tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29764383.post569125707055148186..comments2023-09-06T07:56:47.820-04:00Comments on Open Book: A Sports Blog: Face It: Zumaya Doesn't Have It As CloserPat Caputohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05102662407927366439noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29764383.post-19315021674548818742008-08-07T22:00:00.000-04:002008-08-07T22:00:00.000-04:00Marty,I just got back from the first preseason gam...Marty,<BR/>I just got back from the first preseason game and seeing Smith. He didn't gain a lot of yards, but I thought he did well. He has good feet and a decent burst when he hits the line. Also, it looked like he ran a little lower than when he was in college.<BR/>CaputoPat Caputohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05102662407927366439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29764383.post-65306531103026971512008-08-07T21:58:00.001-04:002008-08-07T21:58:00.001-04:00Larry,Suffice to say, the bullpen didn't advantage...Larry,<BR/>Suffice to say, the bullpen didn't advantage of the situation.<BR/>CaputoPat Caputohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05102662407927366439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29764383.post-69601652959693769532008-08-07T21:58:00.000-04:002008-08-07T21:58:00.000-04:00Barry,How much better off would the Tigers be if t...Barry,<BR/>How much better off would the Tigers be if they had invested in a couple middle relievers and a better closer. A lot better. It would have been money better spent than on Jones, Renteria, etc.<BR/>CaputoPat Caputohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05102662407927366439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29764383.post-19927643068751470452008-08-07T21:54:00.000-04:002008-08-07T21:54:00.000-04:00d-fenner,I see Seay as a situational reliever in a...d-fenner,<BR/>I see Seay as a situational reliever in an ideal world, but why not? I know this, he couldn't do any worse. And it does seem like he has earned a shot for something good based on performance.<BR/>CaputoPat Caputohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05102662407927366439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29764383.post-72294631080551561862008-08-07T21:53:00.000-04:002008-08-07T21:53:00.000-04:00Chris Baker,I agree about Santiago. I'm not sure i...Chris Baker,<BR/>I agree about Santiago. I'm not sure if he is the long-term answer at short. The Tigers have some decent prospects there, but Santiago has earned a shot to see what he can do playing every day.<BR/>CaputoPat Caputohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05102662407927366439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29764383.post-25308103448016756262008-08-07T21:50:00.000-04:002008-08-07T21:50:00.000-04:00Fred Brill,"A poorly tuned machine." Couldn't have...Fred Brill,<BR/>"A poorly tuned machine." Couldn't have said it better myself, Fred. And that is putting it kindly. I can't imagine this season going worse for the Tigers.<BR/>CaputoPat Caputohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05102662407927366439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29764383.post-60409521690047003572008-08-07T21:41:00.000-04:002008-08-07T21:41:00.000-04:00anonymous,You bring up next year and it is interes...anonymous,<BR/>You bring up next year and it is interesting to ponder for the Tigers. Do they blow up most of their team? Do they still go all out salary-wise? This I do know: They must do a better job of evaluating veteran players.<BR/>CaputoPat Caputohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05102662407927366439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29764383.post-76776545575920545442008-08-07T10:26:00.000-04:002008-08-07T10:26:00.000-04:00Pat,Kevin Smith sounds pretty darn good. He seems...Pat,<BR/><BR/>Kevin Smith sounds pretty darn good. He seems to have the most important thing that a running back needs - good vision - and he backs it up with the second and third most imports things - agility and tackle breaking/avoidance. He is only missing the least important quality - top end speed. It is funny, because Kevin Jones had all of those attributes except for good vision, and Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29764383.post-6219179886298178332008-08-06T19:55:00.000-04:002008-08-06T19:55:00.000-04:00Great Blog, today, Book. Ironically, when Jones w...Great Blog, today, Book. Ironically, when Jones was knocked over, the rest of the bullpen went down like dominoes. The Zumaya-can-do-know wrong club will have to look for a new savior. . . or as you persuasively suggest, wait until he replaces one of our knucklehead starters.Detroit Sports Dorkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06507758358144530420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29764383.post-42198699175451421662008-08-06T17:24:00.000-04:002008-08-06T17:24:00.000-04:00Hey Pat, either have Rodney or Zumaya to close is ...Hey Pat, either have Rodney or Zumaya to close is a good idea so Tiger Management know which direction to go next year. I do not think the College kids just drafted be ready to close next year. Like you said Pat, if Zumaya cannot close, then they should make him a starter. If Tigers completely fall out of race, start stretching him out this year once they determine he cannot close. That way they Barryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05922015140899150083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29764383.post-61714906482411061692008-08-06T15:04:00.000-04:002008-08-06T15:04:00.000-04:00Leyland seems to be the type of unconventional man...Leyland seems to be the type of unconventional manager that wouldn't automatically conform to the current standard of having a designated closer. It would sure seem to make more sense to use the committee approach. And with the way Bobby Seay is pitching, shouldn't he be thrown into the mix as well? Sure he isn't overpowering, but if there's ever a couple lefties due up for the 9th then it Dan Fennerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04277610362507746749noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29764383.post-65818798939520645442008-08-06T13:41:00.000-04:002008-08-06T13:41:00.000-04:00Hi Book, I'm a big fan of yours. In regards to you...Hi Book, I'm a big fan of yours. In regards to your comment about Zumaya, I agree, but I don't think any of the Tigers in their bullpen can close right now. I think Leyland has to stick with the guy who pitches well and leaves them out there and he has to eliminate using people as "roles" We don't have a true closer or a set up man right now. Also, I blame the loss last night on Renteria, I Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29764383.post-73233819972877764672008-08-06T12:40:00.000-04:002008-08-06T12:40:00.000-04:00Pat,It is sad to resign ourselves to the fact this...Pat,<BR/><BR/>It is sad to resign ourselves to the fact this team is what it is this 2008 season.<BR/><BR/>A poorly tuned machine.<BR/><BR/>When one part functions well, one or more of the other parts fail.<BR/><BR/>But I am sick of hearing the players shrug it off in the media with statements like "<I>we are professionals - we will put it behind us an move on</I>".<BR/><BR/>You might as well Fred Brillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10731385357714489031noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29764383.post-86209100209493411462008-08-06T11:05:00.000-04:002008-08-06T11:05:00.000-04:00I totally agree with your comments on the reliever...I totally agree with your comments on the relievers. This year is done, they just need to tread water the rest of the year. As for next year, I think it's time to shake it up. The Tigers are stuck with Bonderman and Robertson's contracts, so why not give them a try in the bullpen? They say relievers only need two good pitches. Bonderman has two very good ones and hasn't been ableAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com