Updated: Dontrelle Willis to be DFA'd to make room for Max Scherzer
by Kurt Mensching on May 29, 2010 10:40 PM EDT
in Detroit Tigers News
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Willis will be designated for assignment tomorrow to make room for Scherzer to be recalled. #mlb
Dontrelle Willis had an ERA of 4.98 with the Tigers through nine games (eight starts) but continued to struggle with the strike zone. He walked 6.85 per nine innings this year, and his month of May was just abysmal.
Max Scherzer allowed four hits and one run in 15 innings with Triple-A Toledo. He struck out 17 and walked two. Before being demoted to work on things, he struggled with the Tigers and had a 7.29 ERA through eight starts.
Update -- GM Dave Dombrowski talks:
- Dombrowski said he did not believe Willis would accept a minor-league option and that the Tigers have 10 days to try to trade him.
- The move was made because the Tigers felt like Armando Galarraga was pitching pretty well in Toledo and one of his appearances in Detroit and would be the better option going forward. Willis had not been pitching quite as well lately.
- Willis didn't say very much upon hearing the news.
- The Tigers' staff met to make a decision today.
- Dombrowski said "We just weren't seeing the same progress were during the spring. At times you see it, but just not on a consistent basis. You don't want to do it, but it's a situation where we just felt to give us the best opportunity to win we're going to go in a different direction at this time."
- "He has had trouble throwing strikes on a consistent basis. His ball-to-strike ratio just has not been very good. At times I think it's been a little bit better, but I think consistently when he's thrown the ball over the plate. But at times when he's thrown the ball over the plate he's backed off even yesterday at times. His fastballs weren't there. I think really it comes down to his ability to throw the ball over the plate on a consistent basis."
And from Leyland:
- "I applaud his efforts since we had him. It's been kind of a long road back. We felt the consistency wasn't there. We didn't speculate at this time that it was going to be there. I think the uncertainty of not knowing who we were going to get was a key factor. But I certainly applaud all the effort that he made."
- "It's sad, really."
- "I know how hard he worked. I know some of the stuff he went through to try to get back. But it just didn't work out, so it's sad."
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Vaya con dios, Dontrelle
Has he thrown his last major league pitch?
Someone will take a flyer on him
by ChrisDTX on May 29, 2010 10:11 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Can someone explain
the contractual ramifications/options of a DFA
Rooting for Tiger stripes, not pinstripes
by JerseyTigerFan on May 29, 2010 10:12 PM EDT reply actions
he can accept an assignment to the minors
the tigers can try to trade him.
10 days later he’s released and owed the rest of his contract.
by Kurt Mensching on May 29, 2010 10:14 PM EDT up reply actions
thanks
Rooting for Tiger stripes, not pinstripes
by JerseyTigerFan on May 29, 2010 10:19 PM EDT up reply actions
I wouldn't be surprised if Dontrelle accepted the assignment.
Nor would I be surprised if he didn’t.
Dontrelle Willis apologist.
Judging from DD's comments, they don't plan on assigning him to the minors, though
Sounds like either trade or release.
Doña of the VZ Mafia
by SabreRoseTiger on May 29, 2010 10:29 PM EDT up reply actions
If he's eventually released
what would have to happen for another team to pick him up and how would that affect what the Tigers owe him, if at all?
Is a trade realistic? It would have to be something akin to the Robertson situation, I would imagine.
Rooting for Tiger stripes, not pinstripes
by JerseyTigerFan on May 29, 2010 10:49 PM EDT up reply actions
if he's released
the other team pays league minimum for the rest of the season while the Tigers pay the rest of his contract.
A trade where the Tigers pretty much pick up the rest of his contract and receive organizational filler could happen. I wouldn’t think there’d be much better than that.
by Kurt Mensching on May 29, 2010 10:52 PM EDT up reply actions
thanks, again
slowly i am learning the ins and outs of MLB labor rules
Rooting for Tiger stripes, not pinstripes
by JerseyTigerFan on May 29, 2010 10:54 PM EDT up reply actions
I really must do that post outlining some of these things
I keep meaning to.
Sometimes I make a little mistake here or there on them too. It’s complicated stuff.
by Kurt Mensching on May 29, 2010 10:55 PM EDT up reply actions
I keep meaning to do interesting stuff from the CBA on off-days
like for instance the first-class travel info.
by Kurt Mensching on May 29, 2010 11:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Im sadened but...
…not shocked…I think we should turn him into a catcher…His swing looks better then G Money.
by BennieBladesFan on May 29, 2010 10:17 PM EDT reply actions
A good person and beloved teammate who is owed a ton of money gets the ax.
I wonder how Inge is sleeping tonight. Maybe he’s at the batting cage (he should be).
