Troy Percival To Attempt Comeback
UPDATE: I spoke too soon - the comeback is on. It sounds like Percival wants a late inning role on a contender.
Another comeback almost as interesting as Rickey's is Troy Percival's. Though a decision on the comeback was supposed to come down today, we haven't heard anything yet. Mike Scioscia urges caution, saying that he has a lot to overcome before he's ready for the big league grind again.
Top Angels' relievers Francisco Rodriguez and Scot Shields had amusing reactions, but their presence really locks up the late innings for the Halos. A healthy Percival could possibly supplant Darren Oliver or Hector Carrasco as a long man, as both have been horrible this year. It's conflicting - this is Troy Percival, so we want to see him as an Angel. But we also want to see him pitching the ninth.
I would release any reliever on the Cubs' roster to make room for Percival.
Posted by: CubsAddictMG | May 18, 2007 at 08:12 PM
Who's the "we" you're referring to in your last paragraph?
Posted by: RICH | May 18, 2007 at 08:28 PM
Baseball fans.
Posted by: RotoAuthority | May 18, 2007 at 09:35 PM
Percival doesn't fit into a premium inning role for the Angels. I'd assume that if he's coming back, he's not coming back to be a middle reliever. If he comes back, expect it to be to a contender on the West Coast. My first thought for a potential fit was the Giants (as I doubt he'd go to Oakland as a former longtime Angel). If he didn't stay west, I'd think the Tigers have an edge since he did advanced scouting for them last year and they paid him $12m over 2 years for 25 innings. If they offered him an incentive laden deal and something wasn't available closer to home, I'd assume he'd jump on that.
Posted by: TNS | May 18, 2007 at 10:27 PM
With the A's bullpen woes at the moment (Street on DL, Duchscherer ailing, Calero and Embree strluggling and Gaudin pitching like an ace in the rotation), I think they might be one to take a look at him.
If they signed him, and he was ready, he could come into join the mydrid of setup guys in the A's bullpen.
Though personally I am hoping that Calero, Embree and Duchscherer go back to what they are supposed to be, rather then their struggling selves. Calero struggled simular to this early last season, and Duchscherer's hip is the reason for his problems. But still, its getting unerving.
Posted by: Zonis | May 19, 2007 at 01:43 AM
Cubsaddict, I wouldnt say any reliever. I say sign him to a cheap contract, and send someone down. Hopefuly Eyre.
Posted by: ptk420biatch | May 19, 2007 at 02:20 AM
I disagree with the last comment. People still have that kind of sentimentality left for Percival? I think most people have moved on.
I'm still yearning for that Matt Mantei return!
Posted by: DentalPlan | May 19, 2007 at 04:51 AM
Personally, I am just a fan of unlikely comebacks. But if Percival ends up doing mop-up duty it loses some luster.
Posted by: RotoAuthority | May 19, 2007 at 08:04 AM
If he's healthy, the Phillies could use him.
Posted by: xxxJamesxxx | May 19, 2007 at 10:42 AM
i like how he says at the end i dont want to go to the highest bidder i dont want to just throw innings. i can teach young pitchers and get guys out. basically every team in the majors should ask about a guy like this.
wish we had a spot for him on the red sox we could use another solid arm out there. *evil laughter*
Posted by: beaminack | May 19, 2007 at 03:54 PM