Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
The Detroit Tigers are already having doubts about their early choice for their closer position. Young Bruce Rondon came into camp with the thought that he was going to be the big league closer for the Tigers but those thoughts might be on hold early in Spring Training.
He’s had his early troubles with his command in Spring Training and has been getting roughed up pretty good so far in just 3.2 innings of work. Tiger executives were really confident in the young rookie coming into camp, but that could be changing rather quickly. There are already rumors that they are looking for a proven closer to come into camp.
I’ve said that the Tigers should use someone they already have that has experience or bring someone in from the outside to close just because of Rondon’s age. There is no sense in throwing the young man into the fire before he’s ready. He’s clearly shown so far this spring that he’s not ready for the job and if he can’t do it in the first weeks of Spring Training, what makes you think he can do it in the World Series?
Brian Wilson is still on the market; mostly because of his age and the fact that he is coming off of his second Tommy John Surgery, but I think he could be a great addition to the team. The year before he was hurt he went 6-4 with a 3.11 ERA along with 36 saves for the San Francisco Giants. Wilson is a proven closer who at one point was arguably one of the best in the game. Not to mention he’s a character and that’s something the Tigers need.
The Tigers were looking into Wilson this offseason, but he wanted a shot at the closing position. The Tigers were not willing to give him that chance, but things have changed a little bit so I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Tigers negotiating with him again sometime soon.
