SB Nation - Bobby Seay

Tigers Need Room on 40-Man Roster: Who Goes Next?

Ian Casselberry — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 04:00:15 -0000

More photos » by Gary Malerba - AP

Could Bobby Seay be the next player to be trimmed from the Detroit Tigers' roster?

On his Twitter feed earlier tonight, Jon Paul Morosi pointed out that the Tigers' 40-man roster was full before Tuesday's trade. So with Curtis Granderson and Edwin Jackson moving over to new teams, and Max Scherzer, Daniel Schlereth, Austin Jackson, and Phil Coke coming to Detroit, there are now 42 players on the roster.

A source told Morosi that Bobby Seay, Jeff Larish, and Dusty Ryan are now available. Seay seems like a candidate to be non-tendered, with all of the left-handed relievers that the Tigers now have. Ryan also could be expendable, with the signing of Robinzon Diaz. And Larish just doesn't seem to have a very high stock in the organization right now. There's no buzz about him, giving the impression that the team has given up on him.

The Tigers probably want to clear at least one spot before Thursday's Rule 5 Draft, unless they're just not interested in selecting any available players.

The implication from Morosi's report is that Detroit would like to deal off Seay, Larish, or Ryan in the remaining two days of the Winter Meetings. But as The Detroit Tigers Weblog points out, couldn't the team also release any players that could've been left unprotected three weeks ago, such as Dontrelle Willis or Don Kelly?

I know the smoke still hasn't cleared from the big trade, but it's becoming increasingly apparent that the Tigers probably aren't done making moves this week. So who could go? Who should go?

EDIT: It would probably be helpful to link to the Tigers' 40-man roster. Sorry about that.

Total Buzzkill: Twins 8, Tigers 3

Ian Casselberry — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 22:15:10 -0000

More photos » by Paul Sancya - AP

Not even Miguel Cabrera can bear to face how the Detroit Tigers blew an ideal chance to clinch the AL Central Thursday afternoon.

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The storyline was laid out perfectly. All the Detroit Tigers had to do was follow it. But they don't do so well with that.

Sometimes, that's not a bad thing. If the Tigers simply followed the path that was drawn out for them before the season, they wouldn't be playing for an AL Central division title. But this afternoon, with a sellout Comerica Park ready to celebrate, it was most certainly a disappointment.

Detroit had a chance to score more runs on Scott Baker in the first inning, but stranded two runners on base. They took a 1-0 lead on a RBI single by Gerald Laird, but Baker didn't allow anything else from there. And one run wasn't nearly enough offense with the way the Tigers pitched this afternoon.

The Twins jumped on Nate Robertson in the third, as three singles, a hit batsmen, and a sacrifice fly resulted in three runs scored. That turned out to be a lead Minnesota never gave up. Denard Span drove in another run in the fourth, and a three-run margin was plenty against a Tigers offense that had no spark.

But the Tigers still arguably had a chance while down by three. At least they did until the eighth inning. Casey Fien got two outs, but also put two runners on. Bobby Seay came in to face Span, but walked him on six pitches. Seay probably should've been taken out from there. If the idea was to keep him in for Joe Mauer, well, Seay still had to get Orlando Cabrera out.

Seay didn't get Cabrera out, serving up a bases-clearing double that put the game out of reach. With the score 7-1, Jim Leyland apparently felt Seay might as well face Mauer. At the very least, he could end the inning, right? Not so much. Seay hung a slider out over the plate for Mauer to smack to the opposite field, driving in one more run.

The Tigers showed a faint pulse in their half of the inning, scoring two runs. But by then, it was far too little, much too late.

So the AL Central is still up for grabs. The Tigers had a chance to shut the door on the Twins, but instead let them get a foot in. And Minnesota very likely won't be taking it out. Detroit could still win the division by winning two of three this weekend from the White Sox. Or this could be resolved with a Tigers win and Twins loss. (Zack Greinke might be able to help Detroit out with that on Saturday.)

Detroit's gratification has been delayed, and who knows for how long? But hey, at least this weekend's last three games will be interesting.

Comment of the Day:

Not the best time...

For Nate Robertson to remember he’s Nate Robertson…

by moonshineboy

Bad Sign For Seay? Rapada Added to Roster

Ian Casselberry — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 19:45:39 -0000

More photos » by Gary Malerba - AP

Is Bobby Seay going to be out for a while? Or did the Detroit Tigers call up lefty reliever Clay Rapada, just in case?

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Maybe this is a precautionary measure, maybe not.

