SB Nation - Don Kelly

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.

The Rookies Who Aren't

TheJay — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 11:00:16 -0000

Determining rookie status:

A player shall be considered a rookie unless, during a previous season or seasons, he has (a) exceeded 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched in the Major Leagues; or (b) accumulated more than 45 days on the active roster of a Major League club or clubs during the period of 25-player limit (excluding time in the military service and time on the disabled list).

The first part of the definition of a rookie in Major League Baseball is straightforward. Once a player reaches 131 at bats or 50 1/3 innings pitched, he's no longer a rookie. The second part is a little trickier. After all, service time numbers are hard to find. They generally come out once each year, in team media guides. Add in the fact that you have to subtract time in the major leagues after September 1st and on the disabled list and it's even harder to figure out who is truly a rookie.

It has already been mentioned this offseason that Mat Gamel eclipsed 45 days of service time before September. Gamel was recalled from Nashville on May 14th and optioned back on July 20th, giving him 67 days on the active roster during the "period of 25-player limit." So, even though he sits at 130 career at bats, the same number Scott Rolen had going into his Rookie of the Year season, Gamel cannot win the Rookie of the Year award (though that might not stop him from getting votes).

Gamel isn't the only such little-used non-rookie in the Brewers organization. Raise your hand if you realized Hernan Iribarren has 48 days of major league service time, all before September 1. Iribarren spent 20 days on the major league roster in April and June 2008, picking up 14 at bats. He spent 28 days in the majors in 2009, batting a mere 13 times. I'm going to go out on a limb and predict he wasn't going to win the 2010 Rookie of the Year Award anyway.

New Brewer George Kottaras also enters 2010 off the list of rookie players. He spent all of 2009 in the majors with the Red Sox, playing in 45 games with 93 at bats. Though he spent the month of August on the disabled list, he gave up his 2010 rookie status in mid-May.

Gamel, Iribarren, and Kottaras are not the only little-used rookies. Follow the jump for a list of all such position players to appear in the majors in 2008 or 2009. Please note it is lengthy and full of guys who have no chance at winning an award anyway. I will post a list of pitchers in the next few days.

Non-Rookies with 130 or fewer career AB:

Mat Gamel, 130 career AB
Joaquin Arias, 129 AB
Argenis Reyes, 127 AB
Jose Morales, 122 AB
Ivan Ochoa*, 120 AB
Michel Hernandez, 118 AB
Curtis Thigpen*, 118 AB
Ramiro Pena, 115 AB
Josh Whitesell, 115 AB
Luke Carlin, 112 AB
Chris Gimenez, 111 AB
Tyler Greene, 108 AB
Sam Fuld, 103 AB
Reid Brignac, 100 AB
Francisco Cervelli, 99 AB
George Kottaras, 98 AB
Freddy Guzman, 95 AB
Robinson Cancel, 94 AB
Guillermo Rodriguez, 92 AB
Steve Holm, 91 AB
Justin Ruggiano*, 90 AB
Nathan Haynes*, 89 AB
Diory Hernandez, 85 AB
Don Kelly, 83 AB
Dane Sardinha, 80 AB
Luis Maza*, 79 AB
Paul Hoover, 78 AB
Edwin Maysonet, 76 AB
Dusty Ryan, 70 AB
Clint Sammons, 68 AB
Tug Hulett, 67 AB
Drew Sutton, 66 AB
J.R. House*, 60 AB
John Mayberry, 57 AB
Gregorio Petit, 54 AB
Brian Myrow*, 51 AB
Chris Stewart*, 48 AB
Justin Christian*, 40 AB
Travis Denker*, 37 AB
Gustavo Molina*, 34 AB
Hernan Iribarren, 27 AB
Ryan Budde, 23 AB

* - last appeared in the majors in 2008

I warned you. If I missed anyone or included someone who should not be on the list, let me know in the comments.

Playing With the Tigers' 40-Man Roster

Ian Casselberry — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:30:10 -0000

With major league teams having to finalize their 40-man rosters by Friday, the Detroit Tigers have some decisions to make about which players they want to protect and which to leave exposed for the Rule 5 Draft that takes place at the end of next month's Winter Meetings.

If you look at Detroit's current 40-man roster, you'll notice 42 names are listed. However, six of those names will be free agents as of Friday. That leaves four openings. But at least two of them are already spoken for, as Scott Sizemore and Ryan Strieby will need to be added.

