Just throwing an idea at the wall, seeing if it will stick...

[cruzer1]

Sign Andrew Miller now, put him in the bullpen as a long reliever. Where else could they get that kind of talent to help out in case a game gets out of hand early, plus the Tigers would be able to control his innings. The Tigers don't use a long reliever very often anyways...:ponder:

[Yoda]

It just fell.

[slim pickens]

Try some double sided tape.

[cruzer1]

It just fell.
Where else are they going to have talent like that in a playoff race? Even short relief to be a loogy, he'd be dynamite.

[Ron Burgandy]

The problem is that 1) we don't really need another lefty in the pen (Walker and Ledezma are doing fine), 2) if we are going to add a bullpen arm from within the system Spurling would be the best, first option, and 3) I'm not convinced Miller is MLB ready.

If we sign him quickly, I'd prefer he work on improving his change-up in the minors.

[slim pickens]

That is way to risky in a playoff race especially......He is just a raw talent right now, that needs a little seasoning, and flipped on the grill before coming up here.

[Yoda]

Could be, but I have a feeling they'd rather either shut him down for the year or get him consistent innings in the minors. Who knows though. I think we have several other options right now. I just don't see the benefit of doing that while ruining his rookie status. And if they want to start him in the minors next year, will "demoting" him ruffle a few feathers?

[Ron Burgandy]

Could be, but I have a feeling they'd rather either shut him down for the year or get him consistent innings in the minors. Who knows though. I think we have several other options right now. I just don't see the benefit of doing that while ruining his rookie status. And if they want to start him in the minors next year, will "demoting" him ruffle a few feathers?

Not to mention we've already seemingly lost one potential starter (Zumaya) to a career in the pen...no need to risk losing another.

[cruzer1]

That is way to risky in a playoff race especially......He is just a raw talent right now, that needs a little seasoning, and flipped on the grill before coming up here.
He could get out top flite major league lefties. He'll kill them. Ledezma isn't as much of a lefty killer as most lefties. Miller is. Heck, he can replace Todd Jones. Not as the closer, but on the roster.

[slim pickens]

But what if Miller comes up, and gets rocked......bad........what will that do to the kids confidence?

[84 Lives!!!]

I think this wall Cruzer...

is made of Teflon.

[cruzer1]

Not to mention we've already seemingly lost one potential starter (Zumaya) to a career in the pen...no need to risk losing another.
This would only be for the playoff chase, and for the playoffs. He can go into the rotation next year, wherever he'll play. Remember what Leyland said about the 25 best players?

[Ron Burgandy]

This would only be for the playoff chase, and for the playoffs. He can go into the rotation next year, wherever he'll play. Remember what Leyland said about the 25 best players?

If he is going to pitch at all, I'd prefer to just have him refining his change-up in the minors. I think this is one case where the potential long-term benefit substantially outweighs any potential short-term gain.

[redshark63]

And he is not one of them.

Also, as Yoda said, if he signs before the end of the season, most likely he will be shut down. He has pitched plenty this year.

Baugh, Wheatland, ...

[cruzer1]

If he is going to pitch at all, I'd prefer to just have him refining his change-up in the minors. I think this is one case where the potential long-term benefit substantially outweighs any potential short-term gain.
QSilver is actually my inspiration for this...where in the heck is he?

[Tramfan]

I'll be glad to romanticize with you over the idea Cruzer, but I think Humberto Sanchez would be better at getting out major league lefties at this stage if needed.

[cruzer1]

I'll be glad to romanticize with you over the idea Cruzer, but I think Humberto Sanchez would be better at getting out major league lefties at this stage if needed.
But uhhh...mmm...he's a righty...:classic:

[tiger337]

QSilver is actually my inspiration for this...where in the heck is he?

This does not sound like an idea QS would like.

[cruzer1]

This does not sound like an idea QS would like.
I remember him posting about what to do with young pitching in the playoffs; his reaction was to go all out to win, if that means Miller, then he should be.

[diaspora04]

What if putting Miller on the 25-man roster helped get him signed for a reasonable price?

[cruzer1]

What if putting Miller on the 25-man roster helped get him signed for a reasonable price?
He'll definitely be signing a Major League contract, so all they have to do is clear a roster spot (*cough* Jones *cough*).:classic:

[djhutch]

I'm not against the idea, but I think we should put all of our efforts into signing Maybin first.