But the Detroit Tigers added left-handed reliever Clay Rapada to their active roster today, less than 24 hours after Bobby Seay came out of last night's game experiencing some discomfort in his left shoulder. According to Jason Beck, no announcement has been made yet on Seay. But the media hasn't been in the clubhouse to talk to anyone yet, either.

Rapada pitched in 42 games for Triple-A Toledo this season, compiling a 4-2 record, 2.76 ERA, and five saves. He posted 47 strikeouts (versus 17 walks) in 45.2 innings. He appeared in two games for the Tigers earlier this season, when Seay's workload was getting heavy. Rapada allowed two runs and four hits in 2.1 innings.

One problem with Rapada might be that he hasn't pitched since September 4, when the Mud Hens' season ended. Unless he's stayed in shape over the past three weeks, it could be a while before he's ready to pitch in a game again.

Seay left last night's game after pitching to two batters, both of whom got base hits. The Tigers announced afterwards that he complained of pain in the front of his shoulder, and would be examined by a specialist.

He hasn't been very sharp since early September, compiling a 6.43 ERA in his last 10 games, with 11 hits allowed in seven innings. (His August wasn't that great either, with eight hits and six walks allowed in nine innings, and a 4.00 ERA.)

UPDATE: (6:30 p.m.): Via Jason Beck, Seay is out for at least the weekend, while he rests a strained left pectoral muscle. A MRI exam back in Detroit revealed no structural damage, and he's back with the team in Chicago now. Seay will be re-examined on Monday.

The Tribe is Swept Again: Tigers 6, Indians 5

Ian Casselberry — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 11:06:43 -0000

More photos » by DAVID RICHARD - AP

Justin Verlander got into a bit of trouble when he tried to overpower his way out of a jam. But he eventually settled down and earned his 17th win of the season.

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If you looked at the pitching match-up before this game and thought, "Well, Justin Verlander should pitch better than Carlos Carrasco, so the Tigers ought to beat the Indians," you'd have been exactly right. Verlander gave up two runs in seven innings, with 11 strikeouts. Carrasco allowed four runs in five innings, with three walks.

Of course, there's usually more to the story.

As is often the case in one of Verlander's starts, he had one of those innings. Thursday night, it was the third inning, as Verlander put the first four Cleveland batters on base, resulting in two runs. Making matters worse was Verlander trying to throw his way out of trouble, figuring no one could touch his 98 m.p.h. and above heat. He was right about that. Except the Indians just let the hard stuff go by, and waited for the soft stuff.

Once Verlander resumed pitching instead of throwing, however, he began getting hitters out and escaped with only hose two runs allowed.

Carrasco wasn't so lucky in his half of the inning. He wasn't fooling anyone in the Tigers lineup, giving up four singles to the first five batters he faced. (And he walked the other one.) By the time Carrasco could finally get someone out, Detroit had scored four runs and essentially taken control of the game.

The Tigers added insurance runs in the seventh and eighth innings, but it turned out they needed that cushion. Bobby Seay came in fo face the big lefties in Cleveland's lineup, but couldn't get either Shin-Soo Choo or Travis Hafner out. Worse, it appeared that Seay just wasn't feeling right. (And he'll have his shoulder looked at today.) Fortunately for Detroit, Brandon Lyon was able to clean up the mess and finish the inning.

Fernando Rodney, however, had a bit of trouble closing out the game. It didn't look that way initially, as he retired his first two batters. But Rodney then had difficulty locating his fastball, and walked Jamey Carroll. He got ahead of Choo 0-2 with change-ups, but once again couldn't find the control on his fastball. So Choo sat on the change-up and when he got another one, he blasted it for a two-run homer. Uh-oh.

Rodney forgot about the change-up against Travis Hafner, and finally found the strike zone with his fastball. But Hafner singled on a pitch right down the middle, giving Cleveland a chance to tie the game. Jhonny Peralta bailed Rodney out swinging at a high-and-inside fastball. Yet that might have been a base hit, if not for a lunging stop by Brandon Inge to end the game.

Much closer than it should've been. And the final result wasn't all that pretty. But the bullpen could afford a bad night, thanks to those extra runs. With the win (their fourth straight), the Tigers sweep the Indians yet again and gain a half-game over the Twins in the AL Central.

How does a 14-4 record against Cleveland this year look to you?

Roar:

Carlos Guillen racked up three hits for the second consecutive night, batting 3-for-3 with a RBI.