(Jason Beck and Lynn Henning seem to be high on Brennan Boesch, who hit 28 homers for Double-A Erie this year. Me, I think he looks a bit like Number Two's son on The Prisoner. He could take up a third opening.)

So the Tigers will probably have to make some moves to create more room on the roster. Who else should go? And which prospects need to be protected?

At Mack Avenue Tigers, Kurt Mensching listed the players he thinks should go, and the ones that could stay. In his article on the subject, Beck also suggested a couple of other players Detroit could protect. (Just to clarify, players generally don't have to be protected until they've played four minor league seasons, which is why prospects such as Casey Crosby, Cody Satterwhite, or ~~Brett Jacobsen~~ Scott Green aren't being mentioned.)

[EDIT: Take 75 North's Matt Wallace reminds me that Jacobson was traded to Baltimore in the Aubrey Huff deal. My mistake. I keep trying to forget that trade ever took place.]

Almost two weeks ago, demondeaconsbaseball requested that we have a 40-man roster discussion thread, so this is probably the best time to do it. I know some are more familiar with the Tigers' minor league system than others. (I'm probably not as familiar with some prospects as I should be, either.) But I think plenty of you have an opinion on this.

Just to get the thread started, four names immediately stood out as players who could be cut when I looked over the roster. I'd send off Freddy Dolsi, Clay Rapada, Don Kelly, and Dontrelle Willis. (All but Willis have minor league options remaining, however, and could stay in the organization. As Kurt pointed out in his post, Eddie Bajek has listed who still has options at his blog, Detroit Tigers Thoughts.)

So what moves would you make? Is there anybody else you'd cut loose? Who's an important player for the Tigers to protect? Play with the 40-man roster!

Sunday Morning Breakfast & Baseball: Carl Pavano, Glen Perkins, Don Kelly, Vikings/Twins Schedule Conflict

Jesse — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 12:43:46 -0000

Just a few notes on your favorite baseball team this morning, before Twins and Vikings games take you away to more social activities...

Carl Pavano's Splits	W-L	GS	IP	H/9	K/9	BB/9	HR/9	ERA
Since Coming to the Twins	3-3	9	57.1	9.73	6.75	1.88	0.63	3.61
Since August 23	2-2	6	39.1	10.30	6.41	1.37	0.46	2.97
VS Detroit Tigers in 0009	4-0	5	37.1	8.20	5.30	0.24	0.00	1.69

If the Twins do manage to come back to take this division title away from the Tigers, there's no doubt that Carl Pavano will be regarded as one of the better, more key acquisitions that Bill Smith and the front office picked up down the stretch.
LEN III updated us on Glen Perkins last night, who apparently is off to see "noted specialist Dr. Lewis Yocum" for the second time this year. Just the latest chapter in an ongoing saga of a guy who wants to blame the Twins for his decision to not tell them about his own pain and discomfort. This still strikes me as a sad situation for both Perkins and the Twins.
Don Kelly had this to say about his critical blunder in the seventh inning yesterday afternoon: "Once it went through the lights, I lost it. There's really nothing else you can do. I mean, it's not like I took my eye off of if. People were saying they've seen many, many balls lost here. It's not the first. It's not going to be the last." Well Don, actually, it might be the last. There aren't that many games left, and contrary to popular belief not many guys actually biff it like you did, lights or not. So that should help you sleep better.
Finally, by now most of you have heard about the potential scheduling conflict between the Vikings and the Twins if Minnesota should finish the season in a dead heat with the Tigers. In spite of the fact that the lease on the Dome stipulates that a Vikings game will take precedent over any baseball event bar the World Series, MLB's senior VP for scheduling and club relations Katy Fenney insists the Twins game would take priority. Somehow that seems a little presumptious to me, not just because of the Vikings' legal right to play their game, but also because it's a Monday Night Football game that will be getting national coverage. An unplanned event like game 163 would have to work around a set schedule, it just seems like common sense to me. If the baseball gods want a Detroit v Minnesota nation-wide showdown, they'll probably be better served moving the game to Tuesday instead of trying to force the Vikings and the NFL out of their slot.

Attack of the Metrodome: Twins 6, Tigers 2

Ian Casselberry — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 00:35:12 -0000

More photos » by Ann Heisenfelt - AP

Much like the Detroit Tigers at the Metrodome, Aubrey Huff was down and out on this play in the third inning on Saturday.

Browse more photos »

It's like a horror movie. You know the monstrous killer is in the room. Probably hiding behind the door. Don't go in, you're thinking (or yelling) to the nubile victim-to-be.

