The Detroit Tigers won the opener of a three game series last night in Minnesota, taking over first place from the Twins. In doing so, however, they have lost the services of RH reliever Joel Zumaya for the foreseeable future. Zumaya will have an MRI this morning, but the somber clubhouse following the game tells us that the injury is serious; in all likelihood, Zumaya’s season is over.
In his stead, the Tigers will look to the farm system to fill a massive void in one of baseball’s best bullpens. Zumaya, famed for his 100 mph fastballs, was having an all-star caliber season this year.
Detroit will initially give an opportunity to Casey Fien, who has limited major league experience, and even less success. Second-year righty Ryan Perry is currently on rehab assignment, when he returns he will take over the primary set-up role for Detroit. (more after the jump)
The Tigers are a first place club right now, but they probably don’t have the pitching depth to stay ahead of Chicago or Minnesota as it stands. Don’t expect to see the Tigers making a major trade for an arm, however, as the team is well-positioned for a long-term run of success beyond this year.
If they can keep pace in the Central, you might see Dave Dombrowski tweak the roster to add a Chad Qualls-type reliever.
Adam Dunn Trade Talks
The Washington Nationals have seemingly changed course with first baseman Adam Dunn. Dunn and the Nats had been reportedly working towards an extension to keep the slugger in the Capital beyond this season, but now there are rumors of a possible trade instead.
The Angels have been treading water at first base since the injury to Kendry Morales, but they are considered the front-runners to add Dunn’s big bat to a lineup that lacks thump.
Dunn’s glove is better suited to DH than to play first, but the Angels have been going with converted catcher Mike Napoli at the position, so there wouldn’t be huge drop-off defensively should they acquire Dunn. Slotting a guy with 40 homer production into a lineup that needs a boost could help the Angels track down the division leading Rangers.
Another club in the mix for Dunn is the Chicago White Sox. Just a couple of weeks back I devoted an entire post to the Sox and their decision to begin selling off vetarn players. Since then, Chicago went on a tear through interleague play and stand just two games back in the AL Central race.
GM Kenny Williams is always looking to improve him major league club, often with seemingly little care about the cost in terms of prospects, so if he think Dunn can fortify a lineup that already features Alex Rios, Paul Konerko, and Carlos Quentin, he won’t hesitate to pull the trigger.
There is little doubt that the Nats would prefer to keep Dunn, but GM Mike Rizzo can always make a play for him again this winter if the interest is indeed mutual.
Help on Horizon in Cincy
The Reds are still hanging on to a slim lead in the NL Central and they’ve got re-enforcements on the way. Not only did they recently add former Met Gary Matthews Jr, currently working his way through the minor leagues, for outfield depth, but Cuban sensation Aroldis Chapman could join the big club soon to work in relief.
Cincinnati still projects him as a starter, but Chapman isn’t helping the Reds in Louisville. The bullpen tends to leak quite a bit and they think Chapman can solve some of their problems this year.
Of course, if they felt like they needed him in the rotation, they wouldn’t be making this kind of move. They have another arm in mind to help out the starting staff; right hander Edinson Volquez.
Volquez has been on rehab assignment and should be nearing a return to the big leagues. His velocity has returned to the high-90s as he comes back from Tommy John surgery. Injured right hander Homer Bailey, who pitched well early in the year, could also be back at some point in the second half, so the Reds might not need to add another arm at all.
Marlins, Orioles Manager updates
Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria has fired two good managers in the past few years and now he’s run into a bit of trouble finding a successor. Many media outlets had Bobby Valentine taking over the Fish as early as this past weekend, but the two sides seem to have drifted apart in their interest.
Valentine and Loria have a friendly relationship, but there is the thought that Valentine’s want for control of his team would be a sticking point with the ultra-controlling Loria. The Marlins need a veteran hand to guide a young roster, but Loria seems to prefer guys who are willing to do things his way more often than a guy like Valentine would want to.
The Marlins have interviewed Bo Porter, currently with the Arizona Diamondbacks, as well as interim manager Edwin Rodriguez for the job. Valentine says he hasn’t been told he’s out of the running, despite reports to the contrary.
Meanwhile, the Baltimore Orioles have turned their attention to former Indians manager Eric Wedge. Team president Andy MacPhail continues to evaluate candidates including interim man Juan Samuel and former Yankees and Rangers skipper Buck Showalter, but it’s becoming more and more likely that a decision won’t come until after the season, when there will additional candidates available.