Bilfer at The Detroit Tigers Weblog isn’t crazy about the Tigers options for their fifth stater role, but he doesn’t like the idea of trading Nate Robertson:

A trade of Robertson would be hasty at this point. While he probably has the most trade value of the 3, the Tigers likely can’t afford to lose his arm. He has outpitched his main competitors both this spring and in recent history and is in a similar salary situation. The Tigers are carrying the payroll of a competitor and have enough talent given their division to have a shot at the playoffs. Experimenting with a questionable 5th starter for too long could prove too costly. Kind of like in 2009.

He also notes that Dontrelle Willis’s spring ERA doesn’t jibe with his strikeout and walk rates, yet Detroit seems to be leaning to giving him the role. I understand the team wants to recoup something from that ill fated contract, but I suspect once Willis is facing hitters who are actually trying to win games, those walks are going to hurt him.