There was an article on mLive with the headline Selecting a fifth starter biggest decision for Tigers' Jim Leyland to make at spring training. Did the Tigers suddenly become the talent-rich Red Sox?
Steve Kornacki wrote that piece, and it's clear that Kornacki is no Patrick Hayes or Justin Rogers. The Piston writers have an honest understanding of the teams strengths and weaknesses. With Kornacki, I feel like the words are bought and paid-for by Little Caesars.
We're to believe, according to the article, that the Tigers' pitching staff is set with four starters. I concede Verlander and Porcello as the clear #1 and #2. That statement alone is a bit of a stretch considering Porcello has only one season under his belt. Nevertheless, he showed enough last year to prove he's mentally tough and has All-star potential. So, I'll give him the #2 spot without much concern. New acquisition Max Scherzer is supposed to be #3. He's pitched a grand total of 56 more innings than 21 year-old Porcello. Only 16 of Scherzer's career 226 innings pitched were against American League competition. With that said, I do like Scherzer's potential, but locking him as the #3 is a bit of a stretch.
An even bigger gamble, though, is the supposed #4 starter - Jeremy Bonderman. Bondo last pitched a competent baseball game on June 1, 2008. That's over 18 months ago. To be honest, I've more faith in the 5th starter hopefuls - Armando Galarraga, Eddie Bonine, Alfredo Figaro and Nate Robertson. All four of those pitchers at the very least displayed a respectable arm at some point last season.
My prediction is that Bonderman will spend more time on the DL. Galarraga will slot into the #4 spot, and Bonine will beat the remainder of the competition for the 5th spot. Despite his hefty salary, the Tigers will have no recourse but to release Robertson. Figaro will spend another year in the minors.
Like last season, the Tigers enter spring training with a ton of question marks. Starting pitching is the tip of the iceberg. They have no center fielder, no left fielder, and no second baseman. On the offensive end, they lost their #1 and #2 batters. 5th starter the biggest decision? Puh-lease.
Seeing as how it was Galaraga's 2nd season last year (right?) and he did not play to the expectations of his first season...lets hold off on pinning all our "April in the D" hopes on Porcello.
ReplyDeleteSeeing as how Nate is the only one that actually lives in Michigan, I hope he's keeping his arm warm...$10mil...he should own a snow blower, right?
As far as I know, Nate's the only one who lives in the Mitt. I imagine his house has been on the market for quite a while though. The writing's on the wall, right?
ReplyDeleteGood call on Galarraga. He was Porcello-esque his rookie year but with no fanfare. In fact, Galarraga was actually better statistically:
ERA WHIP
Galarraga (2008) 3.73 1.19
Porcello (2009) 3.96 1.33
Porcello notched one more win, and Porcello was pitching in a pennant race. Those were some high-stress games in August and September - that must be factored in as well.
click on the link for an article in the NY Times about Curtis.
ReplyDeleteIt's just depressing.
ReplyDeleteAt least he'll be appreciated in NYC. The Tigers' pitching will be only as good as their defense. Without a 2nd baseman or center fielder, the pitchers will find life much more difficult.