About That Pitching Rotation…
June 11th, 2009 Posted in 2009 Season, Dontrelle Willis, Jeremy Bonderman, Jim LeylandThe Tigers top three pitchers have been terrific season. Justin Verlander and Edwin Jackson are two of the top pitchers in the American League. Each would get plenty of votes if the Cy Young vote were to be held this afternoon. Rick Porcello has offered much more at the age of 20 than most thought possible. He would most likely win the Rookie of the Year vote. So that’s all fine and good. What about the next two spots?
The Tigers have three candidates currently in the running for those final two spots. Each guy offers some good and some bad. Here’s the rub:
- Armando Galarraga
- Bad: He hasn’t won a start since April.
- Good: He’s pitched better recently.
- Bad: Since the calendar turned to May the Tigers are 2-5 when Galarraga starts.
- Good: He’s gone at least 6.2 innings in each of his last three starts and has given up 3 ER in each one. All quality starts.
- Bad: Has had only one good season in his career and that was his rookie season in 2008. He’s a bit unproven.
- Good: He’s dirt cheap.
- Dontrelle Wills
- Bad: In the 54 innings he’s pitched as a Tiger he has 55 walks
- Good: He’s left-handed.
- Bad: Tigers are 2-3 when he starts.
- Good: Has had great years in the past. He’s a former 22 game winner.
- Bad: He’s owed $22M for this year and next.
- Good: Did I mention he’s left-handed?
- Jeremy Bonderman:
- Bad: Got absolutely rocked in his first start.
- Good: Of all of these guys, he’s the most likely to be dominant. Yeah, that’s just an opinion.
- Bad: Has pitched exactly one big league game in the last calendar year.
- Good: Has been with the Tigers since 2003.
- Bad: Owed $25M for this year and next.
- Good: Younger than Willis and Galarraga.
Rob Neyer, one of my favorites, tackled the subject a bit in his blog:
This is sort of a reverse Sophie’s Choice. Meryl Streep loved both her children, and was forced to send one to a terrible fate. Jim Leyland probably can’t stand Bonderman or Willis, but he’s being forced to employ one in a key role. Let us review …
since the first day of the 2008 season, Willis is 1-5 with a 7.83 ERA in 54 innings.
Same span, Bonderman is 3-5 with a 4.78 ERA in 75 innings.
Leyland’s Choice doesn’t seem that difficult, does it? If Bonderman’s at all healthy, he has to start Sunday against the Pirates, if only so the Tigers can see what they’ve got. If he’s even halfway-effective, it’s easy. If he’s not, we start this sad movie over again.
I tend to agree. Galarraga has pitched well enough over his last three starts that it feels like he should be safe. I feel like Bonderman is the obvious choice over Willis if he can get it figured out in the next two starts or so.
Either Bonderman or Willis needs to starts on Sunday in Pittsburgh and I hope that Leyland opts for Bonderman. I will actually be in Pittsburgh on Sunday with loyal reader Kenny, to watch this one. I would much rather watch Bonderman pitch than see Willis run his crap out there again.
Either way, the Tigers are going to face a tough decision with Willis here pretty soon. Do they keep him on board and try to fix him or do they just cut their losses?
What do you think? Who should continue to start?
9 Responses to “About That Pitching Rotation…”
By JAY RC on Jun 11, 2009
Wow
First, I guess it’s a good problem to have regarding our rotation. To have an Ace is great, to have a dynamic duo is excellent and to have a rookie phenom as your third starter is incredible! There is still the debate that (cough cough) Robertson can start as well. Zach Miner at times has flashed quality work as well. So when you look at Dontrelle Armando and Jeremy fighting for two spots you just gotta figure/hope that two out of the three will be solid. I’ve always believed that competion only brings positive results. Perhaps it’s just positive thinking but our over abundance of starters can save us this year. Injuries happen, arms get tired and slumps happen. In my opinion Porcellos start should have been skipped. Spot starts are great! (Come on Blake your site is even called SpotStarters…LOL) I realize the issues of rest etc. I just believe that you don’t mess with JV or E-Jax. However, resting Porcello every now and again would only help us later this year and later in his career. I’m 100% on starting both Dtrain and Bondo to simply see where we are. Bondo has a career ERA of like 1,000 in the first inning that he pitches. So put him in the bullpen…really?! We need to evalute now so we know what we have and need by the deadline.
By Tigers1957 on Jun 11, 2009
Excellent article and an excellent post by JayRC. I agree with the 6 man rotation theory. I remember the problems Justin had in 2006 late in the season because he had pitched several more innings than he was used to in the minors. With Bondo, if he gets healthy, Willis, if he can find and keep his control, and with Miner who has proven himself as a spotstarter, and…….Robertson, I think you could work in a rest for Procello every now and then. Armando pitched well enough his last start for the win. He still has a ways to go. Procello has pitched better than I thought he would have thus far but I do believe the Tigers shouldconsider a rest here and there and hopefully prevent what has happen to Verlander and other rookie pitchers. Dont wait for the tire arm to get, try to prevent it from happening. We have a lot of starter right now, and I know that they all are not performing as they should, but use this to our advantage.
By Kenny on Jun 11, 2009
I said that to skip Porcello a while back. I think they should especially with interleague coming up. The Tigers have dominated the NL over the past couple of years so maybe skipping him once thorugh this may not hurt as bad as skipping him against the Central. I also hope that we see Bonderman on Sunday because I can’t stand the derailed train.
By Blake VandeBunte on Jun 11, 2009
I like the 6-man rotation in theory. However, it does mean carrying an extra starting pitcher and working one short in the bullpen. Most starters have a hard time pitching out of the bullpen and it may limit Leyland’s choices for pen options late in games. I wouldn’t be against trying it out, though.
By Blake VandeBunte on Jun 11, 2009
Crap. Looks like Willis will start on Sunday.
By JAY RC on Jun 11, 2009
Guess I just figured we already have extra starters on the 25
Miner
DTrain
Bondo
Robertson
Etc…
Robertson and Miner are rarely used anyways, especialy Not So Grrreat Nate…ever notice that?
By JAY RC on Jun 11, 2009
Blake
Yeah but just think:
Willis gets to bat on Sunday!
He can bat better than Dane Sardinha!
Oh yeah that’s not saying much
By Blake VandeBunte on Jun 11, 2009
Ha! Good point. Hopefully Willis can stay in the game long enough to bat.
By JAY RC on Jun 11, 2009
Ha
Even better point!