Extinguishers or Arsonists?: Detroit Tigers Bullpen Preview

To say that 2008 was a disappointment for the Detroit Tigers would be like saying The War of 1812 was a minor border dispute.

The word "disaster" might even be too mild a term to attach to last season's debacle. 

Instead of rehashing the myriad troubles that ailed the striped cats last year, it seems more prudent to focus on one of the biggest culprits from last year- the bullpen.

Last season, the Tigers had a lot of trouble with their starters, but those troubles were compounded by the mess that was the Detroit bullpen.  Injuries, underproduction and flat-out inconsistency doomed the bullpen from the word "go."

For starters, their closer for the past few seasons, Todd Jones, retired.  Obviously, Jones had lost his closing gig after the midway point of the season so his departure was not a surprise.

Furthermore, the Tigers were unable to find a consistent replacement closer last year.  The two Detroit relievers that showed so much promise during their storybook 2006 season, Joel Zumaya and Fernando Rodney, were unable to take the baton that Jones was offering.

Zumaya continued to struggle with his control amid his nagging arm and shoulder injuries.  Additionally, Zumaya seemed to have lost his edge—possibly due to his inability to throw his curve ball consistently for strikes.

Rodney struggled mightily, also with his control, and never truly took the closer job, something that likely frustrated manager Jim Leyland.  Rodney has had his own arm injuries, but last season's trouble stemmed from an inability to throw anything other than his change up for strikes.  When Rodney relies too much on his change up, hitters sit on it and pound his offerings out of the stadium. 

The middle relievers showed glimpses of potential, but too often were forced to work too early and too often.  Additionally, Detroit's inability to play sound defense extended innings and deflated morale. 

Overall, the Tigers' bullpen was a microcosm of the season as a whole, and the season was not good.

Heading into spring training, we will look at how Detroit has addressed the long and middle relievers, setup men and the closer and whether or not there should be optimism moving forward.

Closer/Setup

As of early February 2009, there seems to be only three true contenders for the closing job.  Brandon Lyon was signed to compete with Zumaya and Rodney for the closing gig. 

Lyon has a lot of potential, but has been inconsistent.  He has a good fastball with adequate movement, but his off-speed pitches need work.  If he can regain some of the fire that made him a rising star earlier this decade, this job will likely be his.

Most baseball people agree that the role of closer requires a certain "buck stops here" personality.  All of the greats have it.  Sadly, Fernando Rodney does not appear to be one of them.  However, Rodney does have one of the game's most devastating changeups, and if he is able to throw his fastball with good velocity he will be a great setup man.

The real wildcard of this bunch is Zumaya.  Early reports seem to indicate that he is feeling better than he has in years, although it is not believed that he has begun throwing from a mound.  If Zumaya regains his velocity while throwing his curve for strikes, he should not be counted out as the closer. 

Freddy Dolsi also figures into this mix, but his ceiling is likely as a setup man.  Dolsi has a high 90s fastball, but does not have a consistent second pitch.  However, a tremendous spring paired with a poor showing by one of the others could lead to him becoming the regular seventh inning man for Jim Leyland.

Prediction: A smart bet would place Lyon as the closer once the season begins, with Zumaya and Rodney filling the setup positions.  However, Zumaya will be given every opportunity to claim the job before the season ends.  Also, look for prospect Ryan Perry to find his way up to Detroit before the season ends.

Long Relief

Zach Miner and Aquilino Lopez handled this duty for the Tigers for the larger part of last season, and they likely will compete for this job again this year.  Additionally, one of the Tigers' starters from last year may find themselves in this role. 

Miner has a good array of pitches, and most importantly he has a durable arm.  He is capable of starting games, and he is capable of pitching for long stretches.  His biggest strength as a pitcher is the downward motion that his windup produces.  This allows for him to create ground balls that are important for getting out of tough jams.

Lopez is not currently on the 40 man roster, but he showed enough last year to warrant a long look this year. 

