The story of the Detroit Tigers has been pretty much the same over the last two seasons. In 2007, their bullpen cost them a chance to reach the playoffs and get back to the World Series, and in 2008 it was the bullpen bringing down a team that many thought would be the best in the American League after a winter trade for Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis. So obviously general manager Dave Dombrowski's to-do list this offseason consists of fixing the Tiger bullpen if he wants his team to have a chance in 2009.It's too bad that the Tigers missed out on all the best closer candidates this winter, though. Francisco Rodriguez became a Met. Brian Fuentes became an Angel, and Kerry Wood signed with the Indians. So with the big names gone, who should the Tigers bring in to compete with/provide insurance for Joel Zumaya and Fernando Rodney? Well, if you ask the Detroit Free Press' Jon Paul Morosi, he'll tell you Jason Isringhausen.
From all indications, Isringhausen is serious about pitching this year. It's not clear if the Tigers have serious interest, but let's put it this way: They probably have the greatest need at closer among potential contenders, and Isringhausen has more saves than any available free agent.Of course it seems like a natural fit, Jon. What better place for a reliever coming off of roughly 75 surgeries on his arm and shoulder over the last five years than the Detroit bullpen? There's always room for another reliever who can't stay healthy!
Sure seems like a natural fit, don't you think?
I also love the fact that one of Morosi's biggest selling points on Isringhausen is that Jason has more career saves than any other closer still out there with 293. You know, Jon, Lee Smith has 478 saves, maybe the Tigers should give him a call too?
I understand Morosi's logic that as long as the Tigers can get Isringhausen signed to a one-year, low-base, incentive-laden contract it really couldn't hurt the team, but aren't there still better options out there? The Tigers would probably be better off going down to Alabama and begging Todd Jones to unleash the power of the 'stache for just one more season. At least he'd have a better chance of finishing the season with his arm still attached to his shoulder.
