Posts Tagged ‘Brandon Lyon’
Detroit Tigers: Pitchers and Catchers Report
Posted by Joe in Detroit Tigers Baseball on February 14th, 2009
Pitchers and catchers reported to preseason workouts in Lakeland, Florida today. This is exciting for a couple of different reasons: A) it means spring is coming and B) Tigers baseball is just around corner. I think the Tigers are going to be better this year. After last year’s surprising last place finish, I suppose the only way to go is up.
There are some interesting story lines this year, mostly to do with Pitching and Defense. I believe our offense is going to be just fine.
That said, here are 10 things I think we should to keep an eye on:
1) Who will be closer? Brandon Lyon or Fernando Rodney?
2) Who is going to fill the fifth spot in the rotation? Presumably, it will be one of the Lefties like Nate Robinson or Dontrell Willis. Will Willis return to form?
3) Can Justin Verlander and Jeremy Bonderman make a comeback this year? Can they be the pitchers they were in 2006?
4) Will the bullpen be better? It was pretty much awful last year.
5) Can Joel Zumaya throw any amount of innings before blowing another part of his body up?
6) How is Curtis Granderson going to platoon the whole outfield? With Carlos Guillen in left and Magglio Ordonez in right, Granderson is going to have to make up for two guys who both have had their knees reconstructed.
7) Can Adam Everett bunt?
8) Is Gerald Laird the answer behind the plate? How is he going to adjust to a new pitching staff?
9) Can Jim Leyland pull another one out of his pack of Marlboros and lead us back to the playoffs?
10) What Tigers names are on the list of 103 that cheated by using Steroids and will MLB release this list after A-Rod was sold out?
I can’t wait for baseball to start this spring. I hope the Tigers can finish above the Kansas City Royals this year!
Detroit Tigers sign closer Brandon Lyon, releiver Scott Williamson
Posted by Joe in Detroit Tigers Baseball on January 24th, 2009
The Tigers have signed a closer for the 2009-10 season – a need that had to be addressed from last year’s bullpen woes. Ex-Arizona Diamondbacks righty closer, Brandon Lyon has agreed to undisclosed terms – 1 year contract. He had a great first half of the season last year, posting 19 saves and a 2.43 ERA. Oddly, he had an awful second half. He finished the year with 26 saves to go with a 3-5 record and 4.70 ERA in 61 appearances.
I’m not sure Brandon Lyon is the answer to the closer issue, but he is a solid pitcher. He’s a clear upgrade from what they had before the signing for possible closer’s. It’s not clear that he will win or be handed the closer’s job, but I can’t see anyone else claiming the role at this point. Let’s hope he pitches like he did in the first half of the 2008 season.
With closer Todd Jones’ retirement from last year, the Tigers had a gaping hole in the bullpen closer’s role. They dabbled with Fernando Rodney last year at the position, but it was clear he could not cut it. Ideally, fireballer Joel Zumaya would have inherited this role, but with erratic behaviour and constant injuries, Zumaya is a question mark to even throw pitches every year.
They also signed right handed middle-late releiver Scott Willimason; a pitcher with decent career numbers, but has had issues with injuries. Williamson has 510 strikeouts, a 3.36 ERA, and 55 saves in 439.3 innings pitched. He once had a 98 mph power fastball, but underwent Tommy John Surgery in 2001. In his rookie season, Williamson went 12-7 with 107 strikeouts, a 2.41 ERA and 19 saves; made the All-Star team, and earned Rookie of TheYear honors.
Tigers Talking With Closer Brandon Lyon’s Agent
Posted by Joe in Detroit Tigers Baseball on January 20th, 2009
The Tigers bullpen was, how does one say – “AWFUL” last year. We have plenty of offense, but our middle and closing releif was literally non-existent last year. With the retirement of (a great Tiger) Todd Jones, we have a gaping hole for a closer. Can Brand Lyon be the answer?
I have not seen a ton of his games, and in fact have only seen him pitch once or twice.
Here’s some of his stats:
