Detroit Tigers 'Ask Schmehl' questions: Should Drew Smyly replace Anibal Sanchez in rotation?

James Schmehl | By James Schmehl |
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on August 16, 2012 at 3:00 PM, updated August 16, 2012 at 11:35 PM
Drew-Smyly-pitches.jpgDrew Smyly was named the fifth starter for the Detroit Tigers out of spring training and made his first start April 12 against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Question: Why won't Detroit bring up Drew Smyly and use Anibal Sanchez as a long reliever, instead of Luke Putkonen?

Since Sanchez has been here, he's had one decent start in four appearances. Could you tell me why they won't bring up Smyly, who has already showed some promise in the majors?

-- Zack

Answer: Boy, Zack, am I glad I don't have you as a boss. Four starts and you already want to kick him to the curb?

Like I've said before, Tigers manager Jim Leyland is a strong believer in track records and Sanchez's major-league resume backtracks six-plus years.

He has a career 3.86 ERA -- albeit in the National League -- and a no-hitter to his name. The Tigers invested a lot to acquire Sanchez, and it'd be silly to consider the 28-year-old a bust after three poor starts.

To add to that, it's important to recognize that Sanchez isn't a long-term solution -- he's a second-half rental. The Tigers acquired him, along with Omar Infante, specifically for the purpose of making a postseason run. And, that remains their intention.

Right now, Sanchez is struggling with hitting his spots. He's leaving a handful of balls up in the strike zone and big league hitters are taking advantage of the mistakes.

He has a four-pitch arsenal: a fastball, change-up, slider and curveball -- and when he's on, those pitches can be downright nasty. But, he's simply stuck in a rut right now.

And, rather than do something drastic like designate him for assignment or move him to the bullpen -- a spot he hasn't pitched in throughout his six-year career, the Tigers are going to be patient. Specifically, pitching coach Jeff Jones.

Will Drew Smyly return to the Tigers? Absolutely. He has a bright future in Detroit and will likely be in contention to win the No. 5 job out of spring training next year -- again.

There's also a chance Smyly could rejoin the team in September when rosters are expanded to 40. That decision has yet to be made.

A few have questioned whether it makes sense to wait to bring Smyly in September as it would make him ineligible for the playoffs. That's not entirely true. I talked about a few of those loopholes (a loose term) earlier.

Regardless, does that mean Smyly would be added to their postseason roster? That remains unclear -- and a lot will depend on whether Sanchez will continue to struggle down the stretch.

As it stands, the club has five starters in its rotation. That probably won't hold true if the Tigers earn a playoff berth.

Like last year, Detroit would likely place all five members of their regular-season rotation on the 25-man roster for a playoff series, but they'd likely go with a four-man rotation and use the other starter out of the bullpen.

Brad Penny was moved to the bullpen last year. Who would be that starter be this year? Would it be Sanchez or Smyly? Or would the Tigers pass on both and elect to add an extra reliever?

That question can't be answered right now. The only guarantee I can offer is that the Tigers will stick with the struggling Sanchez in their rotation for now -- though his leash appears to be getting shorter by the day.
