Todd Jones demoted from closer role, Fernando Rodney is now the Tigers closer.

Todd Jones demoted from closer role, Fernando Rodney is now the Tigers closer.

Are you serious?

Link?

Tearful Jones resigned to fate with Tigers
His demotion from closer's role is not a solution to Tigers' pitching problems, though.

By Bob Wojnowski
The Detroit News

DETROIT -- The time for patience has passed. There's no room for sentiment now, not that there ever really was.

Todd Jones knows it, and today, he knows it better than anyone. After the Tigers finally beat the White Sox, 6-4, Sunday at the end of a rough weekend, Jones finally broke. The man who stirs so many emotions couldn't help but release some of his own, as his career took a screeching turn.

Oh, fans might rejoice at Jones' demotion from his closer's role, and that's part of the business. He had struggled mightily of late and blew a save in the crushing 6-5 loss to the White Sox on Friday night, as the crowd booed. It's an understandable move by Jim Leyland, installing Fernando Rodney as his closer, but no one should think it solves everything, or even anything.

At least the Tigers salvaged one must-win in the series and now sit 6 1/2 games behind the White Sox. But this still looks like an unsettled team, with Rodney still prone to misfiring, with Joel Zumaya leaving Sunday's game because of tightness in his right triceps, and finally, with Jones standing at his locker, trying not to break.

His stint as the closer is over, for now. Jones sounded like a guy who realized it might be over forever.

"I've been to the depths of everything emotionally, but this is just one of those things you have to go through, too," Jones said, his eyes reddening. "You know, you're born into the big leagues and then you're born a closer and then one day you're no longer trusted with the brunt of the load in the ninth inning. My day came -- what is it, July 27? -- so there's no spilled milk here."

Jones stopped and referenced Leyland, who always stood behind him but couldn't do it now.

"I mean, I love that guy," Jones said, his lip quivering, his voice cracking. Finally, he turned away.

The time had come
Jones' effort to express himself was truly admirable. He'd gotten the official word from Leyland on Saturday and didn't pitch Sunday, with Rodney handling the final 1 2/3 innings.

Yes, Jones had pitched too poorly to keep his job, surrendering 10 runs in his last 10 1/3 innings. He converted 18 of 21 save chances but blew three of his last seven. Opponents were hitting him hard. Sorry to say, the time had arrived.

But if accountability tolls for Jones, it should toll for many of the Tigers, who always seem on the cusp of contention. The trade deadline is Thursday, and when general manager Dave Dombrowski inspects his bullpen -- with Zumaya likely out a few days -- he still can't like what he sees.

Dombrowski said Sunday he believes his team is in contention and the organization has enough talent in the minors to make a trade. He has to know he needs pitching help and he sounded like a guy willing to deal, although he offered no assurances.

Leyland is giving Rodney a shot because he doesn't have much choice. But he wasn't happy Rodney labored to throw strikes Sunday and he sure wasn't pleased Zumaya suffered another setback.

After one of their biggest victories, the Tigers couldn't dodge their lingering frustration. Leyland wanted it known he wasn't scapegoating Jones, that he greatly appreciated his effort, that urgency simply was mounting.

"He handled it like the entire pro he is," Leyland said. "We're not throwing Todd Jones under the bus. I have to make decisions that I think are in the best interests of the ballclub, and right now, I think it's in our best interests to try somebody else for a while."

Maybe it is, even though Rodney and Zumaya have been shaky and even though, for all the criticism, Jones almost always has gotten the job done. He seldom has received enough credit but at least for now, the pressure shifts, and we'll see who can handle it.

Leyland passionately defended his team's effort over the weekend but there were more wasted opportunities, in front of the biggest crowds ever at Comerica Park. It ended with a superb performance by starter Zach Miner but it had a sad, unsettled tone to it.

He knows the score
The defiant closer who always stood up when required and always swore he'd bounce back was different this time. He looked resigned, if not defeated.

"I'm a pro, I'm a Tiger," Jones said. "I'm a big boy. I'm 40, so you knew this day had to come sometime. I can't question anything (Leyland) has done because he's done a lot for me, taken a lot of heat for me, and I've done a pretty good job for him too. I don't like it but I'll live with it because I respect the guy that told me."

Jones has been around long enough to know repercussions grow as the games get bigger. The way this season is going, he might yet get another storybook shot. But now, as the days dwindle, the wayward closer mirrors the team, down to their final few chances.

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080728/SPORTS02/807280355/1050

Its a Mitch Albom article so read it at your own snarky risk.

Yeah, Rodney is the new closer. We are just exchanging heart attacks on the mound. I'm fine with this. The problem is now what is Jones' role? He's not really a setup guy, or a guy you can bring in the 7th/8th when a couple guys are on base. Jones will probably have to be a mop up guy now in non save situations.

I asked if there was anything he would do differently in light of all this. He shrugged.

"Throw a curve ball to Carlos Quentin."

That made me laugh. That's exactly the type of answer I'd expect from Jones.

I'm a man. I'm 40.

It's about time.

I just wish we had a healthy Zumaya.

I've never hated Jones like most of you have, but it is time to move on. He's the all-time Saves Leader for the Detroit Tigers, so you can't really rejoice that he's being pushed out, but he has not been all that effective this year.

I still won't mind seeing him in the bullpen, and I'm not sure Rodney is much better. I've always thought that Nate would do well in a closer's role, if we could get another starting pitcher.

Yeah, as bad as Jones has been, Rodney isn't much better. I'd actually say Rodney has even less composure.

If only Zumaya never got hurt... :emo:

Is Farns our new closer?

Is Farns our new closer?

NO

http://img2.timeinc.net/people/i/2006/specials/emmys06/show/bwhair/kyra_sedgwick2.jpg

I just threw up in my mouth. Kyra Sedgwick is only rivaled in nastiness by fellow TNT hideous front-girl Holly Hunter.

I think Farns is going to close.

Anybody else coming around on that idea this morning?

I guess he's the best option.......[smilie=shrug smile:

http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/tools/med/2008/07/ipt/1217458748.jpg

I'd feel better if he had a skull and crossbones on those specs

I'd feel better if I hadn't just seen that he has a tribal armband tattoo

I'd feel better if I hadn't just seen that he has a tribal armband tattoo

Right. You prefer barbed wire.

On the Fansy closer thing....Last night R & M both said they'd be surprised if Fansy wasn't the closer.

WTF is "Fansy"?

Second time for that one outta you, Tahoe.

Must be Tahoespeak.

I think Farns is going to close.

I thought that yesterday, which is why I dropped rodney and picked him up. (I've been grasping at straws since Saito went out).

WTF is "Fansy"?

Second time for that one outta you, Tahoe.

Must be Tahoespeak.

Abslutlutely...I guess its actually Fonzie. I kant spel werth shit.

Fonzie as in Arthur Fonzarelli?

So it's actually Kyle "Fansworth"?

So, that fucker Jones had been hiding an injury for 6 weeks. (Or is he just making excuses?) And Rapada is going back down.


Tigers send Jones to 15-day DL
Rapada recalled for one game, but will exit for Farnsworth
By Jason Beck / MLB.com

CLEVELAND -- The Tigers placed reliever Todd Jones on the 15-day disabled list Thursday while they await test results to determine the extent of his right shoulder injury.
Jones revealed after his rough outing Wednesday night against the Indians that he has been pitching through shoulder pain. The 40-year-old right-hander had been feeling it for the last six weeks, by his estimation, but it reached the point Wednesday that he couldn't loosen up properly or extend through his pitches. His admission after the game confirmed a suspicion manager Jim Leyland said he'd had for about the last two weeks.

The timetable coincides with Jones' struggles, which eventually led to Leyland's decision last weekend to start using Fernando Rodney as closer. Jones has allowed 25 hits over 16 2/3 innings since June 15, during which he has a 6.48 ERA. That includes Kelly Shoppach's home run Wednesday night.

Jones was scheduled to undergo an MRI exam in Cleveland on Thursday afternoon While the Tigers finished up their four-game series against the Indians at Progressive Field.

Detroit recalled sidearming lefty reliever Clay Rapada from Triple-A Toledo to take Jones' place on the roster for Thursday only. Rapada made the drive from Toledo to Cleveland in the morning in time for the first pitch and was one of the few fresh relievers the Tigers had for the game after Wednesday's 13-inning victory.

Rapada allowed three runs, two earned, on three hits over 1 2/3 innings on Thursday, raising his ERA to 4.30 in 15 appearances. He was optioned back again after Thursday's game to make room on the roster for Kyle Farnsworth, who was acquired Wednesday from the Yankees in the Ivan Rodriguez trade. Farnsworth will join the team Friday at Tampa Bay.

"I'm looking forward to it," Leyland said, "because we need the help."

MRI reveals Tigers P Jones has tendinitis; Farnsworth arrives
Associated Press
Updated: August 1, 2008, 6:31 PM ET

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- On the day Kyle Farnsworth joined the Detroit bullpen, the Tigers found out reliever Todd Jones has tendinitis in his right shoulder.

An MRI exam showed Jones does not have a major injury. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list Thursday, expects to get a cortisone shot and plans to hold off throwing until at least next weekend.

"I was kind of worried," Jones said before Friday night's game at Tampa Bay. "I thought it was going to be a tear or something like that."

The 40-year-old Jones, who recently lost his closer's job, was 4-1 with 18 saves and a 5.05 ERA. He'd had shoulder problems for about six weeks and was 1-1 with an 11.23 ERA and three blown saves in seven tries in his last 13 outings.

There is no timetable for when he will return, but Jones hopes it could be in the next few weeks.

"I still think I can help this team in a big way," Jones said.

Farnsworth was obtained from the New York Yankees for catcher Ivan Rodriguez on Wednesday. The Tigers needed bullpen help, while the Yankees were looking for a replacement for catcher Jorge Posada, who is out for the season with an injured shoulder.

"It definitely was a shock," Farnsworth said. "It will help both teams out."

After struggling in his first two seasons with the Yankees, Farnsworth became a mainstay of New York's bullpen this season.

"Just being more aggressive," Farnsworth said. "I tried to be too fine. Hitting the corners."

I think we may need the WTF Translator for some of this.

"I still think I can help this team in a big way," Jones said.

He was actually talking about the White Sox.

^lawl nice

Fonzie as in Arthur Fonzarelli?

Yes. I'm not typing that name out every time he pitches. I abreviated it to Fonzie, but can't spell so Fansy. Now that GD had to make such an issue out of it, I looked it up and its Fonzie.

Basically, Tahoe = lazy, and Tahoe = can't spell, Fansy.

Fansy it is.


That first "r" in his last name wasn't really necessary, anyways.

Well he picked up where Jones and Rodney left off. 3 ER for a blown save!

Anybody else [redacted]?