My column: http://theoaklandpress.com/articles/2013/06/19/sports/doc51c22822e0804115614470.txt

Jose Valverde: How much longer will he be a Tiger?

Pavel Datsyuk: Consummate two-way player

There is nothing Pavel Datsyuk can’t do on a sheet of ice. He is strong his skates, possesses a great shot and is a terrific passer. I’ve heard his speed knocked at times. I find the criticism to be without merit. It’s not like he is slow. He is not a fighter per say, but he does body check consistently with force. And the one time he did fight, he won a spirited decision over Anaheim’s Corey Perry.
But there are two aspects of the game that standout about Datsyuk more than others. One, he is the best stickhandler I have ever seen. It's artistic the way he can drag the puck. Another, he is amazingly proficient at taking the puck off opposing players on the forecheck. He literally does those two things as well as anybody who has ever played the game.
Datsyuk has agreed to remain in Detroit the next three seasons. The fear he would play out his contract next season and then return to Russia proved to be unfounded. With captain Henrik Zetterberg, goalie Jimmy Howard and Datsyuk in the fold, and a developing young group surrounding them, the Red Wings should be legitimate contenders to capture the Stanley Cup championship for years to come.
There is not sign he slow down in his mid-30s.
Our live video chat today on Datsyuk signing, Tigers' closer situation, Lions after their mini camp, and much more. We do this every Monday at 1. Your participation in the discussion is easy and encouraged:

My column: http://theoaklandpress.com/articles/2013/06/16/sports/doc51bdad21771d4848618269.txt

With Jose Valverde back in meltdown mode, the Tigers very well could turn to Joaquin Benoit as closer. But that would likely only provide a short-term solution and cause long-tern problems.

Joaquin Benoit: Premier setup man, but no closer

Benoit is one of the best setup relievers in baseball, ranking in the top eight in Major League Baseball in holds each of the last three seasons.
It's not like he hasn't been tried as a closer before. He has - actually quite often. The results have been disastrous. In his career, Benoit has converted just 16-of-40 save opportunities. He's 3-for-3 this year, but his track record suggests it is just a matter of time until that changes. He's 35 years old. It's unlikely his career course is going to turn at this point, nor should it.
The problem is two-fold here, if Benoit were to become a full-time closer.
One, it is very much an "if" whether he can get it done in the closer role. Two, it would be blowing one tire, the setup spot, to fill the closer role. The setup role is nearly as important as the closer's role. Even though the Tigers' starting staff has been the best in the American League this season, Detroit starters are averaging just 6 1-3 innings per start.
It would be unfair to expect Benoit to be the Tigers' closer, and perhaps costly to the team overall considering how it could throw the balance of the pitching staff out of whack.
It's why the only apparent solution, ultimately, is a trade.

While he struggled during spring training and during a brief stint with the Tigers earlier this season, Bruce Rondon has put up impressive numbers for Triple-A Toledo. His ERA is 0.77. Opposing hitters are batting just .118 against him. He has struck out 29 in 23 innings. He has 10 saves.
But Rondon still has command problems. June 5, he walked four in two thirds of an inning at Columbus. The issue is accelerated at the major league level because hitters don't swing at nearly as many bad pitches. Also, Toledo isn't exactly the best place to groom a closer right now. The Mud Hens are awful, winning the fewest games in the International League (26) so far this season.
If the Tigers were to call up Rondon, it would be much smarter to break him in a lesser role than closer. Right now, it's highly doubtful his command of the baseball would hold up in such pressure-packed situations.

My column: http://theoaklandpress.com/articles/2013/06/12/sports/doc51b8c9a374ee7115446650.txt

My column: http://theoaklandpress.com/articles/2013/06/11/sports/doc51b7c238243df363887194.txt

Jim Schwartz: Impressed with Ziggy Ansah

Even as the Tigers open up a lead in the sorry American League Central, the elephant in the room continues to be their bullpen, especially closer.
The wheels, not unexpectedly, have started to come off Jose Valverde at closer. Although he experienced some early success upon his return to the major leagues, it's proving to be fleeting. His last few outings haven't been as effective (except for a 1-2-3 save vs. Tampa Bay on Thursday).
There is little doubt the Tigers' will attempt to address the closer issue as the trade deadline approaches. Don't be surprised if they look toward Milwaukee and Francisco Rodriguez.
Given the opportunity to close after Jim Henderson went on the disabled list the last week of May, K-Rod has converted 4-of-4 save opportunities and picked up a win,. He has allowed a run in 7 1-3 innings, striking out 6, walking three and allowing four hits in the closer role
I watched his most recent save vs. Philadelphia on June 8. He was at 91 and 92 mph with his fastball - about the same as Valverde. The difference is command. He is throwing it exactly where he wants it and does appear to have two different type of fastballs. A couple looked like two seamers to left-handed hitters. His biggest edge is his slider. It has a lot of bite to it. Valverde relies on a split-finger pitch that is tumbling, not fooling anybody and is subsequently getting hammered.

Francisco Rodriguez: K-Rod is dealing effectively again

Ironically, K-Rod has the same agent as Valverde (Scott Boras) and signed a similar deal with the Brewers this season Valverde did with the Tigers. K-Rod was mostly ineffective last season and had to pitch his way back to the major leagues on a minor league contract this season. Like Valverde, he had 30 days to prove himself.
K-Rod could make $2 million with incentives this year. It's a one-year deal. At 31, he is younger and than Valverde and may have a little more left in the tank. He also has a better career track record.
Henderson was doing an outstanding job as the Brewers' closer before he pulled a hamstring. He has returned from the D.L.
John Axford, the now clean-shaven closer from the Brewers' recent past, has bounced back somewhat from a slow start this season, but is unlikely to interest the Tiger
s at this point (he, reportedly, was nearly sent to the minors earlier this season).
Of course, there is the Boras' connection. Don't the Tigers always bite on that one? And it has paid off in the past.
The Brewers are 15 games off the lead in the National League Central. They are 11 games behind in the wild card race. There is little question, already, they will be sellers at the trade deadline. The primary piece they could be looking to move is K-Rod. At minimum, he would help the Tigers' bullpen overall. At best, he could be the closer they are seeking.
The question, as always, is the price.
Overall, the Tigers' bullpen, which has compiled a 4-11 record, is eighth in the American League in ERA (3.82) and tied for seventh in WHIP 1.29. The Tigers have converted 13 of 21 save opportunities.
Conversely, the Tigers' starting rotation leads the American League with a 31-16 record, a 3.48 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP.