Monday, February 22, 2010
Where were you when that happened??
With Spring Training just 9 days away I wanna ask you Tiger fans whats your most memorable Tigers moment? Mine would have to be when Granderson robbed Wily Mo Pena of that HR. I coulda went i several directions with this, but as long as I live I will always remember the Highlight reel he put together for us, you will be missed Grandy and hope the best for ya over in New York just as long as that doesnt come back to bite us in the ass in the playoffs.
2010 Opening Day Lineup
Bring your arguments!!!!!!! Now that Johnny Damon is in the lineup, what does our opening day lineup look like? Here is my guess:
LF Damon
2B Sizemore
RF Ordonez
1B Cabrera
DH Guillen
3B Ingel
C Laird
SS Everett
CF Jackson
Could it be an other way? I wish we had another guy with power so we had a true 5 hole hitter to hit behind Cabrera, we need one. With what we have though, this is the best we can do! You have to have a LH hitter behind Miggy if you can't have a power guy! Someway somehow, if we are going to win, we need to force opposing teams to throw to Cabrera.
LF Damon
2B Sizemore
RF Ordonez
1B Cabrera
DH Guillen
3B Ingel
C Laird
SS Everett
CF Jackson
Could it be an other way? I wish we had another guy with power so we had a true 5 hole hitter to hit behind Cabrera, we need one. With what we have though, this is the best we can do! You have to have a LH hitter behind Miggy if you can't have a power guy! Someway somehow, if we are going to win, we need to force opposing teams to throw to Cabrera.
The big question .... what number will Johnny wear?
Since coming into the league in 1995 Johnny Damon has wore #18 every year except 2! In his rookie year 1995 he wore #51 as Joe Randa wore #18 (in case you were curious, Vince Coleman wore #29 that year for the Royals, LOL) and in 2001, he wore #8 with the A's but ... noone else was 18 and that number was not retired. So, that made me think Did Johnny really want #8? I looked back at the rosters he was on and found out that he couldn't have worn #8 anywhere he has been. When he got to KC, Gary Gaetti was #8, the next year he could have taken it but, why switch your number. In Oakland he DID wear 8. In Boston, that retired number 8 belongs to Yaz and in NY #8 is Yogi Berra's and noone elses!
So .... is Johnny gonna wear the open #18 or is he gonna fight Gerald Laird for it? Gerry is not afraid of a brawl haha! OK, it is gonna probably be 18 but, it was fun to think about!
PS, the last #18 on a Tigers Jersey belonged to Heath Murray in 2001 ..... who????
So .... is Johnny gonna wear the open #18 or is he gonna fight Gerald Laird for it? Gerry is not afraid of a brawl haha! OK, it is gonna probably be 18 but, it was fun to think about!
PS, the last #18 on a Tigers Jersey belonged to Heath Murray in 2001 ..... who????
Sunday, February 21, 2010
The waiting game is over....Finally!
I wanna say about time Johnny what the hell was the hold up? You know youre not gonna get anymore then a 2 year deal with anyone, and you waited so long to sign that it went from a 2 year contract to a 1 year deal. I am happy we only committed to him for 1 season just in case for some awful reason we are out of contention mid season or trade deadline and we could trade him and pick up some young talent in return, I dont like we gave him 8 million for 1 year, but if he is the missing piece that we need to get back to the promise land then I wont complain, but only time will tell. Even though that gives us a much NEEDED leader in the clubhouse I cant help but wonder that just makes us even older now, when is it time to let the kids play Raburn,Clete, Casper?
Valverde impressing already and not just with his arm..
