Bonderman Working On His Changeup

Tigers right-hander Jeremy Bonderman has been working on his changeup in training camp. During the 2006 World Series, Tigers manager Jim Leyland said that Bonderman was "about one Spring Training and two months into the season" from having a good changeup. If we’re to heed the words of the wise old skipper, then this may be the year the 24-year-old puts it all together and delivers the breakout campaign we’ve all been waiting for.
Source: MLB.com

Tigers loaded with arms, and they can't slack off

BY DREW SHARP
FREE PRESS COLUMNIST

Joel Zumaya sought solitude "underground" in his southern California home during the off-season. But he quickly discovered there's little refuge when pop culture stamps your 15 minutes worth of attention.

He couldn't escape his new role of The Man Who Made A-Rod Look Silly. Zumaya's profile rose as quickly as his 100-plus-m.p.h. fastball in the strike zone. Newsweek briefly mentioned him in the magazine's popular Conventional Wisdom barometer, placing a rookie pitcher in the same room as world power brokers and rehabbing entertainers.

It's not outrageous suggesting that the colorful Zumaya was the most recognizable player's name on the Tigers pre-Gary Sheffield.

And he's merely the set-up man for the set-up man in the bullpen.

It's a good thing Major League Baseball doesn't share pitching like it does revenue, because a wealth of hearty arms is as good as currency in this game. And the Tigers are happily and selfishly hoarding pitching, much to the envy of adversaries and anxiety of those fighting for a spot.

Zach Miner deservedly won accolades for his emergency rotation stint after Mike Maroth's elbow injury last season. The rookie notched six victories in six consecutive starts, amassing an ERA of 1.69 during that period. One would assume such a baptism would prove invaluable this season.

But there's no guarantee that Miner will even make the team because there might be only one bullpen spot open for competition in Florida.

New York Yankees first baseman Jason Giambi wondered out loud to reporters in Tampa recently why the Tigers would let a 95-m.p.h.flamethrower like Humberto Sanchez leave.

President and general manager Dave Dombrowski packaged Sanchez and two other minor league pitching prospects for Sheffield. What was truly interesting about the trade was that Dombrowski could pry away a nine-time All-Star from a perennial contender like the Yankees without it costing one player from his major league roster.

"I'm sure there are a lot of teams (that) would like to be like us," said Zumaya. "I know everybody says that you can't have enough pitching because you never know if injuries become a problem. But having a lot of good pitching creates a lot of competition, and that's good news."

Miner attached a codicil to Zumaya's assessment. "I'm sure it's good news if you make the team," he said a wry grin.

The Tigers hold their own version of "American Idol" every day in Lakeland with a half dozen guys on the mound at any given time, side by side, hoping to impress the arbiters of their fate standing in the distance.

It's not coincidental that manager Jim Leyland voluntarily tosses out bouquets about how much he likes how the ball pops out of top prospect Jair Jurrgens' hand. It's meant as a confidence booster to the young man, but it's also a message to everybody else that if you're not pushing yourself even harder than before, there's always somebody else lurking in the wings for a chance at dazzling.

"You can't toss a rosin bag in this clubhouse without hitting a quality arm somewhere," Miner said. "And it helps you through association. People think so highly of this staff that it doesn't hurt you in other people's eyes if you don't make the team. It pushes you to work even harder, and that's something that could benefit you elsewhere."

Elsewhere is always a possibility when you're as loaded with arms like the Tigers.

That's why you stockpile. For every 10 pitching prospects, you hope one-third pan out into players you can use on the major league roster. Another third will wash out, and the other third will serve as bait to lure other valuable commodities.

This is how the Tigers will find Pudge Rodriguez's inevitable replacement at catcher. Instead of drafting and developing one of their own, they'll apply their organizational pitching depth to pry one from another team.

The Tigers' pitching situation creates the perfect balance of confidence and competition. Despite all the praise showered upon him, Zumaya isn't overly comfortable. He hears all the talk about him becoming a future closer.

"But there are two pretty good guys (Todd Jones and Fernando Rodney) already ahead of me there," he said. "But that's cool. That just keeps you hungry and wanting to get better."

An even hungrier Zumaya isn't something the Yankees want to contemplate.
Source: Detroit Free Press

Broadcast News

• Justin Verlander has signed on with WDFN-AM (1130) to do exclusive call-ins and analysis during the "Stoney and Wojo Show," which airs weekdays from 3-6 p.m.

