Since no one has posted this or said anything about it, let’s weigh in… Good? Bad? Who cares?
From the Detroit Free Press, Jan. 24, 2009
The Tigers have signed free agent relievers Brandon Lyon and Scott Williamson, the team announced at TigerFest today.
Lyon, 29, is the headliner, after saving 26 games for the Arizona Diamondbacks last season. He spent most of the 2008 season as Arizona’s closer and should enter spring training with a good chance to win the same job here. Fernando Rodney, who has been more effective as a setup reliever, is among the other candidates.
Lyon's one-year contract includes a $4.25 million base salary and $500,000 in performance bonuses. He turned down at least one multiyear offer in order to sign with Detroit. Right-hander Eddie Bonine was designated for assignment to clear a roster spot.
Lyon struggled in the second half last year, finishing with a 3-5 record and 4.70 ERA in 61 appearances. He ultimately lost the closer’s job to Chad Qualls.
In an interview with the Free Press last week, Diamondbacks pitching coach Bryan Price called Lyon “a quality pitcher and even better guy.”
“The unfortunate thing is he had a stretch where he struggled at home in non-save situations and jacked his ERA up, but there were some periods of time where he was dominant,” Price said. “The ERA is going to be misleading because he really did have a terrific year.”
Price said a comparison could be drawn between Lyon and Jose Valverde, the National League saves leader in each of the past two seasons. Price alluded to the fact that Valverde had a 5.84 ERA as recently as the 2006 season.
“Valverde didn’t really figure out the role the first three years he tried it,” Price said. “He had a heckuva grace period and learned to be outstanding at what he does. That could apply to Brandon Lyon, too. He could be an outstanding closer.
“The one thing people know about him in the National League is that he’s a very, very good setup guy who can face righties and lefties.”
In explaining Lyon’s performance after the All-Star break last year, Price said he “got away from being a four-pitch pitcher.” Rather than keep hitters off-balance with an array of fastballs, curveballs, changeups and cut fastballs, Lyon relied on his fastball and curve. He became more predictable, and, consequently, more hittable.
Price said Lyon shows good focus on the mound and is “extremely prepared.”
“Brandon likes a challenge,” Price said. “He has one of those underappreciated skills – accountability. He’s going to take ownership of his failures and not make a big to-do about his successes. He’s old-school baseball. Coaches and managers love that.”
Williamson last pitched in the majors with Baltimore in 2007, when he went 1-0 with a 4.40 ERA in 16 appearances. Because of his injury history, Williamson, who turns 33 next month, signed a minor league contract.
Williamson has 55 career saves – but only one since 2003.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I know that Lyon had his problems in the second half of last season (8.46 ERA in 23 appearances after the break), but I'll tell you what I really like: He doesn't walk people. In his 51 career saves, he's walked only four batters. Todd Jones covered that number in two appearances! "Death by walk" is a gut-wrenching way to lose. Think of the money Jim Leyland will be able to save by cutting his cigarette consumption.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds good. Only time will tell. Do we need more depth in the rotation?
ReplyDeleteI like the Lyons signing. Yes, he had problems in the second half, but ones that can be corrected with proper coaching, not problems with velocity or the strike zone. He will be a solid, cost-effective closer.
ReplyDeleteThat makes one solid guy in the bullpen, only six more to go!
Seriously, this team is banking way too heavily on Rodney, Zumaya and Seay to hold down the three remaining spots at the back of the pen (7th, 8th and lefty specialist).
And in the middle innings, you've got one OK guy in Miner, two recovering journeymen in Rincon and Williamson, either Robertson or Willis (whichever one sucks more as a starter ends up in the pen), and an assortment of young guys -- Fien, Dolsi, Bloom, Rapada, McBride, etc. -- fighting for spots.
This seems like a group from top to bottom that might effectively fill five of the seven bullpen spots.
I really hate to see the Tigers opting out of the free agent market when it seems like there are good guys desperate for a job with spring training two weeks away. Guys like Springer, Cruz, Ohman, Beimel, etc., who could be had for $2 mil or so apiece.
I'm optimistic about Lyon. As other have noted, he had a good first half last year, rarely walks peopleand know how to close at the major-league level. The other guy seems like a long-shot no-risk gamble. No harm no foul.
ReplyDelete