Tigers sign Brandon Lyon to 1-year deal

[MagsMigs]

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3857234

Can't go wrong with that. He was highly rated among reliever FAs. I'm surprised they didn't go 2- or 3-year, but I guess if he stinks, he walks after this year.

The greatest factor: F-Rod has closer competition. YES!

[tigers527]

Cool we got a closer with a 1.5 Whip, a 4.70 ERA, and who blew 6 saves in 32 chances (in the weak NL mind you). I wonder how long it will be before people are calling for Todd Jones to return from retirement?

[Inge15]

He should be fine...

Right?

[slugger33]

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3857234

Can't go wrong with that. He was highly rated among reliever FAs. I'm surprised they didn't go 2- or 3-year, but I guess if he stinks, he walks after this year.

The greatest factor: F-Rod has closer competition. YES!
He isn't guaranteed the role of closer.

[r@cosun]

Apparantly he turned down several "better" offers, with either more money or more years (or both) to have a shot at closing for us. So on that hand, it's good to have someone who wants to be here and is willing to earn his job. On the other hand, his one-year deal is most likely because DD wants to see how healthy Zumaya can stay for this year, and perhaps see how quickly future-closer Ryan Perry can come along in the minors. Regardless, it's better than what we have had to endure. I think DD is doing a great job with the restraints that have been placed upon him. He hasn't been told to trim payroll, but he MUST keep it in check and within reason. We're already better than we were last season, and I'm pretty excited again.

[MagsMigs]

He isn't guaranteed the role of closer.

I know. Ergo... F-Rod has closer competition.

[slugger33]

I know. Ergo... F-Rod has closer competition.He'll most likely be the closer, although he wasn't promised the job when was signed. Pitching staff predictions?

Rotation:
Justin Verlander RHP
Armando Galaragga RHP
Jeremy Bonderman RHP
Edwin Jackson RHP
Dontrelle Willis LHP

Bullpen:
Joel Zumaya RHP
Fernando Rodney RHP
Brandon Lyon RHP
Bobby Seay LHP
Nate Robertson LHP
Zach Miner RHP
Juan Rincon RHP

I originally thought that I wanted Robertson to be a starter, but I couldn't imagine D-Train coming out of the bullpen with all of his wildness. I chose Juan Rincon over Dolsi because he has had some great seasons and has a lot of experience. I think this bullpen will be better than last years, but I'd still like them to get a dominant lefty such as Dennys Reyes or Will Ohman. Taking a look at Chad Cordero wouldn't be a bad move either.

[Inge15]

He'll most likely be the closer, although he wasn't promised the job when was signed. Pitching staff predictions?

Rotation:
Justin Verlander RHP
Armando Galaragga RHP
Jeremy Bonderman RHP
Edwin Jackson RHP
Dontrelle Willis LHP

Bullpen:
Joel Zumaya RHP
Fernando Rodney RHP
Brandon Lyon RHP
Bobby Seay LHP
Nate Robertson LHP
Zach Miner RHP
Juan Rincon RHP

I originally thought that I wanted Robertson to be a starter, but I couldn't imagine D-Train coming out of the bullpen with all of his wildness. I chose Juan Rincon over Dolsi because he has had some great seasons and has a lot of experience. I think this bullpen will be better than last years, but I'd still like them to get a dominant lefty such as Dennys Reyes or Will Ohman. Taking a look at Chad Cordero wouldn't be a bad move either.

I generally agree with this. I do believe, however, that if Rincon makes the roster going to opening day it won't be for long. I don't think he is good anymore and would like to see Dolsi sling the ball a few more times.

Also, I think it is important that they do get someone like Reyes or Ohman. Seay will be good some of the year but he is too inconsistent. How will they use Miner? Set-up? Long relief? If it's long relief then I have to ask what Robertson is doing in the pen because if it's just for another lefty I would much rather see Rapada.

[slugger33]

I generally agree with this. I do believe, however, that if Rincon makes the roster going to opening day it won't be for long. I don't think he is good anymore and would like to see Dolsi sling the ball a few more times.

