Bullpen Report

Coming into the season there were a lot of question marks surrounding the Tigers bullpen. After two months of play, many of those questions still remain.

Do the Tigers have a dependable closer? Do they have the tools to be successful during late innings? Many experts have their opinions on both of those questions.

In a few months these questions will be answered by the players on the field.

(Note: grades will be based on expectations most experts had at the beginning of the season.)

The Good

Joel Zumaya (Age 24) 2009 Salary (735,000 Million)
Current 09 Stats 3-1 Record 3.60 ERA
Projected Season Numbers 8-3 Record 3.60 ERA

Zumaya has returned from injuries the past two seasons and appears to be healthy. He is throwing 100+ mph again, so lots of things are hopeful. The question is just how long will it last? Plus, Zumaya still doesn't have secondary pitches that can keep hitters guessing. He gets in predictable counts and just tries to throw heaters by players. As you can see with his ERA, even though it isn't bad, he has run into trouble from time to time. Lots of questions remain with Zumaya. Can he be a MLB closer? No one really knows the answer to that besides Zumaya.

Glaring stats-has collected 18 strike outs in 20 innings pitched. Zumaya is four innings away from surpassing last years innings pitched total.

Grade: B-. They will need him to continue to play well as the setup man for Rodney. The Tigers will be happy if Zumaya can stay off the disabled list the rest of the season. He just needs to keep producing month after month in an effort to get his confidence back to where it was during the 2006 season.

Bobby Seay (Age 30) 2009 Salary (1.3 Million)
Current 09 Stats 0-1 Record 4.76 ERA
Projected Season Numbers 0-3 Record 4.76 ERA

Seay does his job. He is the left-handed specialist coming out of the bullpen. Nothing Seay does is pretty, but he is usually quite effective. He does what he is asked to do and that is get left-handed batters out.

Glaring stats-has not given up a home run this season in 17 innings pitched. Seay did not give up a run in 11 innings pitched in the month of April. Has posted a 2.70 ERA at home this year and also has tallied up a 2.08 during night games.

Grade: B-. Seay has been a mainstay in the bullpen because he is a specialist. The Tigers will need to get hitters like Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau from the Minnesota Twins out down the stretch.

The Bad

Fernando Rodney (Age 32) 2009 Salary (2.7 Million)
Current 09 Stats 0-1 Record 4.68 ERA
Projected Season Numbers 0-3 Record 4.68 ERA

Rodney has had a solid season as the closer of the Tigers. He has converted on all 11 of his save opportunities this season. That is the number one goal of any closer, although as of late he has looked erratic with signs of the old Rodney coming back. The old Rodney is wild, inconsistent, and cannot throw fastballs for strikes. He has always had an incredible changeup, but his fastball has been anything thing but that over the last few years. I see signs of Rodney's wheels turning off so to speak in the last two weeks.

Glaring stats-Is 11 for 11 in save opportunities this season. Is only three saves away from surpassing his record of saves during a single season (13). In May, Rodney posted an 1.38 ERA in 13 innings pitched. June hasn't been so nice to Rodney as he is 0-1 with 13.50 ERA in five games. During day games Rodney has posted a 2.57 ERA.

Grade: C+. With Rodney the question has always been consistency, can he throw fastballs for strikes? Can Rodney be a full time closer at the big league level over a full 162 game schedule. I have my doubts, Rodney will get a chance to answer them over the next few months.

Zach Miner (Age 27) 2009 Salary (438,000)
Current 09 Stats 3-1 Record 4.74 ERA
Projected Season Numbers 8-3 Record 4.74 ERA

Miner has been the long relief pitcher coming out of the pen this season. He has started a few games this year, but currently is on the outside looking in as far as the rotation is concerned. He may get another opportunity in a few weeks if the struggles of Willis and Galarraga continue. I like Miner in his role out of the pen currently, because he can get outs. He is a sinker ball pitcher and is made for the 6-4-3 double play behind him.

Glaring stats-has not given up a home run against a left-handed batter this season. Is 2-0 with a 2.14 ERA on the road while he is 1-1 with a 7.94 ERA at home. In the month of May, Miner posted a 1-0 record with a 3.07 ERA.

Grade: C+. Every player is important on the 25-man roster and the same can be said for Miner. He may get an opportunity to jump back into the starting rotation and if he does he must take full advantage of it. As of now though, he is a crucial part of the bullpen being the long reliever.

Nate Robertson (Age 31) 2009 Salary (7 Million)
Current 09 Stats 1-0 Record 5.19 ERA
Projected Season Numbers 3-0 Record 5.19 ERA

Robertson has the same job as Miner-long reliever. Robertson is a lefty coming out of the pen and is helping this year as a left-handed specialist as well. I like Miner in the role as a long reliever. Robertson is a starter, a No. 5 starter at best, but that is what he does. He has made it clear to the Tigers organization that he is not happy coming out of the pen and wants to start. I completely understand him, but he just has to do the best he can with the situation he's in right now. If given the opportunity to start, he has to have a good outing.

