Bless You Boys - Tigers acquire closer Joakim Soria from RangersA detailed list of nope about the Detroit Tigershttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47585/default.png2014-07-24T17:30:03-04:00http://www.blessyouboys.com/rss/stream/56969862014-07-24T17:30:03-04:002014-07-24T17:30:03-04:00Dan Dickerson weighs in on Soria
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<figcaption>Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Dan Dickerson posted some worthwhile stats on Twitter about Joakim Soria that you should know about.</p> <p><span>Those who listen to Dan Dickerson regularly already know that he's one of the few MLB broadcasters who embraces sabermetrics and advanced stats, and makes use of them regularly in his broadcasts and on Twitter.</span></p>
<p><span>Dickerson recently posted some relevant stats and player comparisons about the Tigers' newest acquisition, relief pitcher Joakim Soria. The long and short of it? Soria's good. Really, really good. Like, maybe even Mariano Rivera/Koji Uehara levels of goodness.</span></p>
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<p>Whatever role he fills, Joakim Soria is simply one of the best relievers in ML - and has been since he debuted in 2007...</p>
— Dan Dickerson (@Dan_Dickerson) <a href="https://twitter.com/Dan_Dickerson/statuses/492410753560113152">July 24, 2014</a>
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<p>...among relievers, since 2007, his ERA+ of 171 is 5th in ML (300IP+), w/ Rivera and Uehara 1-2. SV% of 88.9, trails only Rivera and Nathan</p>
— Dan Dickerson (@Dan_Dickerson) <a href="https://twitter.com/Dan_Dickerson/statuses/492411833102258176">July 24, 2014</a>
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<p>...this yr, he's 7th-toughest reliever to hit in AL (30IP+) with OPS-against of .521. Davis, Betances, McGee are top 3 toughest to hit...</p>
— Dan Dickerson (@Dan_Dickerson) <a href="https://twitter.com/Dan_Dickerson/statuses/492412564685746176">July 24, 2014</a>
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<p>...and how rare is that 10-1 K/BB? Before this yr, only been done 11 times (30IP+) in history, - Eck and Uehara have both done it twice...</p>
— Dan Dickerson (@Dan_Dickerson) <a href="https://twitter.com/Dan_Dickerson/statuses/492413748528046080">July 24, 2014</a>
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<p>All of that to say this: I'm very much looking forward to hearing Dickerson let fly with his patented "SWIIIIING AND A MISS, HEEEEEE GOTTEM ON STRIKES!" call over and over and over again with Soria on the mound.</p>
https://www.blessyouboys.com/2014/7/24/5934697/dan-dickerson-tigers-mlb-joakim-soria-sabermetrics-twitterHookSlide2014-07-24T12:00:05-04:002014-07-24T12:00:05-04:00Texts with Dombrowksi: Joakim Soria Edition
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<figcaption>Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The following text messages were recovered from the phone of Dave Dombrowksi after last night's trade for closer Joakim Soria.</p> <p><a href="http://cdn2.vox-cdn.com/imported_assets/2298000/MjY4Njk.jpg"><img src="http://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/imported_assets/2298000/MjY4Njk_medium.jpg" class="photo" alt="Mjy4njk_medium"></a></p>
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https://www.blessyouboys.com/2014/7/24/5932885/texts-with-dombrowksi-joakim-soria-trade-knebel-thompsonFielder's Choice2014-07-24T11:04:03-04:002014-07-24T11:04:03-04:00Price for Soria is steep, but had to be paid
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<figcaption>Leon Halip</figcaption>
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<p>The price for Joakim Soria, who will throw 25 to 30 innings the rest of this season, is very steep, but Dave Dombrowski did what he had to do. </p> <p>Desperate times call for desperate measures. And make no mistake, the <a href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Tigers</a> were in a desperate situation with their bullpen. After watching the American League Championship Series slip away last season, as the <a href="https://www.overthemonster.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Boston Red Sox</a> bullpen shut down the Tigers' offense and the Tigers bullpen imploded in true teamwork fashion, the team did not do enough to plug the holes that were left by the departure of their three most prominent late-inning relievers from the bullpen over the off season.</p>
