Jim Leyland: No Valverde or Benoit, Coke closing, confirms Avila injured

by BigAl on Oct 13, 2011 12:56 PM EDT in Detroit Tigers News

Twitter is buzzing with quotes from Jim Leyalnd's pregame presser, mostly due to his being pretty damn honest about the Tigers' back against the wall situation.

ESPN's Buster Olney:

Leyland said last night that Valverde and Benoit were working on heart and fumes...and today, he says they won't pitch.

After heavily leaning on Jose Valverde and Joaquin Benoit the last couple of games, I don't think any of us are surprised they are out of commission.

With the back end of the pen toast, the Tigers expect (and for that matter, absolutely need), Justin Verlander to go deep into the game.

Fox Sports Detroit:

"Going to try to get through this game with Verlander and Coke."

Again, I don't think any of us are surprised. It's not as if Verlander hasn't had to bail out a burned out bullpen in the past.

What about the rest of the bullpen?

Matthew B. Mowery of the Oakland Press:

Everybody else available? "I hope so."

I'm not sure if I'm exactly thrilled by this news.

Leyland also hinted Alex Avila is getting by on guts, gumption and not much more.

Mlive's James Schmehl:

Leyland on Avila: He's hurtin' pretty good. Probably some of the wear and tear after I played him too much in the regular season.

I wince every time I see Avila try to run. At least Leyland has finally admitted 132 games (141 total) is too much for any catcher, even one as young as Avila. Think finding a true backup catcher is high on the Tigers' off season to-do list?

Leyland also had this to say about his badly banged up team.

Again, Matthew B. Mowery of the Oakland Press:

"Believe me, I know what these guys are going through. I've been in the trainer's room."

The Tigers' roster has been decimated by injuries. Brennan Boesch, Carlos Guillen and Magglio Ordonez are out for the season. Victor Martinez, Delmon Young and Alex Avila are attempting to play through injuries which would likely have them on the DL in the regular season.

On Twitter, own Allison said what we are all thinking.

@NoRunSupport:

The quotes from the Leyland presser are making me feel ill.

But all is not lost...at least in the Tigers' locker room.

Once again, Mowery of the Oakland Press:

Leyland: "With the travel we've been thru, the stress, the strain .. and the way these guys are battling, I expect to win this game today."

So there's that going for the Tigers...which is good.

Tweet Comment 25 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Verlander. Scherzer. Fister.

Maybe I just keep telling myself that, but damn if I don’t like our chances.

Sure, I’d rather be up 3-1 then down 3-1. And ya know what, the odds are seriously stacked against us.

But…Verlander. Scherzer. Fister. It at least gives us a shot, right? That’s all we want. A shot.

by tplants on Oct 13, 2011 1:00 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Agree

We are in the quarterfinals. We win today, the semi’s are on Saturday and if we win there, the Championship is on Sunday. Verlander in the quarters, Max in the semi’s, Fist in the championships. There’s no other way to look at it.

by Mark Osbourne on Oct 13, 2011 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Typo?

“The Tigers’ roster has been decimated by injuries. Brennan Boesch, Carlos Guillen and Miguel Cabrera are out for the season. "

I think (hope) you mean Magglio and not Miguel…

by dskirsa on Oct 13, 2011 1:11 PM EDT reply actions

I was like What??

Then I ran around for 3 minutes like my hair was on fire until I figured it was just a misprint. (fingers crossed)

"But the point is, finger-pointing is just what sports fans do when something doesn't go right." -- Kurt Mensching

by RealityIsOptionable on Oct 13, 2011 1:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Saw that too

And threw up in my mouth a little. That scared the crud outta me. Clearly, he meant Maggs, not Miggs.

by H2OPoloPunk on Oct 13, 2011 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Backup catcher

I don’t necessarily think they neeed a backup catcher next year if Martinez is healthy enough to catch. There is no reason a healthy Martinez can’t catch 1/3 of the games or more, if needed. If there is a reason to think Maritnez won’t be healthy after an offseason’s rest, I haven’t heard it yet.

by rea on Oct 13, 2011 1:16 PM EDT reply actions

Im with ya.

I don’t see any need to waste a roster spot with a 3rd catcher. Victor will be able to catch 1 or 2 days per week, if need be.

Chicks dig me, because I rarely wear underwear and when I do it's usually something unusual

by BrianCMU. on Oct 13, 2011 3:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Our backup catcher isn't an issue

its just the fact that our ‘True’ backup is hurting as well, and has been playing hurt for a while. If V-Mart was healthy enough, he’d be catching a couple games to give Alex some relief. Once the offseason occurs, and the new season starts, Things should hopefully turn for the better. Our roster overall is pretty good, it’s just we’re the walking dead atm

Fan of the Tigers ~ Red Wings ~ Lions - No Better Town to be a sports fan of!
Fantasy Teams: Pride of Detroit Bench League (PackMules (2-3) & Winging It In Motown Mursak League - (Wingedmule)

by MuleRules on Oct 13, 2011 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Yep

I don’t like having a true backup catcher on the roster either, especially in the regular season when you could call down to Toledo for a guy to come up tomorrow if needed.

