Bonderman making a comeback?

**Walt** · 11-06-2012, 11:09 AM

It looks like Bondo is coming back. Would anyone want the Tigers to take a flyer on him? He wants a minor league contract with a ST invite. It would be low risk, high reward, but has that ship sailed in Detroit?

Edit: Just saw this in the offseason thread. If a Mod thinks this is monotonous, feel free to delete it.

**1776** · 11-06-2012, 12:53 PM

Works for me. I still have an orange Bonderman player tee I wear from time to time.

**Biff Mayhem** · 11-06-2012, 01:02 PM

No mention of a change-up? Pass.

**Walt** · 11-06-2012, 01:04 PM

The no mention of a change up is a change up, no?

**Biff Mayhem** · 11-06-2012, 01:23 PM

Originally Posted by Walt

The no mention of a change up is a change up, no?

Well to be fair, spring training hasn't started yet.

**ballmich** · 11-06-2012, 01:53 PM

I almost mentioned Bonderman yesterday, funny. I don't see how it hurts to bring him in on a minor league contract. As a long reliever, and spot starter, I think you could do a lot worse.

**Gehringer_2** · 11-06-2012, 01:57 PM

Given that the nerve issues have now had enough time to fully recover, there could still be a lot of pitching talent lurking there -- if Jeremy is serious about the commitment, which I think has to be open to question.

**stanpapi** · 11-06-2012, 02:02 PM

No interest. Would just take a spot in spring training from a kid who deserves it more. He wasn't all that good when he had a fully functional arm.....

**zimm** · 11-06-2012, 02:16 PM

he wouldn't need a change-up in the pen, and our pen needs an arm or 2. i'd bring him in as an NRI and let him show what he can do.

**Fearless Raccoon** · 11-06-2012, 03:21 PM

Originally Posted by Gehringer_2

-- if Jeremy is serious about the commitment, which I think has to be open to question.

FYI, according to Rotoworld, "He's allegedly dropped 35 pounds and is in fantastic shape."

**Gehringer_2** · 11-06-2012, 03:23 PM

Originally Posted by stanpapi

No interest. Would just take a spot in spring training from a kid who deserves it more. He wasn't all that good when he had a fully functional arm.....

I think between the arms we have traded in the last t yrs and Smyly's call up, I'm not sure how many starting arms we do need to make room for in ST.

**tigermojo** · 11-06-2012, 03:27 PM

I wonder if he'd rather sign to play somewhere closer to his home.

**alwaysthrowheat** · 11-06-2012, 03:39 PM

Originally Posted by Fearless Raccoon

FYI, according to Rotoworld, "He's allegedly dropped 35 pounds and is in fantastic shape."

35 pounds? He wasn't fat before.

**Shelton** · 11-06-2012, 03:47 PM

Originally Posted by stanpapi

No interest. Would just take a spot in spring training from a kid who deserves it more. He wasn't all that good when he had a fully functional arm.....

False

**ballmich** · 11-06-2012, 03:49 PM

Originally Posted by Gehringer_2

I think between the arms we have traded in the last t yrs and Smyly's call up, I'm not sure how many starting arms we do need to make room for in ST.

Exactly. I don't know who he would be blocking in ST who deserves a long look. We are very thin in the upper levels with regards to major league ready prospects. We're talking Wilk, Below and Crosby here... All guys who we know fairly well at this point.

**alwaysthrowheat** · 11-06-2012, 03:51 PM

Originally Posted by ballmich

Exactly. I don't know who he would be blocking in ST who deserves a long look. We are very thin in the upper levels with regards to major league ready prospects. We're talking Wilk, Below and Crosby here... All guys who we know fairly well at this point.

Don't think we know Crosby that well, but agree with the other two. This year is pretty important for Casey.

**RandyMarsh** · 11-06-2012, 04:26 PM

I want nothing to do with Bonderman, I don't see why anybody would other than the fact that he used to be a Tiger. Think about it, if he was from any other organization would anybody here be interested in him? He's a former highly touted prospect 10 years ago, hasn't really had a productive season in 7 years, has had multiple serious arm injuries, can only throw 2 pitches, and hasn't pitched in the majors in 3 seasons. If a player had that resume and wasn't a former Tiger would anybody here even come close to vouching for him, even if for only a spring training invitee? I highly doubt it.

