The results of our most recent poll indicate that loyal Daily Fungo readers would prefer Dontrelle Willis (43%), Zach Miner (38%) or perhaps even Felipe Lira as the Tigers’ fifth starter over Nate Robertson (19%).
Nevertheless, we want to continue our series of player profiles today with The Nater for two reasons — actually three, [...]

It’s not often I go a full week without posting something here at the The Daily Fungo but there were circumstances beyond my control, namely my computer. It went kaput in December and only after the most drastic of all measures — erasing the hard drive and starting over — was I able to resuscitate [...]

If we had to narrow the Tigers’ dismal 2008 to one culprit it would be the pitching. While Detroit’s offense had many fits and starts throughout the season, the pitching was pretty much the same from March 31 to Sept. 28: awful.
Whether it was Dontrelle Willis‘ sudden inability to throw strikes or Justin Verlander’s season [...]

Meet your new number-three starter: Edwin Jackson. Or maybe he’s number two. Who knows? All we do know is that the Tigers made the most curious trade since…since…Dickie Noles-for-Dickie Noles?
While the Mets, Mariners and Indians were swingin’ a 12-player trade (with J.J. Putz as the centerpiece) the Tigers were not zeroing in on a closer, [...]

ESPN.com’s trip through each MLB team’s roster continued today with write Jonah Keri’s lens focused on the American League Central and the Tigers.
If you’re looking for a positive outlook to end your week, look elsewhere. Here’s a taste:
Aside from a younger, more athletic band of glove men, the Tigers need about a half-dozen new pitchers. [...]

I’m not convinced that neither Nate Robertson (one of my favorites) nor Dontrelle Willis will be a long-term solution for the Tigers. Or a short-term one.

That sent me to the growing list of free agent pitchers. Two names that I like for different reasons — and again, I’m talking fifth-starter here: Jon Garland and Carl [...]

So this is what we’re left with: rooting for former Tigers still playing in the ALCS and NLCS. The Phillies’ Matt Stairs and Chad Durbin, the Rays’ Carlos Pena, and the Red Sox’s Sean Casey are a Tigers fan’s only connection to playoff baseball.

Was I the only one who thought Stairs’ bomb on Monday night [...]

Every time I sat down to write about a bit of Tigers news in the past five days, another shoe would drop and I’d think “I’ll write about both of those items.” Then another and another, etc.
So, as I wait out this Tigers/White Sox rain delay from bright, sunny Phoenix, it’s time to weigh in [...]

As the Tigers’ losses mount here at the end of the string, I’m startled at the amount of energy I spend fretting about this lost season.
Swept by the Royals? Again!?
Those words are enough to send me into a frothy rage.
On Wednesday night it was the dreadful Nate Robertson’s turn to lie down for the [...]

The Score: Royals 7 – Tigers 3
The Gist: The Tigers got off to a fast start but the Royals decided not to lose their eighth straight on Sunday and scored seven unanswered runs off Tigers starter Kenny Rogers. Recently banished Nate Robertson pitched two-thirds of scoreless, hitless relief (huzzah!). Placido Polanco had three hits and [...]