FanHouse CaseyFossum

While there are a quite a few different reasons for the Detroit Tigers 1-8 start to the season, manager Jim Leyland knows what area of the team needs to improve the most if the Tigers are going to dig themselves out of an early grave. Sure, the lineup isn't producing much at all at the moment, but it's only a matter of time before the Tigers start to hit.

The problem lies in the pitching staff, and it's not just the bullpen. As Leyland himself said on Thursday after the Tigers lost to Boston, "There isn't a bullpen in the history of baseball that could help a team when the starters can only muster five innings every night." Of course, this doesn't mean that the bullpen isn't a concern in and of itself, and Leyland has been intimating some changes being made in the near future.

Whether he intended to or not, Jim Leyland issued what amounts to a challenge to his Detroit Tigers relief corps on Thursday.

Changes are coming soon, Leyland said, because he wants to go back to a 12-man pitching staff (the Tigers currently have 13), and because he wants to add a second bullpen left-hander (the Tigers currently have just one).

"I'm going to give everyone a chance," Leyland said. "There it is. Somebody take charge. ... The reality is that the big leagues is about results, and all you can do is give people opportunities."

The problem Leyland has, though, is who does he get rid of and who does he replace him with? There are plenty of pitchers in the Tigers bullpen right now that are worthy of a demotion (Zach Miner, Jason Grilli, Yorman Bazardo), but there aren't many lefties down on the farm worthy of getting called up. The Tigers have Aaron Fultz and Clay Rapada in the minors, but neither has been pitching well, and the recently signed Casey Fossum isn't anywhere near being ready yet either. It seems like the only option that would help would be going outside the organization, but I'm pretty sure there aren't many teams who are willing to start making deals this early in the season.

It's pretty incredible the way pitchers play musical chairs towards the end of a season. We saw the Padres acquire Wilfredo Ledezma and subsequently cut David Wells, who has since signed with the Dodgers. Now with Chris Young's back hurting, the Padres have signed Casey Fossum to a minor league deal.

Fossum went four and third innings of six hit, one-run ball at Triple-A Portland on Wednesday. Since he only pitched four and a third innings, I can easily see San Diego bringing him up to pitch for Chris Young on Sunday. Clay Hensley is scheduled to start Saturday, leaving Ledezma as the only other possibility to start on the current roster. Also in the mix could be Tim Stauffer at Triple-A.

Honestly, come September, it's really just about who's left standing on a given pitching staff. The Padres will be facing the Phillies this weekend, who without Cole Hamels, will need to find a fifth starter as well.

Previously at FanHouse:
David Wells Is Back, Baby
Chris Young Will Miss a Start With Bad Back