The wild card in this bunch likely will come down to Nate Robertson and Dontrelle Willis.  Early reports out of Detroit have indicated that both are in tremendous shape and are ready to improve on horrendous years. 

Robertson lost some velocity last year, and was unable to get hitters out on a regular basis.  By the end of last year, he was relegated to the bullpen and may find himself there again this year.  His wide array of pitches would make him an excellent reliever.  Also, it would not hurt to have a lefty in a long relief role.

If Robertson had a bad year, Willis had a legendarily awful year.  His control was a joke, and his velocity was inconsistent.  Leyland routinely cited a lack of conditioning as the culprit, and early reports state that Willis has addressed this.  Additionally, new pitching coach Rick Knapp may toy with changing up his unorthodox windup and delivery. 

That being said, Willis may be the key to the Tigers' season.  If he is able to bounce back and regain the stuff he had early in his career he could really boost the rotation or at the very least the bullpen.

Prediction: Look for Miner to remain in this position, but either Willis or Robertson will also find their way into the bullpen.  The smart money would be on Willis.

Middle Relief

Jim Leyland will have to decide how many pitchers he is going to keep this year.  Given the troubles of last year, Leyland will likely decide on bringing at least 12 and maybe even 13. 

After the five starters, the long reliever, the two setup men and the closer, there will likely be only three or four spots available.  The likely contenders for these slots are the following: Juan Rincon, Macay McBride, Bobby Seay, Dolsi, Lopez, Robertson, Willis, and Scott Williamson.

The only sure bet is that Leyland will likely keep a left hander.  Last season Leyland went without a lefty in the pen for a few stretches, but he has stated repeatedly that he prefers to have one. 

Therefore, Seay will have the inside track on one of these slots.  Seay showed an ability to get tough outs last year, but will need to be more consistent with his off-speed pitches.  If he can throw strikes throughout spring training, he will make this team.

McBride is also a lefty, but he seems likely to start this year in Toledo.  He has some potential and is still very young, but too often last year he gave up big hits.

Williamson has had plenty of injuries over the past few years, and is a long shot to make the opening day roster.  However, if he shows an ability to stay healthy while in the minors, he will find himself in Detroit before mid-season.

Rincon was signed a month ago, and could be a wild card in this bunch.  He has torched the Tigers in the past while playing for Minnesota, and he will be reunited with Knapp in Detroit.  If he develops confidence in his slider and is able to throw it consistently late in the count, he could definitely help this unit.

Prediction: Look for Seay, Dolsi, and Rincon to start the year in Detroit if Leyland keeps 12 pitchers, and add Willis to this bunch if he keeps 13.  Willis' ability to work as both a southpaw and as an inning eater will give Leyland some flexibility. 

Overall, there are a lot of question marks with this bunch.  The biggest of which is the closer role.  However, if Zumaya and Willis are healthy and productive, this group goes from a weakness to a strength. 

It would be a mistake to expect great things from this group, but it would also be unwise to count them out before the season begins. 

Additionally, do not discount the impact that the new and improved defense will play with this unit. 

A strong defense changes everything.  It allows the pitchers to pitch towards contact and it helps them get out of potentially damaging innings.  Strong defense soothes morale and builds confidence in the pitcher's mind.

Also, new catcher Gerald Laird will have a positive impact on a largely young bullpen.  His ability to calm down excitable pitchers will go a long way towards helping this unit.  He has been compared to Crash Davis from Bull Durham, and he will need that kind of sage-like wisdom in order to keep the fires out.

So, should this unit talk Detroit fans off their ledges?  Not in February.  However, there is reason for optimism, guarded as it may be, and hope for the future. 

One thing is certain: the bullpen is the key to this season.  If they perform like they did in 2006, Detroit will contend.  If they perform like they did in 2008, Detroit will remain in last place. 

Arsonists or fire-fighters...after last year, Detroit fans would settle for novelty fire extinguishers that dispelled lemonade. 

They just ask that they work.