Glaring stats-Has not given up a home run at home or against a right-handed batter this season. During the month of May, Robertson earned an ERA of 1.13 in eight innings pitched. This is Robertson's first season in the MLB that he has not started a game.

Grade: C+. Robertson's season has been interesting thus far. It could get more especially if he gets traded to a different club. It may be in Robertson's and the teams best interest for him to go elsewhere. We'll see if he gets traded, gets the starting nod, or continues to be coming out of the pen the rest of the year. One thing is for certain stay tuned.

The Ugly

Brandon Lyon (Age 29) 2009 Salary (4.25 Million)
Current 09 Stats 2-3 Record 4.66 ERA
Projected Season Numbers 5-8 Record 4.66 ERA

Lyon has had a rough season this year. The ERA is not extremely high, but not where he would like it. As for the wins and losses. Lyon has blown two saves this season, both ending in a Detroit Tigers loss. Lyon has not been a clutch pitcher, he has reminded me all too much of Todd Jones. He throws strikes but most often too many strikes to the point where they end up as hits. Sometimes it's okay to walk people or pitch on the corners, Lyon doesn't do that. He will need to pitch better this summer if the Tigers pen is going to get better.

Glaring stats-Lyon had two seasons with the Arizona Diamondbacks where his ERA for a season was under four. Lyon originally came up in the big leagues as a starter with the Toronto Blue Jays. Lyon is 0-2 with an ERA of 18.00 on turf this season. In the month of May, Lyon had an ERA of 8.10.

Grade: D+. Lyon was signed to a one-year deal in the offseason so he is playing for a contract if not with the Tigers the rest of the MLB. He needs to take over the 7th inning role and flourish in it. Perry is going to be battling him all season for that spot, and personally I think Perry will win it. If that happens don't expect to see Lyon in a Tigers uniform come next season.

In Minors

Ryan Perry (Age 22) 2009 Salary (400,000)
Current 09 Stats 0-1 Record 3.13 ERA
Numbers in Minors N/A

Perry showed a lot of promise with his 23 innings of work this season with the Tigers before he was sent down to Toledo to make room for Jeremy Bonderman on the roster. One thing is for certain, Perry will be back. The question is when? I feel he could be back as soon as late June or sometime just before the All-Star break. He has a power fastball that can go as high as 99 mph. His problem at the big league level was his walks. He collected 22 strikeouts and surrendered 19 base on balls. Clearly that is something that he can work on down at Toledo. I was surprised to see him go down, but in the same token I understand why it was him. He will have a chance to harnish his skills more and get more reps in the closer's role. A role which he will have an opportunity to earn and flourish in for the years to come with the Tigers.

Clay Rapada (Age 28) 2009 Salary (league minimum)
Numbers in Minors 1-1 Record 2.18 ERA

Rapada has had a terrific season with the Toledo Mudhens so far.Earning more than a strikeout per inning. He is a left handed pitcher who specializes in getting left-handed batters out. Like every left-handed specialist they usually need to work on getting right-handed batters out. He has been progessing with that since last season where he spent some time with the Tigers. If the Tigers didn't have Bobby Seay or Nate Robertson in their bullpen--Rapada would be up their. Right now their is just no need for another left-hander in the pen. So he must just continue to work hard and continue to play well. You never know when your number will be called especially with a long summer ahead.

Fu-Te Ni (Age 26) 2009 Salary (league minimum)
Numbers in Minors 2-0 Record 2.63 ERA

Ni is from Taiwan and he has come over to the states to perform well. That he has done with the Toledo Mudhens this season. The combination of himself, Rapada, Dolsi, and others have made the Mudhens very formidable in the International League. Ni is still learning, but taking things in like a sponge. He is in the same position as Rapada, waiting for his call up. It could happen if some players from the big league club get injured or traded away. Both Rapada and Ni are paying close attention to Robertson who could be on the trading block.

Freddy Dolsi (Age 26) 2009 Salary (league minimum)
Numbers in Minors 2-2 Record 4.91 ERA

Dolsi has not had the season so far that he dreamt. He came in as the closer for the Toledo Mudhens this year but struggled early on. He had some success with the Tigers last season and I'm sure Dolsi was hoping to be back with the big-league club by now. It just hasn't happened yet. Inconsistency has plagued him and until he can find some balance on the rubber he will be staying in Toledo. He has a power arm, something other teams would be interested in getting in return of a possible mid-season trade. Dolsi's services could be going elsewhere if the Tigers look to acquire a big bat before the July 31 trade deadline.