TRADE!

[~*TiGeRs f@N*~]

Adam Bernero traded to the Rockies for outfielder and catcher Ben Petrick (dunno if that is spelt right)

[Tigers#1]

Wow! Nice trade(and yeah it's spelled right). Petrick is another one of those top prospects who didn't fully pan out that we keep getting, but i still like him a lot. Good hitter, and hopefully can be the starting catcher, or at least puch Inge. I was never really a huge Adam Bernero fan.

[Tigers#1]

Top Prospect Alert - Ben Petrick

By Robert Sherry
Ben Petrick: The Rockies second round selection in the 1995 draft saw his most time in the majors this season after receiving a September call-up in 1999. In all, he batted .322 with 3 home runs, 20 runs batted in, 10 doubles, one triple, 32 runs scored, 20 walks, and 33 strikeouts 146 at-bats. Before his call-up to Colorado, Petrick hit .315 in 248 at-bats at Colorado Springs. He only had one steal in the majors, but has the speed to steal 20+ per season.

At 6-foot and 205 pounds, Petrick is one of the most athletic catchers in baseball. His defense needs continued improvement, but his offense is ready to take over the daily grind in the majors. He has a strong arm and was even a high school quarterback, but needs work on using it to handle potential baserunners. With his athletic ability, eventually Petrick could be moved to another position if a big catching prospect comes along (a la Craig Biggio moving to second).

At the plate, Petrick won't be a 40 homer type, but he could be a solid .300+, 20/20 type of hitter. Current teammate Jeff Cirrillo's numbers could be in line with what Petrick could do offensively

[~*TiGeRs f@N*~]

wanna know something shocking... neither was I :eek: of course I loved him cuz he was a Tiger but I am also happy with the trade

[BPBlueSox]

Petrick sucks. You're not getting squat.

Who is this Bernero guy? Can't say I follow the Tigers to closely...

[~*TiGeRs f@N*~]

thanks for getting the story for me Kyle. I couldn't find a story, just heard it while watching the game

[~*TiGeRs f@N*~]

Originally posted by BPBlueSox
Petrick sucks. You're not getting squat.

Who is this Bernero guy? Can't say I follow the Tigers to closely...

One of our young pitchers who was struggling

[Blue56]

who's petrick?

[Trots]

For what it's worth, which isn't much, I view Bernero as a number four or five starter. He's pitched better than his record, but I can't imagine his ERA, WHIP or much else outside his win total improving at Coors. Basically, he's a decent pitcher.

In Petrick, the Tigers take a flier on an ex-top prospect. It almost doesn't matter what his previous efforts have yielded, as he won't be any worse than Inge with the bat. It won't be hard to be better than Hinch or Walbeck, either. As he can also play the OF, it just gives Trammell more options.

I wonder who gets taken off the roster? Hinch? Walbeck? Torres? I would guess it has to be one of the three.

[~*TiGeRs f@N*~]

I say Torres should get the boot... I dunno what he is still doing here in the first place!

[Trots]

I agree, Jen, but I can't imagine the Tigers keeping three poor hitting catchers on the roster at the same time.

[~*TiGeRs f@N*~]

well me, being the positive nut that I am :D I already have faith in Petrick! I say he's gonna hit AT LEAST .285 :cool: thats my prediction of the year :D of course we all know what happened to my we are gonna hit .500 this season for winning percentage :shh:

[RockieBill]

Aha, I knew this would be posted in here, for some reason, ha ha!

I think this is a good deal for Petrick and the Tigs - I'm just wondering if Ben is going to be put in as a catcher again. He's servicable, but has his problems, defensively. But then, if he shows that he can hit, and he can (or has been able to, anyway), a few goofs behind the plate might be acceptable. Good luck!

I have no idea what the Rockies will do with Bernero, though... the pen is already a mess...

[Trots]

Backstop has been a problem here for years, RB. Inge and Walbeck have struggled to get their BA over .200 and Hinch is only slightly better and everyone runs on him. I find it hard to imagine that Petrick won't be playing there quite a bit the last half of the season, regardless of what he does defensively.

I do wonder where Bernero fits in with the Rox. I know many think Bernero is a middle relief guy and maybe they are right. However, if your pen is already a mess I can't see Bernero being the answer. I hope this trade works out for your guys, too, RB.

[RockieBill]

Petrick's only real problem is his balance - he 'rocks' on the balls of his feet, and usually catches flat-footed, which causes throwing problems - not just throwing out runners, but getting the damn ball back to the pitcher after every pitch can be an adventure.

He's got a pretty decent arm, though, and was making good progress in the outfield. He'll be a good pick up for you, especially if someone can teach him to throw from the crouch -

[Blue56]

though it was a cheap trade!

[Tigers#1]

Bernero's 1-12 with an ERA over 6.00! The tigers getting anything for him is amazing. I always saw him as a sixth starter, a guy who would fill in as a starter, or just pitch long releif. Maybe Petrick just needs a change of scenery.

[GergPeabs]

I love this trade. Mostly just because Bernero will never start a game for us again. He is what 27 yrs old? Mayybe average middle reliever tops. Petrick on the other hand has the potential to hold on to the catching job for years here. There is no depth behind him(inge will never hit) and the guy wasn't a 2nd round pick for nothing. I'm confident the Tiger coaches can get the best out of him over time.

[Trots]

That's what I would have thought, too, Gerg. However, Dombrowski implied that Petrick was going to be more of a utility player than anything else. He said something to the affect that Petrick "was not the long term answer" at catcher. Maybe that's just double-talk, but he sure didn't sound like a guy who acquired a full-time backstop.

If Petrick's role, both short and long term, is as a utility player, I am confused as to what his worth is to the organization. I realized Bernero was going to bring an All-Star caliber catcher, but a player without a defined role when your catchers are hitting less than .200 combined?