<p>To say that the Tigers bullpen needed help is a gross under statement. The team has a bullpen ERA of 4.41, 26th out of 30 teams in the majors. The bullpen has allowed 14 runs in their last 17-1/3 innings. They had exactly one relief pitcher, <span>Joba Chamberlain</span>, who had shown any consistency all season. They could not take the chance and hope that 39-year-old closer <span>Joe Nathan</span> rediscovered his groove by October. Too much is at stake.</p>
<p><span>Joakim Soria</span> was the best relief pitcher available. Perhaps, if they waited, the Boston Red Sox would have been open to trading <span>Koji Uehara</span>, but that is far from certain, as the American League's Eastern Division is still up for grabs. And don't think for a minute that Uehara, the only reliever who could be considered to be on Soria's level, could be had for less than the Tigers paid to get the <a href="https://www.lonestarball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Rangers</a>' closer.</p>
<p>Soria's numbers speak for themselves: 2.70 ERA, a historically good 1.07 FIP, 11.63 strikeouts per nine innings, only 1.08 BB/9, and has not allowed a home run all season. That's not just good <span>— </span>it's awesome! And it's better than anything that the Tigers have to help them win a championship. Soria's fWAR is higher than the total of all the Tigers' current bullpen <span>—</span> combined.</p>
<p>The Tigers did pay a steep price, but not too steep. <span>Corey Knebel</span> was a top five or six prospect in a weak system, who worked his way up to the majors with an electric fastball that still needs command work. He was, and is a promising relief pitcher. Jake Thompson projects to be a starting pitcher in the major leagues one day, but he isn't on many national top 100 prospect lists. The debate rages on twitter whether Thompson is a back end or a mid rotation starter. These guys are good prospects, but they are not <span>Jacob Turner</span> or <span>Andrew Miller</span>.</p>
<p>What made this trade necessary at this cost, and at this time for the Tigers are the market conditions and the dire circumstances that they find themselves in. Maybe if <span>Bruce Rondon</span> hadn't come up lame in the spring, as he was last fall when he was needed, they wouldn't be in this situation. If only Joe Nathan was pitching like he did last season, they might not have to make this deal. But that's not the reality of the situation now.</p>
<p>As we discussed <a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2014/7/22/5921745/tight-pennant-races-street-prices-slowing-trade-movement" target="_blank">earlier this week</a>, there are very few sellers that could be identified at this time. One was the <a href="https://www.gaslampball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">San Diego Padres</a>, who traded their closer, <span>Huston Street</span>, to the Los Angeles <a href="https://www.halosheaven.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Angels</a> for four good prospects in a six player trade. Another was the <a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Arizona Diamondbacks</a>, who were reluctant to part with former closer, <span>Brad Ziegler</span>, even before the Tigers lit him up like a Christmas tree on Tuesday night. The <a href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Phillies</a> would be happy to unload Jon Papelbon and his $13 million per season contract for two more seasons, for some good prospects.</p>
<p>Another seller was the Texas Rangers. One by one, many of the potential sellers could be crossed off the list as their division races tightened. The Red Sox, <a href="https://www.draysbay.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Rays</a>, and <a href="https://www.fishstripes.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Marlins</a> are in that group. Those who were willing to talk could extract a high price for a closer. The Padres are said to be asking for a king's ransom for former Tiger closer, <span>Joaquin Benoit</span>, who hasn't even been a closer this season, until now.</p>
<p>Maybe the Tigers could have muddled their way into the playoffs with the bullpen that they have. It's true that a pitcher who will throw maybe 25 to 30 innings the rest of this season may not, at face value, be worth two of the organization's top pitching prospects. But this isn't about the regular season. It's about a few critical innings in October.</p>
<p>The reality that Dave Dombrowski was looking at is that he'd have to make a choice. He'd either have to pay the steep price to fix the bullpen, or he'd have to roll the dice on the likes of Joe Nathan, <span>Phil Coke</span>, and <span>Al Alburquerque</span>, in critical innings in October. He couldn't afford to crap out again. He made the right choice.</p>