The roster spot becomes increasingly valuable if 2B and/or 3B are revolving doors next year. (I could very feasibly see a Kelly / Inge and/or Worth / Rhymes / Raburn platoons happening if our needs aren’t addressed somehow. And to be honest, there aren’t a lot of better options on the free agent market.)

The other sports are just sports. Baseball is a love. ~Bryant Gumbel, 1981

by momotigers on Oct 13, 2011 3:16 PM EDT up reply actions

I wouldn't be surprised, either way

They may pick up a Miguel Olivo type to be a backup C and LH bat off the bench.

I don't care what the Chinese say, 2011 is the Year of the Tiger!

by Tigerdog1 on Oct 13, 2011 9:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Better use other starting pitchers rather than the likes of Schlereth, Penny, Perry, Al Al

Better yet, let Verlander go as long as he can. If he doesn’t have it, we’re screwed anyway.

I don't care what the Chinese say, 2011 is the Year of the Tiger!

by Tigerdog1 on Oct 13, 2011 2:12 PM EDT reply actions

It's probably taboo to even say at this point but I needed in order to even watch today.

We’ve had one hell of a season!

by Anthony Steven Lewis on Oct 13, 2011 2:26 PM EDT reply actions

I think Al jut scared the crap out of everyone!

Bless You Boys.com

by Kurt Mensching on Oct 13, 2011 2:26 PM EDT reply actions

He scared the crap out of me.

Never seen him quite that wild before.

by knucklescarbone on Oct 13, 2011 3:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Not AlAl, it was BigAl who scared the crap out of me

before the typo was fixed. :)

"But the point is, finger-pointing is just what sports fans do when something doesn't go right." -- Kurt Mensching

by RealityIsOptionable on Oct 13, 2011 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions

I, Too Like Our Chances with Those Arms...

And for the record, I just have to say that I LOVE this team! No matter how the next 3 (and I think there will be 3) games turn out, watching this team has been such a joyous, messy, frustrating great way to spend the summer!

by Yosparky on Oct 13, 2011 2:51 PM EDT reply actions

I'm not saying anything of this nature until the season is done

You people should be ashamed of yourself….writing eulogies already.

The other sports are just sports. Baseball is a love. ~Bryant Gumbel, 1981

by momotigers on Oct 13, 2011 3:12 PM EDT up reply actions

I didn't in tend it as a eulogy...

by Yosparky on Oct 13, 2011 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions

I'll let it slide this time

But for future reference, starting sentences with things like “no matter how the next three games turn out…” sounds very pre-mortem.

The other sports are just sports. Baseball is a love. ~Bryant Gumbel, 1981

by momotigers on Oct 13, 2011 10:30 PM EDT up reply actions

It's a Shot in the Dark

but I like the Tigers chances, with Verlander Scherzer and Fister the next 3 days. For some parts, the offense has been swinging better the last couple days. The Rangers have just been that much better on Defense. Hell Austin Jackson was robbed of at least 1 hit yesterday

Fan of the Tigers ~ Red Wings ~ Lions - No Better Town to be a sports fan of!
Fantasy Teams: Pride of Detroit Bench League (PackMules (2-3) & Winging It In Motown Mursak League - (Wingedmule)

by MuleRules on Oct 13, 2011 3:13 PM EDT reply actions

This season wasn't a fluke

Win or lose, the Tigers will be back to the playoffs before 5 more years pass.

That’s some small consolation.

I’m trying, ok?

by Big Z in Orlando on Oct 13, 2011 3:25 PM EDT reply actions

I still have faith (some)

Its not impossible for us to come back. But the odds are stacked against us. Tx has too much depth. I for one disagree with most of you. I think a backup catcher is exactly what we need next year. Vmart was banged up this year without catching much. Do you think that will get better if he catches more? Oh and by the way, Vmart wont be any younger next year. So, I would be shopping next year for a back up catch, a starting 2nd and/or 3rd baseman. Maybe some bullpen help. But, at the end of the day, I am very proud of our team. The fun watching them the 2nd half, the chemistry coming together in September. We just had too many big bats out of the lineup for the playoff run. Yet they are still fighting. The Detroit Tigers are my MVP.

by blueleo1 on Oct 13, 2011 3:49 PM EDT reply actions

For next year..

I agree with looking for a backup catcher, for the same reasons as you. Also could use an upgrade at 2b, although I would be ok with Ramon owning that position and Worth still may have some upside as a batter, in which case he could contend for the starting spot at 2b or 3b. As for the ’pen, if DD spends money or prospects to upgrade there, he needs to be certain what he picks up will be a real improvement, not a guy like Purcey or Bobby Seay. AlAl should improve; so, theoretically should Perry and Schlereth. Pauley has not really had much of a chance to show what he can do. And who knows, maybe Zumaya will be back and actually able to stay healthy for once. So current circumstances notwithstanding, I am not sure the pen is or should be a priority, compared to other areas.

by knucklescarbone on Oct 13, 2011 4:00 PM EDT up reply actions