**pyrotigers** · 11-06-2012, 04:29 PM

Bonderman is pretty good if he's healthy. He's probably not healthy. It's not a big deal finding out in spring training though so I'd give him a shot.

Maybe he could be the new closer

**T&P_Fan** · 11-06-2012, 04:32 PM

Originally Posted by pyrotigers

Maybe he could be the new closer

You beat me to it!

**ballmich** · 11-06-2012, 04:43 PM

Originally Posted by RandyMarsh

I want nothing to do with Bonderman, I don't see why anybody would other than the fact that he used to be a Tiger. Think about it, if he was from any other organization would anybody here be interested in him? He's a former highly touted prospect 10 years ago, hasn't really had a productive season in 7 years, has had multiple serious arm injuries, can only throw 2 pitches, and hasn't pitched in the majors in 3 seasons. If a player had that resume and wasn't a former Tiger would anybody here even come close to vouching for him, even if for only a spring training invitee? I highly doubt it.

So you mean like Steve Avery and Matt Mantei? I wanted them in camp. You don't lose anything by bringing these type of guys into ST. Bonderman, if healthy, could be a great addition to the roster. And if he's not healthy, you part ways. He realizes that's the game here.

Bonderman just turned 30 last week. I don't see what is wrong with giving him a look.

**RandyMarsh** · 11-06-2012, 04:47 PM

Originally Posted by ballmich

So you mean like Steve Avery and Matt Mantei? I wanted them in camp. You don't lose anything by bringing these type of guys into ST. Bonderman, if healthy, could be a great addition to the roster. And if he's not healthy, you part ways. He realizes that's the game here.

Bonderman just turned 30 last week. I don't see what is wrong with giving him a look.

If Bonderman is the absolute best ST invite available then by all means invite him, but all I'm saying is that there are probably a ton of more qualified guys that we could be giving a shot to as well so don't pass on other guys just because he was in the organization. Answer this, would you be at all interested in him if his whole career was with another team?

**tigerjoe** · 11-07-2012, 05:47 PM

Originally Posted by RandyMarsh

If Bonderman is the absolute best ST invite available then by all means invite him, but all I'm saying is that there are probably a ton of more qualified guys that we could be giving a shot to as well so don't pass on other guys just because he was in the organization. Answer this, would you be at all interested in him if his whole career was with another team?

I say yes, because it's only to invite him to spring training. It's not like there are only so many roster spots. You can invite as many people to spring training as possible so why not? What would it hurt? With the success he once had, I don't care what team he was with, I'd take a look at least. The Tigers should be able to tell fairly quickly if he can still snap off that slider.

**DaYooperASBDT** · 11-07-2012, 06:21 PM

Well you only need about 37 pitchers during Spring Training, I dunno .... :-)

**tigerbomb13** · 11-07-2012, 06:28 PM

There's no harm in a NRI. I wouldn't expect anything, but there's a small chance of catching lightning in a bottle. No risk, potential small reward.

**ballmich** · 11-07-2012, 06:49 PM

Originally Posted by RandyMarsh

If Bonderman is the absolute best ST invite available then by all means invite him, but all I'm saying is that there are probably a ton of more qualified guys that we could be giving a shot to as well so don't pass on other guys just because he was in the organization. Answer this, would you be at all interested in him if his whole career was with another team?

You are asking a question that I've already answered. I was interested in Avery and Mantei, they spent their careers with other teams. Yes, I would be interested in Bonderman. He just turned 30 and was a good pitcher until he had a non-arm related injury. Subsequently he's had TJ surgery and is reportedly in good shape. Why not give him a minor league deal and NRI? He's the ideal scrap heap pitcher, a guy with talent, who is under the radar, and cheap. Whether he pans out or not remains to be seen, but there's no harm in finding out.

**PuNk42AE** · 11-07-2012, 10:53 PM

At this point he's better than Valverde, so umm that's something.

**Eric Cioe** · 11-08-2012, 12:45 AM

Make him a NRI immediately.

