Published: March 27, 2009 08:00 pm      

Mike Eckert: Beware the bullpen

Spring is coming and with it is some building excitement for the Tigers' upcoming season.

But be wary before making plans for October.

Sure, the Tigers will again be an offensive power and should be better defensively than a year ago.

But there are still too many questions on the pitching staff. Specifically, in the bullpen.

A year ago, Detroit had 28 blown saves and ranked fourth in the category behind Seattle's 31. Apparently that didn't concern the front office, as the Tigers passed on making a big splash in free agency.

Instead, the Tigers signed a questionable Brandon Lyon from Arizona and will pair him with Fernando Rodney and Joel Zumaya.

I repeat: Joel Zumaya and Fernando Rodney are still in the mix for the Tigers in the late innings. And as long as they are, I don't like Detroit's chances of doing anything other than being a .500 club.