Since 2006, two of the consistent trouble spots on the Tigers roster have been left field and the bullpen. Who could’ve guessed that Craig Monroe would be so difficult to replace? While Todd Jones wasn’t a dominant closer (and was often frustrating to watch), Detroit hasn’t been able to find a setup tandem close to Fernando Rodney and Joel Zumaya either.
Second base had also been problematic since Placido Polanco left after the 2009 season, but Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski solved that issue by trading for Omar Infante in 2012 and Ian Kinsler during this most recent offseason. Yet consistency in left field and the bullpen continue to elude the Tigers and loom as the team’s two biggest weaknesses going into this season.
Joe Nathan certainly brings stability to the closer role, something Detroit hasn’t really enjoyed since Jose Valverde notched 49 saves in 2011. The ninth inning was uncertain for the Tigers for the first two months of last season until Joaquin Benoit asserted himself as the closer. Nathan is coming off two excellent seasons with the Rangers, compiling a 2.09 ERA, 80 saves and 151 strikeouts in 129 innings. At 39 years old, a decline is certainly a concern. But he should still be an upgrade at the back end of the bullpen.
However, the setup crew for Nathan and middle relief corps carries some question marks into the season. Last year, Tigers relievers combined for a 4.01 ERA, ranking 24th out of 30 MLB clubs. Benoit left via free agency and Drew Smyly was moved to the starting rotation, meaning the bullpen is down two of its most dependable arms. Nathan arguably fills one of those holes, but what about the seventh- and eighth-inning setup men?
Joba Chamberlain was one of the more curious signings of the offseason. He’s coming off a less than impressive season during which he compiled a 4.93 ERA and 26 walks (with 38 strikeouts) in 42 innings. The Tigers didn’t take a huge risk on him financially, signing him to a one-year, $2.5 million contract. But tabbing him as a setup reliever seems less certain. The hope is that Chamberlain will benefit from getting away from New York and the expectations he faced with the Yankees. Detroit also believes pitching coach Jeff Jones can help the right-hander locate his pitches better and perhaps also regain some velocity.
The other setup reliever is expected to be Bruce Rondon. The 23-year-old was given the opportunity to win the closer job last spring but showed he wasn’t ready for the responsibility. Detroit isn’t pinning such hopes on him this year, but still envisions Rondon and his 100 mph fastball shutting down opposing batters late in ballgames. Last year with the Tigers, he struck out 30 batters in 28.2 innings and posted a 3.45 ERA. But Detroit would prefer to see something closer to his production in Triple-A Toledo, where he notched 40 strikeouts in 29.2 innings with a 1.52 ERA.
If those two pitch as the Tigers expect, the bullpen might resemble that 2006 late-inning relief corps. But if either Chamberlain or Rondon falter, Detroit could have some problems once the starting pitcher leaves the game. Al Alburquerque can get strikeouts with his slider, but could also walk the bases loaded when he comes in. Phil Coke was surprisingly brought back after compiling a 5.40 ERA last season. Lefty Ian Krol and Luke Putkonen should fill out the other two spots in the bullpen. The Tigers are hoping this collection of relievers is better than last year’s edition.
Tigers fans were hoping Dombrowski would fill left field with a big-name free agent like Shin-Soo Choo or Nelson Cruz. However, the team still wanted to see what it had in Andy Dirks, who hit .322 with an .857 OPS in 344 plate appearances two seasons ago and played quality defense at the position. Last year, Dirks struggled, batting .256 with a .686 OPS while also dealing with a knee injury.
Yet platooned with a right-handed hitter, Dirks seemed like less of an uncertainty. Rajai Davis was signed to fill that role this season, while also providing some much needed speed to the lineup. In 128 PAs versus left-handed pitching last year, Davis compiled a slash average of .319/.383/.474. This looked like a potential good pairing for the Tigers.
Unfortunately, Dirks’ back injury has unsettled those plans. The 28-year-old needs back surgery — more specifically, a microdisectomy — and is expected to miss three months of action as a result. That likely means Davis is now the full-time left fielder and will face right-handed pitching regularly. That didn’t go so well for him last year, as he hit .228 with a .594 OPS against righties.
If the Tigers are truly worried about Davis’ performance versus right-handers, Don Kelly could get many of those at-bats. However, Kelly simply isn’t a good hitter, batting .222 last season. And if the idea is to play him against right-handed pitching, Kelly isn’t any better than Davis, compiling a .220 average and .694 OPS.
Another possibility could be Steve Lombardozzi, who played 41 games in left field for the Nationals in 2011. But the switch-hitter batted .254 against righties last season. Besides, playing Lombardozzi in the outfield would weaken the infield, as he’s expected to be the utilityman, backing up at second base, third base and shortstop. Non-roster invitees Ezequiel Carrera and Trevor Crowe also have a shot at making the opening day roster because of Dirks’ injury.
Basically, the Tigers need Davis to produce regularly in left field — at least until Dirks returns. Otherwise, the position will be something of a black hole yet again for Detroit, possibly forcing manager Brad Ausmus to take extraordinary measures during the postseason (as Jim Leyland did with playing Jhonny Peralta in left last year).
