A Lyon Joins the Tigers

by Ian Casselberry on Jan 24, 2009 10:30 AM EST in Detroit Tigers News

Lions haven't done so well in Detroit in recent years. Hopefully, a Lyon will be much more successful.

The Detroit Tigers will make it official this morning, just as TigerFest begins at Comerica Park: Brandon Lyon has agreed to a one-year contract with the team. Financial terms of the deal haven't been announced, but it surely fits within that $5 million slot the Tigers presumably had available in their payroll.

So it looks like The Quest For Relief will end this week, after all. Good timing on this one for Dave Dombrowski. Now he doesn't have to face a bunch of "When are we gonna get a closer?!" questions from the Tiger Town faithful this afternoon. (But if anyone stands up and asks, "Why didn't you go after Juan Cruz?" you'll get applause from us.)

The Tigers don't seem willing (at least publicly) to announce Lyon as the team's closer. But really, would he have signed with Detroit if he wasn't getting a more-than-decent shot at being The Guy? And once it's revealed how much money Lyon signed for, it'll probably be for more (per year, that is) than other middle relievers received. So that's the expectation.

(I like to imagine that Dombrowski said to Lyon what Jack Donaghy told himself in the mirror on 30 Rock this week: "You're a lion. Take what's yours.")

If it turns out that Lyon doesn't win the closer job in Spring Training, that probably means someone beat him out. That would indicate someone's throwing really well. And with Lyon's previous success as a set-up man, that could still hold the promise of a good bullpen for the Tigers in 2009.

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I'm Happy(ish)

At least they brought in someone with some history of success. It would’ve been hell going into spring training hoping to hang our hat on Rodney or Zumaya, Lyon isn’t the best thing since sliced bread, but at least he’s another guy to throw into the mix.

by ThaWalrus9 on Jan 24, 2009 12:07 PM EST reply actions

Decent move, but not too excited...

Hey all – I’m a lifelong Tiger fan and national baseball writer for the Washington, D.C. Examiner.com site. I love when Tiger news happens, because I get to write about it of course. Check out my take on this move – I think it’s ok (especially for one year) but I’m not going to say it solves all the problems. Let me know what you think!

http://www.examiner.com/x-1088-MLB-Examiner~y2009m1d24-Tigers-sign-Lyon

Alex Brown
MLB Examiner

by AlexBrown on Jan 24, 2009 3:28 PM EST reply actions

I think it's a good move...

I agree with Ian, Lyon should be the closer coming out of camp, and if not, even better. Either way, Lyon is a solid arm that will help out a pen that needed to be addressed.

Though I’m suprised that so many people are down on him. Granted, his second half last year was not real impressive but then again, neither was what came out of the bullpen night after night last season.

"I find sometimes it's easy to be myself. Sometimes I find it easier to be somebody else..." - Dave Matthews

by bowa41 on Jan 24, 2009 9:29 PM EST reply actions

Lyon

Excellent comments from Ian, which I happen to agree with whole-heartedly.

Definitely doesn’t solve ALL of the Tigers’ bullpen problems Alex, but it does add another arm to consider in the bullpen.

Bowa, the reason many of us are sorta down on Lyon is that horrible 2nd half he had last season when his ERA was over EIGHT. Now, if we get the 1st half Lyon (19 saves), then it’s a great move to sign him. If it’s the 2nd half? Not so much..

by Todd1005fm on Jan 25, 2009 11:41 AM EST reply actions