Al Al 2011 = Zoom Zoom 2006?

by KidRick48 on Jul 28, 2011 8:02 PM EDT

I just read that Al Al is day to day with inflammation, this being the 2nd time this year he's been hurt. Coupled with his ridiculous numbers this year and how they're almost impossible to maintain, I'm worried we've got Joel Zumaya 2.0 on our hands.

Now don't get it twisted, I like Al and want him to be this good from here on out. He's got closer type stuff, it's just the injuries this year that have me worried due to the strain that slider HAS to put on his arm.

My question I bring to BYB and Tigers fans alike: How would you feel if the Tigers traded Al Al right now? His value is at an all time high and there's no question there's potential for it to go higher. Problem is, there's all the potential in the world to have Tommy John's surgery in a year too.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Bless You Boys writing staff.

Tweet Comment 16 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Just trade him for the sake of trading him?

I’m not sure you’ll like what you get for a Middle Reliever that has just 33 innings in his MLB career. He’d have some trade value if he was healthy and had a few years of experience.

by Keith-Allen on Jul 28, 2011 9:25 PM EDT reply actions

I'm thinking package him

With whoever else to get a SP for this year.

The artist formerly known as Granderson28

by KidRick48 on Jul 28, 2011 9:54 PM EDT up reply actions

We'd be packaging our play-off chances away too

by Keith-Allen on Jul 29, 2011 12:08 AM EDT up reply actions

He Will Be Fine

I dont think that this is really anything serious.

by BennieBladesFan on Jul 28, 2011 9:43 PM EDT reply actions

I know...

But did anyone really think the first time Zoom got hurt it would be the beginning of the end? I just worry about the strain on that arm of his with his slider, a la the fastball for Joel.

The artist formerly known as Granderson28

by KidRick48 on Jul 28, 2011 9:54 PM EDT up reply actions

I have to say that I'm going to agree with you.

I just did an analysis article on him and mechanically Alburquerque is very sound. His velocity comes to him naturally. If he has any problem it’s that he throws his slider WAY too much—over 50% of the time. But overall I see now exterior reason’s as to why he shouldn’t have a decent career.

Joel however, was someone I always said the opposite of.

Strike Three Mechanics

by madpoopz on Jul 29, 2011 10:34 AM EDT up reply actions

Trading him won't get much in return

Other teams are seeing the exact same things we’re seeing: unsustainable success and an iffy arm, especially when he throws too many sliders. Better to keep him and hope he stays healthy.

Detroit4Lyfe

by Rob Rogacki on Jul 28, 2011 11:07 PM EDT reply actions

Depends on the return

If it is for an aging infielder that historically has not had American League Success (like Edgar Renteria) Definetly not.

However if is for a package that might contain a third baseman (soon to be converted to first) that has HOF potential – Absolutely,

This is why DD gets the big bucks. I thought he made a terrific deal two years ago when he sent prospect Luke French to the Mariners for Jared Washburn. All that deal did was probably cost us the division title since Washburn washed out completely.

Last year I thought getting Perralta was a stupid Renteria like idea -

Shows you what I know

by Jim Bunn on Jul 29, 2011 11:38 AM EDT reply actions

Zumaya

I believe the Tigers mishandled Zumaya in his recoveries and that when he signs somewhere else next Winter he may STILL prove to be a succesful MLB pitcher

by Jim Bunn on Jul 29, 2011 11:39 AM EDT reply actions

Belief and mays can get you lots of things.

However Zumaya’s motion is the problem and without his fastball (there could be problems) he may not be very effective.

I have a grand idea: let's win a game.

by 13194013 on Jul 29, 2011 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Depends on what kind of velocity he loses by pitching with mechanics.

I’m sure there have been freaks in the history of baseball (particularly the radar gun era) like Zumaya who threw mechanics (and caution) to the winds in favor of pitching at absolute maximum velocity and only he ever hit 104 mph. Zoom probably still has (or had, I guess) top 5% velocity even if he was pitching with sustainable mechanics.

If he’s sitting mid 90s and still drops that ridiculous hammer from time to time (and won’t overthrow every single pitch, leading to lower BB rates), he’ll be a pretty solid reliever.

Of course, that’s assuming he comes back from this reasonably healthy, while I’m not even expecting him to come back at all. I suppose stranger things have happened.

by thepartybird on Jul 29, 2011 9:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Zumaya's problem is that he still thinks he can be the pitcher that he once was.

given his mechanics that notion has basically been an impossibility since his first injury.

Strike Three Mechanics

by madpoopz on Jul 29, 2011 7:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Zumaya's problem is that his contract expires after this season and he will be a free agent with no recent resume

of actually pitching in the majors.

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

by Tigerdog1 on Aug 1, 2011 1:26 AM EDT up reply actions

This is true.

Strike Three Mechanics

by madpoopz on Aug 2, 2011 2:03 AM EDT up reply actions

Of all the hard throwing relievers that the Tigers have in the system

excluding the free agents Valverde and Benoit, Al Al is the one guy that has stepped up this season and thrown some effective innings for us. He has such a limited history of success, now a resume with a small list of injuries, and he’s a middle reliever. His value is almost nothing, except to the Tigers if he rebounds and resumes pitching like he was before the injury bug bit him. If he doesn’t rebound pretty soon, Pauley is the guy with the chance to step in as a set up guy. Coke seems to have brought his problems from the rotation to the pen.

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

by Tigerdog1 on Aug 1, 2011 1:25 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs