[Heathens 87]

Todd is a rather polarizing player so these threads are often entertaining. It usually boils down to arguments based in fact vs. fans and what's often missed is the the cold reality.....

- In every way a pitcher's performance is measured, Todd Jones is a mediocre pitcher. Saves are not a valuable metric as they only measure the fact that a pitcher didn't screw up under a specific set of circumstances.

- His value is based in his experience and ability to go out there and battle even when he doesn't have his best.

- You won't find a playoff-level team with a worse closer than Todd Jones. Of that level of team, the only argument you can make is Cleveland and I'd argue that Borowski is at least comparable to Todd.

- The Tigers wanted Zumaya to close in '08. The probably has planned on '07 being a transition year and Jones not being back in 2008. Joel's health changed those plans.

- Todd is back because the Tigers needed to ensure that there'd be a basic level of performance from that position while they examine Zumaya's future and/or the market to add a better closer.

- Todd would take less money for a multi-year deal. $7-million for one-year is a fair price to pay, and when Atlanta didn't bite on adding Jones, coming back to Detroit gave him the best chance at good money with the potential to close games.

- Young pitchers pitching a lot in '06 wore down as '07 progressed, and we lost an innings-eater in Rogers. That exposed the starting pitching and over-taxed the bullpen at times. More quality starts is key to our hopes in 2008 as we don't have a bullpen that's lights-out if we're leading in the 6th.

I'm glad to have Jones in the bullpen. But if an opportunity comes to add a better closer, I hope and expect the team to take it.........