I was reading a few blogs and MLB headlines and tid bits yesterday and I came across an article about our new closer Jose Valverde one of the most dominate closers of the last few years (when he's healthy). It said from the time he arrived yesterday from the Dominican he has already started joking with the guys and talking to his fellow Dominicans and feeling loose and feeling good already like he fits in. He took the mound yesterday and it just seemed like after seeing him hit the high 90's and having control of it and then dropping his off speed stuff in there for a strike that we mighta hit a home run with this signing we got something we have been missing for a long time!, and thats a dominate closer with that nasty heat and the off speed junk to compliment it. For the first time in a long time I feel safe handing the ball over to our closer with a 1 run lead and 2 outs and 2 men on and facing one of the leagues better hitters at the plate. But on a semi non related baseball note I guess you can call it, after he arrived in Lakeland he was listed on the Roster as #46 that soon changed as everyone well knows he has worn #47 his whole career but since no one has worn that number since Jack Morris he opted to go with #74, he said he feels really good this season and that he feels like he could possibly save 74 games this year, I LOVE that kinda attitude, and then in the next breathe he said if he can't save 74 he will definitly break our club record of saves. But what I am getting at here is not even a member of the Tigers for a day he understands the tradition of what number an old great Tiger had worn, Kudos to you Jose. And on my closing note lets just hope his number change doesnt match the last closer we had that wore that number, can you name that Tiger?
Friday, February 19, 2010
Off Season moves
In a whole I think we had a very productive offseason I think we cut payroll and we locked up our ACE for the next 5 years and with the emergance of Porcello and the additions of Scherzer and Schlereth I think we have one of the top staffs in the AL. But the thing I dont understand is why didnt we look for a shortstop during this offseason?? We coulda went with Orlando Cabrera all the guy does is win, Or we coulda went after Orlando Hudson and tossed him at short. And I think we need a DH as well, and I really dont think Damon is the answer at DH. I think personally we shold have inquired about Jermaine Dye that way we can platoon him in RF and LF and even a little bit at 1B oe even go back and sign Frank "the cat" Catalonatto bring him back or go grab Thome(minus the huge contract) or even go get Mike Jacobs (beisdes him striking out more then he gets on base) Iam very excited to see what this team and season brings to the table lets just hope we can keep contending and stay close enough to win the division because we know it'll be tough to get the Wild Card away from the Yankees or Red Sox or Twins.
My Predictions for 2010
Pitchers anc Catchers have only been in camp for less then a week and I'am already gonna go ahead and make my bold predictions for this season. Some of these might come across as very homer (but isnt that what we are here for?) Here are my picks for Division standings and winners in both the AL and NL and I will also go as far as choosing my MVP, CY young, and ROY.
AMERICAN LEAGUE
EAST
1.) Red Sox- With the addition of Lackey and a healthy Dice K they take the division
2.) Yankees- Very close but just to many pre-madonnas wont mesh well
3.) Rays- If they hang on to Upton and Crawford I see them making a serious push
4.) Blue Jays- Very young staff and a decent lineup but still a few years away
5.) Orioles- Way too young to comepete for a few years
CENTRAL
1.) Tigers- With a sober Cabrera and a good young staff they take Twins without a playoff
2.) Twins- With the addition of Thome and the O-dog thats huge but its all about pitching
3.) White Sox- Good good team very well managed but way too many Leftfielders on roster
4.) Royals- I see the Royals competing in the next 2-4 yrs as longs as Greinke stays healthy
5.) Indians- This team is just a mess they have Sizemore and thats it. Austin Kearns anyone?
WEST
1.) Rangers- With the 3 big guns healthy and a revamped staff iam seeing good things here
2.) Angels- All i gotta say is NO Figgins, Lackey, and Vlad its gonna be hard
3.) Mariners- good offseason moves I like what they did but wont overtake Halos or Rangers
4.) A's- I wanna say with Sheets signing here to anchor a young staff 2-4 years away still
NATIONAL LEAGUE
EAST
1.) Phillies- With the addition of Doc thats huge and they dont lose anyone another NLDS
2.) Braves- Its Bobby Cox's final season i'd like to see him go out on top
3.) Marlins- This was a hard choice but I have faith in the Young gunnin Fish
4.) Mets- Again spent too much money on mediocre over the hill players and still need P help
5.) Nationals- Strasburg will be up midseason and will have Wang midseason as well I like it
CENTRAL
1.) Cardinals- With Holiday coming back Its hard to pitch around Albert, but what bout Pitching?
2.) Brewers- LOVE LOVE the Fielder and Braun combo but just no pitching
3.) Cubbies- They have the nucleus to win and the hitters to contend but no pitching!
4.) Reds- This is actually my sleeper team right here, like the gold glove INF defense wins games
5.) Astros- The killer B's are gone and Berkman and Oswalt havn't been the same
6.) Pirates- The have pieces to win but not enough to contend bright spot Pedro Alvarez
WEST
1.) Dodgers- With the emergance of Ethier and Kemp this team is hard to beat
2.) Giants- Gotta have more help for Sandoval score more runs ,best 1-2 pitchers in west
3.) Rockies- Love Tulowitzki and Hawpe and if Ian Stewart can come into his own watch out
4.) D-Backs- Withe Webb, Jackson, and Haren its tough to put them this low just dont see the O
5.) Padres- Iam at loss for words with this team they are THE worst team in Baseball
NATIONAL LEAGUE PLAYOFF PICTURE
Phillies vs Brewers- Phillies win in 3 games
Dodgers vs Cardinals- Dodgers win in 3
Dodgers vs Phillies- Dodgers win in 7
AMERICAN LEAGUE PLAYOFF PICTURE
Red Sox vs Twins- Red Sox win in 5 games
Tigers vs Rangers- Tigers win in 3 games
Red Sox vs Tigers- Tigers win in 7 games
WORLD SERIES
Tigers vs Dodgers- Tigers win in 5
AL MVP
Joe Mauer
AL CY YOUNG
Justin Verlander
AL ROY
Austin Jackson
NL MVP
Prince Fielder
NL CY YOUNG
Matt Cain
NL ROY
Jason Heyward
I know its very far fetched that we make it to the World Series this year but you gotta keep remembering what we did in 2006 no one ever in a million years thought we would make it and we did so I hope the pitching stays strong for us and Austin Jackson proves to be the true big time stud he has been labeled and we finally bring home another title...This one is for you Ernie..
AMERICAN LEAGUE
EAST
1.) Red Sox- With the addition of Lackey and a healthy Dice K they take the division
2.) Yankees- Very close but just to many pre-madonnas wont mesh well
3.) Rays- If they hang on to Upton and Crawford I see them making a serious push
4.) Blue Jays- Very young staff and a decent lineup but still a few years away
5.) Orioles- Way too young to comepete for a few years
CENTRAL
1.) Tigers- With a sober Cabrera and a good young staff they take Twins without a playoff
2.) Twins- With the addition of Thome and the O-dog thats huge but its all about pitching
3.) White Sox- Good good team very well managed but way too many Leftfielders on roster
4.) Royals- I see the Royals competing in the next 2-4 yrs as longs as Greinke stays healthy
5.) Indians- This team is just a mess they have Sizemore and thats it. Austin Kearns anyone?
WEST
1.) Rangers- With the 3 big guns healthy and a revamped staff iam seeing good things here
2.) Angels- All i gotta say is NO Figgins, Lackey, and Vlad its gonna be hard
3.) Mariners- good offseason moves I like what they did but wont overtake Halos or Rangers
4.) A's- I wanna say with Sheets signing here to anchor a young staff 2-4 years away still
NATIONAL LEAGUE
EAST
1.) Phillies- With the addition of Doc thats huge and they dont lose anyone another NLDS
2.) Braves- Its Bobby Cox's final season i'd like to see him go out on top
3.) Marlins- This was a hard choice but I have faith in the Young gunnin Fish
4.) Mets- Again spent too much money on mediocre over the hill players and still need P help
5.) Nationals- Strasburg will be up midseason and will have Wang midseason as well I like it
CENTRAL
1.) Cardinals- With Holiday coming back Its hard to pitch around Albert, but what bout Pitching?
2.) Brewers- LOVE LOVE the Fielder and Braun combo but just no pitching
3.) Cubbies- They have the nucleus to win and the hitters to contend but no pitching!
