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Do the Tigers Need to Upgrade Over Fernando Rodney?

Continuing his assertion that the Tigers need a better closer than Fernando Rodney, FOXSports.com's Dayn Perry has a suggestion for a possible trade.  He'd like to see Detroit make a deal with Colorado for Huston Street

Street, who's still just 25, has yet to surrender a run in May, and that's despite his being a fly-ball pitcher in Coors Field. Getting out of the thin Denver air will allow Street to rely on his slider more often (and his changeup less often), and that should yield even better results.

I'm not as certain that closer is such a big need for the Tigers, but I was definitely impressed with how Street pitched last weekend at Comerica Park.  (Two saves, no hits, three strikeouts in two one-inning appearances.)  I also wouldn't disagree that a bullpen can never have enough good relievers.  But would Street really give Detroit more than what Rodney is already providing?

Rodney has eight saves in eight opportunities, with 16 strikeouts (versus five walks) in 19 innings, and a 3.32 ERA.  Street has seven saves in eight chances, with 22 strikeouts (versus five walks) in 19.1 innings, and a 3.26 ERA.

While Rodney has had some bad games,  they've all come in non-save situations.  He struggled earlier in the season when there wasn't a save on the line, that hasn't been a problem in his last five non-save appearances.  And how about the fact that he's pitched in so many non-save situations?  Rodney has basically been victimized by the Tigers' success, and their ability to establish some big leads in many of their wins. 

Street, meanwhile, lost his job to Manny Corpas earlier this season.  Though in fairness, that may have been an overreaction by Rockies manager Clint Hurdle after three bad outings from Street.  It wasn't very long before Corpas gave the job right back, and Street's been pitching well ever since.

I can see why fans, bloggers, and columnists might not have total confidence in Rodney, based on how he pitched the last couple of seasons.  And I still wince whenever it's suggested that Rodney's going to pitch well this year because he's up for free agency.  But if you had to pick one area in which the Tigers needed to improve, one position that they needed to bolster, would closer be your choice?  Is that where they should really devote their resources?  (And if not, which way would you go?)

0 recs  |  Comment 8 comments |

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Agreed

While I usually like Dayn Perry, “closer” is not even close to a problem for us right now. As it is, its an overrated and overpaid position. I like it much better with JL managing matchups among Seay, Zoom, Rodney, Perry & Lyon, rather than managing to the save stat.

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by rings on May 28, 2009 3:08 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

NO WAY!!!!

Why trade for someone that is worse then the one you have?……I dont get it RODNEY is fine……hes goten the job done….Isnt he perfect in saves?……I bleieve he is…..DONT TRADE FOR CLOSER!!!

by BennieBladesFan on May 28, 2009 4:18 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Naw

Stick with Rodney. Although acquiring another decent middle reliever would be something I’m not opposed to.

by Tagne13 on May 28, 2009 4:27 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Hmmm...trades....

If a trade is made, I would like to see an improvement in middle relief to help with the platoon. While the current staff is getting the job done, and improvements were made during the off season, how long will it last ? When some pitchers are called in to relief (insert name here), I hope that there is a big Tiger’s lead. Yes, this is the game of baseball, with many unknowns and a lot of games left, but we need a reliever that is going to rock come September.

Also, with Treanor out for the rest of the season, would it be wise to look for a catcher?

by Dan Gurney on May 28, 2009 4:30 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

They arent going to trade for a backup catcher...

….sardinha is fine….they may sign one…. but Sardinia is fine.

by BennieBladesFan on May 28, 2009 5:24 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

half agree

they shouldn’t trade for a backup catcher.

But Sardinha and fine hardly go together. And I’m not talking about his sub-pitcher batting average. But I guess he gets credit for “calling a good game.”

by Kurt Mensching on May 28, 2009 6:00 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

A Bat...

Seems like they’ll need a bat; If the backup catcher can’t hit .150 it seems like an easy upgrade.
I’d be fine with Street, but Colorado won’t dump him and Detroit possibly can’t afford him into a crowded bullpen. Be hard to imagine they settled on Lyon at $4.5 million, only to bring in Street at another (pro-rated) $4.5 million for the closer gig; seems like there were better choices in January if they were willing to spend the money on a closer.

by jb_sf on May 28, 2009 7:45 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Offense

Tigers have the best ERA in the league so their pitching is solid. Over 162 games, everyone is going to have off nights. Still, it never hurts to have too many options down the stretch. Sit tight on Rodney for now.

Their offense is middle of the AL road. Another big bat would help plus they have to get Ordonez and Polanco hitting.

by TheyreGrrrreat on May 28, 2009 9:30 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

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