https://www.blessyouboys.com/2014/7/24/5932521/price-for-soria-is-steep-but-had-to-be-paidPatrick OKennedy2014-07-24T09:00:05-04:002014-07-24T09:00:05-04:00Joakim Soria is not your typical relief pitcher
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<figcaption>Joakim Soria points to third baseman Adrian Beltre after making a catch to end the game on May 28, 2014 against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. | Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Tigers traded for Joakim Soria at his peak. Can Soria maintain his recent excellence?</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Tigers</a> doubled down on <a href="https://www.lonestarball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Rangers</a>' relievers by trading recent first and second round draft picks for another "proven closer." <span>Joakim Soria</span> is not just proven, but leads all pitchers with at least 30 innings in FIP. If you are not familiar with FIP, it is like ERA but more effective at predicting future performance. Compared to Clayton Kershaw's 1.74, Soria's 1.07 is fantastic. But Kershaw has pitched more than 100 innings this year, and more than 1,000 innings of domination since 2010. Soria has only pitched 33<span>⅓</span> innings this year, not exactly long play.</p>
<p>The top five pitchers in FIP last year were <span>Greg Holland</span>, <span>Dellin Betances</span>, <span>Craig Kimbrel</span>, <span>Aroldis Chapman</span>, and Kenley Jansen. Soria was ninth. Which one of these is not like the others? Soria's fastball averages 90 mph. The others all average at least 95 mph. Chapman has actually increased his velocity this year to average 100 mph. Instead of throwing heat, Soria mixes up four pitches. He throws a fastball, slider, curveball, and changeup. Depending on whom you ask, he mixes in a cutter as well. He throws each pitch more than 10 percent of the time, and all of the pitches except the changeup are above average.</p>
<p>Soria pitches like a starting pitcher rather than a closer, and adds excellent command. He has only walked 3 percent of opponents, while striking out 31.6 percent. This is reminiscent of Dennis Eckersley in his prime with the <a href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Athletics</a>. It is also significantly better than his career rates. Soria has always had a strikeout rate over 25 percent, except for 2011 as he was nearing his Tommy John surgery. His walk rate has always hovered around 7 percent, except for 2013 as he emerged from surgery and walked nearly 14 percent of opposing batters. Command is typically the last part of Tommy John recovery, which is why the Tigers need Soria rather than hoping for <span>Joel Hanrahan</span> to be ready by October.</p>
<p>Soria is valuable even if he walks a few more batters, but another major component of his success is keeping the ball on the ground. Historically he allows more ground balls than fly balls, and this year none of the fly balls have gone over the wall. An unusually low home run rate is not sustainable, just ask <span>Joe Nathan</span> who is allowing more than four times as many this year as last. But Soria's ground ball tendencies and career average indicate that his home run rate will not regress too far.</p>
<p>Putting it all together, the Tigers bought Soria at the peak of his game. But this is not another <span>Jarrod Washburn</span> moment. Soria can be expected to strike out more than one batter an inning, walk less than one every three innings, allow a home run every 16 innings, and have an ERA around 2.50. That sounds like a closer that will minimize our collective heartburn.</p>
https://www.blessyouboys.com/2014/7/24/5932821/joakim-soria-trade-analysis-tigers-rangersJohn A McGeehan2014-07-24T08:35:40-04:002014-07-24T08:35:40-04:00Internet gives mixed reactions to Soria trade
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<figcaption>Hannah Foslien</figcaption>
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<p>Like it does, the internet reacted (and overreacted, in some cases) to the Tigers' trade for reliever Joakim Soria.</p> <p>Despite a confirmation time of 10:20 p.m. last night, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Tigers</a>' trade for <span>Joakim Soria</span> has already made waves throughout the internet. Here's a roundup of the initial reaction to the deal.</p>
<h5>The Good</h5>
<p>You have already read <a target="_blank" href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2014/7/24/5932115/joakim-soria-trade-tigers-rangers">my reaction to the trade</a>, but the BYB staff isn't in 100 percent agreement on this one. HookSlide chimed in with this last night.</p>
