Rafael Soriano

[tbone413]

What's the deal with him? I don't think he has signed with a team yet right? I know earlier he was asking for a 4 year deal upwards of $60 million but now rumors are that he would accept a 1 year deal for say $15 million.

I know the Tigers are saying that they are going to give the reins to Rondon, but if they could get Soriano for a 1-2 year deal I say why not?

 

[kalinecountry]

Soriano will cost the draft pick.
you never know, maybe he would settle for the 1 year deal, but mid 30's, probably wants the 3/4 year now.

 

[spockmaster]

hes not worth the draft pick. closers are overrated.

 

[tbone413]

O yea - I forgot about the draft pick...would that be a first rounder?

Also, lets say Rondon stumbles and shows he can't handle the closer role. What are the Tigers back up plans? Benoit took a big step backwards last year with the home runs allowed, Dotel is 39, and Coke is inconsistent.

I just think that a team that seems to be "all in" like the Tigers, are taking a risk by asking a rookie to close for them. If Soriano was the difference between a playoff loss and a WS, then the pick would 100% be worth it obviously..but nobody knows that.

 

[manchild98]

Personally I think the closer role is a bit overrated anyways. Every team blows saves. You would probably barely be any worse if you just went closer by committee..especially for the regular season. Usually every bullpen guy has good and bad stretches throughout the year. Look at Coke, he sucked all year and then the post season came and all of the sudden he could get guys out.

 

[Thumb]

O yea - I forgot about the draft pick...would that be a first rounder?

Also, lets say Rondon stumbles and shows he can't handle the closer role. What are the Tigers back up plans? Benoit took a big step backwards last year with the home runs allowed, Dotel is 39, and Coke is inconsistent.

I just think that a team that seems to be "all in" like the Tigers, are taking a risk by asking a rookie to close for them. If Soriano was the difference between a playoff loss and a WS, then the pick would 100% be worth it obviously..but nobody knows that.

Coke is not, and should not ever be designated as a closer. He would face too many right handed hitters, and they have his number. I don't have a problem with him coming in during the 9th to get lefties though.

We can try Rondon, but I think we would be better off just using who is available in the pen at the time and offers the best matchups based on the hitters that are due up, or would likely be called to PH.

If Al Al and BV can stay healthy, we have a pretty good mix and match back end with them plus, Rondon, Benoit, Coke, Dotel, Downs?

Of course it all depends on how Jimmy Smokes plays it out, he's a known fan of a 9th inning "do or die" guy. Which is probably why Valverde got lit up so bad last year, several situations he should have been pulled early, or just not used at all.

 

[Mitchrapp]

Those draft picks are killing Borne, Lohse and Soriano. All Boras players, lol.

 

[Mitchrapp]

Coke is not, and should not ever be designated as a closer. He would face too many right handed hitters, and they have his number. I don't have a problem with him coming in during the 9th to get lefties though.

We can try Rondon, but I think we would be better off just using who is available in the pen at the time and offers the best matchups based on the hitters that are due up, or would likely be called to PH.

If Al Al and BV can stay healthy, we have a pretty good mix and match back end with them plus, Rondon, Benoit, Coke, Dotel, Downs?

Of course it all depends on how Jimmy Smokes plays it out, he's a known fan of a 9th inning "do or die" guy. Which is probably why Valverde got lit up so bad last year, several situations he should have been pulled early, or just not used at all.

I'm not much for pulling the guy in the 9th inning. Once he gets in, let him save it for you/ Outside a guy who walks a bunch. With that being said, we don't need a dedicated closer.

Last season, I never understood if for example Benoit coming into pitch the 7th-8th and it takes him only a handful of pitches to get out of the inning and so his day is done. What's wrong with pitching him a second inning?

 

[tigersofjustice]

Boras probably opted out with Soriano with the idea of gouging the Tigers in mind, since Mr. I has bailed him out in the past. This time it looks like we've wised up, 60 mil and 4 years for a closer is a bad deal unless that closer's name is Craig Kimbrel. Add to that Soriano is in his 30s with steadily declining numbers and it really makes no sense. One year deal, sure, but no way in heck do you give a guy like that 4 years.

 

[Mitchrapp]

And a first round pick to boot. Eventually the Tigers need to keep their 1st rounders and get some talent back in the system.

