Monthly Archives: September 2002
Tigers are still losing…Only 5 more games to hear Ernie Harwell…Eric Munson will get a shot at 3rd base in the instructional league…Tigers signed Jason Jiminez of waivers from Tampa (ugh…we’re picking up Devil Ray cast-offs)…Double A pitcher Jorge Cordova completes the Brian Moheler trade
Trying out new fences
The Tigers put up a temporary fence during batting practice to see how the ballpark would play with the shorter distances. The temporary fence reduced the distance to the gap in left-center by 20 feet from 395 to 375.
Eckenstahler puts fear into Twins
Eckenstahler, who fanned a batter per inning this season for Triple-A Toledo, struck out four in two innings in his scoreless debut. He looked like a candidate for the left-handed reliever’s job on next season’s Tigers.
September 7, 2002 – Transaction Analysis
At 23, Van Hekken shouldn’t be pushed too hard by a Tigers team that has nothing to gain by overusing him. He’s already pitched 183.1 innings this year, so making him work for much longer in September seems a bit dicey. Naturally, Luis Pujols didn’t care a whit, since he saw Van Hekken throwing strikes and getting what’s left of the Indians out, and he hasn’t gotten much of that from his other pitchers this summer. Hopefully, the Tigers will stop short of treating Van Hekken as this September’s Mark Fidrych.
Other roster moves include releasing Jose Paniagua and Jose Lima (finally). Also, Gary Varner is one of the PTBNL from the Moheler trade.
MLB Threatens to Sue Fan Websites (requires free registration)
Ah, the Bud Selig PR train picks up steam. Luckily, I think I’m in the clear because I don’t use any official logos, that and my readership is pretty small.
With Erie making the playoffs last year, and Toledo making the playoffs this year, I think it is time to give Randy Smith a little credit. He did manage to acquire some talent in the farm system during his tenure. However it remains to be seen whether or not these guys (Omar Infante, Nate Cornejo, Mike Rivera, Shane Loux, Andy Van Hekken, Eric Munson…) will be contributors at the major league level. These were all guys that Randy Smith traded for/drafted. In fact, Van Hekken was the “player to be named” in the Brian Hunter deal with Seattle. Based on Van Hekken’s performance last night, at least there is a glimmer of hope, if not for next year then maybe in two years.
Baseball America Online – Prospect Hot Sheet
In a few years, Dave Dombrowski could look like a genius with Carlos Pena at first, Jeremy Bonderman in the rotation and German slamming the door.
Lima: This place stinks (on his demotion to the bullpen):
“If I can’t pitch on this team — the worst or second-worst team in baseball — where am I going to pitch?” he said. “If I can’t start on this ballclub, I must be the worst pitcher on earth.”
Tigers call up Andy Van Hekken. He’ll make his major league debut on Tuesday.