FanPost

Let's try and fix the Tigers Bullpen....again

Year after year, the Tigers bullpen has not exactly been great. Dave Dombrowski has tried to fix it, but, it doesn't always turn out the way he anticipated. He has acquired the services of people like Joe Nathan, one of the best closers of all time, didn't do well at the backend at the bullpen. Joakim Soria struggled when we first got him, but had a pretty solid year before being dealt to the Pirates for IF/OF JaCoby Jones. I believe that this trade wasn't the best trade. Jones is a few years away from the majors, but once he gets there he will have to earn it. He is blocked at almost all of the positions he can play. Iglesias will be at short for a while and Dixon Machado is there too, Kinsler has second base locked up, and the Tigers like Goes in center. This brings me to my first suggestion. A few weeks ago, Bleacher Report did one of their "trade ideas". One of them was the Tigers trade Joe Jimenez and JaCoby Jones to the Padres for Craig Kimbrel. This trade seems to work out for everyone. The Padres get an IF/OF that they can use to take over at short, second or center. Joe Jimenez was the only Tiger to make it to the Futures Game this year, and could be the next Padres closer. Of course we get one of the best closers in the game today in Craig Kimbrel. Kimbrel got off to a rocky start this year. But, has been very solid since. He has 38 saves this year with a 2.62 ERA he also has struck out 85 batters to 22 walks. He is only 27 and is under contract for the next two years and has a team option for 2018. He is signed to a 4yr/42M. He is due about 38M through 2018. This is one of the more expensive options that we could try and complete.

As noted by other Tigers fans, Darren O'Day is an excellent choice. O’Day has a 1.44 ERA through 621/3 innings this year. He has a unique delivery that hitters may have a hard time picking up. He is underrated and would be a great addition to the 'pen. O’Day is 32 years old and signed a 3yr/9.65M a few years back. So if the Tigers could sign him for the same amount (probably more) this would be a great option.

Another pitcher with a funky delivery is Brad Ziegler. Ziegler is 35 years old, but still manages to put up amazing numbers. In his age 35 season, he has posted a 1.91 ERA in 66 innings pitched. He has also struck out 54 batters to 24 walks. Ziegler has a team option for his 2016 season. Back in 2012 he signed a 2yr/10.5M deal and has really been dominant. I think a contract just like this one could work, that is if he becomes a free agent. I think he would also be a great arm in the back end of the Tigers bullpen.

Cardnals pitcher Steve Cishek would not be a bad idea either. He was off to a really bad start this year and lost his job as the Marlins closer. He even got sent down do Double-A to work on his mechanics. At the deadline he was traded to St. Louis and has really picked it up. After putting up a 4.50 ERA in 32 innings pitched with the Marlins, he has posted a 2.11 ERA in 211/3 iinings since being dealt to the cards. To go along with that 2.11 ERA, he has whiffed 17 batters and walked 12. In Miami he struk out 28 batters and walked 14. So walks seem to be an issue for him. Cishek is 29 years old and signed a 1yr/6.65M this year and is Eligable in 2016 and doesn't hit the free agent market until 2018. As far as trades go, you could maybe do a small deal and get rid of Knudson or Ferrell. These two are young pitchers who could may good trade pieces. If necessary you could also through in Valdez,

For my last suggestion, we head back to the Baltimore 'pen. Brian Matusz. Matusz is arbitration eligible this year and deserves a raise. He has posted a 2.98 ERA in 481/3 innings. He has punched out 56 batters and walked only 20. You may be able to trade Ferrell and Knudson, or just one of the two, to get him in return.

The Tigers are in need for some major bullpen reconstruction and one of these relievers may be able to solidify a shaky Tigers bullpen.

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