4.) Reds- This is actually my sleeper team right here, like the gold glove INF defense wins games
5.) Astros- The killer B's are gone and Berkman and Oswalt havn't been the same
6.) Pirates- The have pieces to win but not enough to contend bright spot Pedro Alvarez
WEST
1.) Dodgers- With the emergance of Ethier and Kemp this team is hard to beat
2.) Giants- Gotta have more help for Sandoval score more runs ,best 1-2 pitchers in west
3.) Rockies- Love Tulowitzki and Hawpe and if Ian Stewart can come into his own watch out
4.) D-Backs- Withe Webb, Jackson, and Haren its tough to put them this low just dont see the O
5.) Padres- Iam at loss for words with this team they are THE worst team in Baseball
NATIONAL LEAGUE PLAYOFF PICTURE
Phillies vs Brewers- Phillies win in 3 games
Dodgers vs Cardinals- Dodgers win in 3
Dodgers vs Phillies- Dodgers win in 7
AMERICAN LEAGUE PLAYOFF PICTURE
Red Sox vs Twins- Red Sox win in 5 games
Tigers vs Rangers- Tigers win in 3 games
Red Sox vs Tigers- Tigers win in 7 games
WORLD SERIES
Tigers vs Dodgers- Tigers win in 5
AL MVP
Joe Mauer
AL CY YOUNG
Justin Verlander
AL ROY
Austin Jackson
NL MVP
Prince Fielder
NL CY YOUNG
Matt Cain
NL ROY
Jason Heyward
I know its very far fetched that we make it to the World Series this year but you gotta keep remembering what we did in 2006 no one ever in a million years thought we would make it and we did so I hope the pitching stays strong for us and Austin Jackson proves to be the true big time stud he has been labeled and we finally bring home another title...This one is for you Ernie..
If the season started today!
Let's just assume that because catchers and pitchers reported yesterday that ... the season started today .... I know it's a reach but, who do you bring north? Here is mine:
STARTING PITCHERS
Justin Verlander
Max Scherzer
Rick Porcello
Jeremy Bonderman
Nate Robertson
RELIEF PITCHERS
Bobby Seay
Fu Te Ni
Phil Coke
Zach Miner
Joel Zumaya
SETUP
Ryan Perry
CLOSER
Jose Valverde
LINEUP
CF Austin Jackson
LF Ryan Raburn
DH Carlos Guillen
1B Miguel Cabrera
RF Magglio Ordonez
3B Charlie Inge
2B Scott Sizemore
C Gerald Laird
SS Adam Everett
BENCH
IF Ramon Santiago
C Alex Avila
OF Clete Thomas
?? ????????????
I don't know what can really be argued here unless Clete comes out with his long swing and needs time in Toledo with "Bull" Durham to figure that out. I understand that people might think the 2 years catching experience Avila has under his belt (YA, only 2 .... EVER!) is not enough and he could use another year refining his D in the minors, so we could always bring along Robinson Diaz instead but, I'd rather keep Avila and his LH bat. The pitching .... seems about right, maybe Schlereth is ready but, we have too many LH relievers as it is, unless Coke takes Robertsons spot in the rotation, there just isn't room. Can you argue Bonine over Miner? I don't think so, Bonine has options left!
So, all that is left in my opinion is, who takes the last bench spot? Don Kelly? Wilkin Ramirez? Ryan Strieby? Brennen Boesch? Jeff Larish? Brent Dlugach?
I say Donnie Kelly. He is out of options and can play LF/CF/2B/3B and hits LH! He hit over .330 last year in Toledo while stealing 28 and playing primarily CF. He can back-up Inge's knees as well as, Sizemore and AJax's transition to the bigs!
I'm just sayin ...
STARTING PITCHERS
Justin Verlander
Max Scherzer
Rick Porcello
Jeremy Bonderman
Nate Robertson
RELIEF PITCHERS
Bobby Seay
Fu Te Ni
Phil Coke
Zach Miner
Joel Zumaya
SETUP
Ryan Perry
CLOSER
Jose Valverde
LINEUP
CF Austin Jackson
LF Ryan Raburn
DH Carlos Guillen
1B Miguel Cabrera
RF Magglio Ordonez
3B Charlie Inge
2B Scott Sizemore
C Gerald Laird
SS Adam Everett
BENCH
IF Ramon Santiago
C Alex Avila
OF Clete Thomas
?? ????????????
I don't know what can really be argued here unless Clete comes out with his long swing and needs time in Toledo with "Bull" Durham to figure that out. I understand that people might think the 2 years catching experience Avila has under his belt (YA, only 2 .... EVER!) is not enough and he could use another year refining his D in the minors, so we could always bring along Robinson Diaz instead but, I'd rather keep Avila and his LH bat. The pitching .... seems about right, maybe Schlereth is ready but, we have too many LH relievers as it is, unless Coke takes Robertsons spot in the rotation, there just isn't room. Can you argue Bonine over Miner? I don't think so, Bonine has options left!
So, all that is left in my opinion is, who takes the last bench spot? Don Kelly? Wilkin Ramirez? Ryan Strieby? Brennen Boesch? Jeff Larish? Brent Dlugach?
I say Donnie Kelly. He is out of options and can play LF/CF/2B/3B and hits LH! He hit over .330 last year in Toledo while stealing 28 and playing primarily CF. He can back-up Inge's knees as well as, Sizemore and AJax's transition to the bigs!
I'm just sayin ...
Thursday, February 18, 2010
(W)hat (W)ould (J)ohnny (D)o?
I wanna start out by saying I like what we did in the off-season even though we did trade away My Tiger Granderson I feel like we got back a younger and faster version of him in Austin Jackson. The second thing I wanna discuss is I know we need a #2 guy in the lineup and I like the idea of bringing in Johnny Damon to fill the spot and help bring some leadership to the locker room after losing Polanco/Granderson, but is he worth the money is what I wanna know?? You need to look at a few things first he's on the down hill of his career he isn't gonna be around for a long period of time maybe 2 years or 1 or even a half of a season thats if we are out of the playoff chase and we trade him away, and he has never ever had a strong arm for an outfielder it seems like if a ball is hit in the corner in Left and he has to throw it in, Santiago is gonna have to come almost out to the warning track to take the throw. I say if we land Johnny Damon great but if we dont I wont really sweat it, we have Raburn and Clete who would fit in LF as nicely as anyone!
Detroit Tigers All-Time Greats by number
As a kid did you ever sit at Old Tiger Stadium or Comerica Park and see your Tiger and what number he wore you ever wonder how or why he chose that number? Or you see a player they just aquuired and you notice what number he chose or what number chose him? You have seen that number probably a hand full of times on either a Tiger great or a Tiger bust. So after months of wondering what numbers these new acquisitions where gonna choose we finally can relax and put a number to a face, and I just cant help but think of all the greats that played here and what numbers they had worn , so after alot of research I had put together my own personal list of Tiger greats by number(not all are GREATS but had to fill in numbers with what I had too).