Riding shotgun on the Boesch Bandwagon!
by 30% Stud - 70% Muffin on May 29, 2010 10:35 PM EDT reply actions
tounge was in cheek
Inge is too cute to go anywhere.
There I go again.
Riding shotgun on the Boesch Bandwagon!
by 30% Stud - 70% Muffin on May 29, 2010 10:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Inge has value
Willis does not.
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
Assist. Editor, Minor League Division, Bless You Boys
by David Tokarz on May 29, 2010 11:02 PM EDT up reply actions
They need to commit Jeff Larish to third full time
to groom him as Inge’s replacement or, gasp, consider moving Miggy back over there
Larish...
….How is he doing in AAA…Its not a bad idea.
by BennieBladesFan on May 29, 2010 11:12 PM EDT up reply actions
once again
this post has nothing to do with inge. stay on topic please
Director of the 2010 Free Casper Wells campaign
No Run Support
Sorry...
….just wondered how Larish was doing in Toledo
by BennieBladesFan on May 29, 2010 11:25 PM EDT up reply actions
baseball-reference.com
Give it a shot, they do minor leaguers too.
by john.kmiecik on May 30, 2010 12:18 AM EDT up reply actions
Larish DL, but lakeland has Rawley Bishop at 3rd hitting .345
time for a promotion
by Gates Brown on May 30, 2010 12:01 AM EDT up reply actions
Bish!
Rooting for Tiger stripes, not pinstripes
by JerseyTigerFan on May 30, 2010 12:28 AM EDT up reply actions
He doesn't have the tools to play in the Majors
At least not that I’ve heard. Maybe he should prove himself in Erie first.
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
Assist. Editor, Minor League Division, Bless You Boys
by David Tokarz on May 30, 2010 1:17 AM EDT up reply actions
Ive watched Rawley play all season long down here in Lakeland
That’s a pretty bold statement. You have never even seen him play before.
Jeeze give the kid a break. He chose to play four years of college ball and is handling his current assignment quite well. Perhaps you might try being positive about some of these kids.
Then again you were also down on Boesch. Hows that Boesch prediction workin’ out for you.
; )
When you're dealing with a 24 or 25 year old in A+
Of course he’s going to beat the hell out of the ball. If he survives the transition to Erie, then I’ll start listening.
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
Assist. Editor, Minor League Division, Bless You Boys
by David Tokarz on May 30, 2010 10:51 PM EDT up reply actions
plus he has turned into
An extremely capable first baseman. Don’t jerk him around by shifting him somewhere else – let him get better defensively at first and smash balls into the stands. Find someone else for third if Inge needs replacing, but don’t move a guy just to create another hole somewhere else.
"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero
Science nerd and proud of it!
Although I blame DD for the contract,
He pretty much stole 30 million from the Detroit Tigers. While he was in Detroit he gained weight, lost control, lost composure, and lost over 2 mph on his fastball. On top of that he made up some mental disorder to hide it all.
On top of that he made up some mental disorder to hide it all.
That part isn’t true. The team said Willis had mental issues, Willis’ quotes all seemed to say he didn’t agree.
by Kurt Mensching on May 29, 2010 10:40 PM EDT up reply actions
Now that I think of it
he never said it himself. If he didn’t agree, he was either to ignorant to accept treatment, or the team was trying to hide their mistake.
His mental problems were obvious
He’d have mental meltdowns while he was pitching. He’d be nodding his head about 50 times before and after every pitch when he lost it.
Willis couldn’t understand his anxiety disorder. It had nothing to do with being depressed.
with any mental issue
Be it OCD, ADHD, PTSD, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder – there is still a stigma regarding mental illness that physical illnesses do not have. Denial is extremely common, even with something as common as a soldier with PTSD or a new mother suffering from post-partum depression.
Not ignorance, just not wanting it to be true.
"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero
Science nerd and proud of it!
there is truth in what you say.
Also there is a “system” that keeps stigma alive. People are constantly told what they cannot do if they have mental illness. I am here to tell you that the only one stopping anyone from feeling better is them. Compliance in the key. Taking meds regularly and as prescribe, keeping drs appointments and talk therapy rebuild lives. I see both sides of the coin everyday
Welcome to Detroit, NO sissies allowed
by Detroitchik on May 31, 2010 12:15 AM EDT up reply actions
The D Train no longer.
No more D Train.
by Robertdogsworld on May 29, 2010 10:41 PM EDT reply actions
inge or evertt?
My Qestion is this since Danny worth is back in the minors how about training him to cover 3rd or short to apply pressure on Inge, everett and if not then use Danny to replace him. Just a suggestion – after all some one hitting is better than what we are getting out of these two! although Inge is the better stick.
Grant
With Everett's woeful bat, low salary, and dimished defense
They might as well boot him and call up someone else. Iorg doesn’t look like he can hit in the majors, but neither can Everett. However, that’s of a youth movement move, whereas I think the Tigers really want to try to compete this year.
