The “Thundercat” nickname doesn’t apply if Joyce is playing for the Rays. And I hate seeing a good nickname go to waste.

Matt Joyce is a nice outfielder, but frankly, 24 year old lefty starting pitcher with good stuff who can throw in the mid 90’s don’t grow on tree.

Could be a good closer…so could Willis…

Bear with me. If Detroit’s figuring on Verlander, Galaragga, and Bonderman, and now add Jackson, to the rotation, we can pretty much asume that these four will not be considered for the bullpen. We also know Miner can’t handle relief duties – so why not see what Willis or Robertson can do in the closer role with the $10 million dollar arms?

Does this mean a possible spot for Brent opens up with Clete on the DL to start the year?

Sounds like he’ll fit right in with the rest of the Tigers’ staff. His career 1.632 WHIP (1.505 in ‘08) does not get me excited. Maybe I’m overvaluing Joyce, but trading one of your very few potentially good LH bats for another project pitcher is a bit of a head scratcher. Rick Knapp is going to have his hands full.

One more thing…Who’s going to close?!

1. Maggs is not going anywhere. We are not putting Larish or Thames in Right Field part time.

2. Either Nate or Train is off to the bullpen full time or is on the next bus out like Ian was saying. Can’t have both of them, plus Jackson, plus our other 3 (or Miner). Unless, and this is scary, this move is because Bondo is not healing.

3. We are no closer to our second most pressing need getting filled (catcher was our biggest problem). No closer. And only Fuentes or Hoffman left. Fuentes is pricey and Hoffman is 100. Ouch.

I hope DD has something else in mind.

I liked him too, but the fact is he was no better than the 4th outfielder this season. In his prime, he’s probably a .280, 25 HR guy.

That’s a good outfielder no doubt, but recall that all three Tigers outfielders (Guillen, Ordonez, Granderson) are locked up through 2011 or later (Grandy until 2013). That assumes Magglio’s option vests this year which it almost cetainly will.

Meanwhile, the Tigers starting pitching is a major problem. They can’t rely on anything from Dontrelle. Bondo is also iffy coming back from injury. Robertson has the worst ERA in baseball last year, they’d really be better off not starting him.

Edwin Jackson isn’t perfect, but he’s still young, he’s shown some improvement, and he has the stuff. Young pitching is the most precious commodity in baseball and therefore, I like the move.

Another name that hasn’t been mentioned among Tigers outfield prospects is Casper Wells. Bats righty, but can apparently play all three outfield positions and first base. he also showed pretty good power this year (17 homers). But obviously, he hasn’t proven he’s major league ready yet.

We just traded a guy who could very well play left or right field in the future for another pitcher with control issues. DD better have some big plans, or know something we don’t. I didn’t want Joyce included in the Putz deal, let alone a trade for someone the Rays feel is expendable (I don’t care if the Rays made the World Series last year, they’ll still be the 65-win season Devil Rays in my mind for the next 10 years). I feel like DD is getting impatient and/or bored in Vegas and just wanted to make something happen.

I LOVED Joyce, but if he’s gone, that means more time for Clete, and the Cult’s still here. I like Thomas better. He doesn’t have the same pop that Kitty does, but he is far more patient at the plate and takes more walks, and I like that.