5 down, 2 to go

by BigAl on Mar 30, 2010 12:53 PM EDT in Detroit Tigers News

The 2010 Detroit Tigers opening day roster is nearly set.

The Tigers made several personnel moves this morning (Hat tip goes to Alli to breaking the news), and one ongoing mystery was solved along with them.

Rookie Alex Avila is the backup catcher. Rather than Avila becoming Toledo's full-time catcher, the Tigers decided they would be better off keeping Avila's LH bat with the big club.

Per MLB.com's Jason Beck:

Alex Avila will open the season in the big leagues, the Tigers decided on Tuesday morning.

The move became official once the team assigned veteran backup catcher Robinzon Diaz to Minor League camp. Avila received the call from his father, Detroit assistant general manager Al Avila, on Monday night.

Beck also lists the others sent to Tiger Town:

The Tigers also optioned shortstop Brent Dlugach to Triple-A Toledo, and infielder/outfielder Jeff Larish and relievers Josh Rainwater and Robbie Weinhardt were assigned to Minor League camp.

After today's cuts, the roster stands at 27 players.

None of the players sent down were surprising demotions.

Larish was odd man out after Leyland's 'If Larish could play center field, his chances would be better" comment over the weekend.

Rainwater (6 IP, 2 SV, 0.00 ERA) and Weinhardt (9 IP, 2 SV, 1.00 ERA) had excellent camps, but need more minor league seasoning.

Diaz was little more than insurance if Avila wasn't ready for the big club.

Dulglach had a very good spring training with the bat, but was the victim of a numbers game. Ramon Santiago is the established middle infield backup, and as we already know, Leyland wants his last bench player to have the ability to play outfield.

All this means we're watching 2 remaining position battles.

There's the decision as to who will be the 25th man, which is down to utility man Don Kelly and outfielder Clete Thomas. Word is the decision will be announced later today. Common wisdom says Kelly has the edge, because of his versatility and the fact he's out of minor league options.

There's also the ongoing competition between Nate Robertson, Jeremy Bonderman and Dontrelle Willis for the final 2 starting rotation openings.

All 3 are scheduled to pitch this week (Bonderman and Willis Tuesday, Robertson Thursday), but the winners of the last 2 roster sports are expected to be announced before then.

As to what happens to the player not named to the rotation?

Though nothing seems to have come from the Robertson trade rumors, Dave Dombrowski did admit he has been receiving calls from teams looking to deal for pitching.

As Beck aptly puts it:

What happens with the guy who doesn't make the rotation, whoever that is, is another matter.

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There are a limited number of scenarios

with 25th man competition, Kelly has a huge edge over Cletus.
- Clete would be the sixth outfielder, counting Guillen, among 13 position players, with just one backup infielder, Santiago, on the team. No, I don’t count Raburn as an infielder.
- With Ordonez, Guillen, Damon, Jackson, and Raburn already on the roster, Thomas would struggle to get playing time, and it’s not like he doesn’t need it after batting just .190 in September and .216 in August, 2009.
- There still has to be some concern about Inge’s knees and Sizemore’s ankle, if not their hitting. Kelly is a capable backup who posted an OBP above .400 in Toledo last year, and he plays every position on the diamond but catcher.
- If Clete made the team, Kelly would have to be DFA’ed since he’s out of options. The action would be irreversible, in other words, unless Kelly cleared waivers and accepted an outright minor league assignment, which he doesn’t have to do.

On the pitching side, I have a feeling that only a potential trade is holding things up.
Eddie Bonine is standing by to take Miner’s long relief role. But at the moment, the loser for the fifth rotation spot probably has dibs on that spot. Miner will be on the DL, then do a rehab assignment, then maybe even be optioned, rather than DD just admitting the mistake that he made with Willis. As much as I’d love to see the D Train back on track, I wouldn’t be the farm that he can last a full year in the rotation. Acutally, I’m not sure I could last a full season of Willis in the rotation.

by Tigerdog1 on Mar 30, 2010 1:04 PM EDT reply actions

Robertson

Did anyone just hear that Nate got traded to Florida for some minor leaguer and cash? Not sure if it is true or not
Can’t find anything on it yet

Should have traded Bonderman instead

by J and S' Team on Mar 30, 2010 1:44 PM EDT reply actions

Look up one post, it's there, with links to Voss and everything

Voss has two more seasons before he’ll be Rule 5 eligible, so the Tigers free up a roster spot.

If Nate could have helped the team in any capacity this season, they just threw it away for nothing that will help the team this season.

They’ve cast their lot with Willis in the rotation, for better or worse. Congratulations to Dontrelle for claiming the fifth spot in the rotation. Good luck to Nate, the last remaining Tiger who actually lived in Michigan year round, former player rep, and bubble gum chewer. Gum time is officially over.

by Tigerdog1 on Mar 30, 2010 2:01 PM EDT reply actions

Robertson a Marlin

Freep Link

Robertson and cash traded to Marlins for minor league LHP, Jay Voss.

D-train and Bondo get the last 2 rotation spots, Bonine gets the last bullpen spot.

by Robocop on Mar 30, 2010 2:09 PM EDT reply actions

Would feel a lot better about this trade...

(1) Had the most productive of the three starters vying for the last two spots not been the one to trade
(2) Had the Tigers not picked up 96% of his remaining salary
(3) Had Dontrell not given up five runs with four walks today

Matt Millen's MMA Promoter

by trross1200 on Mar 30, 2010 3:57 PM EDT reply actions