I really see this as a very bad move for the Tigers.
They basically gave away Pudge ...
Just last week Florida was inquiring about Pudge and they were told he was not going anywhere, I'd rather him be in Florida than NY.
Well, I wouldn't go as far as to say they gave away Pudge... they did get a reliever who di pitch very well here in '05. Pudge was gone after this season after all. That writining was on the wall after last season, when they signed him for this season. They had no other choice at that time. Time will tell how Farnsworth works out, but given the current state of the bullpen, he can't help but help.
I would like to take a moment to thank Pudge for what he did for us. Over 4 seasons without a trip to the DL. (Try to remember he came here with a bad back, and his contract had waivers involving his back.) He also hit .297 while here. But most of all, he gave the Tigers credibility, coming here a season after 119 losses. (And he left a world series champion, of course that king's ransom of a contract didn't hurt, either!) No Pudge, no Maggs, etc... I guess what I'm trying to say is that the turnaround all started with him, and he gave his all every game. So thanks, Pudge, I for one will miss you.
As for this season, I don't see this as "packing it in." You can't pack it in when you're only 5 1/2 games out, with 2 months, and a lot of games to play within your division. Let me point out that 2 yrs. ago the Twins were 10 games out, behind the Tigers, and we all remember what happened in September, and who ended up winning the division. We desperately needed some bullpen help, and NY was a suitable trade partner. (Let's just hope Pudge doesn't bite us in the ass in a possible playoff matchup!) There are still questions to be answered at SS and Robertson's every second start pitching performance. (Just what does it take to be demoted to the bullpen these days?) Maybe it's time to give Zumaya a crack at the rotation, since we do seem to have one reliever too many now. Packing it in? No, I see this as just the opposite.