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<p>Twitter 24 hours ago: "WE WANT SORIA!" Twitter now: "WE PAID TOO MUCH FOR SORIA!" Just ... shut up, Twitter. Shut so much the hell up.</p>
— HookSlide (@HookSlideBYB) <a href="https://twitter.com/HookSlideBYB/statuses/492177025793159168">July 24, 2014</a>
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<p>Some guy that occasionally writes here also liked the move.</p>
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<p>Soria will make the team better and be fun to watch. I like it.</p>
— Kurt Mensching (@BYBKurt) <a href="https://twitter.com/BYBKurt/statuses/492141580787408896">July 24, 2014</a>
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<p>Matthew Mowery of the Oakland Press is <a href="http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20140724/hefty-price-tag-for-relief-help-in-joakim-soria-is-no-big-deal-for-win-now-tigers-matthew-b-mowery-writes" target="_blank">taking the "flags fly forever" approach</a>.</p>
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<p>When you’re in the position to win, you give yourself every advantage you possibly can to do so.</p>
<p>Because — like with the 1984 team — you don’t know when that window is going to come crashing closed.</p>
<p>With Max Scherzer, <span>Victor Martinez</span>, Chamberlain and <span>Torii Hunter</span> all free agents after the season, there’s no guarantee there’s another title run in the franchise after this season.</p>
<p>Ante up while you can.</p>
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<p>Bob Wojnowski of the Detroit News called the move <a target="_blank" href="http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140724/SPORTS0104/307240045">"one that needed to get done."</a></p>
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<p>Joakim Soria is a tremendous addition to the battered bullpen, acquired Wednesday night from Texas for two of the Tigers’ top prospects, pitchers <span>Corey Knebel</span> and Jake Thompson. Frankly, the Tigers could’ve traded all their prospects plus the Ty Cobb statue in Comerica Park to land Soria and you wouldn’t complain.</p>
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<p>Grey at Walkoff Woodward was <a href="http://walkoffwoodward.com/?p=9628" target="_blank">also accepting of the move</a>.</p>
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<p>The price is steep, but as I wrote three days ago, giving up talent like this for a reliever in a trade was always inevitable. There aren’t that many sellers, and even fewer of them have quality relievers they’d be willing to move. Everyone knew the Tigers were desperate for help. In a vacuum, this isn’t a great deal for Detroit, but the alternative here was standing pat and doing nothing – and as we’ve seen from this bullpen repeatedly, doing nothing was simply not an option. The choice Dave Dombrowski was faced with wasn’t optimal, but he made the correct one in this instance.</p>
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<p>And others...</p>
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<p>The only RPs w/15+ SVs and fewer IP than Soria's 33.3 are Chapman & Janssen - both of whom started their seasons in mid-May</p>
— Paul Sporer (@sporer) <a href="https://twitter.com/sporer/statuses/492276186370695168">July 24, 2014</a>
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<p>Frankly, if they were gonna give up Thompson for a reliever, I'm glad they did it for Soria, who's the best out there. Better than Street.</p>
— Kun Agreyro (@spacemnkymafia) <a href="https://twitter.com/spacemnkymafia/statuses/492138131601502209">July 24, 2014</a>
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<p>When was the last time Dombrowski dealt a prospect that really burned him?</p>
— Mike Ferrin (@MikeFerrinSXM) <a href="https://twitter.com/MikeFerrinSXM/statuses/492135904434466816">July 24, 2014</a>
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<p>It was never gonna be cheap to upgrade the 'pen. That's the reality of this business.</p>
— alex_is_bored (@catswithbats) <a href="https://twitter.com/catswithbats/statuses/492144364647239680">July 24, 2014</a>
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<p>I really just want DD to get Benoit back so we can have Joakim and Joaquín.</p>
— Walkoff Woodward (@walkoffwoodward) <a href="https://twitter.com/walkoffwoodward/statuses/492167801474252801">July 24, 2014</a>
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<p><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Tigers?src=hash">#Tigers</a> fans, here's my take on Soria, the best reliever in baseball in 14 (FIP) from June. <a href="http://t.co/DeswhlDtW9">pic.twitter.com/DeswhlDtW9</a></p>