Whimper:

Curtis Granderson drove in a run with a groundout, but finished his night 0-for-5. And in this three-game series, he batted 2-for-16. That's dropped his OPS to .769, the lowest it's been since mid-April.

Comment of the Night:

I hate Nick Punto.

Just thought I’d put it out there.

by 13194013

Tigers Win! Game 150 Afterglow

Ian Casselberry — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 02:15:10 -0000

Bobby Seay and Brandon Lyon (or "Seay-Lyon," as we like to call them) made the eighth inning far more interesting than Tigers fans would've preferred, giving up a couple of singles and a couple of walks. And we saw the return of the bases-loaded walk, which was one of the most frustrating aspects of the Tigers' pitching staff in mid-season.

But the Indians couldn't get the big hit when it counted, and Detroit takes the first game of a series they really need to win (if not sweep).

Did Edwin Jackson get all better in this start? That might have been the roughest seven shutout innings any pitcher has thrown in a while. But no runs... is no runs. And I ask again: Should Ryan Raburn be the full-time left fielder from here on out?

Full recap later on. But for now, enjoy the afterglow. And I'm sure this will be sort of a Twins-White Sox thread, as well.

Rick Roll: Tigers 4, Indians 2

Ian Casselberry — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 03:15:17 -0000

More photos » by Paul Sancya - AP

Rick Porcello continued his mastery over the Cleveland Indians, giving up just two runs over seven innings on Wednesday night.

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It's far too early in Rick Porcello's major league career to suggest that he "owns" any team. But we should at least consider drawing up the paperwork on proprietary rights over the Cleveland Indians. In three starts against the Tribe this season, Kid Rick has allowed four runs in 20 innings. That's fewer runs than the Indians had errors tonight.

When they replay the highlights of this game on SportsTime Ohio, ESPN, or MLB Network, they should cue up the "Benny Hill Show" theme. Cleveland's infielders booted five balls tonight, two of which led to Detroit runs. The Tigers actually didn't generate much offense against Aaron Laffey, but they really didn't have to, thanks to the defensive miscues.

Three of those bobbles (and two on one play) were by Jhonny Peralta, who treated the baseball like the proverbial hot potato out of the oven. As we said in our post-game thread, Peralta committed more errors than Porcello allowed runs tonight. That's kind of astonishing.

After allowing a run in the first (on a two-out RBI single by Peralta, no less), Porcello cruised through six more innings, giving up just two hits. By the eighth, he'd thrown just 79 pitches and it looked like the rookie might be on his way to his first complete game. But that 81st pitch, a hanging slider that Travis Hafner launched nearly 20 rows past the right-field fence, was enough for Jim Leyland to call it a night for Kid Rick. Probably the right move in a tight ballgame.

But that shouldn't tarnish an impressive performance by Porcello. He's looked very good in his last two starts. And against the Indians, he now has a 1.80 ERA (if my calculations are correct). If he has to face the Tribe three weeks from now in Cleveland, did we just jinx him?

Roar:

For the second straight night, the combination of Bobby Seay, Brandon Lyon, and Fernando Rodney didn't allow a run. And in five innings, they've only given up three hits, while striking out six batters and walking just one.

Magglio Ordonez, meanwhile, has hit 4-for-7 in the first two games of this series, including tonight's 3-for-4 showing.

Comment of the Night:

precious precious arm

to go with his precious face.

by allikazoo

Rod Allen should really get it, however, for his "He threw a sinker!" crack when FSD showed Kid Rick chucking Lyon's toy plane into the grass.

Feast in the Fourth: Tigers 6, Rays 2

Ian Casselberry — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 02:45:31 -0000

More photos » by Duane Burleson - AP

Rick Porcello bounced back from his bad start last Sunday, holding the Rays to one run and four hits, adding five strikeouts.

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Coming home after a 3-3 west coast road trip, the Detroit Tigers got their four-game series against the defending American League champions off to a good start.

Rick Porcello shook off his bad performance last Sunday in Oakland (as well as his 1-3 record against AL East teams), pitching into the sixth inning and holding the Rays to one run and four hits. (Errors by Brandon Inge created a bit more tension than necessary in the first and third innings, however.) In addition, Kid Rick threw five strikeouts, tied for his second-highest total this season. He surpassed 100 pitches in a game for the first time, throwing 104.

Meanwhile, Matt Garza continues to struggle against the Tigers. He came into tonight's game 0-3 versus Detroit in five starts, and fell behind early on a home run by Inge. (That one was for you, Noah.) The Tigers fully pounced in the fourth, putting six straight runners on base. Three consecutive doubles by Gerald Laird, Adam Everett, and Curtis Granderson caused the big damage, driving in five runs.

