How Brad Ausmus Can Make His Mark as a Skipper
With the 2014 non-waiver wire deadline behind us, it is clear that the Oakland A’s and Detroit Tigers made moves and shaped their rosters due to the competition the other presents. What sets these two teams apart still is something that would help shape Brad Ausmus’ career as a manager and prove he has the stones to do whatever it takes to win.
Regardless of how good and sometimes dominant the Tigers starting staff has been, and that’s before the addition of David Price, the one Achilles heel they’ve had all season is their bullpen. Even with great starters the bullpen will be crucial in October and right now the Tigers do not have the edge against Oakland because of this. They do however have an ace in the hole, pun definitely intended, that would put them over the top and virtually guarantee a World Series title. The question is though; does Ausmus in fact have the stones to make the move?
Justin Verlander in 2014 has not been the Justin Verlander we’ve come to know over the years. There’s no denying this fact and Verlander himself would tell you the same thing. There’s also no question that he has been Detroit’s worst starter this year and with the addition of Price that trend will continue. So how can Ausmus change the shape of the 2014 playoffs? The answer is simple: Justin Verlander: Closer.
The old adage goes, “What have you done for me lately?” well in Verlander’s case the answer has been not much. Yes, in the past he has been one of the most dominant pitchers of the current era, but in 2014 he just has not been as effective as the rest of his rotation mates. So come the postseason, you put Verlander in the bullpen and let him close out games. Bruce Bochy did it with Tim Lincecum and it worked very well, Ausmus needs to do the same.
By executing this move Ausmus doesn’t have to sit through every heart attack inducing Joe Nathan appearance and also he essentially is turning Verlander loose on the opposition. Having him throw a limited number of pitches allows him to fire that 100 mph fastball consistently and blow everyone away. He can be more of a thrower as opposed to a pitcher and for this year I feel that would suit him extremely well.
Next season maybe Verlander comes back and is his dominant self once again. Who knows what will happen because we can’t predict the future, but for 2014 and the upcoming playoffs his best role is as a flame throwing closer. Bochy and the Giants have given Ausmus and Detroit precedent and it’s been made clear Ilitch wants the title now due to his advanced age, so let’s see just how bad they actually want it. What’s the sense of gambling when you can play the sure thing?
