Monday, March 30, 2009

Josh Anderson for Rudy Darrow

The big news today is the Tigers' acquisition of Josh Anderson for reliever Rudy Darrow.

On the surface, this looks like an odd move.  The Tigers have had somewhat of a roster crunch at the back end of the bat, and acquiring a player like Anderson, who is out of options, only excacerbates that flexibility.  However, Anderson could be a quality fit for this team.
  • With the gimpy Carlos Guillen and potentially gimpy Magglio Ordonez patrolling the corner outfield spots, it would be nice to have not only somebody who can come in and pinch run for those guys, but can play some late inning defense as well.
  • I just addressed pinch running, but Anderson's a very good base stealer, who could provide an asset late in a close game.
  • With Curtis Granderson on the team, there's no risk of the manager falling in love with him and playing him everyday in center.
  • Rudy Darrow is just a basic relief prospect with a funky enough delivery to suggest he won't stay healthy long enough long term.  The value given up is okay.
  • Clete Thomas can play every day instead of rotting on the bench.  The same goes for Ryan Raburn, whose defensive liabilities have relegated him to trade bait.
This trade also could mean the end for Marcus Thames, whether he's injured, traded or released.  Barring an injury to Miguel Cabrera, Carlos Guillen, or Magglio Ordonez, his talents are basically redundant.

On another note, I would really like to wish Dontrelle Willis the best.  Even if the Anxiety Disorder isn't affecting him, it's not anything to mess with.  His pitching goes to the backburner now as everybody tries to make sure everything is right upstairs with him.

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