There are still over 100 free agents out there, but the Tigers could pass on all of them now that they've added another arm to their rotation. GM Dave Dombrowski agreed to sign Brad Penny to a one-year deal worth $3MM plus incentives, capping a busy offseason.
Penny's agreement with the Detroit means Jeremy Bonderman loses a suitor. The longtime Tiger won't return to the Motor City, but Bonderman can take solace in the fact that Penny signed a deal worth $3MM plus incentives after missing the final four months of the season. Like Penny, Bonderman, Jeff Francis, Chris Young and Justin Duchscherer have dealt with injuries in the past couple seasons, but they're drawing legitimate interest nonetheless.
The deal also impacts Armando Galarraga, who will now have to overcome serious competition to win the fifth starter's job. Before the Spring Training battle begins, Galarraga and the Tigers will determine the right-hander's 2011 salary; he's arbitration eligible for the first time.
I wonder if Jonathan Sanchez's name could come up as a comparable pitcher. Sanchez, who's one year ahead of Galarraga in terms of service time, had similar career numbers last offseason (4.81 ERA, 429 K, 214 BB in 413 1/3 innings) to the ones Galarraga has now (4.49 ERA, 301 K, 186 BB in 475 1/3 innings). The Giants paid Sanchez $2.1MM for the 2010 season. Interestingly, both pitchers even approached pitching perfection in their final pre-arbitration seasons – Sanchez with a no-hitter and Galarraga with a near-perfect game.
Penny's deal sends the Tigers' offseason spending over the $100MM mark, as MLBTR's Free Agent Tracker shows. The team has now committed $102.25MM to Victor Martinez, Joaquin Benoit, Brandon Inge, Jhonny Peralta, Magglio Ordonez and Penny.
Tigers catchers will have to handle some of the hardest throwers in the game in 2011. Dombrowski has added Penny (94.1 mph fastball in 2010) and Benoit (94 mph) to a staff that already included Justin Verlander (95.4 mph), Ryan Perry (95.4 mph), Jose Valverde (95.2 mph) and Max Scherzer (93.2 mph).
Photo courtesy of Icon SMI.
I’m pretty okay with this deal. Considering we paid 36 million to watch pitchers pitch for other teams last year, 3m is chump change for a guy who could potentially eat some innings at a 4.0 Era. Not to mention the countless hours of entertainment we’ll get from listening to Mario and Rod talk about his fiancee
Penny will be eating all right, just not sure it will be innings.
Don’t want to bring up the argument or anything, but if instant replay existed, it would have been a perfect game.
Just sayin’.
And then we’d have squabbles over any play that’s remotely close and a game would take an extra hour or 2.
I would be happy with them only reviewing plays that are dubbed important.
And important would be defined in depth to any situation.
Edit: I’d be even happier if they had it set up this way:
Have a few people in a studio where they can watch any and all games. Give the crew chief of the night a headset or earpiece. When a call is disputed, the people in the studio just tell him what’s correct. It would take less time than the replays of now, and we’d get every call 100% right.
the problem is figuring out what plays are “important” and what aren’t
They already say which plays are important enough and which aren’t. Only home runs are reviewed… It should be comprehensive or nothing, it’s ridiculous to say the only missed call that can change a game is a home run call.
I’ve seen enough games where there’s been disputed calls that on tv I still couldn’t figure out the right call. No system is going to be 100% perfect.
Yeah, but that call on Galaragga’s game was pretty easy to spot…Im still shocked the comish refused to overturn it later.
Really? You’re surprised Bud Selig didn’t do something in the best interest of baseball?
If a full-on zoom-in cannot figure it out, it stays as the original ruling. But if there was an office watching and being able to stop frame-by-frame and zoom in, all in HD, there would be maybe one play a year that would have any disputability to it.
Replay done correctly, in the press box by a neutral official, would SAVE time, and would be truly INSTANT, none of this congregating and running down the tunnel crapola.
So, exactly what I just said?
That would work, but I’d have a guy on site in the press box. We’d lose the Earl Weaver and Billy Martin type tantrums that have been a part of the game, but they’d get the calls right. They could review any play at any bag, review fair or foul, home run or not, fan interference, check swings if they wanted to, basically anything but balls and strikes, depending how far they want to go.
Give both the umpires and managers the ability to appeal, but you have to limit the number of unsuccessful appeals by a manager (like maybe one) so they don’t abuse the privilege.
How about no appeals because there would be no point in appealing a decision that super-hi-def-slo-mo couldn’t determine?
It’s the 21st century. Our home TVs can finally see more than the umpires ever could, so we’re seeing the mistakes they’ve made over the years, and there’s no reason they shouldn’t allow technology to be able to fix them.