[Porcelain God]

Are we that desparate for a lefty in pen? Walker seems to hold the specialist job done just fine.

[zachcadillac]

I'd rather see Miller sign in late August and not pitch until next March.

[JonBenke]

I'm not against the idea, but I think we should put all of our efforts into signing Maybin first.
Wow, yet another lame "maybin hasn't signed" joke ... great :ponder:

I think this is a horrible idea, with the best idea being to sign this kid as soon as possible, and then not have him pitch again until spring training. I don't see how the possitives even come close to outweighing the negatives on this.

[Edman85]

I remember him posting about what to do with young pitching in the playoffs; his reaction was to go all out to win, if that means Miller, then he should be.

It doesn't mean Miller: it means guys who are Major League ready like Tata and Sanchez.

[Edman85]

I'm not against the idea, but I think we should put all of our efforts into signing Maybin first.

"That was lamer than FDR's legs."

[cruzer1]

"That was lamer than FDR's legs."
No, you didn't!:classic:

[84 Lives!!!]

I'm not against the idea, but I think we should put all of our efforts into signing Maybin first.

Don't mind the others DJ...

I thought it was funny and smiled.

Sometimes I can be easy though... :grin:

[JonBenke]

Don't mind the others DJ...

I thought it was funny and smiled.
I thought so too, and smiled as well .. six months ago.

It's just a pretty lame joke - sorry.

[cruzer1]

I thought so too, and smiled as well .. six months ago.

It's just a pretty lame joke - sorry.
Who's joking?

[Ron Burgandy]

Looks like someone pissed in Benke's corn flakes again this morning...:wink:

[JonBenke]

Who's joking?
Yeah .. okay, ugh... I give you the face for all things "Maybin hasn't signed" ---> :dead:

[IdahoBert]

Every indication coming from the Miller camp has been positive, especially Miller's comments. There is no rush and he already considers himself a Tiger. He knows this team has a place for him and that we promote young talent. I don't think either side is in a hurry and from what I can tell the Tigers are not going to have him pitch any regular season ball this year anyway. He's a great gift and we just aren't going to be able to open the package for a while.

[RobSk]

Cruzer,

Doesn't this have implications for his FA clock? I mean, if he does a Verlander and is in the bigs by late 2007, then who cares, but if it takes him till mid to late 2008, that would be pretty painful.

Rob

[Sparks4Ever]

Ledezma's looked good so far this season. I'm not sure if Miller would be an upgrade over him right now.

[Edman85]

Cruzer,

Doesn't this have implications for his FA clock? I mean, if he does a Verlander and is in the bigs by late 2007, then who cares, but if it takes him till mid to late 2008, that would be pretty painful.

Rob

This would likely have no effect, since your service time is based on days in the Majors, so time spend in 2007 wouldn't really matter at all. Since Miller is going to probably get a Major League deal, the main thing is to make sure he doesn't run out of options. Under cruzer's plan, he would be out of options in the 2009 season, which probalby doesn't make a difference. Barring injury, Miller's free agent time shouldn't be a concern.

[chasfh]

The problem is that 1) we don't really need another lefty in the pen (Walker and Ledezma are doing fine), 2) if we are going to add a bullpen arm from within the system Spurling would be the best, first option, and 3) I'm not convinced Miller is MLB ready.

4) It would get the arbitration clock ticking on him immediately, which is already going to be an issue with Bonderman and Verlander.

[Yoda]

4) It would get the arbitration clock ticking on him immediately, which is already going to be an issue with Bonderman and Verlander.

This won't matter because he will likely be signed to a major league contract. Verlander did as well, so his "clock" started ticking the day he signed the contract, as will Millers.

[zachcadillac]

This won't matter because he will likely be signed to a major league contract. Verlander did as well, so his "clock" started ticking the day he signed the contract, as will Millers.

Is this true? I had always thought a player needed to be on the 25-man roster to accrue service time (and therefore close in or arbitration). Does it extend to the 40-man?

[Yoda]

Is this true? I had always thought a player needed to be on the 25-man roster to accrue service time (and therefore close in or arbitration). Does it extend to the 40-man?

I'm almost positive of this. Estrepe or Edman or someone will know the particulars. I'm too lazy to look it up.

Edit: Maybe I'm confusing that with options. I know an option will be used the first time he pitches in the minors. That's probably what I'm thinking of.