Tigers#1
12-11-2006, 03:01 PM
Report: Tigers, Mesa agree to deal
By Jason Beck / MLB.com
The Tigers have reportedly added to their bullpen, but not with a left-hander. Detroit has agreed to terms with well-traveled right-hander Jose Mesa on a one-year contract worth approximately $2.5 million, according to ESPN.com.
Pending a physical, the deal adds a veteran arm to a bullpen that lost some experience when left-hander Jamie Walker signed with the Orioles as a free agent. Other than Walker, the only member of the Tigers bullpen who had passed his 30th birthday was 38-year-old closer Todd Jones. Detroit's primary setup men, Joel Zumaya and Fernando Rodney, were 21 and 29 years old, respectively.
The 40-year-old Mesa completed his 18th Major League season this year, pitching in a career-high 79 games for the Rockies. He went 1-3 with a 3.86 ERA, allowing 73 hits over 72 2/3 innings with 36 walks and 39 strikeouts. He'll likely pitch in a similar role in Detroit, easing the workload on Zumaya and Rodney.
During last week's Winter Meetings, team president/general manager Dave Dombrowski talked about the need for relief help from both the left and right side. By year's end, the Tigers' late-inning work had essentially become a four-man operation, with Zumaya and Rodney setting up Jones and Jamie Walker pitching in spots. Mesa's signing would add to that depth.
Mesa should not be confused as a right-hander signed to get left-handed hitters out. While he allowed virtually the same opposing batting average from the left and right sides, left-handed hitters have batted .284 against him for his career, including .309 in 2005 and .331 in 2004. He was stronger against left-handed batters from 2001-2003.
Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
By Jason Beck / MLB.com
The Tigers have reportedly added to their bullpen, but not with a left-hander. Detroit has agreed to terms with well-traveled right-hander Jose Mesa on a one-year contract worth approximately $2.5 million, according to ESPN.com.
Pending a physical, the deal adds a veteran arm to a bullpen that lost some experience when left-hander Jamie Walker signed with the Orioles as a free agent. Other than Walker, the only member of the Tigers bullpen who had passed his 30th birthday was 38-year-old closer Todd Jones. Detroit's primary setup men, Joel Zumaya and Fernando Rodney, were 21 and 29 years old, respectively.
The 40-year-old Mesa completed his 18th Major League season this year, pitching in a career-high 79 games for the Rockies. He went 1-3 with a 3.86 ERA, allowing 73 hits over 72 2/3 innings with 36 walks and 39 strikeouts. He'll likely pitch in a similar role in Detroit, easing the workload on Zumaya and Rodney.
During last week's Winter Meetings, team president/general manager Dave Dombrowski talked about the need for relief help from both the left and right side. By year's end, the Tigers' late-inning work had essentially become a four-man operation, with Zumaya and Rodney setting up Jones and Jamie Walker pitching in spots. Mesa's signing would add to that depth.
Mesa should not be confused as a right-hander signed to get left-handed hitters out. While he allowed virtually the same opposing batting average from the left and right sides, left-handed hitters have batted .284 against him for his career, including .309 in 2005 and .331 in 2004. He was stronger against left-handed batters from 2001-2003.
Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.