— gabe kapler (@gabekapler) <a href="https://twitter.com/gabekapler/statuses/492137656017354752">July 24, 2014</a>
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<h5>The Bad</h5>
<p>Lynn Henning wonders why the Tigers' farm system <a target="_blank" href="http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140723/SPORTS0104/307240028/0/sports0104/With-Joakim-Soria-trade-Tigers-should-ask-why-they-couldn-t-solve-crisis-from-within">hasn't come through lately</a>.</p>
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<p>But one of these days, also, the Tigers need to be strong enough to withstand these July shopping sprees that are always fraught with tension and risk. They must begin developing more of their own talent, especially when amassing pitching is supposed to be their organizational trademark.</p>
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<p>Neil Weinberg, who writes for pretty much every site imaginable, thought the Tigers <a target="_blank" href="http://newenglishd.com/2014/07/23/tigers-get-player-they-need-at-a-price/">paid a steep price</a>.</p>
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<p>That’s a high price. It’s not insane. It’s not crazy. But it’s a lot. I’d trade Knebel for Soria easily and I’d throw in more but I wouldn’t want to add Thompson. I get why the Tigers did it. They need a reliever badly. It makes sense and it could be a big upgrade.</p>
<p>But there’s a problem. They don’t just need one reliever. They need two or three relievers. In order to win this year, they need another great reliever and they fired off two of their best bullets. They’ve taken two important prospects and sent them away. Which is fine in principle, but if you’re making this trade, you have to make more. This trade only makes sense if you’re really going to go all in.</p>
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<p>Twitter was also not happy, though many reactions are not fit for print.</p>
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<p>Tigers got their man -- Soria. And paid through the nose with Thompson and Knebel.</p>
— Lynn G. Henning (@Lynn_Henning) <a href="https://twitter.com/Lynn_Henning/statuses/492157352225689604">July 24, 2014</a>
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<p>Tigers clearly feel they need serious help in the bullpen. Jake Thompson and Corey Knebel for Joakim Sora? That's a lot.</p>
— Chris Iott (@Chris_Iott) <a href="https://twitter.com/Chris_Iott/statuses/492135490221801472">July 24, 2014</a>
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<p>You know what's a terrible allocation of resources? Not paying solely money 6 months ago, and giving up assets now.</p>
— TigersProspectReport (@TigersProspects) <a href="https://twitter.com/TigersProspects/statuses/492133050004692993">July 24, 2014</a>
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<p>So then the point of that Soria trade was...? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HeadDesk?src=hash">#HeadDesk</a> RT <a href="https://twitter.com/beckjason">@beckjason</a> Nathan will remain closer, Dave Dombrowski confirms in email.</p>
— Jack Hittinger (@jackhitts) <a href="https://twitter.com/jackhitts/statuses/492154106048696320">July 24, 2014</a>
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<p>Also, why not making <span>Robbie Ray</span> a reliever for the rest of the year instead of trading him for bullpen help like some have suggested?</p>
— Sky Kalkman (@Sky_Kalkman) <a href="https://twitter.com/Sky_Kalkman/statuses/492272077224046593">July 24, 2014</a>
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<p><a href="https://twitter.com/blessyouboys">@blessyouboys</a> just make sure he rooms with joba so they don't catch whatever the rest of the bullpen has</p>
— nathan (@nateriemer) <a href="https://twitter.com/nateriemer/statuses/492138232990400512">July 24, 2014</a>
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<p>I need a drink.</p>
— TigersProspectReport (@TigersProspects) <a href="https://twitter.com/TigersProspects/statuses/492132234866864129">July 24, 2014</a>
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https://www.blessyouboys.com/2014/7/24/5932825/internet-reaction-to-joakim-soria-trade-a-mixed-bagRob Rogacki2014-07-24T07:00:13-04:002014-07-24T07:00:13-04:00Tigers overpaid for Joakim Soria in a big way
