing.  One might even say dumb.

LSAClassOf2000

June 23rd, 2017 at 7:22 PM ^

At this point, though, it seems likely that Rodriguez will need to spend some time at Triple-A working out the kinks before being asked to face major leaguers.

It is this that makes me believe that a team that doesn't have a pressing need but wouldn't mind a potential body in the bullpen might actually go this route with him, or at least consider it. He may not be the K-Rod of old ever again (let's face it, more than likely won't), but I imagine he does at least get a couple sniffs. 

rob f

June 23rd, 2017 at 8:17 PM ^

Where washed-up retread closers go for a final big paycheck."

This cut should have happened in the off-season. Instead, Bullpen woes again lead the way in torpedoing another Tigers baseball season.

bacon1431

June 24th, 2017 at 10:53 AM ^

Tigers are gonna be bad for a while. Rebuild has to start immediately. Dombrowski and Avila will get the blame, but when you're trying to win now, you often mortgage the future. Will be 3-4 years before we contend for the playoffs again if we start now and it's done right.

dieseljr32

June 24th, 2017 at 11:01 AM ^

Jeez, I remember posting here before the season started that this team looked promising, solid, etc... but with some question marks.

I did not see this coming. At least not this year. Thought the tank job was at least a year down the road.

Now, the team is discombobulated. The pitchers are having a hard time throwing strikes, Daniel Norris has taken a step back, Miggy is probably playing hurt once again, Victor Martinez has become a dinosaur, etc...

Which sucks because the much maligned Justin Upton was finally playing to his career norms. JD Martinez still rakes with the best of them. They're both probably gone. As will Justin Wilson.

They have to sell now.

Bright spots for the future though. Fulmer is young JV, Boyd will be alot better once he comes back from Toledo, Joe Jimenez has a future with the Tigers.

JBE

June 24th, 2017 at 11:27 AM ^

We recieved some good players in return, but it's hard not to think about some of the prospects we traded who are playing well. Knebel is a record setting, lights out closer, Hernan Perez is a versitle, every day player, Robbie Ray is pitching well. 

Greg McMurtry

June 24th, 2017 at 11:55 AM ^

Shoulda cut his ass the instant he spouted off to the media. The guy has sucked all year throwing 88mph "fast" balls right over the plate. Complete douchebag.

93Grad

June 24th, 2017 at 2:36 PM ^

Unfortunately the Tigers are in the same purgatory as the Red Wings. An old, expensive roster that is not nearly good enough to compete but also with few top prospects and too few valuable trade chips

fksljj

June 24th, 2017 at 3:08 PM ^

Closers were the biggest issue in the past. Now it's not only the closers but the hitters aren't hitting. We've had way too many 0 and 1 run games considering the talent that's on the team. Should have traded Cabrera when he was worth a crap.