 

[mjsb2]

Those draft picks are killing Borne, Lohse and Soriano. All Boras players, lol.

Really am surprised the MLBPA didn't push harder to get rid of that rule.

It really depresses the market for a lot of those players who qualify.

 

[Thumb]

Really am surprised the MLBPA didn't push harder to get rid of that rule.

It really depresses the market for a lot of those players who qualify.

I agree, as it is it punishes the Free Agents as much as the teams signing them.

Compensation picks would be okay, but why not 4-5th rounders.

 

[turok]

Soriano is going to sign with the Nats..soo..I hope that Rondon pans out, but if not then the Tigers might have to slide another RP into the role, absent using a committee approach, perhaps Al-Al. I prefer them going with a veteran RP with at least some prior experience as a closer, but that comes from decades of watching the Tigers teams who have most often have mainly used just one veteran closer each season, ever since the John Hiller era. The team potentially not having any RPs with much if any experience in saving games during the season, makes me a bit apprehensive to say the least. Not to mention that they are being projected as top WS contenders as they eventually became last season.

 

[mjsb2]

I agree, as it is it punishes the Free Agents as much as the teams signing them.

Compensation picks would be okay, but why not 4-5th rounders.

I always just thought they should give em the draft picks in the compensation round.

 

[mjsb2]

Soriano is going to sign with the Nats..soo..I hope that Rondon pans out, but if not then the Tigers might have to slide another RP into the role, absent using a committee approach, perhaps Al-Al. I prefer them going with a veteran RP with at least some prior experience as a closer, but that comes from decades of watching the Tigers teams who have most often have mainly used just one veteran closer each season, ever since the John Hiller era. The team potentially not having any RPs with much if any experience in saving games during the season, makes me a bit apprehensive to say the least. Not to mention that they are being projected as top WS contenders as they eventually became last season.

It's pretty unlikely Rondon will be the closer to start the season.

 

[kalinecountry]

http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/news/...15&content_id=40973610&vkey=news_det&c_id=det
Dombrowski: Tigers never made Soriano an offer.
Detroit's president/GM comfortable with bullpen heading into Spring Training.
from the Tigers official site

 

[turok]

Detroit's president/GM comfortable with bullpen heading into Spring Training.

Well maybe DD is claiming to be comfortable just b/c the remaining FA market for veteran RPs with at least some experience in closing, and who might be worth a looksee in ST (if some remain unsigned) isn't all that good:

Brian Wilson (aka "The Beard") (weirdo) (30), Francisco Rodriguez (aka "KRod") (mental midget) (31), Jon Rauch (#10 RP in fewest BBs/9, w/2.3 issued while pitching in a leading total of 334 games since '08, according to BB Analytics) (34), Juan Oviedo (aka "Leo Nunez") (missed '12 season due to TJS) (soon 31), Kyle Farnsworth (ex-2xTiger headcase) (soon 37), Brian Fuentes (37), Brandon Lyon (another ex-Tiger w/health issues) (33), Matt Lindstrom (hasn't closed much since '10) (soon 33), and Matt Capps (29). The remainder are now likely too old to be serviceable for a season, such as Jason Isringhausen (40), LaTroy Hawkins (40), and Miguel Batista (soon 42).

 

[uofmpoweri]

Soriano is going to sign with the Nats..soo..I hope that Rondon pans out, but if not then the Tigers might have to slide another RP into the role, absent using a committee approach, perhaps Al-Al. I prefer them going with a veteran RP with at least some prior experience as a closer, but that comes from decades of watching the Tigers teams who have most often have mainly used just one veteran closer each season, ever since the John Hiller era. The team potentially not having any RPs with much if any experience in saving games during the season, makes me a bit apprehensive to say the least. Not to mention that they are being projected as top WS contenders as they eventually became last season.

Maybe the Tigers need to trade for Drew Storen. DD needs to get on the phone and tell them how great Porcello can be.

 

[Mitchrapp]

Maybe the Tigers need to trade for Drew Storen. DD needs to get on the phone and tell them how great Porcello can be.

Do the Nats need another SP?

 

[pr0tege]

Do the Nats need another SP?

No honestly they are already pretty loaded with Starters.