This Week's Poll: Nate the Fifth Starter?

by Ian Casselberry on Mar 23, 2009 8:00 PM EDT in Detroit Tigers News

For the past couple of weeks, it appeared as if 20-year-old Rick Porcello had won a job in the Detroit Tigers' starting rotation, beating out his veteran competition.

However, after two quality performances (seven shutout innings) from Nate Robertson, the Tigers may now have a good enough option to justify keeping Porcello in the minors to build up his stamina and pitching repertoire.

So let's talk about our feelings on this. Given how much excitement has been generated lately about the young phenom making the team, would you be disappointed if Robertson was in the starting rotation instead? Or would you be relieved that Porcello isn't called up under less desperate circumstances?

That brings us to this week's poll question:

If Nate Robertson is the fifth starter, how does that make you feel?

Your comments on the subject are also welcome. (After all, we're talking about our feelings.) You can find the poll on the right sidebar below the FanPosts block. Or you can vote here. And if you have suggestions for future poll questions, shoot me an e-mail.

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We almost had our first close poll, since devoting a full blog post to the weekly question. Alas, the winner pulled away in the end. If only the D-Train could do that well in the fifth starter competition.

Which big contract will the Tigers cut loose by Opening Day?

46% Dontrelle Willis, $22 mil

17% Nate Robertson, $17 mil

4% Gary Sheffield, $14 mil

31% None of the above

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nate....

….is done…..Verlander is a superstar and he struggled last year….Didnt cut him….Willis is a superstar in baseball terms…Will sell tickets…..SEE YA NATE!!!…..GO WILLIS!!!!

by BennieBladesFan on Mar 23, 2009 9:10 PM EDT reply actions

Willis

Willis will lose that “superstar” status very quickly if he keeps up his 12+ ERA and ~8+ BB/9. He needs to go to the minors.

download my minimalist tigers wallpaper here

by explosivo2k2 on Mar 23, 2009 9:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Absolutely. It’s not like Willis is Kenny Rogers and had a phenomenal career, then started inching toward poor numbers during the twilight of his career. Willis hasn’t put in the time in the last four years to keep that superstar status through what he’s become.

Remember, to the rest of the league, Willis was essentially invisible last year.

by john.kmiecik on Mar 23, 2009 9:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Willis....

……Is great for baseball and if anyone doesnt want him to suced then they are nuts……He really loves the game…..Ive been a huge fan of his ever since his minor league days with the Cubbies….I really think that since he has gone back to his old delivery now that we will see him pitch great in his next two apperances…..The old D Train will be rollin back into town…..GO TIGS!!!

by BennieBladesFan on Mar 23, 2009 9:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Willis sucks

I remember when he burst on to the scene and was being interviewed, when asked about training and his diet he said he eats a lot of candy bars and doesnt work out. Turns out that doesnt work when you get into your mid 20s.

I was also at a game opening weekend last year vs the White Sox. Willis had a no hitter into the 6th. The ugliest not quite no hit performance ever. He had 0 strikeouts and 7 walks plus I think he was over 100 pitchers. They left him out there because hey, it was a no hitter right? Well he got shelled after that and pulled up lame in the salvo. I think he left with 4 earned. It was the same game Quentin caught a fly at the warning track in left field and doubled Carlos Guillen off of first base. First base! What a throw.

Porcello should be in your guys rotation. They stole him in that draft simply by being willing to pay for talent. I like that about your club. Anyway, go Sox.

team USA roster liabilities: 3. John Grabow, 2. LaTroy Hawkins, 1. Derek Jeter

by e-gus on Mar 25, 2009 9:09 AM EDT up reply actions

Nate

If Nate is performing even relatively decent, I have no problem with him starting the season as the fifth starter. We’ve already seen that 5th starters in general aren’t that good anyway. So if he ends up being too terrible, then we always have the option of calling Porcello up from the minors.

download my minimalist tigers wallpaper here

by explosivo2k2 on Mar 23, 2009 9:25 PM EDT reply actions

Excited?

I’m just curious as to the explanation of excitement.

by john.kmiecik on Mar 23, 2009 9:49 PM EDT reply actions

Pumping your fist while wearing your #29 jersey? Fogging up the goggles that you wear every time he pitches? Shoveling Big League Chew in your mouth?

Bless You Boys

by Ian Casselberry on Mar 24, 2009 6:53 AM EDT up reply actions

Nate And Cleveln.....

….Will be traded as a package somewhere.

by BennieBladesFan on Mar 23, 2009 9:54 PM EDT reply actions

D-Train

It’s not like no one wants him to be successful. We’d all, or at most of us, would love for Dontrelle to just be able to mow ‘em down. He’d get a packed house if he could just get it together. I’m not counting him out just yet but he’s gotta show us alot more.

by densogirl on Mar 23, 2009 10:46 PM EDT reply actions