04/23/24
March 30, 2010
Dontrelle Willis Makes Tigers' Starting Rotation: Just one month after saying that he's a terrible pitcher, Dontrelle Willis was able to show manager Jim Leyland enough to open the season as the Detroit Tigers' No. 3 starter.
So our starting rotation is Verlander, Porcello, Scherzer, Bonderman, and Willis? Where does Galarraga fit in? And with the premium Dombrowski puts on lefties, and Bobby Seay out for who knows how long, I wonder if trading Robinson was a good idea, especially if they're footing the bill on his salary. They could always use him or Willis out of the pen for middle relief, especially those days when Verlander or Bonderman can't hit the backstop, more less the strike zone. This just seems like another head-scratcher going into this season...
posted by MeatSaber at 12:41 AM on March 31, 2010
What a fall for Dontrelle. Injuries happen all the time in sports and the majority of star players come back to form one way or another but that just hasn't happened with him.
Even worse, Dontrelle was a 22 game winner in 2005 while with the Marlins and he's still young at 28. I just don't see him as much of a threat these days which is such a shame.
posted by BornIcon at 07:41 AM on March 31, 2010
Where does Galarraga fit in?
Galarraga was sent down to the minors earlier this spring training. He didn't have a good spring and he certainly hasn't come close to pitching like he did two years ago.
I wonder if trading Robinson was a good idea, especially if they're footing the bill on his salary.
I have a feeling that Robertson isn't too keen on being a reliever, so rather than keep him around they decided to preserve team chemistry by trading him. Going into spring training the Tigers knew they'd have to get rid of one of their high paid pitchers (Bonderman, Robertson, Willis), it was just a matter of who that would be.
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 10:50 AM on March 31, 2010
Galarraga was sent down to the minors earlier this spring training.
Guess that's what I get for not paying attention. Not my fault the Wings are fighting for their playoff lives this time of year... =D
posted by MeatSaber at 02:10 PM on March 31, 2010
I doubt this will last past May. Willis just doesn't have it anymore. Unfortunately, the Tigers' rotation isn't awash with talent so the best I can hope for is to be proven wrong.
On edit: Detroit News has Willis as the fifth starter