But of course, she goes in. Because if she didn't, you wouldn't have a movie. She goes in, walks past the door, and Ahhh! The killer is behind the door! Exactly where you knew he was!

No, no, no! Don't turn around! But it doesn't matter anyway, because the killer is behind you! You're dead, you're dead, you're dead!

And sure enough, the axe goes right into the head.

That's what playing in the Metrodome is like for the Detroit Tigers. You know the 'dome is going to play a role in one of these games. A chopper that ricochets too high off the artificial turf. Maybe a grounder that gets through the infield just a little too fast on that surface. Or - just like the killer behind the door - the fly ball that gets lost against that white teflon roof.

Losing a fly ball in the whiteout of that roof makes outfielders look silly. Suddenly, major leaguers look like your buddy on the softball team, holding out his arms with uncertainty, stepping in place like a fly stuck in flypaper. And there's fear. Where is that ball? Where will it land? Will it hit me in the head?

Today, that was Don Kelly. Kelly was a defensive replacement in left field, taking over for Carlos Guillen in the eighth inning. In virtually every other ballpark on this planet, when Orlando Cabrera pops up a 98 m.p.h. inside fastball off his fists, it will eventually land harmlessly in the glove of the outfielder. And almost every time, Kelly probably catches that ball easily. But not in the Metrodome.

Kelly couldn't find Cabrera's fly ball and it dropped to the turf. That put runners on second and third with one out, completely endangering the Tigers' 2-1 lead that Justin Verlander had worked so hard to protect.

Joe Mauer was intentionally walked to set up a potential double play. But Jason Kubel blooped an opposite-field single into short left. Unfortunately, Kelly misplayed that ball too, letting the ball bounce high and then bobbling it before he was able to make a throw. Two runs scored, and the Tigers' lead was gone.

(The ballgame was officially gone, when Brandon Lyon took over for Verlander and grooved a high fastball that Michael Cuddyer decked into deep left-center field for a three-run homer.)

What was Jim Leyland thinking, putting Kelly out there in virtually unfamiliar territory? Well, that wasn't the first time Kelly had played in the Metrodome. As Jason Beck pointed out on Twitter, Kelly started two games for the Tigers in Minneapolis back in July. But if you want to know why an inexperienced player was put in such a position with a pivotal game on the line... well, that's probably a question worth asking.

Sure enough, the axe goes right into the head.

Whimper:

Of course, the Tigers should've scored more than two runs. And they squandered plenty of scoring chances, getting a runner to third four times. But the best chance was probably in the fifth, when Gerald Laird grounded into a double play with runners on second and third.

(We can't be too hard on Laird, however, since he shut down the Twins' running game, gunning down both Denard Span and Carlos Gomez at second base.)

But then there's also this:

AL Central Standings

	W	L	PCT	GB	STRK
Detroit	78	70	.527	0	Lost 3
Minnesota	76	72	.513	2	Won 6
Chicago	72	76	.486	6	Lost 3
Cleveland	61	87	.412	17	Lost 7
Kansas City	60	87	.408	17.5	Won 2

(updated 9.19.2009 at 8:20 PM EDT)

Comment of the Day:

by StringTheory

A Royal Flogging: Royals 11, Tigers 1

Ian Casselberry — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 02:20:54 -0000

More photos » by Duane Burleson - AP

Jarrod Washburn can't bear to look at the four-run carnage he and his aching left knee left behind on the field Tuesday night.

Browse more photos »

The less said about this, the better. Tonight's game was a disaster for the Detroit Tigers from the start.

How would Jarrod Washburn fare after skipping his last start to rest his aching left knee? Well, he struck out David DeJesus to begin the game. And his highlight reel ended there.

Washburn could not find the strike zone, throwing most everything off the plate as he tried to pitch away from the Kansas City hitters. The first Royals run was scored on a pitch far outside Alex Avila's reach. (It was scored a passed ball, but Avila would've had to be Plastic Man to catch that one.)

And when Washburn did throw a strike, it was up in the zone and hit hard. The Royals scored three more runs when Alberto Callaspo crushed a fastball deep to left-center field.

Somehow, Washburn got two more outs to end the inning. But that was the end of his evening. He was clearly having problems with that knee, limping around the mound after he got one of those outs. And the location of most of his pitches showed he wasn't getting a good push off the rubber. With that, Jim Leyland apparently decided he'd seen enough.

