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Galarraga optioned, Seay slow to recover: What it means for Tigers

The inexplicable Armando Galarraga was optioned to Triple-A Toledo today, as the Tigers made just their second round of roster moves during this spring training camp. Also, pitchers Jay Sborz and Jacob Turner were sent out -- Sborz to Toledo, Turner to Single-A West Michigan. (That should make the prospect watchers in the state happy.)

The other news of the day had to do with injuries: Bobby Seay's bursistis will probably cost him a chance to break camp with the Tigers. Manager Jim Leyland told the media:

"We're not prepared at this time to say whether (Miner) will or won't be ready -- but in the opinion of all our people so far, it's not impossible, but it's doubtful Seay will be ready."

And finally, Zach Miner is feeling some elbow pain, though it is not said to be serious. (While this always sounds good, the initial reports the Tigers give the media have been overly rosy so often, I think the best thing to do is to watch and see rather than accept it at face value.)

So what does this mean for the Tigers' possible 25-man roster?

Star-divide

You want the short version? If camp broke today, I think the pitching side of the roster would look like this:

Starters: Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer, Rick Porcello, Nate Robertson, Jeremy Bonderman. Dontrelle Willis to the DL for some reason or another.

Bullpen: Jose Valverde, Ryan Perry, Joel Zumaya, Phil Coke, Robbie Weinhardt, Fu-Te Ni, Zach Miner/Eddie Bonine

And now, the explanations:

I thought all along Galarraga was a long shot to make the Tigers' roster. The main reason for that is, he isn't particularly exciting as a pitcher. Since his luck-driven 2008 season, he's come back to earth. Actually, that might even be a misnomer. He's started digging a hole right into the earth ever since about last May.

And then we have the matter of his having an option available. (Credit the Tigers with sending him down to Toledo at the right time last August so as to avoid burning up his final option while allowing him to get some work in.) With Jeremy Bonderman assumed to be in the starting rotation and lefties Nate Robertson and Dontrelle Willis both owed a load of money while attempting comeback seasons, Galarraga was in a bad place to starter.

Galarraga did nothing to change things on the field this spring, and one imagines he did little off the field either.

Based on a recent quote from Leyland, Galarraga must work on his control to earn his way back to the team. Leyland told the media:

"He threw the ball fine, but his command was inconsistent."

The battle for the rotation, practically speaking, is now Willis, Robertson and Bonderman fighting for two spots. Bonderman just isn't doing enough to assure his spot is safe. Longshots Phil Coke and Eddie Bonine seem to have transitioned into bullpen roles, as Leyland is limiting them to about an inning per appearance. While Willis would appear to be a favorite to make the rotation, along with Nate Robertson, it's hard to figure out what the Tigers do with Jeremy Bonderman if that happens. More likely, I think something will still unravel Willis' rotation bid before April 5.

The second point is what happens if Miner's injury turns out to be something that lingers a bit longer, Bonine is in favorable position to win a spot in the roster as the long reliever.

The third point is more interesting: Who makes the bullpen in April if Seay is not ready?

Do not automatically assume it will be a left-hander. The best argument for Leyland taking three lefties north is that they are his three best options in the bullpen. Neither Fu-Te Ni nor Phil Coke is having a great spring between the lines, but I don't know if that particularly means much right now.

Coke is safer than Ni, but both have options remaining and could lose out to Aussie-import Brad Thomas. Thomas has no options and will be owed a decent portion of his contract -- reported to be $1 million in December. It would fit the Tigers' M.O. to give a veteran player the benefit of the doubt before releasing him a month into the season if he doesn't perform. Of course, Thomas has walked five batters in six innings, which can't make the manager happy.

So to me, the most interesting figure right now is Robbie Weinhardt. You have to figure he's penciled in as the closer for Toledo at this point in time. The TIgers have used him in the ninth inning this spring, too. But at the same time, Seay's injury does open the door for giving him a spot pitching in the sixth or seventh inning. The best thing going for him? He has given up just one walk in five innings. If the Tigers decide to go with the talent, I think Weinhardt makes it. Or else it's Thomas.