I dunno
Worth for Everett would be a loss on defense, and would mean handing the job over to Santiago on almost a full time basis. On the other hand, Worth would be a better offensive player (not that he’d break a .700 OPS) and I dunno if we’d lose too terribly much on defense.
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
Assist. Editor, Minor League Division, Bless You Boys
by David Tokarz on May 29, 2010 11:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Was gonna say call up Iorg
but then I looked at his numbers. He really would be a worse hitter than Everett
Iorg is a guy you promote quickly
Given his age, see if he’s got it in him, but he’s really been bad in AA (OBP under .300, almost 60 K’s already). I’ve been saying for a few years they should try to get Chin-lung Hu from the Dodgers
To third guess
I would say that this event does not necessarily mean that they should’ve kept Robertson instead. I am inclined to think they should’ve, but we can’t say that a guy with a 1.46 WHIP in the National league, would’ve done any better for the Tigers
This was tough for me personally.
My wife was just starting to become a real Tigers/baseball fan, and the player she most rooted for will no longer be a Tiger. It’s the first time she’s really had to deal with loosing a favorite player. I’ve been there and it’s one of the hardest things about sport.
When a favorite player leaves, it's always hard
I’m still bitter over the trade of Champ Summers!
I'm owner/editor of The Wayne Fontes Experience a deputy editor at Bless You Boys and co-host The Knee Jerks podcast.
I totally understand
My favorite player of all time just went to work for the Tampa Bay Lighting. My favorite broadcaster player of all time passed away earlier this month. The month of May, 2010 has not been kind.
by RealityIsOptionable on May 30, 2010 12:37 AM EDT up reply actions
D Train was my boy...
…Someone will take a flyer on hm for 400k for sure…Hope he latches on and does well.
by BennieBladesFan on May 29, 2010 11:09 PM EDT reply actions
I think someone will take a flyer on him...
…for 400k and put him in the bullpen as a lefty reliever…he does well against lefties.
by BennieBladesFan on May 29, 2010 11:11 PM EDT reply actions
someone will sign him
to a minor league contract. He’s shown really erratic control at the big league level. That’s not what you want in a bullpen arm.
he does well against lefties though...
….Ge reallky hasnt had control problems with lefties.
by BennieBladesFan on May 29, 2010 11:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Someone will take a chance because the Tigers are paying him and they only have to commit to a league minimum.
Dontrelle Willis apologist.
It was going to happen at some point.
I just hope he catches on with an NL squad as a reliever.
Dontrelle Willis apologist.
Been A fan since his days in the Cubs Minor League System...
…Good Luck D Train…Will be rooting for ya wherever ya end up
by BennieBladesFan on May 29, 2010 11:15 PM EDT reply actions
as will I
He’s a good guy and I wish it worked out – unfortunately it didn’t. I just hope he can be happy with his life after baseball – I think he’d do great working with kids, he’s got such a wonderful personality.
"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero
Science nerd and proud of it!
it's a good gig
if you can get it
Rooting for Tiger stripes, not pinstripes
by JerseyTigerFan on May 29, 2010 11:22 PM EDT up reply actions
+1....
….Lots of players have had big contracts and not performed well…Just didnt work out…Good Luck Dtrain!!!
by BennieBladesFan on May 29, 2010 11:24 PM EDT up reply actions
How long a leash does this give Gallaraga?
They have Bonine they could turn to, or Miner, or go to someone from AAA (journeyman Enrique Gonzalez?, Figaro?, Dumatrait?)
Figaro is probably option #2
Not a lot else down there. Oliver maybe. But he’s not pitching so well.
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
Assist. Editor, Minor League Division, Bless You Boys
by David Tokarz on May 30, 2010 1:18 AM EDT up reply actions
I love the talk.
Let Dontrelle be a lesson to Inge.
Inge was only an all-star last year. He has gold glove capabilities and is arguably one of the best defensive third basemen in MLB currently, but if we look down on the farm we could do so much better.
Why is the grass always greener in Toledo?
by RealityIsOptionable on May 29, 2010 11:33 PM EDT reply actions
because minor leaguers are playing minor leaguers.
My Music: Some Sorta Giant
My Blog: Strike Three Mechanics
by madpoopz on May 29, 2010 11:35 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
THIS!
Rooting for Tiger stripes, not pinstripes
by JerseyTigerFan on May 30, 2010 12:29 AM EDT up reply actions
Rec'd so hard
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
Assist. Editor, Minor League Division, Bless You Boys
by David Tokarz on May 30, 2010 1:19 AM EDT up reply actions
Is there a color more emphatic than green?
If someone is an excellent minor-leaguer or a fair major-leaguer, he will look much better against minor-league talent. No matter the sport.
