Detroit Tigers Playoff Roster Decisions: David Pauley

by Kurt Mensching on Sep 23, 2011 12:55 PM EDT in Detroit Tigers Analysis

Hey, I actually could find a photo of David Pauley in the Tigers' uniform!

We kicked this off with 22 likely "locks" on the Tigers' playoff roster yesterday. (Honestly, I think you could go with 23, but that would cut down on the number of posts I could milk this for so I won't.) This series wraps up today with a player most people forget is on the active on the roster: David Pauley.

The good news is that I may finally have stopped typing "Purcey" when I meant David Pauley. I ask that the Detroit Tigers begin taking names into consideration when making trades. I never could get my Farnsworths right either. But I digress.

David Pauley would seem to have a pretty uphill battle to make the playoff roster. If Detroit is going to face the Yankees or Red Sox, the fact Pauley is a right-hander would seem to work against him. With a rotation of right-handers, you would expect the Tigers to go with three lefties in the bullpen.

Another thing working against Pauley is that he almost totally disappeared after being traded to the Tigers. Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski was trying to shore up some bullpen troubles. Just the sight of Pauley apparently was good enough, because the 'pen pitched so well Pauley's services were barely needed during his time in Detroit.

That, and Pauley didn't pitch so well. He's allowed his own runs in seven out of 13 appearances. He was pegged with the loss last night after allowing a run during his second inning on the mound. Four out of seven inherited runners in Detroit scored, too.

Tony Paul, of the Detroit News, predicted Pauley would make the postseason team a few days ago, writing:

Used sporadically this month, his control has improved and he’s righted the ship a bit – albeit, against mostly light-hitting teams when the score wasn’t super tight when he entered.

I have to say, I see Pauley on the outside looking in right now as long as Al Alburquerque is healthy.

Why Pauley might make the postseason roster

Having a solid season overall: 2.82 ERA, 48.6% ground balls, 79% strand rate.

Why Pauley might not make the postseason roster

Not having a good time in Detroit.
Leyland doesn't use him much as is.
Wrong-handed.

Poll

Should David Pauley make the Tigers' postseason roster?

Yes

175 votes

No

378 votes

553 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 14 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

The question said "should", so I voted yes

Whether he will or not is another question. It’s the same numbers game.

Valverde, Benoit, and Coke are in
Schlereth is probably in because he’s the lefty
Al Al is in if he’s healthy, and he looked okay as of last night
Two spots left for Penny, Perry, Pauley (the three (P’s), Below, Marte, and I guess Turner

I’d drop Turner and Marte right away- both should and will, IMO, although I like their chances starting next spring.
Penny would take Below’s place, and vise verse
So Perry or Pauley get the last spot
I guess Pauley could be a long reliever. He started in Seattle until this year.

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

by Tigerdog1 on Sep 23, 2011 1:09 PM EDT reply actions

Out of your final 4

I would go Perry and Pauley

by rif23 on Sep 23, 2011 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions

he actually pitched pretty well last night

only one ball left the infield, and that single came around to score

by patthepat on Sep 23, 2011 3:29 PM EDT reply actions

Yes......

Every time he’s pitched – and overall it’s such a small sample size – he’s pitched well enough. Think he’s had some tough luck and deserves the benefit of the numbers he brought to the Tigers, ‘cause his control’s been good.
So I echo the sentiment that he did indeed pitch pretty well last night. Tigers managed to dig Turner out of a hole with 5 runs in 3 innings but couldn’t scratch ONE to bail out Pauley? That sucketh.

by EriePATigersFan on Sep 23, 2011 5:38 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't understand why Ni hasn't been given a shot this year.

He’s been excellent in Toledo.

"Nothing Motte does is quiet. It's mostly screamy and intense." - sheckiezx

by monkeysareblue on Sep 23, 2011 5:21 PM EDT reply actions

this is what i wondered

all year long

by BeardedPlayoffJesus19 on Sep 23, 2011 6:23 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

They turned him into a starter

He had a good year as a SP for Toledo. I’m not sure at all what the future plan is for Ni. I don’t think he’s going to ever make the big team as a SP. As of now, he looks like an organizational arm. Take the ball every fifth day for Toledo and keep the team in the game.

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

by momotigers on Sep 24, 2011 9:36 AM EDT up reply actions

His stuff sucks

"You, on the other hand, make Eeyore look like Rainbow Brite." -johnmoz

Contributor, Bless You Boys

by David Tokarz on Sep 24, 2011 11:14 PM EDT up reply actions

I want to vote but. . .

I don’t see indifferent, where is indifferent? seriously, if the Tigers NEED (where are my bolds and italics) a guy like Pauley in the playoffs than they are in trouble. What is the difference between him and a guy like say, I don’t know, Darko Milicic. What I mean is, he’ll only be used as a human victory stogie or if absolutely needed. Can someone give me the WAR on that situation?

by rjschroed on Sep 24, 2011 1:31 AM EDT reply actions

that being said

he might well be the best option for that role

by rjschroed on Sep 24, 2011 1:31 AM EDT up reply actions

I feel great about four of our relievers

They are AlAl, Coke, Benoit, and Valverde.

If the SP can go 7 innings regularly, I hope the other 3 guys that are sitting in the pen never touch the ball unless we have a big lead.

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

by momotigers on Sep 24, 2011 9:39 AM EDT reply actions

Pauley....

… at least throws strikes. Perry scares the bejeebers out of me! Marte can’t go unless there is an injury since he wasn’t called up before Aug 31. Penny is not a reliever and throws BP most 1st innings he pitches and he won’t be resigned. So Pauley gets my vote.But my guess is that the organizational pet Ryan Perry gets in

by BengalsNme on Sep 24, 2011 1:29 PM EDT reply actions

Marte could go because there are several players on the DL

http://www.blessyouboys.com/2011/8/30/2393169/playoff-roster-eligibility-rules-explained-hopefully

Add Brennan Boesch to the list, making there 3 wild cards that can be filled. (And thanks to a rule change that not many people are familiar with, the players don’t have to be the same position)

Bless You Boys.com

by Kurt Mensching on Sep 24, 2011 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions