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Leyland: Changes for Tigers bullpen

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Whether he intended to or not, Jim Leyland issued what amounts to a challenge to his Tigers relief corps on Thursday. Changes are coming soon, Leyland said, because he wants to go back to a 12-man pitching staff (the Tigers currently have 13), and because he wants to add a second bullpen left-hander (the Tigers currently have just one). Changes are coming, and like it or not, that means jobs are on the line. Produce quickly, or you could be gone. Zach Miner and Yorman Bazardo got opportunities Thursday night, and the results were disastrous in a 12-6 Tigers loss to Boston. Miner and Bazardo have become top candidates to go, along with Jason Grilli. But no one in the bullpen seems completely safe, except for closer Todd Jones, setup man Denny Bautista and lefty Bobby Seay.

mlive.com

Jim Leyland , AP Jim Leyland , AP
April 12, 2008  09:17 AM ET

Bazardo got sent down and a lefty named Rapada got called up. He was expected to make the team originally, but developed tendenitis in his shoulder in spring training.

Grilli should just flat out be released.

This is a team that could be dominating this summer if they straighten out that bullpen.

April 12, 2008  12:38 PM ET

How long will it take the kid who just got his passport figured out to get up to snuff?

Lets just enjoy the amazing bullpen performance we saw last night. I couldn't believe my eyes...

April 12, 2008  02:47 PM ET

2-8

April 12, 2008  03:47 PM ET

Just wait untell the great Rondey come back and you will see more and more blowin saves. Rondey would have trouble getting a peewee team out.

April 12, 2008  05:18 PM ET

Rodney and Zumaya would help this bullpen a lot. The Tigers may want to look at anything that's still out there on the free agent market, such as Freddy
Garcia. No, he's not a reliever, but they could move one of their starters to the pen or trade him for bullpen help. The guys they got now probably aren't the answer.

April 12, 2008  06:10 PM ET

Okay. What does he plan to do about the offense?

April 12, 2008  06:33 PM ET

Poor Jim he has to be a Houdini or David Copperfield to make a decent bullpen out of that mess in Detroit !!!

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April 12, 2008  09:18 PM ET

No need to panic in Motown. The Tigers will be fine once Zumaya and Granderson are back.

April 13, 2008  02:20 AM ET

it's not just the bullpen that's killing the Tigers right now.

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April 13, 2008  01:36 PM ET

didnt the Tigers brass pay ANY attention to the 2001 - 2007 Yankees? Putting together a group of over priced free agent hired guns just dosnt work.

Luvdatdurdywatta | 04/13/08, 09:20 AM

Please realize the owner also owns the Red Wings, a team which proves the above statement incorrect...

Comment has been removed
April 13, 2008  09:17 PM ET

As wtih most I thought that Cabrera/Willis trade would put the Tigers over the edge. Man, that hasn't worked out at all. Cabrear will probably recover and have a typical season. But Willis - what happened to this guy? I was certain a move from FLA would energize this cat. But he is huge. Getting paid a gazillion and the only plate he can find is at the dinner table.

And I'd be worried about Verlander. He has been a stud his first 2 yrs, but has stunk it up big time so far. It may be early, but I think these guys are done.

April 14, 2008  05:50 AM ET

Mathematicaly eliminated in the first two weeks of the season.

I HATE the City of Chicago, but I think those folks might be doing some celebrating in October.....Cubs/White Sux???????

God, help us all. Well, at least they are not as obnoxious as Yankee fans or Red Sox Nation.

April 14, 2008  08:58 AM ET

Mathematicaly eliminated in the first two weeks of the season.

They are down what like 6 games with 140 left?

Isn't 140 > 6?

 
April 15, 2008  12:38 AM ET

damn, it seems like giving all those good pitchers we had away was a bad move. We cant even hold a team under 7 runs. The should have kept at least one of their young god pitchers.

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