I think a system like in tennis would work. Each team has a set number of appeals per game for instant replay for any play even balls and strikes. The thing is deciding the number. I think it should not be more then 3 per game and not more than 1 per half inning. That way over a the course of a total game you would not have more than 6 moments that instant replay is used and not more than twice per half inning.
The argument that the umpire is supposed to be always right is something from the past. Everybody makes mistakes. It shows vision to accept this and use some form of instant replay. Also, less managers will be tossed from a game for arguing, because instead they would use their instant replay.
Just one question: Why?
If it takes a total of 5-10 seconds to determine whether or not a play was called correctly, why does it have to be limited?
I’d rather every call be correct, because then what if during the course of a game, all replays are used, and then a walk-off homerun that’s not a homerun is called a homerun but due to lack of replays, it can’t be overturned?
Because it takes longer than 5-10 seconds to determine whether or not a call is correct. Take for example rugby, where with every try the video referee has to check the validity of the try. This can take up to a minute or more depending on how close the play is. There are several home runs last year that took a while to be checked during the instant replay. It is just not as simple as you say.
Also, not every call is as important as a walk-off home run. So with my proposal it is up to the manager to decide how important he/she thinks a certain call is. In other words, can you live with a potential mistake or not. It adds an extra dimension of strategy to the game without disrupting the flow very much.
What you are proposing are automated systems which replace the umpires. Otherwise you won’t reach the same game speed as there is now. It is an option, but I just want to point out that there is no infallible system. Therefore it is more important that teams/managers have some say over which mistakes they want to be checked rather than any form of totalitarian umpiring system.
an extra HOUR or two? seriously?
maybe an extra ten minutes…
It was a perfect game, Helen Keller could have got that call right
Umpires are going to make mistakes. Instant replay should fix them.
it shouldnt have mattered. in that situation, on that close of a play, you have to give him the benefit of the doubt. it was the last out of a perfect game on a play that could easily have gone the other way.
Does anybody remember or talk about the Dallas Braden perfect game from last year? Without the missed call – nobody remembers or cares about Armando Galarraga. Not saying it’s right – just saying the missed call is what made that game memorable.
Yeah that’s true — NOW. In 20 years, nobody will remember Armando Galarrago game but Dallas Braden will still be in the record books. Okay, maybe 40 years but still…
Wrong. His game will be more remembered because of the infamy of the call and the class that resolved the situation. No one would still be talking about don larsens game had it not been in the world series.
The 28 out perfect game will be the most talked about perfecto in the games history. Infamy will make people far more memorable than a common situation.
Agreed. I think the evidence for that is Harvey Haddix’s non-perfect game, or the weird Babe Ruth/Ernie Shore thing in the World Series, which are better remembered than, say, Barker or Witt’s perfect games.
yeah, dude got to do the ESPY’s, got a car, and an SI award. Braden got a hug from granny.
Braden received more attention for the “Get off my mound!” campaign than his perfect game.
I still can’t believe they have Phil Coke penciled in as a starter. Seriously? He’s had one start in his career and I don’t think he made it out of the 2nd. I’m all for giving young talent a change but how is he a lock over Galarraga?
“He’s had one start in his career and I don’t think he made it out of the 2nd.”
he had about 4 last year alone as a spot starter. where are you getting your stats?
nevermind
No, he had one last year — the only one of his career.
He also had only one start at the AAA level, in the Yankee organization.
Coke was a starter through the AA level, when he was promoted to AAA and made into a reliever at the same time, because New York needed a lefty in the bullpen.
Where are YOU getting your stats? Coke at only one start and I’m pretty sure it was the last game of the season. What makes you think he had 4?
Where are YOU getting your stats? Coke at only one start and I’m pretty sure it was the last game of the season. What makes you think he had 4?
he was a starter in the minors for the yanks but they didnt need him as a starter so they put him in the pin
he was a starter in the minors for the yanks but they didnt need him as a starter so they put him in the pin
He was a starter in the All-star game just what 3 years ago? He can still throw he just needs to harness it and if he can do that he could be a solid 4/5 guy in the rotation.
and with a spacious comerica, he’ll do just fine.
How is Johnathan Sanchez a comparable to Galarraga?
Sanchez good.
Galarraga bad.
One guy lead the league in K’s and BAA. I am not understanding this comparison at all. Sanchez over his career has 50% more K’s than Galaraga.
Call me crazy but I’ll take the guy with the lower ERA compared to depending on K’s just about every time. Galarraga also gave up a lot less walks even tho he pitched a bunch more innings.
Galarraga should not be written off unless and until Brad Penny shows that he is healthy and Phil Coke gives us some clue that he can make the transition to the rotation. Armando can be kept around for depth and can fill the role vacated by Zach Miner and Eddie Bonine, in long relief.