Washburn wasn't the only one who pitched badly tonight, however. Casey Fien served up a three-run homer to David DeJesus, eventually giving up four runs in three innings. Jeremy Bonderman gave up a three-run shot of his own to Miguel Olivo.

Actually, the pitching star of the evening was Zach Miner, who pitched two scoreless innings taking over for Washburn.

The only other thing worth noting about this game is that Don Kelly came in for Miguel Cabrera at first base and Brent Dlugach took over at third for Brandon Inge in the sixth inning. At that point, Leyland basically told everyone this game was lost.

Remember that comeback, walk-off win over the Blue Jays on Monday night? That was awesome.

Whimper:

Magglio Ordonez celebrated triggering his $18 million contract for next season by going 0-for-3. But really, it's unfair to single him out. This game was lost before the Tigers even came to bat.

Comment of the Night:

Did anyone else suddenly get a Beach Boys song in their head?

maybe it’s just me.

by MackAveKurt

Don Kelly Called Up, Along With Armando Galarraga

Ian Casselberry — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 20:05:13 -0000

As already mentioned in the comments of our last post, (and reported by Jason Beck), Don Kelly has been added to the Tigers' roster. He was called up from Triple-A Toledo along with Armando Galarraga, who's recovered from his elbow inflammation and will start tonight for Jarrod Washburn.

Kelly hit 250/.308/.354 in 19 games with the Tigers through most of June and early July. With the Mud Hens, he batted .331/.404/.465 with six homers and 40 RBIs. He also played virtually every position on the field, so it'll be interesting to see if he's used anywhere else besides left field.

Since Kelly wasn't on the 40-man roster, Jeff Larish was also called up and then added to the 60-day disabled list. He's recovering from wrist surgery.

More Call-Ups For the Tigers?

Ian Casselberry — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 13:35:24 -0000

More photos » by Duane Burleson - AP

Armando Galarraga wasn't listed among the Tigers' September call-ups yesterday, but he'll rejoin the team on Saturday, when his required 10-day minor league assignment is completed.

Browse more photos »

Today is the day major league teams can expand their rosters, and the Detroit Tigers announced six players they're calling up from Triple-A Toledo. But could more be on the way?

According to Jason Beck, the Tigers plan on adding more players once the Mud Hens' season ends next week. Foremost among them will be the one name that was conspicuously absent yesterday (yet we didn't mention), pitcher Armando Galarraga.

Apparently, the Tigers are sticking to the 10-day assignment normally required for options to the minors, rather than move pieces around on the 40-man roster to get Galarraga back up here sooner. Perhaps they want him to rest that elbow more. Or maybe Nate Robertson's start on Saturday was impressive enough to temper any urgency.

Galarraga is eligible to be recalled from Toledo on Saturday. In the meantime, he's scheduled to pitch for the Mud Hens on Friday.

So who else could be coming up to bolster the roster? Freddy Dolsi, Clay Rapada, and Zach Simons could each give the Tigers' bullpen a fresh arm to use. Simons (62 strikeouts in 66.1 innings) would be the most appealing of the three, given that we haven't seen him pitch in Detroit yet. Alfredo Figaro might be someone who can help fill in if any starters need a rest, as Tom Gage points out.

On the position side, it's a little trickier, since players like Don Kelly and Scott Sizemore aren't on the 40-man roster. Sizemore seems unlikely to get the call, as he's one of the players the Tigers will send to the Arizona Fall League. It's probably more important for his development to play regularly there, as opposed to sit on the bench in Detroit.

Kelly, however, can play virtually every position on the field and supplies a decent left-handed bat, though not much power. He hit .250/.308/.354 in 19 games with the Tigers through most of June and early July, playing almost exclusively in left field. With the Mud Hens, however, he has a .329/.402/.465 average, which puts him in contention for the International League batting title. But to add him, the Tigers would have to do something like move Jeff Larish to the 60-day DL.

Morning Prowl: Lyon Gets Love, Inge's Fill-In, Unsigned Draft Picks, and Cabrera's RBIs

Ian Casselberry — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 12:30:29 -0000

With today's off-day giving us a chance to take a breath, there's also a chance to reflect. Mack Avenue Tigers takes the opportunity to look at Brandon Lyon, and how well he's pitched over the past three months. How well? He has a 1.34 ERA since May 13, and hasn't allowed a run since the All-Star break.

Hey, Lyon gets some love in today's Detroit News, as well. What's been the key to his turnaround? A cut fastball, according to Jim Leyland.

