Starting rotation

[Trots]

It's sounding more and more like Steve Sparks will have to win a spot in the Tigers' rotation this spring. According to Trammell, only Maroth and Van Hekken are penciled in. Sparks, Loux, Cornejo, Knotts and a cast of thousands will be trying to obtain the last three spots.

Anyone see Pat Caputo's column where he suggets that Preston Larrison and Jeremy Bonderman would both be in the Tigers rotation THIS season. Should we be concerned about rushing both of them? Larrison is coming off an injury, if I recall correctly. Bonderman has been out of high school for about a year. Should he really be facing MLB hitters in '03? Should we even propose that as a possibility? Seems like too high an expectation to me.

Today's Oakland Press also states that the Tigers will not be signing a veteran free agent arm to a major league deal. Someone would have to sign a minor league deal and try to capture a spot in ST.

[Baseball Guru]

"Today's Oakland Press also states that the Tigers will not be signing a veteran free agent arm to a major league deal. Someone would have to sign a minor league deal and try to capture a spot in ST"

Maybe that someone could be Avery???
A darkhorse just entered the race:)


Tigers add experience with Avery
By Jason Beck / MLB.com

DETROIT -- Steve Avery spent most of the winter working out close to home at Comerica Park, hoping that a big-league team would give him a shot. That team ended up being the Tigers, who took a flyer on the lefty's comeback attempt with a minor-league contract and an invitation to Spring Training.

The Tigers also extended an invitation to well-traveled third baseman Tom Evans, whose minor-league deal was announced Monday along with first baseman Kevin Barker. They also reached teams on contract renewals with Fernando Rodney, Adrian Burnside, Eric Eckenstahler, Ramon Santiago, Nook Logan and Cody Ross.

The big story, however, was Avery, who hasn't pitched competitively in the Majors since making 19 starts for the Reds in 1999. The former left-handed phenom with the Braves a decade ago has not aged gracefully, battling injuries and control problems before a torn labrum knocked him out four years ago. His wildness doomed him in Cincinnati; he gave up more walks (78) than hits (75) in 96 innings.

In his prime, he was near the forefront of Atlanta's pitching dominance in the early 1990s. He debuted in 1990 at the tender age of 20, then won 47 games over the following three years. He was named MVP of the 1991 NL Championship Series.

Now 32 years old, his work to get back to playing shape left the Tigers impressed. Some Tiger players and coaches who work out at the park regularly in the offseason were surprised by Avery's velocity coming off of surgery.

Avery was born and raised in Michigan and lives in nearby Taylor.

[Trots]

I didn't see that coming. Avery is a nice story about a local kid trying to make a comeback, but he's been out of the game for years. I guess he's worth a look, but it would seem like a longshot for him to even make the roster, let alone make an impact with the big club.

Don't misunderstand, I hope he makes the staff and is the runaway choice for comeback player of the year, but the odds are not very good.