• Magglio Ordonez and Gary Sheffield are among the 30-some athletes and ESPN personalities scheduled to appear at the fourth-annual ESPN the Weekend fan festival, March 2-4 at Walt Disney World Resort. Some of the big names include Roger Clemens, Ben Roethlisberger, Drew Brees, Desmond Howard and Michelle Kwan.
Source: Detroit Free Press

Sheffield's Bat Is Just What The Tigers Needed

Gary Sheffield knew the New York Yankees were going to trade him. The nine-time All-Star just didn't think he was going to end up in Detroit.

Sheffield, who was acquired by the Tigers in November for three pitching prospects, wasn't expecting the move to Detroit because he didn't envision himself as a designated hitter but the well-traveled veteran is warming to the idea as he prepares for his first season in the AL Central.

"I didn't consider myself a DH, so I really didn't look at that situation," Sheffield said Wednesday morning before his first workout with the Tigers. "I said, `I'm an outfielder.' I looked at the Cubs, Houston and teams like that. I looked at Boston, but I knew they weren't going to trade me there, and the Mets. I thought all of those were fits, then Detroit called and told me I was DHing.

"I said, `I'll do it. That just means less work.' I've done it a couple times, but it's not something I'm familiar with."

Sheffield left the Yankees with what he wanted: a $28 million contract extension through 2009 and a promise that he wouldn't play first base.

He also left with fond memories.

"I'm going to miss a lot of things," the 38-year-old Sheffield said. "I'm going to miss the guys. We had great relationships, despite what most people say. Everybody knows it's a different kind of organization, but I made it work.

"Don't look at this like I went away bitter. It's a business at the end of the day."

Sheffield said he feels bad for Bernie Williams because the Yankees only have offered him a minor league contract.

"I think he deserves a little better," he said.

Sheffield said he's healthy after missing much of last year with a left wrist injury.

"I'm ready to go," he said, holding a bat in front of his locker.
Source: AP

Leyland Fired Up

Jim Leyland calmly talked about baseball while sprinkling in some jokes and anecdotes during morning and afternoon chats over four days.

Then on Tuesday morning, the Detroit Tigers' manager got angry in front of reporters for the first time at spring training.

Leyland lashed out at ex-Tiger Dmitri Young, who said the team cut him last season instead of supporting him, saying he was "totally out of line" and some not-fit-to-print words.

Not that there was a doubt, but the AL Manager of the Year clearly has the passion to do his job in his second season with the Tigers after leading them to the World Series.

Leyland was out of the dugout from 2000-2005 after walking away from the Colorado Rockies because he didn't have the energy to put out ego-related fires.
He had it last year, and proved it quickly.

The Tigers followed up a strong start with a lackluster effort to end a homestand early in the season, and Leyland let them have it with an expletive-filled tirade that could be heard outside the clubhouse doors. He also put the team in check when reporters couldn't listen.

"Yeah, I snapped a few times," he acknowledged.

Leyland, however, shouldn't have as much to stress out about this season.

The three-time Manager of the Year said he felt like a freshman last season because he didn't know his players well, and he wasn't sure how his time away from the game would affect him.

Leyland found out his star players, such as All-Star catcher Ivan Rodriguez, would play hurt and hard virtually every day. He also learned that his younger players -- Justin Verlander, Joel Zumaya and Curtis Granderson -- had the talent and work ethic to contribute. And, Leyland realized he didn't lose his managerial touch.

When the first full-squad workouts begin Wednesday, Leyland will see essentially the same team that made a once-proud franchise a winner again.

Nine-time All-Star Gary Sheffield was added to be the designated hitter and only reliever Jamie Walker was lost, leading Leyland to say the team is better than it was at this time last year.

"We're a good club that's got big expectations," he said. "My concentration is to get the players that have the ability to improve to take the next step.

"We'll work on that this spring. There's a lot to do."

Leyland's top priorities this year are to help his free-swinging team improve in two-strike situations at the plate and to make up for the lack of speed with smarter baserunning.

The Tigers shouldn't have many tough decisions because the only uncertainties with the roster involve perhaps one position player and one reliever, assuming the team gets through the next five-plus weeks healthy.

"We don't have a lot of spots," Leyland said. "You guys know it, and I know it."

That doesn't mean Leyland is going to take it easy on the AL champions, allowing them to coast through workouts without breaking a sweat before playing golf or relaxing with their families.

"We're not going to back off one bit," he insisted. "It's not going to be some gung-ho thing, but there's going to be no slack just because they know me and I know them.

"When I came here, they thought they were getting some grumpy old manager, but now they know I'm a softy. I am a softy, but I can be as hard as I need to be. Hopefully, it's a comfort zone for me with the players and a comfort zone for them. But it's not going to stand in the way of me staying on top of things to get things done."

