The Pressbox

The Detroit Tigers traded away Mike Maroth Friday for that infamous “player to be named later.” It reportedly will be a minor leaguer from the St. Louis Cardinals system.

I am sure that Tiger president Dave Dombrowski got what he thought was the best possible deal for Maroth, but I don’t like this trade for a couple of reasons.

First of all, the Tigers were not dealing from a position of strength. Everyone knew that the Kenny Rogers was coming off the disabled list tonight and Detroit had to make some kind of move.

Secondly, the health of Rogers and Nate Robertson (who should come off the DL soon) are not certain. I would have held on to Maroth for a little while to see how those two look when they return to the rotation.

My plan would have been to shift Chad Durbin to the bullpen to make room for Rogers in the rotation, then send Andrew Miller back to the minors when Robertston returns.

As the trade deadline gets closer, a lot of teams will be looking for starting pitching. Maroth might have commanded a higher price in a few weeks.

The Detroit Tigers tinkered with their bullpen Wednesday, dealing Wilfredo Ledezma to Atlanta for fellow lefty Macay McBride.

As near as I can tell that was just a move to clear room. McBride has options left, so he can be sent to the minors. Ledezma did not.

With Joel Zumaya injuried and Fernando Rodney and Todd Jones struggling, the bullpen has been in disarray. The return of Kenny Rogers Friday could help a little. I am hoping that the team decides to send Chad Durbin and not Mike Maroth to the bullpen. I think Durbin could help down there.

But another move probably is coming. What do you think the Tigers should do? Who is on your wish list, Eric Gagne, Brad Lidge, or someone else?

SMCC is accepting its state runner-up medals after falling 8-0 to Unionville Sebewaing in the Division 3 state softball finals.

The Kestrels finish with a 26-11 record.

USA has added three more runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to build its lead to 7-0. One of the runs was on a solo home run.

The Patriots still have the bases loaded with one out. Carlie Giarmo has come in to pitch for SMCC.

USA added another run in the fifth inning and nearly blew the game open. Leftfielder Kristen Drabek reached over the fence to snare what would have been a three-run homer for the final out of the inning.

SMCC has the top of its order up in the sixth inning.

Unionville Sebewaing has cleared the leftfield fence again as Danielle Gremel went deep for a solo homer.

SMCC trails 3-0 after four innings of the Division 3 state title game.

SMCC had two hits in the top of the third, but failed to score.

Amy Terrasi singled with one out, but was thrown out trying to steal second. Alicia Flynn followed with a single to right, but was left at first base.

USA went down 1-2-3 in the bottom of the inning.

It’s still USA 2, SMCC 0.

After two complete innings, it’s still USA 2, SMCC 0.

Unionville-Sebewaing has jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the opening inning on a two-run, over-the-fence homer by Katie Rayl.

SMCC did not score in the top of the inning but appears to swinging the bats well. The first two Kestrels were retired on sharply hit balls, then Emma LaBeau laced a double to left. Unionville-Sebewaing worked out of the jam, however

St. Mary Catholic Central is getting ready to begin the Division 3 state softball finals. I will post regular reports here to let you know how they are doing.