All that was left was the finish, but the Tigers' bullpen had a little bit of trouble closing the door in the ninth. With a five-run lead, Fernando Rodney presumably wasn't necessary, so Bobby Seay was brought in to get some work. Seay just couldn't get that third out, however. First, he left a pitch up in the zone for Gabe Kapler to smack off the left-field foul pole for a home run. Then he fell behind B.J. Upton 3-0, before leaving another pitch up high that was blooped into right field for a single.

Enter Rodney, as the rain began to come down. Under normal circumstances, the umpires surely would've stopped play and called for the tarps to cover the field. But with only one out remaining, no one wanted a delay. Whether it was because of a wet ball or having to throw through a downpour, Rodney missed badly on several pitches and walked Jason Bartlett. But Rodney found his grip against Carl Crawford and got him to chase a change-up, thus ending what was beginning to look like a terribly ugly inning.

Roar:

Would you have believed the Tigers scored six runs on a night in which the #2 through #5 spots in the order didn't get a hit? The bottom of the order got it done tonight, with five hits and five RBIs.

Comment of the Night:

Well forget what I said about not having run support

They’re hitting Garza like he’s an effing piñata in this inning.

by kendra.michelle

And your runner-up, which provided some beautiful visual accompaniment.

Call It a Comeback! Tigers 5, Mariners 3

Ian Casselberry — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 11:55:15 -0000

More photos » by Duane Burleson - AP

Once again, we ask: How awesome is Alex Avila? Merely awesome or totally awesome?

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To repeat a point made in our post-game thread last night, these are the types of games that make a baseball fan feel alive.

Rick Porcello pitched well in his first start since serving his five-game suspension, locking himself in a duel with Felix Hernandez. Kid Rick racked up a career-high eight strikeouts while holding the Mariners to one run and four hits in almost six innings of work.

(Porcello also continued a baffling trend of allowing home runs to guys who don't normally hit them. Josh Wilson hammered a change-up into the left-field bullpen in the sixth inning, joining Ronny Cedeno, Chone Figgins, and Ryan Langerhans as noted sluggers who have taken Kid Rick deep this season.)

But a win is so much sweeter when nearly lost, and this one was jeopardized in the eighth inning as Bobby Seay intentionally walked his way through the Mariners lineup for a presumably favorable lefty-on-lefty match-up. Unfortunately for the Tigers, Seay failed in each of those instances, giving up a double to Ichiro Suzuki, a sacrifice fly to Ken Griffey, Jr., and a walk to Jack Hannahan. Two Seattle runs scored, and it looked as if the Tigers would waste yet another strong pitching performance.

But the Mariners' bullpen gave the game right back, when Hernandez had to leave the game with a cramp in his hamstring. Mark Lowe allowed a leadoff homer to Alex Avila (an impressive opposite-field shot, at that) igniting Detroit's comeback chances. Four of the next five Tigers batters reached base (aided by an error from Wilson at shortstop), the most important being Miguel Cabrera, whose single up the middle drove in the tying and go-ahead runs.

Cabrera also contributed to an insurance run in a rather unconventional fashion. It appeared as if he'd been picked off first base for the final out of the inning. But while he was caught in a rundown between first and second, Ryan Raburn (pinch-running for Carlos Guillen) took advantage of the distraction and scored from third.

Yes, the guy who most people figured was ticketed for Triple-A Toledo when Aubrey Huff was acquired from Baltimore on Monday stole home plate. It was one of many comebacks at Comerica Park on Tuesday night.

Comment of the Night:

Oh noes!

We can’t afford to conseayd a run here…

by explosivo2k2

And your runner-up, which is kind of the visual aid to the above remark.

Incon-seay-vable: Mariners 2, Tigers 1

Ian Casselberry — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 03:00:10 -0000

More photos » by Gary Malerba - AP

Was Bobby Seay trying to hide so he didn't have to face Armando Galarraga in the Tigers' dugout?

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This photo is actually from last night's game, but I don't think anyone would argue that it applies painfully well to tonight's outcome.

Armando Galarraga threw quite possibly his best game of the season (certainly the best he's looked since April), allowing just one hit into the eighth inning. But then Bobby Seay had to hang a slider out over the plate for Russell Branyan to launch into the right-field seats. Crushing.

