The Tigers signed Padres’ minor league left handed pitcher Cliff Bartosh today. Not a bad pickup in my opinion. Bartosh has a wicked curveball, and posted a 4.29 ERA, with 51 strikeouts in 71 1/3 innings for the Padres AAA afillitate, the Portland Beavers. One nice thing about Bartosh is he only gave up 4 homeruns in those 71 1/3 innings, very similar to the season before when he gave up the same number in 70 2/3 at AA Mobile.

He also improved on his control, walking 22 this versus 32 the year before. So at best, he makes the team next year and is used to spell Walker as a left handed set up man. Whoever does the best could possibly get the main lefty reliever job in 2005. At worst, he spends another season in AAA, and we have for insurance if we don’t resign Jamie Walker after this current one year deal expires.

Nothing major, but baby steps. This could be a good solid pickup, and the Tigers need a break. Lefties are never something to look past.

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