Would You Give Up Miner for Laird?
December 5th, 2008 Posted in Gerald Laird, Zach MinerI’m not even going to get into the Jack Wilson situation. If you want information on Jack Wilson and all the rumors surrounding the guy, go check out Bless You Boys, Ian has the scoop (or lack thereof) over there. Moving on.
A couple of days ago I wrote about the Tigers possibly looking at Texas catcher Gerald Laird. Laird is a decent catcher. He’ll contribute more on defense than at the dish but he’s not awful at the plate. I’ll put it this way, he’s a better catcher than Brandon Inge.
Laird’s current team, the Texas Rangers, is thought to be looking for pitching if they trade off any of their catchers. MLB.com reports that the player being mentioned in the Laird talks is Zach Miner. If this trade was proposed last June I think the Tigers should have jumped all over it. Now I’m not so sure. Let me explain.
I hate Miner as a relief pitcher. He always seems to fail at the most crucial moments. From Opening Day last season through July 1st, Miner pitched exclusively out of the Tigers bullpen. He wasn’t awful, but he sure wasn’t good. He posted an ERA of 4.23 and walked more batters than he struck out, not exactly the recipe for success out of the bullpen. However, as the season progressed and the Tigers rotation was hit with injuries, Miner got a shot at starting.
Miner started in his final 13 appearances of the season and gave up three of fewer earned runs in 9 of those starts (69%). Just for kicks here’s how many times other Tigers starters accomplished that feat over their final 13 starts:
- Kenny Rogers: 4 of 13 (31%)
- Nate Robertson: 5 of 13 (38%)
- Armando Galarraga: 9 of 13 (69%)
- Justin Verlander: 4 of 13 (31%)
Just to be clear, I do not think that Zach Miner is a better pitcher than Justin Verlander, but this does make you think a little bit doesn’t it? I mean, Miner will never be confused with an ace of a staff, but it’s certainly possible that he could be a very good fourth or fifth starter with the Tigers. The Tigers really lack big league arms in their rotation (thank you Nate Robertson, Kenny Rogers, and Dontrelle Willis) and Miner could be a very cheap yet affective pitcher for the club.
So, is it really worth giving up on Miner to pick up a catcher like Laird? I was talking to Ian about this yesterday and my first reaction was to say that, yes, the Tigers should sell high on Miner and flip him for Laird. Now I am not so sure.
What do you think?
6 Responses to “Would You Give Up Miner for Laird?”
By Jennifer on Dec 5, 2008
I’m gonna have to give a big fat no to this. Our rotation is so far from set, and we’ve nothing to spend, so we may need to fall back on Miner as a starter as we did last year. As you said, he looked a far sight better starting than out of the pen.
By Blake VandeBunte on Dec 5, 2008
See, I agree with that reasoning. As badly as the Tigers need a catcher (and they NEED one), I think the possible loss of a starting pitcher would be to much to sacrifice. If Chris Lambert would get the deal done, that’s cool. I just think Miner is too much to ask for.
By Mike McClary on Dec 5, 2008
I like Miner as a starter. As you say, fourth or fifth starter at most. Given the number of question marks surrounding the Tigers’ rotation next season, I’d hate to see him dealt away. But as we’ve seen, finding a decent catcher is much tougher than finding a four or five guy. So, with all that throat clearing out of the way, I’d say make the deal for Laird.
Better yet, see if the Rangers would take Nate Robertson instead. Somehow I doubt it.
- Mike
By Blake VandeBunte on Dec 5, 2008
How great would that be if they would take Nate or Willis? I doubt it, but Nate has really only had the one awful season. I just don’t think the Rangers want to spend that cash. I’ll keep my fingers crossed.
By Sean on Dec 6, 2008
Ill tell you what Blake, I think this would need to be done if the opportunity presented itself.
1. They need a catcher. Minor is a good - not great pitcher. Were not giving away the farm. And although pitching is needed to win games, someone needs to handle those pitchers.
2. His bat hurts nothing.
3. This shows that were ready to make the little deals to get things done, rather than wait for the blockbuster.
Im on board.
By Black on Dec 6, 2008
Miner was the Tigers’ third best starter, behind Verlander and Galarraga this year. He’ll be #4 behind Bonderman next year, unless Robertson/Willis really turn it around.
Something else to take into account when evaluating Miner. He’s a groundball pitcher (1.30 GB/FB ratio in 2008) , and thus, heavily depends on infield defense. Renteria was the Tigers’ SS last year, and he’s horrid defensively. Granted that better IF defense would also see some improvement for Nate Robertson, Miner is still slated to be the better pitcher than him going forward. And, he makes league minimum, which is huge. Just look at the Robertson/Willis contracts.