Wil Ledezma began the season on a high note. In his first 3 appearances he allowed only 4 baserunners over 6 innings. He fanned 4 and didn’t allow a run. But since then he has been awful.
Not counting tonight’s collapse, he has made 9 more appearances. He’s amassed 13 1/3 innings and allowed 19 hits, 13 walks, 3 home runs, he’s balked, been called for baserunner obstruction, and was ejected. He’s become a mop-up man who hasn’t even been effective in that role as evidenced by his 1 1/3 inning, 47 pitch, 4 run effort on Sunday.
Now with Bobby Seay performing competently, Ledezma is seeing fewer high leverage situations. And now Tim Byrdak has come in and turned in 2 stellar performances. Could this be the end of Ledezma as a Tiger? He is out of options meaning that he would need to clear waivers before being sent to the minors. Even with his struggles, he’s a lefty that can throw in the mid 90’s meaning he’d be claimed by someone. So removing him from the active roster likely means removing him from the organization.
It is probably premature to assure Byrdak or Seay spots on the roster. As good as Byrdak has been, it’s only 2 appearances. Ledezma still looked good after 2 games. And in Seay’s case, he needs to continue to prove himself. However, as long as Byrdak and Seay continue to have success, Ledezma leash is only going to get shorter.
If Roman Colon comes back, that’s another wrinkle in the situation, since he too is out of options.
Really imo Jones has been our only guy this year who has really performed well all year. Two blown saves but one was that game against the Angels that was won on a wild pitch.
Ledezma/Grilli have to have their situations figured out.
Aren’t there any free agent pitchers that are better, proven long men than Ledezma who we could get on the cheap and then get rid of him?
I mean, to pitch at this level you have to be consistent. And he’s shown that he can’t be that.
Ledezma is fine.
He’s got far too good of stuff for us to release him.
-Sam
“Stuff” was fine in 2003, when we needed things like “potential” in the organization, but we’re going to be in a pennant race and you have to perform to be part of the ride. There’s no charity in a championship season.
I like Wilfredo, but if he’s not getting it done, then we have to consider other options. He’s been unrealized potential for three years now and others have seized their opportunity…and perhaps, his roster spot.
I think Ledezma is fine also. I won’t go jumping the gun thinking about getting rid of him. We got to remember he is still young (only 26). Pitching is at a premium throughout the league. I don’t see any other good options.
I have been driving the Wilfredo Fan Boy Bus for a while. I love his stuff and the fact that he’s left-handed makes it even better. If he’s struggling come the trade deadline, I think i’d be for moving him. We’ve got another LHP that throws mid-90’s with better breaking stuff and a better frame and brighter future in Andrew Miller. If we can package Wilfredo with someone like Jair Jurrjens and someone else for Jarrod Saltalamacchia? Salty won’t be a Brave (barring injury to McCann) after the deadline but I fear that they’d command someone more (Nate Robertson) for him which I wouldn’t do.
Also, Adam, there really aren’t any options out there. The meager ones that are out there are being signed by either Baltimore or the Mets (See: Brian Lawrence) that are suitable. Wilfredo’s struggles are even more glaring with the loss of Zumaya and our starting staff being decimated with blood clots, blisters, and illness.
I still feel pretty competent when Ledezma comes out of the bullpen. Sure, he does not put batters away as he should, but yet none of the Tigers do.
We are fighting through a ton of injuries and still doing fine. He throws too many pitches up and is unable to focus on his strength; low fastballs away.
Lets not freak out, Tiger fans, it is the middle of May and we are still in contention.
It is really nice to have a good ball team; a feeling I have forgotten since 1991. Come on.
I’d really hate to see Ledezma get released. He’s a 26-year old left-hander who can throw in the mid-90s. Those don’t grow on trees. Use him as a long reliever in games we fall behind early until he gets things back together.