Then you bring them up and they perform much worse because the competition is better.
"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero
Science nerd and proud of it!
I like it when my comments turn green...
it makes me feel smart.
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My Blog: Strike Three Mechanics
Id say give Galarraga a fair shot
if he screws it up, turn to Bonine or provided that he’s pitched really well: 1.78 ERA, 1.03 WHIP in 25 innings, give Casey Fien a shot. Though Fien may be suited more for a middle relief role
B.Inge's facial hair advisor
Rod Allen's humor consultant
I think with Mando...
you can be happy as long as he’s attacking the strike zone. We know that he’s capable of being pretty good but I’d say his leash is kinda long.
My Music: Some Sorta Giant
My Blog: Strike Three Mechanics
Yea I think he'll get a pretty long leash as well
From what we’ve seen so far he could be back on the right track again. Let’s hope
B.Inge's facial hair advisor
Rod Allen's humor consultant
I'm sorry for Dontrelle
(If you can be sorry for someone making MILLION$)
But happy for myself. I couldn’t bear watching when he pitched, you always had this uncomfortable feeling of a train that was about to leave the tracks.
Hope he finds a baseball home in the future.
No hard feelings, not like it’s been easy for him. I sincerely hope he finds success, I’m just sorry it wasn’t in Detroit.
we were paying him either way, so
better to pay him when we know he can’t hurt us ……. that said, I am sorry that it didn’t work out better for all concerned
Rooting for Tiger stripes, not pinstripes
by JerseyTigerFan on May 30, 2010 12:41 AM EDT up reply actions
Good Riddance
I’ve read all the comments. We will end up eating his salary. No big deal, it won’t be the first time the organization has done it. Whichever team picks him, he’ll pitch the same for them as he did for us, shitty. Good bye and good luck.
Welcome to Detroit, NO sissies allowed
He'll be missed in the clubhouse for sure
Aramndo will do fine as a #5.
As a I said elsewhere, our biggest problem is getting consistent starts from
Shcerzer, Porcello and Bonderman. If we get that, we’ll be fine. Even with
Laird and Evertett hittting the way they do. Our 1-6 hitters are damn good.
Maybe he'll do the Tigers a solid...
and pay to have the player’s spouses lounge renovated. After all, it hasn’t been touched since Troy Percival left the organization.
"All aboard!"
Boesch Bandwagon Conductor
Good luck, right move-NL is where he belongs
he’ll do fine over there, I would bet big he is better than Nate in AAAA. Seriously Peavy and Javier Vasquez were all-stars over there so anybody with an ERA over 4 is worthless.
I am glad that we cut the line on him though, he can’t pitch in the AL but best of luck to him, great guy and he can hit.
If so many think he'll be fine in the NL
why weren’t we able to trade him for at least some contractual cost savings?
Rooting for Tiger stripes, not pinstripes
by JerseyTigerFan on May 30, 2010 10:52 AM EDT up reply actions
we still have 10 days to trade him
We had to make room for Scherzer somehow.
probably because
Teams don’t want to even give up minor parts for a trade if they can just get him for minimum salary. Why pay more than you have to?
"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero
Science nerd and proud of it!
Improvement
I think Worth is better than Everett defensively, so why not train him to be a SS?Better hitter and definite improvement OBA , I hope.
i'm not sure the worth we've seen in detroit is the true worth
He had a 661 OPS for the Mud Hens this season, up from the .517 he had last year. His minor league career OPS is .658.
I think it’s only a matter of time before he slumps just as bad as Everett. OK, maybe not “just” as bad, that’s pretty hard to do. But his glove isn’t as good as Everett’s, either.
by Kurt Mensching on May 30, 2010 10:39 AM EDT up reply actions
Tragic....
I loved the guy. He was fun, legit took joy from the game, and seemed sorta wacky. A true lefty. Like many things though….it just wasn’t going to work out.
no.
if we trade him, more than likely we still pay most, if not basically all of his contract while only picking up some organization filler.
if he goes the 10 days without being picked up, than we owe him the whole contract anyways.
My Music: Some Sorta Giant
My Blog: Strike Three Mechanics
Mets maybe would bite
They seem to like crappy has-beens.
And maybe we can get package D-Train with some guys to get Jose Reyes! Or maybe D-Train for Oswald straight up! Or maybe Pujols! (is anyone catching the sarcasm that’s oozing from my typing… I wanted Tigers fans to start salivating over the thought of a good shortstop… Sorry…)
by DetroitTigersGeek on May 30, 2010 12:02 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Untold Story
I still think, as I have all along, and without any factual support, that there’s something out there behind his collapse. He seems like a talented all-around athlete, but he just lost it. We may never know the underlying reason(s), and it may take awhile for this story to unfold.
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