Also, I think it is important that they do get someone like Reyes or Ohman. Seay will be good some of the year but he is too inconsistent. How will they use Miner? Set-up? Long relief? If it's long relief then I have to ask what Robertson is doing in the pen because if it's just for another lefty I would much rather see Rapada.
I'm not really sure what will happen to Miner. I really thought that he would be included in the Laird trade. Maybe he will still be traded? I like Rapada also, but I guess Leyland and the others don't agree.

[MagsMigs]

I think Miner would be great in the setup role. What I can't stand about the Zumaya-Rodney saga is that they are preventing the team from exploring viable options for the setup role, which is where many leads were squandered. Management has been so bent on these guys, who haven't been fully healthy or effective in 2 years, and here it's 2009 and we're still relying on them. Now we're passing on FA relievers, and I guarantee you there's one or two quality young arms that will dazzle in Lakeland and will be ready to go, but will lose that roster spot to guys under contract. Verlander, Bonderman, Jackson, Galarraga, Willis, Miner, Robertson, Lyon, Rodney, Zumaya and Seay are all under contract and barring injury or a horrendous spring, that's your opening day pitching staff. If they go with 12 pitchers, it'll be Freddy Dolsi. Meanwhile, I'm ready to see Casey Fien and other talents that are ready for the pickin'.

We may never know what could have been had we built around the two oft-injured power arms, instead of riding their single-year success for two seasons. Call it the curse of the ZumRod.

[tigers527]

I think Miner would be great in the setup role. What I can't stand about the Zumaya-Rodney saga is that they are preventing the team from exploring viable options for the setup role, which is where many leads were squandered. Management has been so bent on these guys, who haven't been fully healthy or effective in 2 years, and here it's 2009 and we're still relying on them. Now we're passing on FA relievers, and I guarantee you there's one or two quality young arms that will dazzle in Lakeland and will be ready to go, but will lose that roster spot to guys under contract. Verlander, Bonderman, Jackson, Galarraga, Willis, Miner, Robertson, Lyon, Rodney, Zumaya and Seay are all under contract and barring injury or a horrendous spring, that's your opening day pitching staff. If they go with 12 pitchers, it'll be Freddy Dolsi. Meanwhile, I'm ready to see Casey Fien and other talents that are ready for the pickin'.

We may never know what could have been had we built around the two oft-injured power arms, instead of riding their single-year success for two seasons. Call it the curse of the ZumRod.
Dude, step back from the ledge. The success or failure of a given BP is not the given talent in said BP, but how well the starters do.

We all can admit that Bobby Seay, Freddy Dolsi, heck even Fernando Rodney, and Joel Zumaya CAN get guys out. The question is HOW MANY guys can they get out? The answer, depends on the starters.

If Jeremy Bonderman comes back (why wouldn't he)...there's 200 innings.

Let's HOPE Galarraga isn't a one hit wonder.

Verlander will bounce back, last season was not his fault (if you looked at his numbers closely).

4th/5th starters...The mess that happened last season can't happen twice. The Tigers have decent pitchers for those spots.

If those question marks get filled, the BP will be fine.

[MagsMigs]

Yes and no. While I may have gotten a little "rant-ish", the fact remains that middle relievers, setup men, and closers alike were NOTORIOUS for falling behind most batters and letting the leadoff man on. Whether they came on in the 5th inning or the 9th, it was the same old story. In fact, Lopez, Seay, etc. pitched BETTER when the starters would get us in a hole. When we were down big and early, the relievers were fine. It was mainly the 7th inning-on and with a lead or tie, or even a small deficit (which is the point where most teams' "good starters" give it up to their BPs) where they went to crap. National writers have gone on to admit that they failed to overlook the fact that their two "best" relievers were hurt when penciling in a pennant following the Cabrera/Willis trade. I fully agree that the starters' woes probably weigh heavier, but you can't hide from certain numbers. 28 blown saves. That means reversing 25% of those makes us a .500 club. 50% and that White Sox game at the end of the year was for OUR division title.

On the flipside, the BP success is in fact paralleled with the starters' success from 06-08. So there's definitely validity to what you're saying, 527. I guess I'm just trying to be a little more realistic. It just comes off as pessimism because 365 days ago, I was setting up camp outside will call to be the first in line for World Series tickets.

Figuratively, of course. It was way too cold.