Tigers Among 10 Teams Looking at Kelvim Escobar

by Ian Casselberry on Dec 17, 2009 3:25 PM EST in Hot Stove Comment 19 comments

According to various reports, the Detroit Tigers were one of 10 teams who watched pitcher Kelvim Escobar throw yesterday. (Here is Jon Paul Morosi's Tweet on the story. Efrain Zavarce, who writes for the Venezuelan newspaper El Nacional, originally posted this news.)

Escobar pitched in only one game for the Los Angeles Angels this year, after missing the entire 2008 season with a torn labrum in his right shoulder. In that start (which happened to be against the Tigers at Comerica Park), Escobar allowed two runs and four hits in five innings, and struck out five.

But he also walked four batters, which indicated that his recovery wasn't quite complete. Sure enough, the injured shoulder gave Escobar problems soon thereafer and he was shut down for the rest of the season.

In 2007, Escobar had what could arguably be called a breakthrough season, compiling an 18-7 record and 3.40 ERA in 30 starts (195.2 innings) for the Angels. In 2002, he posted a 38-save season while with the Blue Jays, but he's been pitching as a starter ever since then. But he's now a pitcher who's played only once in the past two seasons.

Last year, Escobar made $9.5 million in the final year of a three-year, $28.5 million contract.

(via MLB Trade Rumors)

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Comments

I approve of this because the name "Kelvim" is awesome.

by rcpratt on Dec 17, 2009 3:31 PM EST reply actions

So is...

Magglio, and his huge player option. =/

by Arvay7 on Dec 17, 2009 5:04 PM EST up reply actions

Sounds like a better option than Freddy Garcia was

Any chance they are looking at him to close?

I can't believe I ate the whole thing!

by tigerfaninChicago on Dec 17, 2009 3:35 PM EST reply actions

I would not mind this if he's agreeable to a one-year deal

It should be noted that Escobar wants to pitch in relief and not start, in order to reduce the stress on his shoulder.

Tigers Amateur Analysis

by SabreRoseTiger on Dec 17, 2009 3:35 PM EST reply actions

It would be nice if he could take Miner's middle-relief role,

and then Miner could compete for a spot in the rotation. As opposed to giving up 2-run home runs to Orlando Cabrera as a setup man. Although I suspect, as tigerfaninChicago already said, Escobar might be the cheap, veteran closer for which Dombrowski said he was looking.

by StringTheory on Dec 17, 2009 4:32 PM EST reply actions

Right on,

Wow, this would be freaking awesome if we get him cheap and he becomes a reliable closer next year….

by Fien SHOULD CLOSE on Dec 17, 2009 5:05 PM EST up reply actions

Miner to start!

Let’s make it happen.

by 13194013 on Dec 17, 2009 5:46 PM EST up reply actions

To be clear

I want Miner to start but no to signing more relievers.

by 13194013 on Dec 17, 2009 6:38 PM EST up reply actions

Low cost flier

Can we finally get a low-cost flier as oppose to all the high-cost fliers we currently have (Robertson, Willis, Bonderman)?

I root for the Tigers, Pistons, Red Wings and yes, the Lions.
www.twitter.com/zajareich

by ReichardZ on Dec 17, 2009 4:38 PM EST reply actions

thats my line of thinking

If he’s good awesome, and if he sucks give him the Jacque Jones/Jose Mesa treatment

http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com

by rock n rye on Dec 17, 2009 5:07 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

NO.

I can’t say it loud enough. We’ve got enough relief arms and we don’t need another reclamation project around.

2100 Woodward and Twitter

by john.kmiecik on Dec 17, 2009 6:00 PM EST reply actions

Do not want

Pass pass passsss! As John said above, there’s already enough relief guys around here. Unless the scouts are blown away and he’s cheap, no.

The artist formerly known as Granderson28

by KidRick48 on Dec 17, 2009 6:33 PM EST reply actions

He should be cheap as hell,

missing almost two whole years due to arm problems, shouldn’t get much cheaper than that….BUT he went from being a closer, back to a starter, and was promptly hurt the next season. Maybe it was the sudden increase in work load….This is one of the reasons I don’t want Coke to be a starter….But if Escobar is back, and can handle relief, then I don’t see how the Tigers could let a closer in the rough go without at least trying to sign him to an incentive laden contract.

by Fien SHOULD CLOSE on Dec 17, 2009 9:58 PM EST reply actions

That's not quite accurate

Escobar has been starting for the last five years (or five out of six, counting the lost season). The workload surely contributed to his injury, but it’s not like he was hurt right after changing roles.

I didn’t know Escobar had expressed a desire to pitch relief when I wrote this post, however. I’d have much more interest in him as a starter, though see the potential value he’d bring as a closer.

Bless You Boys

by Ian Casselberry on Dec 17, 2009 10:07 PM EST up reply actions