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.