Tough Decisions For Tigers

Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports writes about the tough decisions faced by the Tigers this spring.

First, they have to decide whether to let 20 year-old phenom Rick Porcello break camp with the team, even though he has yet to pitch above A ball.  GM Dave Dombrowski seems open to it.  He says the issue of delaying Porcello’s arbitration will not come into play.

The Tigers also have to decide what to do with veterans Dontrelle Willis, Nate Robertson, and Gary Sheffield.  Will their contracts lead to roster spots?  Robertson (4 ER in 4 IP) is owed $17MM through 2010.  Willis (4 ER in 3 IP) will make $22MM in that time.  And Sheffield (.167/.423/.500 in 18 ABs) earns $14MM in ’09.  Spring Training stats don’t mean much anyway, but these samples are especially small.  And Rosenthal says Willis and/or Robertson could be sent to the minors or bullpen if necessary.