Of course, we can cue the familiar sad song of a Tigers lineup that could score only one run. Granted, Felix Hernandez has done that to plenty of teams. But Detroit had a chance to tag some runs on King Felix in the first inning with two runners on and no outs. But two straight strikeouts and a shallow fly-out squandered yet another early scoring opportunity.

Between that limp offense and a reliever who's given up two runs in his last 2.1 innings, a night in which Galarraga out-pitched one of the best starters in the American League was completely wasted.

Whimper:

Was this the figurative final nail in the coffin for Josh Anderson's Tigers career? No one blew more chances to drive runners home tonight. Twice, he came up with multiple runners on, and failed to get a hit. For the night, he went 0-for-4 and left five runners on base.

We know Anderson is out of minor league options. How about taking the risk (and how much of one can it possibly be at this point) that no other team is going to claim a speedster who can't use his speed because his OBP is .282. And once Anderson clears waivers, send him to the minors, and give his at-bats to someone who can make more of a contribution.

Comment of the Night:

Armando just told EJ and JV:

Algunos no necesitan "run support"

by NCDee

Lunchtime Prowl: The Fu-Te Ni Mixtape, All-Star Picks, Same Ol' Maggs, and Bobby Seay's Holds

Ian Casselberry — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:10:43 -0000

Mack Avenue Tigers has more on Detroit's newest reliever, Fu-Te Ni, including a video clip "mixtape" that gives you a look at his sidearm-type delivery. It looks similar to Clay Rapada's to me, but if Ni has better control than Rapada, that obviously works in his favor. I'm very curious to see how he'll perform against the likes of Jack Cust and Jason Giambi, and Justin Morneau and Joe Mauer after that.

(On a personal note, my mother has been asking me for years, "Why don't the Tigers have any Asian ballplayers?" I mention Hideo Nomo and Masao Kida, but those names do nothing for her. Now, finally, Fu-Te Ni has settled this particular issue within Team Casselberry. I just hope Mom stays up to watch these games in Oakland. [She won't.])

Adam Everett is among Jon Heyman's list of the best free agent signings. Kerry Wood is on the "worst" list, which might mean that the Tigers dodged a bullet in losing out on him this winter.

Heyman also praises two of the moves Dave Dombrowski made in the offseason, both of which have been significant additions to the Tigers' starting rotation.

Want more national love for the Tigers? Yahoo's Gordon Edes has the column for you, marveling at how well Detroit has played despite the big names that have either underperformed or were told their services would no longer be required.

Always a Tiger is taking a look at Tigers history "by the numbers." BigJP's first post featured Lou Whitaker, and his latest looks at Charlie Gehringer. See how this is going? Number one, number two, etc.

Jon Paul Morosi filled out the All-Star pitching staffs for both the American and National League rosters, and both Justin Verlander and Edwin Jackson are on his AL team. Meanwhile, Ken Rosenthal has quite a different take on the All-Star rosters, and gives the Tigers just their one obligatory representative.

Fire Jim Leyland checks out Alfredo Figaro's two starts through Pitch F/X, and finds that Jim Leyland's assertion that Figaro wasn't pitching aggressively was pretty spot-on. (Differences between Comerica Park and Minute Maid Park should be taken into consideration, however.)

FJL also takes a look at Luke French's pitching repertoire, and seems less than impressed.

Bobby Seay's been doing a good job out of the Tigers' bullpen, and rightfully gets a feature from Jason Beck on tigers.com. It's all about the slider. But I wasn't aware Seay currently leads the majors in holds with 16. Were you paying closer attention?

The Chicago Tribune's Phil Rogers has had enough of Carlos Zambrano, and wonders if the Cubs feel the same way. Would you like to see the Tigers get into that business or is a potential head case the last thing Detroit's pitching staff needs? (Thanks to Zappatista for passing this along.)

Lynn Henning has seen what I think many of us have also perceived since Magglio Ordonez returned from his "indefinite" hiatus: Nothing has really changed. (Here are the cold numbers.) Maggs still isn't driving the ball, and that home run last Thursday was due more to a terrible pitch by Ted Lilly than any adjustment made by Ordonez.

Remember Yorman Bazardo? Pitched in 14 games for the Tigers between 2007 and 2008? (I miss him, because I no longer have a reason to post my Bizarro picture whenever he pitches.) FanGraphs wonders why he's been in four organizations over the past four seasons.

We can't really blame Armando Galarraga's struggles on the World Baseball Classic, can we? Nevertheless, MLB Daily Dish lists a number of pitchers who have performed poorly this season, and each of them have something in common.