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spot on

seems to me that we’ve seen D-Train pitching into and out of some jams, but he’s been pretty solid so far.

i’m just waiting for the other shoe to drop – how does he respond if he gets shelled? that’s what i want to know. as nice as it is to see him tossing a nice game, i want to see him get roughed up and come back from it. that was pretty much the problem, right? i just want to be sure he’s fixed it.

if he has, and he’s actually rounding back into the D-Train we all knew from the earlier ‘00s, i’d love to see him tossing at 5, right before JV – kinda like having a “second” lead-off guy hitting in the 9 hole. could make things a little interesting because it’s not like he’d be an “off game”. imagine a 3 game set where it’s Willis-Verlander-Porcello; that could do some damage.

by GreatGooglyMoogly on Mar 18, 2010 11:21 PM EDT reply actions  

I think this point was made in another thread but...

giving Dontrelle the 4 spot (assuming he even earns a spot) might have positive mental ramifications for him. Just knowing that of the available spots he got the best one might do his confidence some real good.

by madpoopz on Mar 19, 2010 12:45 AM EDT up reply actions  

Tigers have bought Time

By sending Garalaga to AAA, Seay & Miner may be on the DL on opening day, I believe the Tigers have bought more time on thier starting rotation. With two roster spots opened up by these situations, one of the three that doesnt make the rotation could be a long releiver until the DL guys are abailable to come back. This may allow the Tigers to see how thier starting 5 pitch in real games and see how thier arms, control, and velosity hold up after going through the rotation 2-3 times. I dont think there is going to be a “Final Answer” on any of these 3 come April 1. They are going to want to hold them over some to make sure the rotation is in fact set. These 3 make a lot of money. Most likely one of them is traded or relsease before May 31. Traded would be good if we could get a team to take on at least some of the contract. Traded also means they still have value rather then an outright release.

by blueleo on Mar 19, 2010 9:45 AM EDT reply actions  

It must be disappointing...

to be Brad Thomas. He turned down more money in Japan to come to the Tigers because he had history with Knapp. Then the Coke trade (sure, we can call it that) occurred and he was suddenly a 3d/4th lefty option. I think Thomas will probably make the roster with Ni, who I feel is an excellent pitcher and should probably be in the majors, down in Toledo. Seay is close to equally effective against both left and right handed batters, so, when he’s healthy, it could make sense for the Tigers to carry three lefty arms. Especially with all of the southpaws on the Twins roster.

by SweetLouDoubleU on Mar 19, 2010 11:57 AM EDT reply actions  

D-Train for STARTER!!!!!!!

Sucks for Galarraga I wish him luck in Toledo….But since he is out the picture give it to Willis I think he is in good shape he looks solid out there,Now lets not think he is gonna be the Willis from Florida..But a good starter and he is working hard and wants to show he still got it and giving him the spot will give him a boost of Confidence to do even better and plus I think he is a free agent after this season so u know he is doing his best so he can get some DOE after this season

by Semir313 on Mar 19, 2010 9:02 PM EDT reply actions  

my 12-man pitching roster today

Verlander
Porcello
Scherzer
Bonderman
Willis

Valverde
Perry
Zumaya
Thomas
Robertson
Ni
Coke

Miner, Seay and Zumaya on 15-day DL.
However, a couple names here (pitchers) may be traded before April 5th.

by DamusFucious777 on Mar 20, 2010 9:34 AM EDT reply actions  

edit) on my 12-man pitching roster

Zumaya listed above twice as active, so scratch his name as active – replaced by Weinhardt.
Bonine will likely stay stretched-out in Toledo and listed as an emergency (6th starter).

by DamusFucious777 on Mar 20, 2010 9:39 AM EDT reply actions  

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