It is getting closer to the trade deadline, and there hasn’t been quite the same wild speculation as last year about the Tigers. Maybe it’s because the Tigers are a better team. They have already proven they can win the pennant. And they have added a hall of fame-caliber player since in Gary Sheffield.
Secondly, trading for relief help isn’t nearly as juicy as speculating about getting, say, Alfonso Soriano.
Plus, Dave Dombrowkski has done a decent job of rebuilding his bullpen already. Macay McBride has done very well and might be more than a situational left-hander. I like the depth with Zach Miner and Chad Durbin there. Jose Capellan has a chance to be very good. There is the possibility that Fernando Rodney and Joel Zumaya will return and give the bullpen a boost. If one or both of them come back at or near full-strength, it would be like the Tigers made a deal.
Also, Nate Robertson is starting to throw the ball much better. His cut fastball was a very effective pitch Tuesday night in the 1-0 win at Minnesota. That is just another starter going deep into the game.
I wouldn’t have said this a few weeks ago, but the Tigers are not in a position where they have to make a move for a reliever. At this stage, they seem to be in better shape than any team in baseball. So if ain’t broke, why fix it?

Random Thoughts

- I did catch Rodney Stuckey in an NBA summer league game and was impressed. I understand the caliber of competition is far from what he will face during the season, but I doubt he will be overwhelmed. Lets put it this way, I like the draft pick a lot more after seeing him play.

- Cory Redding is a solid player, but his contract is ridiculous. A sign of progress for the Lions will be when they have to let a player like Redding or Jeff Backus go because they have too much talent to keep them because of the salary cap, rather than willingly overpaying them because their talent base is so thin.

- The indictment of Michael Vick is just another scarlet letter on the NFL. It’s strange how it is both the most successful and the most troubled of the major professional sports leagues. And proof success can breed apathy. Paul Tagliabue was obviously asleep at the switch and conveniently got out at just the right time.