FanHouse Jose Mesa

Just about everybody in baseball is interested in improving their bullpen. It's why if any team is interested in trading for a guy like Eric Gagne or Brad Lidge, they're going to have to come up with an enticing package.

With the loss of Joel Zumaya, the release of Jose Mesa, and the inconsistency of everybody else in their bullpen, the Tigers are definetely one of those teams interested in improving the bullpen.

"These aren't threats to anybody," a fired-up manager Jim Leyland said. "We don't really have any intentions of making any moves right now. But the fact to the matter is, at some point, we have to have a better idea of what's coming out of there (the bullpen) on a consistent basis. And if we don't, at some point, you look to make changes. It's that simple."

Don't be fooled by that winning record the Tigers have. Their bullpen has tried to blow a lot of those wins. They won 8-7 on Saturday, but not until the pen allowed the Mets to creep back up from an 8-3 deficit. It's the type of thing that's been happening a lot in Detroit recently, and with the way Cleveland is playing, it's going to have to stop if Detroit wants to win the Central Division.

So if they want to get a Lidge or a Gagne, they're going to have to get rid of at least one established player. With the abundancy of starters already within the organization, and the return of Kenny Rogers coming up, that means Mike Maroth might not be in Detroit much longer.

If they can deal Maroth in a package for a reliever, they might actually be dealing from one of their weaknesses for a strength. Of course, they'll have to include a top prospect or two. I'm not sure they'd be willing to deal a player like Cameron Maybin, but they can be sure his name will be brought up by any team they talk to. I don't think it's Maroth's name that will earn the attention.

Previously at The Fanhouse:
Kenny Rogers Could Be Just 10 Days Away From Returning
The Tigers Could Be Interested In Eric Gagne
Jose Mesa Is Old, Unemployed

With all of the injuries to their bullpen, it doesn't come as a surprise that the Detroit Tigers could be interested in looking for some bullpen help. Fernando Rodney will return to the bullpen tonight and the Tigers hope his return can help stabilize the pen. Still, considering they won't have Joel Zumaya for a while, and they just released Jose Mesa, the Tigers are still looking at all their options.

It explains why they've shown so much interest in possibly bringing Troy Percival back, but what if they decide to enter the trade market?

One intriguing trade partner could be the Texas Rangers. The Tigers pursued Texas left-hander C.J. Wilson during the off-season, but right-handers Akinori Otsuka and Eric Gagne could be even more appealing now.

It should be mentioned that neither of the two sides has done any talking about getting a deal done, but Eric Gagne could be an appealing option. Gagne has been effective for the Rangers this season, earning 4 saves while posting an ERA of 0.75. The problem with Gagne is that he's only been healthy long enough to pitch 12 innings in 13 appearances this season.

Akinori Otsuka is also mentioned, but I'm not sure the Rangers would be that willing to part ways with him instead of Gagne because of the injury concerns. That said, there's a lot of talk in Arlington about a full blown rebuilding process, so anything is possible at this point. If the Tigers can package together a couple of appealing prospects, there probably isn't anybody on the Rangers roster they wouldn't be willing to talk about.

(via Ben Maller)

Previously at The Fanhouse:
Jose Mesa Is Old, Unemployed
Off With Their Heads
The Detroit Tigers Should Sign Troy Percival
Eric Gagne's Butt Hurts
Eric Gagne To Start Season On DL

The Detroit Tigers bullpen has been ransacked by injuries during the first few months of the season, leaving Jim Leyland a little thin when it comes to his late inning options. So you would think that if you are a healthy member of the Tigers pen, you've got some job security right about now. Do you know how bad you'd have to suck at this point for the Tigers to get rid of you?

Jose Mesa does.

Considering the needs of most bullpens, Jose Mesa has thrown his last pitch for the Tigers, but possibly not his last pitch in the majors.

"We'll see," Mesa said Sunday, soon after he was released following the Tigers' 9-2 victory over the Indians. "For now, I'll go home and see what happens.

"I didn't do my job. This happens when you don't do your job. I see good things ahead for this team, though. That's why I signed here. But nothing happened. I didn't pitch well."

So I guess going 1-1 with a 12.34 ERA just isn't good enough to stick around on the Tigers anymore. Maybe a few years ago, but this team is good now. To be fair to Joe Table, it's not just his performance that led to the Tigers making this move.

Fernando Rodney is set to come off of the disabled list, and Leyland would like to keep Zach Miner out in the pen where's he's shown he belongs.

As for what the future holds for Mesa, who knows? I'm not sure there are many teams out there in the market for a 41-year old reliever, no matter how many saves he had in his career. Then again, I have to watch the White Sox bullpen everyday, and Mesa can't be much worse than they are. So there's still hope for him if he'd like to continue.

Well I guess we now know why the Tigers said Joel Zumaya had suffered a possible dislocation of the middle finger of his throwing hand on Sunday. It's because he didn't dislocate anything, he just ruptured a tendon.

Tigers reliever Joel Zumaya will undergo surgery to repair a ruptured tendon in his right middle finger, forcing him out of action for 12 weeks.

The news came from the club following a visit with hand specialist Dr. Charles Melone on Monday in New York. Dr. Melone will perform the procedure on Thursday. The projected timetable would put Zumaya on track to return around late July.

This is very bad news for the Tigers because now their bullpen goes from a strength to an uncertainty. Fernando Rodney will have take on a larger role as Todd Jones' setup man, and Jose Mesa will fill in for Zumaya.

Ten years ago Mesa for Zumaya would be about an even trade, but these days, I'm not so sure. Mesa himself is just coming off of the disabled list with a pulled groin.

As for what to do with Zumaya when he comes back, D-Town Baseball wonders if Joel should move into the starting rotation.

Upon Zumaya's return, is relief the correct role for him? I've heard a few saying that this injury could be due to his throwing so hard in such a role and that moving him to a starter role would force him to push the breaks a bit on the speed.

I'm not sure I'd agree with that because forcing Zumaya to reduce his velocity takes away from his strength. It's like asking Magglio Ordonez Samson to cut his hair. Not to mention he walks too many batters to be an effective starter.

Good news Marlins fans, your team is celebrating the tenth anniversary of their first ever championship with a series of events to commemorate their magical season. Never you mind that half the starting lineup is still active, and that their throwback uniforms don't really look that different than what they wear now. It's time to celebrate!

For the April 6 home opener against the Phillies, two members of that championship team will take part in the ceremonial first pitch. Alex Fernandez will be throwing that pitch to Charles Johnson.

As part of Interleague Play, the Marlins fittingly will be playing their '97 World Series opponent, the Cleveland Indians, at Dolphin Stadium from June 12-14. The June 14 game, which falls on a Thursday, will feature the Marlins wearing throwback uniforms -- a replica teal-striped uniform they sported in Game 7 of the 1997 World Series.

No truth to the rumor that Jose Mesa is throwing out the first pitch to Edgar Renteria for the June 14th game.

What do you think the Marlins will do next to commemorate that season?

• Trade Charles Johnson to the Dodgers immediately following the ceremonial first pitch?
• Trade Dontrelle Willis and Miguel Cabrera to Arizona for Livan Hernandez and the Yakima Bears?
• Hang a life size Wayne Huizenga in effigy?
• Hang Wayne Huizenga in effigy?
  
• Create a giant "1997" out of cartons of Pall Mall, and then have Jim Leyland flown in to smoke it?