I miss Jeremy Bonderman.

**hueytaxi** · 11-08-2012, 04:06 AM

Verlander would be pleased to have him back I''m sure. They got pretty close.

**Turnbuckle** · 11-08-2012, 09:05 AM

Would love to take a flier on this guy. Even if the last game I saw him play in person was one where he gave up a grand slam in the first inning. This was the most exciting game I went to in person though.
Tigers 13 inning roller coaster with the Minnesota Twins

**Biff Mayhem** · 11-08-2012, 09:49 AM

Originally Posted by zimm

he wouldn't need a change-up in the pen

Let me assist you here: think Motown meme which usually occurs some time around February.

**shauntacular** · 11-08-2012, 09:55 AM

I really think he's going to sign with his hometown Mariners. Also I think he might just shock some folks and be effective for a short time.

**alwaysthrowheat** · 11-08-2012, 10:36 AM

Originally Posted by ballmich

You are asking a question that I've already answered. I was interested in Avery and Mantei, they spent their careers with other teams. Yes, I would be interested in Bonderman. He just turned 30 and was a good pitcher until he had a non-arm related injury. Subsequently he's had TJ surgery and is reportedly in good shape. Why not give him a minor league deal and NRI? He's the ideal scrap heap pitcher, a guy with talent, who is under the radar, and cheap. Whether he pans out or not remains to be seen, but there's no harm in finding out.

Just because it wasn't necessarily an arm related injury doesn't make it any easier to come back from. Thoracic outlet is pretty debilitating. Sure, give him an NRI. Don't really think there's anything to see here. I'm sure he'll be throwing 87.

**Yoda** · 11-08-2012, 10:43 AM

How about this guy?

Ex-Tiger Joel Zumaya preys on smallmouth bass in Michigan | Outdoors | Detroit Free Press | freep.com

"I was born to be a Tiger. I've been talking to them. I could end up back here," he said. In the meantime Zumaya stands on the shore and grins, unfazed by the frigid conditions.

**Biff Mayhem** · 11-08-2012, 11:02 AM

Originally Posted by Yoda

How about this guy?

Ex-Tiger Joel Zumaya preys on smallmouth bass in Michigan | Outdoors | Detroit Free Press | freep.com

Lynn Henning just got a chubby.

**Yoda** · 11-08-2012, 11:04 AM

I'm not sure he's capable.

**ballmich** · 11-08-2012, 11:27 AM

Originally Posted by Yoda

How about this guy?

Ex-Tiger Joel Zumaya preys on smallmouth bass in Michigan | Outdoors | Detroit Free Press | freep.com

Are we sure he is healthy? Can he do a keg stand?

I say yes to Zumaya too, if healthy and in good shape. It doesn't hurt to give these guys minor league deals. They are young (zoom is 28) and were once very good pitchers (or throwers). Both Zoom and Bonderman almost certainly would have to start in Toledo though. You can't be out of the majors for 2 years and think you can step right in without some time to get the rust off against some competition.

**Biff Mayhem** · 11-08-2012, 11:35 AM

Minnesota Twins' Joel Zumaya out for the season with torn elbow ligament - MLB - SI.com

**Yoda** · 11-08-2012, 11:39 AM

That was February Biff.

**Biff Mayhem** · 11-08-2012, 11:42 AM

Originally Posted by Biff Mayhem

Minnesota Twins' Joel Zumaya out for the season with torn elbow ligament - MLB - SI.com

The 27-year-old could choose to have Tommy John surgery and start another exhaustive rehab program that could last a year or longer. Or he could choose to retire.

**ballmich** · 11-08-2012, 11:48 AM

Originally Posted by Biff Mayhem

The 27-year-old could choose to have Tommy John surgery and start another exhaustive rehab program that could last a year or longer. Or he could choose to retire.

The freep article says he had the surgery. If he had his surgery in March 2012, he's probably a month ahead of Bonderman who reportedly had his TJ in April 2012. The reality is, if you sign either of these guys, they are probably late-May or June call-ups. Not only are they rehabing injuries, but both have missed the last two full seasons. They'll probably need some work before they are ready for the majors.