Tigers Release Tim Byrdak
According to MLB.com's Jason Beck, the Tigers released 34 year-old southpaw reliever Tim Byrdak today. Byrdak stuck out 49 in 46 innings last year, but also walked 26. He had a lousy spring, and apparently Jim Leyland's confidence doesn't mean much.
The Detroit Tiger Weblog is now wondering what the Tigers will do for a second lefty in the 'pen. There are various guys floating around (Aaron Fultz comes to mind), but no one markedly better than Byrdak. Currently there's nothing imminent in the Tigers' hunt for bullpen help.
I dont think the Tigers will be looking for an external Option. They have Clay Rapada and Macay McBride as internal lefties. McBride had some really good outings last year. 8th/7th inning set up guy is a bigger concern for the Tigers
Posted by: Dashiz008 | March 26, 2008 at 10:04 AM
Something may be brewing. Leyland openly speculated that DD might find him another reliever somewhere.
Cutting Byrdak saves the Tigers a few bucks: termination pay of $175K vs his 2008 contract of $715K. If no trade materializes Aquilino Lopez may go north with the Tigers, leaving Bobby Seay as the only lefty in the pen. With three lefties in the rotation this isn't a critical issue.
Posted by: pmc765 | March 26, 2008 at 10:05 AM
The Pirates has a surplus of lefties right now, either Marte or Grabow could both go. Marte is a really good lefty, the Pirates are looking to restock the minor leagues. I don't know much about Detroit's system, do they have a lot left after the Cabrera deal?
Posted by: kett08 | March 26, 2008 at 10:44 AM
The braves also have royce ring, but i would imagine the tigers would really prefer marte or grabow over ring. And since we have now traded away yates, we might also be done trading away relievers. I would have rather packaged yates and ring together to get raburn or thames instead of trading for redmond. I imagine if the tigers want marte, the askiing price is raburn
Posted by: bravesbeast | March 26, 2008 at 11:10 AM
If the Tigers pick up Aaron Fultz, they are finally out of their minds. I would rather them leave Seay as a lefty and bring a solid reliever that can throw to righty and lefty.
Posted by: TigerFan54 | March 26, 2008 at 11:43 AM