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/FuyiWQ4WhXrdIEpDegw3Cy8Uayg=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/36001482/20140605_ajl_ac5_164.JPG.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Tigers didn't pay up for relief help last offseason and are paying for it now.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Tigers</a> needed bullpen help in a big way, and they just landed one of the better relievers on the market in <span>Joakim Soria</span>. The former Ranger put up excellent numbers as a member of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.royalsreview.com/">Kansas City Royals</a> from 2007 to 2011, and has 17 saves and a 2.70 ERA as the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lonestarball.com/">Rangers</a>' closer in 2014.</p>
<p>However, they paid through the nose to get him. In one of the most blatant "win now" moves of Dave Dombrowski's tenure, the Tigers parted with two of the top prospects in their system for Soria, who has a $7 million team option for the 2015 season.</p>
<p><span>Corey Knebel</span> was touted as the Tigers' closer of the future when he was selected in the supplemental round of the 2013 amateur draft. After posting some gaudy numbers at Single-A West Michigan last year, Knebel allowed just two earned runs in 15 innings at Double-A Erie to open the 2014 season. He made a quick stop in Triple A before receiving his first call-up, where he gave up five runs in 6 2/3 innings. Knebel returned to the minors, where he held opponents to a .336 OPS with 16 strikeouts in 14 1/3 innings. However, he has struggled with his command -- particularly with his fastball -- walking 20 batters in a combined 42 innings across all levels.</p>
<p>Jake Thompson was the Tigers' second round pick in the 2012 draft, but the 20 year old Texan turned some heads with a solid first half at High-A Lakeland. He allowed a 3.14 ERA and 3.11 FIP in 16 starts for the Flying Tigers, striking out 79 hitters in 83 innings of work. Thompson made one start at Double-A Erie before being traded, allowing two runs in six innings. While he was never seen as a high ceiling type of player -- most have pegged him as a back-end starter at best -- his numbers are impressive for someone that young.</p>
<p>Dave Dombrowski has an impressive track record when trading from the Tigers' shallow prospect pool, and many of his supporters will likely point out any (or all) of the names that have not amounted to anything once they left the Tigers' organization. However, those pieces were all part of something bigger, landing the Tigers key players like <span>Miguel Cabrera</span>, <span>Anibal Sanchez</span>, and <span>Doug Fister</span> (at the time). At best, Soria will take Joe Nathan's role as the team's closer, where he will likely only pitch 20-30 innings the rest of the year. Can he have an impact? Absolutely. But he will be judged entirely on the team's success, not his own.</p>
<p>Simply put: "winning" this trade hinges entirely on whether the Tigers win the World Series.</p>
<p>Yes, Dombrowski was in a bind. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.halosheaven.com/">Los Angeles Angels</a> essentially set the market price when they sent three of their best prospects to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.gaslampball.com/">San Diego Padres</a> for closer Huston Street. The Tigers' bullpen is basically <span>Joba Chamberlain</span> and his beard amid a smoldering pile of wreckage. Dombrowski needed to make a deal, and he did. But had he acted earlier -- six to eight months earlier, to be more precise -- the Tigers would not have been in this position in the first place. Now, they are without a pair of potentially impactful prospects in hopes of bringing a title to Detroit within the next couple seasons.</p>
https://www.blessyouboys.com/2014/7/24/5932115/joakim-soria-trade-tigers-rangersRob Rogacki2014-07-23T22:41:05-04:002014-07-23T22:41:05-04:00Tigers deal for closer Joakim Soria
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<figcaption>Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Tigers have made a deal to significantly bolster their bullpen by trading for Joakim Soria from the Texas Rangers, but pay a heavy prospect price in Jake Thompson and Corey Knebel. Despite the Soria acquisition, the Tigers insist incumbent closer Joe Nathan will remain in the ninth inning role.</p> <p>Multiple reports have confirmed the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Detroit Tigers</a> have dealt pitching prospects Jake Thompson and <span>Corey Knebel</span> to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lonestarball.com/">Texas Rangers</a> for right-handed closer <span>Joakim Soria</span>.</p>
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<p>Per a source, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Tigers?src=hash">#Tigers</a> set to acquire <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rangers?src=hash">#Rangers</a> right handed closer Joakim Soria. Corey Knebel & Jake Thompson head to Texas in the deal.</p>