Left-hander Nate Robertson has no doubts about that, even though Leyland has been very friendly while pitchers and catchers were working out.

"He'll probably still blow up once in a while," Robertson said. "It's a long season and we're human, so there might be a game that he's not happy with because of our preparation or performance.

"They pay the manager for a reason and that's to direct the team and to keep our minds focused on what's important. We have the perfect manager for our situation."
Source: AP

Pudge Shows No Signs Of Slowing Down

Ivan Rodriguez worked out with the Detroit Tigers, took a shower and changed his clothes.

The 13-time All-Star catcher was probably going to need another shower Monday.

Maybe two.

Rodriguez -- holding a pair of track spikes -- planned to run 200-meter sprints at a track and lift weights for 90 minutes later in the day. His conditioning regime also includes riding a bicycle about 40 miles a few days a week.

"Every year that I play baseball, to be honest with you, I feel better and better," he said. "My workout schedule is outstanding and I follow that day in and day out."

When the Tigers gave Rodriguez a $40 million, four-year deal in 2004, some thought they were foolish to give big bucks to an aging catcher.

Nobody is saying that anymore.

Rodriguez -- arguably the best all-around catcher ever -- hit .300 last season, threw out a baseball-best 51 percent of runners attempting to steal and had a 99.8 fielding percentage that was tied for the best in the majors. And, he was an All-Star for a third straight season.

In his three seasons with the Tigers, he combined to hit .304 and added two Gold Gloves to break Johnny Bench's record and join elite company. Rodriguez, Willie Mays and Roberto Clemente are the only players in baseball history with at least 11 Gold Gloves and a career .300 batting average.

The 35-year-old Rodriguez wouldn't be surprised if he plays long enough to be a 40-year-old catcher.

"The way that I take care of myself and work out -- no problem," he insisted.

Tigers manager Jim Leyland certainly wouldn't doubt Rodriguez.

"You'll never see anybody more proud about the way he keeps himself in shape than him," Leyland said. "There's a reason you've caught that long and you look that good."

Rodriguez made it possible for Detroit to have remarkable turnaround, going from losing an AL-record 119 games to reaching the World Series in just three years.

After being the MVP of the NL championship series and helping Florida win the World Series in 2003, he joined the laughingstock of baseball.

No one is laughing now.

Magglio Ordonez, Kenny Rogers and Todd Jones later signed in Detroit as free agents and Gary Sheffield agreed to be acquired by a once-awful franchise in a trade.

"I was the first one that came over, and a lot of guys followed," Rodriguez said. "I feel good about it. I'm glad that I did it."

Rodriguez will make $11 million this season and the Tigers have a $13 million option for the 2008 season with a $3 million buyout. He hopes the team exercises the option and gives him another deal, allowing him to retire as a Tiger.

"That's not my choice, but I would love to stay here for years," Rodriguez said. "We are getting better and better and this is going to be a winning team for a lot of years and I would like to be part of it."

Leyland is always quick to point out he stays out of contract talks, but he made it clear how much respect he has for Rodriguez.

"Pudge plays hurt, he plays hard and he plays to beat the other team," Leyland said. "What else can a manager ask for?"

Leyland doesn't even have to ask for a solid option when Rodriguez gets a break because he already has one. Vance Wilson is back after hitting a respectable .283 despite getting just 152 at-bats over 56 games.

"Vance Wilson is one of those guys that can sit around and not play, but because he prepares right, he normally does very well when he gets an opportunity," Leyland said.

Wilson, who turns 34 next month, has played 403 games primarily as a backup behind Rodriguez in Detroit and Mike Piazza with the New York Mets.

"Physically, you have to prepare like you're a starter every day," Wilson said. "Mentally, you have to put your ego in the trunk.

"I went from backing up Piazza to Pudge, better everyday players than I am, so it's made it easier to accept."

After watching Rodriguez from afar, Wilson has marveled at what makes his teammate great behind the plate.

"What makes Pudge so good is the fact that physically he can play every day," Wilson said. "What's really helped him is being in even better shape than he probably was five years ago."
Source: AP

Welcome!

Spring Training has started and the Tigers will be back at Comerica Park before we know it. I am 34, and I have been a Detroit fan all my life, so I thought it would be fun to start a blog about the Tigs. Following the team has brought its ups and downs over the years, but I have never jumped off the bus, I have always been driving it! To Leyland and the boys, have a good spring, get ready, stay healthy and we will see in the cold north soon. We are hopeful for another run at the title.