Tiger Geist has a candidate to fill in for Brandon Inge at third base when he needs a day off. And it's someone we've seen in Detroit previously this season. (Although he played very little third base in that tour of duty.)

Ernie Harwell was hospitalized last week because of an obstructed bile duct. He was released this weekend, and is resting at home.

Major league teams have until midnight tonight to sign this year's first-round draft picks. The Tigers still have yet to sign their first two selections, pitchers Jacob Turner and Andrew Oliver. But several other picks also remain unsigned, including their sixth-round pick, shortstop Daniel Fields, who's trying to decide between the Tigers and the University of Michigan.

If you'd like to discuss this or post any pertinent updates, we have a Signing Deadline Open Thread in the FanPosts section. You can find that on the front page on the right-hand sidebar.

Baseball Musings wonders why Miguel Cabrera doesn't have more RBIs this season. Cabrera has 70 RBIs, yet's he driven in just 15% of the runners that have been on base when he's come to the plate.

Jim Leyland said over the weekend that he didn't expect to call up many minor leaguers when rosters expand in September. That's consistent with Leyland's philosophy since he's been in Detroit. One player that might get added to the roster is another back-up catcher, which would allow Alex Avila to be used as a pinch-hitter in late innings.

Could one of the September call-ups be Dontrelle Willis? He's pitching a rehab start for Triple-A Toledo tonight.

In his minor league report for this week, Lynn Henning features Scott Sizemore and Brent Dlugach. Where do they factor into the Tigers' middle infield plans for next season?

Staying in the minors, I'm a couple days late on this, but The Detroit Tigers Weblog interviewed Single-A pitcher Adam Wilk, who's been posting some impressive strikeout numbers with Oneonta and West Michigan this year.

The Daily Fungo looks back at the last time the Tigers pitched a shutout at Fenway Park, in light of Justin Verlander's allowing no runs last Thursday vs. Boston. Had it really been 22 years?

We all know Edwin Jackson's won-loss record should be better, but he's received some terrible run support throughout the season. But It's Just Sports points out that the lack of scoring is even more galling when you consider some of the pitchers that have opposed Jackson in several of his starts.

The Spot Starters lists several of the big contracts the Tigers are committed to pay next season, and sees a $100 million payroll even before the team re-signs arbitration-eligible players such as Verlander, Jackson and Lyon.

West Michigan Whitecaps hitting coach Benny Distefano is interviewed in this New York Times feature asking why there aren't any left-handed catchers. There are some very practical reasons for not playing a left-handed thrower behind the plate, as it turns out.

(Thanks to murrajo for posting a link to this article in Saturday night's GameThread.)

Clete Thomas Returns; Don Kelly Demoted

Ian Casselberry — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 15:15:33 -0000

More photos » by Gail Burton - AP

Don't know what you got 'til it's gone, Detroit Tigers. You could only keep Clete Thomas away for so long before you realized you needed him.

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He has returned to us. The Cult of Clete can once again rejoice.

After last night's game, the Detroit Tigers announced that outfielder Clete Thomas has been recalled from Triple-A Toledo. Don Kelly was designated for assignment to make room for Thomas on Detroit's roster. (The move was first announced by Jason Beck on Twitter, and if you're on Twitter, you saw how fast that news passed around. Viral!)

Thomas was sent down to Triple-A approximately a month ago, told that he needed to work on shortening his swing. Apparently, Clete took that advice seriously, because he started mashing the ball as soon as he got to Toledo. In his last 86 at-bats, Thomas hit .349/.434/.465 with 12 walks and 25 strikeouts. (Hat tip to Billfer) I'm sure the Tigers would prefer Clete strike out less, but he's hitting the ball, which is something the team needs right now.

Kelly was designated for assignment, as he was out of minor league options. My guess would be that he'd report to Toledo, and maybe the Tigers would bring him back if they needed the help in the outfield. His average had fallen to .250/.308/.354, but he was hitting the ball pretty regularly and showing a nice opposite field stroke when first called up, highlighted by a 3-for-4 day against Milwaukee. (But he should never, ever bat clean-up in a major league lineup, as he did last Sunday.)

When he initially joined the Tigers before a long stretch of interleague play, I figured the team would take advantage of the versatility he showed in Toledo and use him at several different positions. But he played almost exclusively in left field, filling in a little bit at third base when Brandon Inge's knees were bothering him.

I expect that Thomas will be in the starting lineup tonight against Zack Greinke, though he's just 1-for-7 against him with two strikeouts.