Joel Zumaya - Anyone know what's happening with him?

by Jim Bunn on Aug 24, 2011 8:49 AM EDT

There is a name I have not heard discussed in a very long time. Has anyone heard any kind of report on how his rehab is progressing? Is he "done" or is there a chance he can pitch at the minor league level this fall?

If he CAN start pitching soon, what does Tiger management do? Should they just hand him his final insurance paycheck and bid him farewell? I believe Joel is a free agent this fall and can sign anywhere he choses. Or anywhere he gets an opportunity. If he leaves via free agency do the Tigers get any kind of compensation?

Zumaya still had a big arm last spring and despite all of the injuries he COULD make an impact at the Major League level. I remember how fans and the team reacted to Zumaya coming in to a game and I would like to see him get one more chance in Detroit. The shoulder thing will always be whispered about but the finger, elbow, and his latest injury were simply unfortunate realities caused through no silliness on his part.

It's kind of sad to see Zumaya nearly out of baseball while Justin Verlander is on the cusp of winning the Cy Young Award and is even mentioned in MVP talk.

Two players that arrived and were a part of the magical 2006 World Series run. One on top of the world 5 years later. The other nearly out of the game altogether.

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

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I'm pretty sure he's toast this season

My guess is that the Tigers wave goodbye after 2011 and let him explore the market. I’m guessing that some team with a decent sized payroll is willing to give him a big league deal worth 1M or so. It’s probably worth the risk to someone since he’ll show up in “the best shape of his life” and “finally over the hump”.

If he doesn’t find that deal somewhere, he’s probably looking at an incentive-laden minor league deal. I’d bet that the Tigers have a decent shot at him if that’s the case. I certainly wouldn’t mind seeing him sign a minor league contract with the team that pays him a small base salary but maybe 1M+ if he throws 40 IP.

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

by momotigers on Aug 24, 2011 9:23 AM EDT reply actions

Someone on radio or TV the other day...

said that they’d heard Zumaya was rehabbing in San Diego, and “doing fine.” A little vague, to be sure. I’d love to see the Tigers sign him to a minor-league deal, but at this point it really wouldn’t bother me if he retired from baseball and just surfed for a while (or played Guitar Hero).

by frisbeepilot on Aug 24, 2011 9:56 AM EDT reply actions

Rod Allen

Pretty sure it was Rod who said he had been “texting back and forth” with Joel and that Joel “hopes to pitch again.” If that’s the rosiest forecast Rod Allen can give, it doesn’t sound like Joel has a future with the Tigers. At least not one anyone is planning on at this point, including Joel.

by cloud wall on Aug 25, 2011 4:42 PM EDT up reply actions

He will be a free agent after this season

and he won’t be offered arbitration, so he can work out an incentive laden contract with some team. Maybe the Tigers would go there, maybe not. My guess is no.

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

by Tigerdog1 on Aug 24, 2011 11:22 PM EDT reply actions