Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Joaquin Benoit has been demoted from his eighth inning set up role back to being a middle reliever. In 16 appearances in 2011 he has a 1-3 record, a 7.98 ERA, and just five holds. Not a very impressive start for a guy who just received a 3 year 16.5 million dollar deal. In the short term it looks like RP Al Albuquerque will be moved into the set up man position.
I personally see two problems here. The hole Benoit has created in the bullpen, and the not so great job Phil Coke has done as a starting pitcher. Ironically both of these situations have occurred due to the way General Manger Dave Dombrowski worked the free agent market last off season. He failed to land another arm, and gave Benoit a big contract based on his performance in 2010.
Coke is just 1-5, with a 4.54 ERA as a starter. Last year as the primary setup guy in the Tigers bull pen he was 7-5 with 2 saves and 17 holds to go along with his 3.76 ERA. It seems so far like a role he is b...
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