Morning Prowl: Magglio's Absence, Armando's Struggles, Wrong About Edwin, and Pudge Hits #300

by Ian Casselberry on May 18, 2009 8:15 AM EDT in News Comment 11 comments

When the Tigers announced that Magglio Ordonez was leaving the team for "personal reasons," people couldn't help but wonder what was going on. (Jim Leyland had already alluded to "things on his mind.") The team elaborated after yesterday's game, announcing that Ordonez was going on bereavement leave to be with his wife while she has surgery.

The move allows the Tigers to call up another player on the 40-man roster to replace Ordonez. He's expected to miss four days, but would be allowed to miss up to seven.

Kurt tries to figure out what's going on with Armando Galarraga. Is he throwing fewer strikes? Are his mechanics out of whack? Does he need to change his approach? Or could he be hurt?

Jeremy Bonderman's next rehab start will be for Triple-A Toledo on Thursday. If you happen to be in or near Gwinnett, GA, that's where Bondo will be pitching with the Mud Hens.

Billfer admits he was wrong about Edwin Jackson. At this point, I think it's understood that many of us overreacted to that deal (and likely overrated Matt Joyce, who's currently in Triple-A), but I admire Bill's willingness to take his medicine. That trade currently looks like a brilliant deal by Dave Dombrowski.

Where did Adam Kennedy's home run ball from yesterday end up? In the hands of Old English D! (Or more specifically, her son.) How cool is that? (I am so envious.)

FOX Sports' Dayn Perry picks one thing that each AL Central team should wish for. Do you agree with his pick for the Tigers' biggest need right now?

(Hat tip to Billfer)

In his look around the Tigers' minor league system, the Detroit News' Lynn Henning features 17-year-old outfielder Avisail Garcia, who's currently playing with Single-A West Michigan.

Did you notice that Pudge Rodriguez hit his 300th career home run yesterday? And since he hit it at Wrigley Field, Pudge had no trouble getting the ball back.

If you missed it over the weekend, Carlos Guillen's shoulder is feeling stronger, and he's begun to hit off a tee.

MLB and FOX announced that postseason games will start earlier, beginning this year. Ken Rosenthal reports that first pitch for weeknight games will be at 7:57 p.m. EST. Weekend games could begin even earlier. No word yet from TBS as to whether they'll do the same.

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I LOVE THE JACKSON DEAL.....

……as soon as it was announced…..Ti get a 25 year old that won 14 games last year and has only been pitching for like 4 years……Damn!!!!……We stil had Clete Thomas and wilkin Ramieriez at that point…….Joyce was expendable especially for a guy that had just won 14 GAMES!!!!!…..Loved it from the Satrt…..AND STIL LOVING IT!!!

by BennieBladesFan on May 18, 2009 10:30 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Diasgree With What He Said As Tigers Need....

….Rodney is fine…..His era is under 2.00 in save situations and has gas and best changeup in bsaeball…….GO RODNEY!!!!

by BennieBladesFan on May 18, 2009 10:31 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Disagree also

Rodney has been excellent in save situations.

And where is the mention of Todd Jones? His 235 saves as a Tiger over 7.5 seasons (average 31 saves/year) doesn’t count as a quality reliever?

by kreynoldsmsu on May 18, 2009 10:47 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Closer

I agree that it is something the Tigs haven’t had for a long time. I don’t know how anyone can say they feel completely relaxed when gas can Rodney comes in. Just imagine if that was Nathan or Soria, you could just sit back and watch the wins pile up. That said, my wish for this team is to find a reliable #3 starter. JV and Jackson as a 1-2 punch looks great so far, now figure out who can be that #3 starter to push this team over the top.

ABC baby, always be closing.

by ALWAYSBCLOSING on May 18, 2009 11:33 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm not sure I see the need

Lockdown closers cost a fortune. The Tigers have the fewest save opportunities in the AL. (Some of those are blown holds before the ninth.) The Tigers have the fewest saves in the AL. (Rodney is perfect 6 for 6.) Now I don’t feel completely relaxed when Rodney’s on the mound, but I feel more or less OK about his save situations this season. I don’t think the Tigers would have any substantial amount of wins more than they do right now, to be honest.

That said, I agree with you. I’d like to see the TIgers add one more quality dependable starter.Right now you’ve got Verlander like an ace, Jackson pitching like a #1 and heck, i’d throw Porcello in there as a reliable 3, growing pains and all. But he’s going to have his innings limited at some point, so you can’t rely on him the whole season. Then what have you got at 4 and 5? Fear and Loathing. Detroit could definitely use another quality starter.

Mack Avenue Tigers

by Kurt Mensching on May 18, 2009 12:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd really like...

the Tigers to go after Ben Sheets, when he’s recovered. I know he signed with the Rangers before his shoulder was diagnosed as “oww,” but unless he prefers to play there, I’d see what his price is.

Bless You Boys

by Ian Casselberry on May 18, 2009 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I would wish for

the other teams in the AL Central to all loser 90 games.

What? too literal?

Mack Avenue Tigers

by Kurt Mensching on May 18, 2009 11:54 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

more offense?

I’d wish for a reliable bat to protect Cabrera. I have a hunch Guillen and Ordonez are in permanent decline, and while we might see flashes, they’re not ever coming back to where we need them to be. If I didn’t love those two so much, I’d speculate about the causes of their decline.

The bottom of the order is terrific right now, but that will fade. Maybe Inge will at least keep his power and rbi numbers up – that seems legitimately possible – but production will decline at the bottom of the order. I think our best hope is for Larish to continue to develop.

On the other hand, it’s hard to imagine any prolonged scoring droughts for this team the way they’re going now. And pitching wins championships, etc., etc. I just don’t see any gaping holes in our pitching; we’ve got a lot of quality arms. So…I vote for a secondary source of reliable power in the lineup.

by cloud wall on May 18, 2009 12:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Tigers need relievers...

But not a closer… If we can get another guy that pitched like Seay did (at the beginning of the season and end of last season), then I think we’ll be set.

by ZWC11 on May 18, 2009 4:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Avisail Garcia - The Real Deal or Hype?

Henning usually writes like a Tiger cheerleader. What are scouts saying about the kid? I can’t find very much when I google the name.

by 63 Tiger on May 18, 2009 6:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

tigers aren't stupid ... I think

so they must see something if they’ve got a 17 year old playing (briefly) in Advanced-A right? He must have really come out no where to get such little ink.

But you’re right, it’s hard to judge a prospect by Lynn Henning, who hasn’t met a prospect he doesn’t love to hype.

And my personal believe is it’s hard to project out a 17 year old. Maybe you can say he has major league potential but past that? Cameron Maybin was as can’t miss at one point and he looks like he’ll never be the player he was imagined being.

But it’s interesting. Nice to see something going on down there and a sign maybe the Tigers have opened up a new stream of prospects.

Mack Avenue Tigers

by Kurt Mensching on May 18, 2009 6:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs