The Tigers today made a trade with the Seattle Mariners for right handed pitcher Yorman Bazardo. In exchange the Tigers have sent the Mariners outfielder Jeff Frazier.
Bazardo will turn 23 in July. Last year he had a solid season in AA with a 3.64 ERA over 25 starts. For his career he has a pretty meager strike out rate of 5.54 per nine innings but with decent control (2.31 BB/9). He had a solid winter pitching in the Venezuela. He appeared in 21 games with Aragua in the Venezuelan Winter League following the season, posting a 2-0 record, 1.78 ERA (30.1IP/6ER) and one save. Additionally, Bazardo saw action in two games with Venezuela during the Caribbean World Series, fanning six batters in five scoreless innings of relief.
John Sickels rates him a C+ and as the 9th best prospect in the Seattle organization.
Jeff Frazier is coming off a pretty brutal season for Lakeland in which he posted a 625 OPS. Prior to that he posted a nice final line in pitcher friendly West Michigan of 287/349/453.
To make room on the 40 man roster for Bazardo, Preston Larrison was designated for assignment.
Doesn,t seem that long ago that Larrison was one of the Tigers better pitching prospects. What a change in the quality of the farm system!
Of the three players who ended up being affected by this, I don’t think any of them will or would have ever changed the Tigers’ fortunes.
C+ is a good grade from Sickels, especially for someone he sees as a reliever.
Bozardo is another hard thrower (clocked as fast as 98), and he has a decent, not great track record. Let’s see what the system can do with a 23 year old.
Of the 3 players Bozardo seems to be the best player. I like his lack of walks. The Ks might come later after some more experience. If his ceiling is a decent MLB relief pitcher I will take it. I can’t believe it took so long to dump Larrison. He hasn’t been good since the 1st George Bush era.
Does anyone know if we’re still in the market for a lefty hurler, or are we most likely heading to spring training with what we currently have?
According to a paragraph by Jon Paul Morosi the other day, the Tigers have “expressed interest” in Ohman from the Cubs. That same piece, though, said right now they’re planning on going into Spring Training with what they have, evaluating the contenders for the last spot(s) in the bullpen, and revisiting the issue if they think it’s necessary.
They could certainly do worse than Ohman if they’re not happy with Campusano, Heredia, Eischen et al, but obviously the value of that deal depends on who they would have to give up to get him.