Detroit Tigers Spring Training 2015 Roundtable

Aug 24, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Alfredo Simon (31) pitches during the first inning against the Atlanta Braves at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports

Thinking of the new-look starting rotation, do you think Alfredo Simon will win the #5 spot? Why or why not? If not him, who should get the slot?

Dan: I think he will because that is why they got him. Dombrowski is determined to convince fans he has the bullpen all figured out. I didn’t (and still don’t) like the transaction. First sign Simons shows of vulnerability in the rotation he should be “penned” and one of the kids given a chance. Lobstein or Farmer.

Zane: I do believe that Alfredo Simon will win the fifth spot in this rotation, and could even end up as the fourth man, depending on Shane Greene‘s production. This is largely because of his 2014 season. Many have questioned whether or not that was a fluke, and it just may be, but until Simon lets the Tigers down, the job should be his job to lose. And, I fully believe he will turn out to be a very good addition to this team. I am optimistic that Simon will benefit from Comerica, as so many have before him, and that this improved Tigers defense, along with a full year of starting under his belt, will help him succeed once more in 2015.

Josh: I believe that Alfredo Simon will win the fifth spot in the rotation. He was a reliever his entire career until last year when the Reds took a gigantic gamble and made him a starter. It worked out beautifully and he garnered his first ASG appearance. As bad as the bullpen has been, I think Simon will serve the team better in the rotation anyway, because his ideal role in the pen would be a long reliever, and Kyle Lobstein is a better fit for that position. Simon has the talent and durability you want to see in a starter, I firmly believe he takes the five-spot.

Live Feed

Betsided

Steve: Simon will end up in the four spot to start with Shane Greene winning the five-spot out of Spring Training. Simon will continue to be in the 5 rotation all year long with Lobstein pushing Greene hard for the 5 spot. Simon has the capability to perform in the four spot. If Lobstein and Greene perform we could see Simon slipping to the bullpen.

Tom: The 5th starter’s role is Alfredo Simon’s going into the 2015 season. The question is will he be the Simon of the first half of 2014 or the second half of 2014. The Tigers brought Simon on board to be their 5th starter, or they would have made a move to try to acquire James Shields. I think that Simon would work better in the bullpen and he still may end up there, but as of now, he is the Tigers 5th best starter and he will be their 5th starter.

Blair: As a veteran who was acquired at a high cost to join the rotation, Simon will be the #5 starter when the team breaks camp. I would expect he’ll be given until June or so to nail it down, but if he’s wavering at that point and someone else is ready (Lobstein, Farmer, etc.), he may be moved to the bullpen.

Matt: I wasn’t crazy about the deal that brought Simon to Detroit, particularly by giving up on Eugenio Suarez. The shortstop is young and while he will never have superior defensive skills, his hitting could blossom and he could have been an eventual replacement for Ian Kinsler at second base. Nonetheless what is done is done and while the trade wasn’t great, I am a little more high on Simon that some. I feel he will be as good of a #4 or #5 as any other pitcher in the division. He had a solid first half last year and there is no reason, under the tutelage of Jeff Jones, he can’t recapture that success.

Dave: Alfredo Simon will earn the fifth spot in the rotation simply because the Tigers had to give up quite a bit to get him. The team will not want to give up on this investment. That being said, Simon appears to be a solid fifth starter option. In his first full year starting last season, he went 15-10 with a 3.44 ERA in 196.1 innings while pitching in a very hitter-friendly Great American Ball Park. Simon should benefit from pitching in the spacious Comerica Park this season.