September Call Ups

by HighOPS on Aug 6, 2011 5:33 PM EDT

It seems to me that the Tigers may have more September call ups than the last few years. They have a number of players with major league experience, a number of players running out of options and they can use extra pitchers to help set up a possible playoff rotation. I expect most of the call ups to come after Toledo's season ends.

Pitchers:

Andrew Oliver: Oliver could make a spot start to juggle the rotation or he could pitch 2, or 3 innings if the starters were given shorter starts if the Division is clinched early.

Lester Oliveros: The Tigers trusted Oliveros enough to call him up earlier. His call up seems less likely than some of the others as it might be hard to find work for 12 relief pitchers. Personally I would fear that Leyland would have Joe-Maddon-moments where he played match up after match up if he had too many pitchers.

Ryan Perry: This seems obvious. He might even be able to contribute if his control is better.

Brayan Villarreal: See Lester Oliveros

Adam Wilk: Wilk, like Oliver, could eat some innings to help set up a playoff rotation.

Position Players:

Brandon Inge: The Tigers are paying him no matter what. Maybe they can use him. Maybe they promised him he would return.

Will Rhymes: Carlos Guillen and Ramon Santiago are both are switch hitters. Guillen plays better offense than Rhymes. Santiago plays fair defense. I see no reason to call up Rhymes. I think the Tigers will do it anyway.

Danny Worth: Worth would supplement Santiago as a defensive replacement in late innings. Kelly could be used in the outfield if Worth played third. I'd call up Worth on September 1.

Ryan Strieby: I honestly don't have a guess. If I can trust what I found on search engines, Strieby was added to the 40-man roster before the 2009 season. If so he still has an option left. The Tigers don't seem to need an extra DH/1B type either.

Clete Thomas: This might be a long shot. However, Clete is on his fourth option (yes, fourth- MLB granted an extra due to injuries) and is likely nearly done as a Tiger.

Omir Santos: Why not? This would avoid possible using an inexperienced Don Kelly at catcher in a game.

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

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Comments

The Tigers don't really call up a ton of guys when rosters expand

I’d say that Perry, Villarreal, Inge, Worth and Santos come up.

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by David Tokarz on Aug 7, 2011 8:36 PM EDT reply actions

Interesting post

I think Santos is a slam dunk. Inge was probably promised a call up and the team will want to see what he can do after some time in Toledo.

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

by momotigers on Aug 7, 2011 8:36 PM EDT reply actions

I would say

Inge, Rhymes, Villarreal, Wilk, Perry and Santos among first callups. Oliveros and Worth soon after and the rest could all help.

by vifinn on Aug 10, 2011 12:52 PM EDT reply actions

santos, worth, inge, perry

with the possibility of turner if they’re feeling randy.

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by Kurt Mensching on Aug 10, 2011 1:10 PM EDT reply actions

Agree

Worth fits a role better than Rhymes. Having Santiago, Worth, Rhymes, Kelly, and Inge on the bench would be overkill.

Aside from 14-inning bullpen games, I don’t think our bullpen will be overtaxed and putting too many arms out there just makes your true middle relievers rusty.

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

by momotigers on Aug 10, 2011 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions

It all depends

on what happens between now and September 1st. If the division is mostly sewn up then i see no reason not to call up most, if not all of the position players. Give your regulars a blow early in September a blow. Especially some of the older guys (see Guillen, Carlos and Ordonez, Magglio). I’d rather have those guys ready to go at the start of the playoffs than dealing with nagging injuries. If we are assuming the division is more or less sewn up, the only argument that I can think of to be made against this particular logic is that you don’t want guys to lose their rhythm and timing, please chime in if you can think of something else. I think your pretty much spot on as to what may happen with the pitchers.

by rjschroed on Aug 10, 2011 5:48 PM EDT reply actions

sorry for

some of the poor grammar in there. I’m pretty beat up from work today and need to take a nap. I think you guys know what I mean though.

by rjschroed on Aug 10, 2011 5:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Inge, Santos, Rhymes, Worth, Perry, Wilk are possibles

Villarreal has been a bit wild.
There are always a couple that could be called up, but aren’t. Some go to the AFL instead.
I have a feeling that JL would like another righty and a lefty for the bullpen so he can overmanage them to his heart’s content. Inge and Santos are locks. Probably only one IF’er and they likely have Santiago’s roster spot earmarked for Worth next spring.

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

by Tigerdog1 on Aug 11, 2011 11:38 PM EDT reply actions