It’s quite misleading to throw out the number of $ 102MM in “spending” this off season. The fact remains that payroll is 30 million below where the 2010 payroll was, and the cost of the rotation is still 31 million lower without Robertson, Willis, and Bonderman eating up 34 million bucks.
bonderman didnt miss the final four months of the season, he was there and he pitched
Bonderman pitched 171 innings in 2010. He posted the highest ERA in the league among qualified pitchers, yet he managed 8 wins, with an 8 and 10 record.
It’s a team friendly contract for a hitter friendly pitcher.
Fortunately in a pitcher-friendly park.
If I were dombrowski I would consider Podsednik. Detroit could use a little speed, the lefty bat and he would be a great backup/platoon outfielder. Convincing him to be a backup would be difficult, but between Raburn’s slow starts, Magglio’s injury concerns, and each outfielder needing the occasional day off, I think Detroit could work him into the lineup often enough to keep him satisfied.
Fortunately in a pitcher-friendly park.
If I were dombrowski I would consider Podsednik. Detroit could use a little speed, the lefty bat and he would be a great backup/platoon outfielder. Convincing him to be a backup would be difficult, but between Raburn’s slow starts, Magglio’s injury concerns, and each outfielder needing the occasional day off, I think Detroit could work him into the lineup often enough to keep him satisfied.
Duncan had Penny throwing a splitter last year. His FB pct went from 71 per cent fastballs to 46 per cent, with the balance being splitters. His ground ball percentage rose to 52%, and he used to be a fly ball pitcher. His velocity on the FB has never been higher, averaging 94. He seems to have reinvented himself. If he can just stay healthy, he could be a real bargain. I hope he makes that six million.
No, Duncan reinvented him.
The only thing Brad Penny could reinvent is how to starve a family during Thanksgiving.
Duncan had Penny throwing a splitter last year. His FB pct went from 71 per cent fastballs to 46 per cent, with the balance being splitters. His ground ball percentage rose to 52%, and he used to be a fly ball pitcher. His velocity on the FB has never been higher, averaging 94. He seems to have reinvented himself. If he can just stay healthy, he could be a real bargain. I hope he makes that six million.
Anyone thinking this opens the door for the Mets to either sign Jeremy Bonderman or trade for Armando Galarraga in Spring Training?
Capuano for Galarraga?
I know Detroit fans are gonna jump me for this, and I really don’t mean to look bias…
But I’m dissappointed with DZ’s offseason. Detroit had huge money to play with. What’d they do? Kept Magglio (now a year older), added Vic (who’s value is highly debated once he comes out from behind the plate), and added Penny (far from a top-of-the-rotation guy).
I expected Detroit to go into 2011 with a Werth/Crawford/Lee/Beltre in their lineup. Somebody who really puts them over the top, and makes them the AL Central favorites. As it is now, I don’t think anyone can make a clear case they’re even improved from last year.
You forgot Benoit who will help the pen, but I agree. I thought they would land one of the big dogs.
I wish the Twins would do something. Is the plan to use Kubel as the everyday DH and Casilla at short?
I read Twins fans on this sight say “don’t worry- everything will work out- it always does for the Twins- Gardy will figure it out this spring”
I would rather Minnesota sign a player or two than engage in blind optimism.
As a Tigers fan, I’m not disappointed. Would I have been happy with one of the four you listed? Sure. But it was never going to happen. Werth and Crawford wanted too much money and/or years. Lee went for comfort. And the Tigers had no use for Beltre after resigning Inge. (Don’t get me started on Inge. It is what it is.)
As a Tigers fan, I’m not disappointed. Would I have been happy with one of the four you listed? Sure. But it was never going to happen. Werth and Crawford wanted too much money and/or years. Lee went for comfort. And the Tigers had no use for Beltre after resigning Inge. (Don’t get me started on Inge. It is what it is.)
Detroit’s main needs was bullpen pitching and hitters who could drive in runs. They were top 5 last year in the AL in hitting and if you notice, they didn’t lose momentum until Magglio went out with injury. Was bringing him back their main interest? No, but going after any one of those big name players would have tore up their chances to attend to their other needs with real free agent talent.
Magglio is a year older, but he’s healed and it was a freak injury for his career. Chances are he should be fine and will DH whenever Martinez is catching. What Martinez represents is dependable hitting and RBI’s and he can be the missing piece to the puzzle.
The Tigers weren’t that far off last year. Rookies needed more maturing and they needed a better free agent option than Damon, but they picked him up when it came to be February and they realized they didn’t do anything substantial in the offseason. For a last ditch effort, he panned out as expected.