What are the best options for the No. 4 and 5 rotation spots?

real good discussion

and thanks!

If Bondo is finally healthy (and I’ll believe it when I see it), then he’s got the fourth starter role locked up. That or closer, but most likely he’ll be a SP.

As for the fifth starter- I say we give a few pitchers a crack at it, in this order
Robertson
Galaraga
Miner
Figaro
Coke
Bonine
Willis

Otherwise, we’re going to Lakeland with no idea.

That pretty much sums up everything with the fourth and fifth spots, I’d say. We know nothing.

and it was this year. He came back from having a mass removed from his elbow and threw almost 30 innings with a 3.77 ERA. Small sample size, yes (sorry, Kurt). But maybe the elbow was the cause of his embarrassing 2008 and beginning of 2009.

If Robertson can throw 180+ innings with around a 4.50 ERA, then his salary would be worth it.

Mauer, Morneau and are just the tip of the lefthanded iceberg. It seems insane to allow the plethora of lefties in the AL Central to have somewhere on the order of 10-15 extra AB’s against a “legitimate” #5 right-handed starter every game. Just for reference, the Tigers’ #1 and #2 starters in 2009 (Verlander and Jackson) faced the 2nd and 6th-most left-handed batters in the league, respectively. With the 4-man core rotation of Verlander, Jackson, Porcello and Gallarraga (I didn’t know who to tap as our “fifth starter”), the Tigers faced 24% more left-handers than right-handers in 2009. If you include Robertson as the 5th starter (to be conservative), the rotation still faced 18% more lefties. Conversely, taking the Atlanta Braves as having a similarly-constructed pitching staff with 5 RHP starters, the starting rotation (Vazquez, Jurrjens, Lowe, Hanson, Kawakimi) faced 14% FEWER lefties than righties. Over a full season using equivalent number of batters faced, this could spell doom.

Who’s getting him out?

We don’t need another one on the pile. I have no faith that Sheets will throw a full season. That’s like expecting Pavano to throw almost 200 innings. (note sarcasm)

starter is more valuable than a reliever, and the Tigers need a serviceable left handed starter, so it would fill a need.

although my opinion while ultimately be determined by the career of Austin Jackson. If Jackson gives similiar results (esspecially on the defensive side) compared to what we would expect from Grandy and Coke is productive either as a starter or reliever the trade will be a win. I suppose though if Coke is a quality starter I could lower my expectations some on Jackson and still be okay with the trade.

but I really don’t think DD made the trade expecting Coke to contend for the spot anyways other wise he would’ve said so. Would’ve lessened the sting of trading Granderson a bit right there and than.

I feel Bondo will win the 4 spot, but I hope Armando gets it.

I just really like Mando.

I think that Leyland and Dumbrowski have shown us in the past (with Sheffield and Willis in particular) that they aren’t going to let someone’s salary determine whether they get playing time or not.

I honestly think that the guy that’s thowing the best in Spring Training will get the shot unless:
1. Said “guy” is a player with minor league options and there is another guy throwing well or
2. Said “guy” is Coke and bullpen looks thin without him

My guess is that it’s do-able, but something that could have ramifications as you’re then spreading those, what, 150 IP over the 4 arms? That’s basically 38 extra innings for each guy in the rotation.