So a lot has happened since my last post. Of today’s news alone, Joel Zumaya and Dontrelle Willis have been placed on the disabled list for the sake of getting themselves righted. I heard that Jeremy Bonderman might also end up on the DL to finish getting his arm strength up enough to be good to go.
     There were a few more camp cuts. Kyle Bloom was given back to Pittsburgh. Freddy Dolsi, Casey Fien, and Fu-Te Ni were sent down shortly after my last post. Wilkin Ramirez, Don Kelly, Max St. Pierre, and Alexis Gomez have also been sent down. So, really out of who is left, you’re looking at the Tigers opening day roster.
     However, that isn’t to say that there aren’t still further issues. Magglio Ordonez is having a terrible spring if you look at his Grapefruit League numbers. Matt Treanor, Gary Sheffield, Ryan Raburn, Marcus Thames, and Clete Thomas are all batting under .200 as well. I also heard today that Thames and Raburn were being shopped around to look for 1.) experienced arms and 2.) to make roster space.
     If you look at the current 40-man roster, you have less than 12 pitchers to go north with. With those sent down and on the DL, and if Bonderman does indeed get put there too, you have 2 guys not yet on the 40-man who will pitch in April for the Tigers. My best hunches are Juan Rincon and Ryan Perry, although I see Perry being someone who will not stay on the roster as to get some more seasoning. Although, Eddie Bonine is still pitching very well, and Scott Williamson is still in camp too.
     The team hasn’t yet figured out its outfield situation. Like I said before, there is no one really to play backup centerfield. By evidence of putting Raburn on the trading block, he might not be here much longer. Brent Clevlen is still in camp, and I didn’t hear of him being shopped around. Timo Perez is still in camp, so we can’t rule him out either.
     And when I think of the roster breakdown, time may be running out for many people. 2 catchers, 4 starting infielders, 3 starting outfielders, a backup infielder, a backup outfielder, and a DH equals 12 position players. That leaves one spot left with many men trying to lock it up. Again, like I said before, this person will probably be the one they expect to play CF for the few time Curtis Granderson doesn’t start. However, the team would love a guy who could give real relief to the corner infield spots. I’m not too sure if Ramon Santiago is supposed to backup 2B, SS, and 3B or not. And I wonder if Jim Leyland is thinking of using Carlos Guillen or Marcus Thames as the backup at 1B. All told, I think somone who has been with the club for a little while now will be shipped out, and someone who can be either a super sub or a definate backup and never starter is making the team. This is the first time in all my job hunting I didn’t want to be one of the Tigers staff who has to make these decisions (but I’d still love the opportunty, if any employer is reading this).