Recently in the DETROIT FREE PRESS columnist Drew Sharp wrote the following: The
extensions Dombrowski gave Bonderman, Willis and Robertson were consistent with the
market value of players with their performance expectations.”
We can buy into that theory in the case of Willis and Bonderman, but ROBERTSON?? Mr.
Sharp is not too sharp with that observation. This southpaw has hoodwinked the Tiger’s
braintrust for years. Let’s take a look at his sad numbers. Before the 2008 season he was 49-65 with an ERA of just under .500 while allowing 1,082 hits in just 982 innings
pitched! In MLB a pitcher is not worth his salt if he allows more hits than innings pitched.
Last year he was 7-11 with an ERA of 6.35! So, his total numbers read like a horror flick
at 56 wins while losing 76 (exclamation mark). He has NEVER given the Tigers high
“performance expectations” and never will. And yet, they gave him an extension worth
millions (expletive marks). WHY? The answer is simple: Nate Robertson is a lefty who
is laughing himself silly all the way to the nearest Detroit bank, and who should be released ASAP. That’s called “separating the wheat from the chaff”.
Bonderman, OK.. But Robertson should have been a no brainer for Dombrowski. No way does Robertson stand up to those in that salary range. As for Willis, the Marlins were in the driver seat to include him in the deal for Cabarera. They were aware of what they were doing and felt this was the way to get him off their payroll. His numbers were getting worse each year since his “sparkling” arrival to the bigs. The sad part of this deal is the “extension” and “money” Dombrowski dished out! Somebody has to pay for this and you can’t tell me that this is not passed on to the fans with increased cost. You would think some of these GM’s, Presidents and Owners all attended the same accounting school as the politicians in Government! The good news is that they are still in first place and will still fill Comerica and add some excitment in a economic downfall…. Hey Drew, you’re still the worst reporter in Sports!
STEVE THOMAS is right on. I would give the WILLIS downfall a little slack.
After all in that deal with the Marlins they came away with MIGUEL CABRERA,
a young outstanding slugger who will be a Tiger for years to come. The
young talent they sent to Florida, especially MAYBIN & MILLER have not worked
out for Florida.
So that leaves us with a possible HALL OF FAMER and Willis! Most fans would
agree that Willis’ contract is a small price to pay for the all star 1st sacker and
baseball crusher.
Drew Sharp should stick to covering tiddley winks.