— Kyle Bogenschutz (@KyleBogie) <a href="https://twitter.com/KyleBogie/statuses/492122947411144704">July 24, 2014</a>
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<p>Tigers and Rangers have trade agreement in place: Joakim Soria for Jake Thompson and Corey Knebel, source confirms <a href="https://twitter.com/KyleBogie">@KyleBogie</a> report.</p>
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) <a href="https://twitter.com/jonmorosi/statuses/492132076775145472">July 24, 2014</a>
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<p>Morosi reports the deal is done, save for the passing of physicals.</p>
<p>Late Wednesday evening the Tigers did confirm the trade via email to local media. General Manager Dave Dombrowski added within the message Joe Nathan will remain Detroit's closer.</p>
<p>The Tigers have been on the prowl for an experienced relief pitcher with closing experience, but weren't necessarily looking to diaplace Nathan as the team's closer. Soria definitely fits the bill, and is having an excellent season at the back end of the Rangers' bullpen.</p>
<p>Long rumored to be a target of the Tigers, Soria has a 2.70 ERA, minuscule 0.870 WHIP,, 11.3 K/9, along with 17 saves while blowing just two in 35 appearances covering 33 1/3 innings. Soria has not allowed a home run this season and has walked only four batters.</p>
<p>The 30-year-old Soria is a two-time All-Star who owns a career 2.51 ERA and has recorded 177 saves over MLB seven seasons. The first five were spent with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.royalsreview.com/">Royals</a> and the last two with the Rangers.</p>
<p>Soria missed all of 2012 after undergoing Tommy John surgery, signing with the Rangers as a free agent before the 2013 season. He in currently in the second year of a two-year contract worth $8 million. The Tigers could keep Soria through the 2015 season ithey elect to use a team held contract option worth $7 million, with a $500K buyout clause.</p>
<p>The Tigers had to pay a high price for Soria, giving up a pair of top pitching prospects to complete the deal.</p>
<p>The 20-year-old Thompson was Detroit's second-round selection in 2012's amateur draft and was recently promoted to Double-A Erie. In a 2014 season spent mostly at Single-A Lakeland, Thompson has a 6-4 record and 3.13 ERA in 17 starts covering 89 innings. Thompson was one of the Tigers' representatives at MLB's Futures Game, earning the victory.</p>
<h5>Jake Thompson minor league stats: <br>
</h5>
<table border="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Thompson <br>
</td>
<td><b>G</b></td>
<td><b>IP</b></td>
<td><b>ERA</b></td>
<td><b>WHIP</b></td>
<td><b>HR/9</b></td>
<td><b>BB/9</b></td>
<td><b>K/9</b></td>
<td><b>H/9<br></b></td>
<td><b>K/BB</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><b>2014: A+- AA<br></b></td>
<td>16<br>
</td>
<td>89.0<br>
</td>
<td>3.13<br>
</td>
<td>1.20<br>
</td>
<td>0.79</td>
<td>3.04<br>
</td>
<td>7.76<br>
</td>
<td>8.1<br>
</td>
<td>2.55</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<b>Career</b><br>
</td>
<td>41<br>
</td>
<td>200.2<br>
</td>
<td>2.96<br>
</td>
<td>1.20<br>
</td>
<td>0.40<br>
</td>
<td>3.1<br>
</td>
<td>9.1<br>
</td>
<td>7.8<br>
</td>
<td>2.94<br>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>Knebel was selected by the Tigers in the first round of last year's June draft,. After quickly advancing through the Tigers' system, Knebel was called up to Detroit this past May. Currently on his second tour of duty with the big club, the 22-year-old Knebel has struggled, posting a 6.23 ERA and 1.64 WHIP In 8 2/3 innings.</p>
<h5>Corey Knebel minor league stats:<br>
</h5>
<table border="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><b>Knebel</b></td>
<td><b>G</b></td>
<td><b>IP</b></td>
<td><b>ERA</b></td>
<td><b>WHIP</b></td>
<td><b>HR/9</b></td>
<td><b>BB/9</b></td>
<td><b>K/9</b></td>
<td><b>K/BB<br></b></td>
<td><b>H/9<br></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2014 minors</td>
<td>25</td>
<td>33.1</td>
<td>1.62</td>
<td>0.93</td>
<td>0.3</td>
<td>4.6</td>
<td>11.6</td>
<td>2.53</td>
<td>3.9</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Career minors<br>
</td>
<td>56</td>
<td>64.1</td>
<td>1.26</td>
<td>0.85</td>
<td>0.1</td>
<td>3.8</td>
<td>11.8</td>
<td>3.11</td>
<td>3.8</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
https://www.blessyouboys.com/2014/7/23/5932123/tigers-acquire-rangers-joakim-soria-for-prospects-jake-thompson-and-corey-knebelAl Beaton