Bondo's Back?

[tpaulus_2]

I don't follow the Tigers as closely as some of you die hards- I keep up with the record, all the players on the roster and important farm teamers, and watch the majority of their games, but don't have the in-depth perspective that some of you guys do.

So should I be surprised that Bonderman has been elevated to the active pen so quickly? I'm excited, because he used to be a quality starter for us and it would be cool if he could come back and contribute in the middle innings down the stretch-run...

 

[jdwills126]

Bonderman was one of Leyland's favorites...... Raburn, Kelly, and Inge as well. IMO it was why those guys stayed with Detroit so long when any other team would have cut bait.

Boderman had a 4 plus era with Seattle? and so I doubt he is anything more than mop up work. I think this says more about the Tigers failure at finding solid relief help this season, Villereal, Al A, Coke, Valverde and a host of others. If it was not for Smyly and Benoit Detroit would be playing catch the Indians right now.

 

[tpaulus_2]

It seem like he might be better suited for middle inning relief then in the set-up role Seattle was using him in. If he doesn't work out in the role then we're free to go back to scanning the waiver wire like we've been doing since the trade deadline passed.

At least we're talking about adding pieces for another championship run, much different vibe than on the Lions board, lol...

 

[jdwills126]

It's always good to be in first place the bitching doesn't have the same effect when it's about something only mildly significant.

 

[gvsulaker82]

He cannot be any worse than coke or albuquerque. Hes better than reed, lets see what he has left. I wouldnt rely on him in a close situation but if a starter leaves early jeremy might do decent in long relief. Its too bad injuries derailed this guys career. Im still wondering if dotel will be back. The tigers pen is looking much better these days and hey lets not forget how valuable coke was in the playoffs last year.

 

[tpaulus_2]

Couldn't have asked for a better return out of him- pitched 3 brilliant extra innings and picked up the win.

If he pitches like that the rest of the year then the middle of our bullpen just got a nice boost.

 

[Howie115]

He'll never be a starter again, given that he only has two plus-pitches. But a two-pitch pitcher can do okay one time through the order, as Bondo proved last night. Middle relief has been a sore spot for us, and as Laker said, he can't be any worse than Coke, Al Al or Reed.

 

[broncosmitty]

I don't think Bondos return could have went any better. Threw strikes, got outs, did it in the clutch and got himself and his team a very big W. His veteren presence could be a very big bump for the bullpen. Not to overlook the fact that the Tigers have scored TWO different times in extra innings lately.

 

[Howie115]

Not to overlook the fact that the Tigers have scored TWO different times in extra innings lately.

Yes, two extra-innings wins, PLUS Alex A. with a big game-winning HR in the 9th. You could say the lack of hitting late in games (along with a shaky bullpen) kept the Tigers near .500 pre-All Star break. But it looks like that is starting to even out as the year goes on. And the bullpen has a 1.55 ERA since the A.S. break.

 

[Cleaves2000]

Bondo will be the middle relief/long inning guy.......but this year.....the tigers havent needed a long relief guy much......nothing but QS lately

 

[gvsulaker82]

Valverde started out pitching well in detroit this season too. I would temper my expectations toward bondo. He was rocking a 4.5 in a pitchers park. But if it eventually gets al off of the tigers i would be happy. I see miner was called up to the phillies last week, god i hated when that guy was on tigers.

 

[broncosmitty]

Miner never bothered me much. He was no Eddie Bonine, but who is really?