The Quest For Relief: Do Tigers Have Lyon Eyes?

by Ian Casselberry on Jan 16, 2009 7:30 PM EST in Detroit Tigers News

Could the Detroit Tigers finally be moving in on a closer? Jon Paul Morosi reports on his blog that the team is in negotiations with reliever Brandon Lyon. However, they haven't yet offered him a contract, which might put them a bit behind the competition.

According to Ken Rosenthal, Lyon's agent says that a team has made an offer of a two-year, $9 million deal. Who is that team? If the Tigers haven't made an offer yet, it could be the Minnesota Twins. The St. Louis Cardinals are also believed to have offered a contract, but only on a one-year term.

If the Tigers are indeed in competition with the Twins for Lyon's services, something that could tip his preferences in Detroit's favor is a closer's job. In Minnesota, Lyon would be the set-up man for Joe Nathan. But that's assuming both teams are making similar offers.

A deal for $4.5 million per season would fit the Tigers' payroll, if Morosi's guess that the team has $5 million available for a closer is correct.

Last year with Arizona, Lyon saved 26 games in 31 opportunities, compiling a 4.70 ERA in 61 appearances. With 44 strikeouts in 59.1 innings, he's not a lights-out strikeout pitcher. But he makes up for that with great control, issuing only 13 walks. (Maybe Lyon's control is too good, as he allowed 75 hits. Batters know they'll get something to hit.)

At 29 years old (he'll turn 30 in August) and not coming off any sort of injury, Lyon also presents a younger, healthier alternative to Jason Isringhausen. But would he bring the heat that the Tigers could use in a ninth-inning stopper?

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Oh, how I was hoping

to wake up this morning and find out we signed Lyon. Maybe by this evening when I get back home from work. My God, there’s only a couple guys left!

by densogirl on Jan 17, 2009 8:44 AM EST reply actions

Oh good we have a 7th Inning guy

Now we just got to trade for a closer or move guys around. Cruz will probably become a closer sooner or later, why not in Detroit. With Lyon as our 7th inning guy what do we do with Rodney, that his spot.

by Barry2 on Jan 17, 2009 8:51 AM EST reply actions

I’m not holding my breathe in regards to Lyon. They’re saying he’s already been offered a 2 year contract probably by the Twins. Maybe they’re wrong.

by densogirl on Jan 17, 2009 9:32 AM EST up reply actions

Cole Hamels...

Just did The Tigers a big favor.

He signed a 3 year deal for $20.5 million.

If you include postseason IP Verlander only has about 37 more IP than Hamels and Hamels’s stats are much better thus far. The structure of the deal has Hamels making a little over $4 million in 2009 with a gradual increase to over $9 million in 2011.

I’d like to see Verlander signed through free agency but this is a great deal to structure his contract around and is incredibly affordable.

by MacRae on Jan 17, 2009 1:18 PM EST reply actions