#1 - LOU WHITAKER
#2 - CHARLIE GEHRINGER
#3 - ALAN TRAMMELL
#4 - TONY PHILLIPS
#5 - HANK GREENBERG
#6- AL KALINE
#7- PUDGE RODRIGUEZ
# 8- RON LEFLORE
#10- RUSTY STAUB
#11- BILL FREEHAN
#12- BRAD AUSMUS
#13- LANCE PARRISH
#14- PLACIDO POLANCO
#15- BRANDON INGE
#16- TOMMY BROOKENS
#17 - DENNY MCCLAIN
#18- JON HILLER
#19- DOYLE ALEXANDER
#20- MARK FIDERYCH
#21- GEORGE KELL
#22- JUSTIN THOMPSON
#23- KIRK GIBSON
#24- MIGUEL CABRERA
#25- NORM CASH
#26- FRANK TANANNA
#27- CRAIG MONROE
#28- CURTIS GRANDERSON
#29- NICKEY LOLICH
#30 MAGGLIO ORDONEZ
#31- LARRY HERNDON
#32- JAMIE WALKER
#33- MATT NOKES
#34- CHESTER LEMON
#35- JUSTIN VERLANDER
#36- JEFF WEAVER
#37- KENNY ROGERS
#38- JEREMY BONDERMAN
#39- MIKE HENEMAN
#40- FRANK BOLLING
#41- DARRELL EVANS
#42- JOSE LIMA
#43- FRANCISCO CORDERO
#44- JUAN BERENGUAR
#45- CECIL FIELDER
#46- DAN PETRY
#47- JACK MORRIS
#48-RICK PORCELLO
#49- MICKEY STANLEY
#50- ANDREW MILLER
#51-
#52- CHAD DURBIN
#53-
#54- JOEL ZUMAYA
#55- MARK REDMAN
#56- FERNANDO RODNEY
#57- CASPER WELLS
#58- ARMANDO GALARAGA
#59- TODD JONES
#60- WILKIN RAMIREZ
This was very hard to choose just 1 player per number I know I left alot of guys who where well deserving and a few whose number is retired but i wasnt around to see those guys plays I just remember seeing Tommy Brookens and Gibby I dont really remember seeing Willie Horton and I never got to see Hal Newhouser play either even though had always heard stories about both of them I had to go with what I knew. Good luck this season boys and lets RESTORE THE ROAR IN MOTOWN this year!
#1 - LOU WHITAKER
#2 - CHARLIE GEHRINGER
#3 - ALAN TRAMMELL
#4 - TONY PHILLIPS
#5 - HANK GREENBERG
#6- AL KALINE
#7- PUDGE RODRIGUEZ
# 8- RON LEFLORE
#10- RUSTY STAUB
#11- BILL FREEHAN
#12- BRAD AUSMUS
#13- LANCE PARRISH
#14- PLACIDO POLANCO
#15- BRANDON INGE
#16- TOMMY BROOKENS
#17 - DENNY MCCLAIN
#18- JON HILLER
#19- DOYLE ALEXANDER
#20- MARK FIDERYCH
#21- GEORGE KELL
#22- JUSTIN THOMPSON
#23- KIRK GIBSON
#24- MIGUEL CABRERA
#25- NORM CASH
#26- FRANK TANANNA
#27- CRAIG MONROE
#28- CURTIS GRANDERSON
#29- NICKEY LOLICH
#30 MAGGLIO ORDONEZ
#31- LARRY HERNDON
#32- JAMIE WALKER
#33- MATT NOKES
#34- CHESTER LEMON
#35- JUSTIN VERLANDER
#36- JEFF WEAVER
#37- KENNY ROGERS
#38- JEREMY BONDERMAN
#39- MIKE HENEMAN
#40- FRANK BOLLING
#41- DARRELL EVANS
#42- JOSE LIMA
#43- FRANCISCO CORDERO
#44- JUAN BERENGUAR
#45- CECIL FIELDER
#46- DAN PETRY
#47- JACK MORRIS
#48-RICK PORCELLO
#49- MICKEY STANLEY
#50- ANDREW MILLER
#51-
#52- CHAD DURBIN
#53-
#54- JOEL ZUMAYA
#55- MARK REDMAN
#56- FERNANDO RODNEY
#57- CASPER WELLS
#58- ARMANDO GALARAGA
#59- TODD JONES
#60- WILKIN RAMIREZ
This was very hard to choose just 1 player per number I know I left alot of guys who where well deserving and a few whose number is retired but i wasnt around to see those guys plays I just remember seeing Tommy Brookens and Gibby I dont really remember seeing Willie Horton and I never got to see Hal Newhouser play either even though had always heard stories about both of them I had to go with what I knew. Good luck this season boys and lets RESTORE THE ROAR IN MOTOWN this year!
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Tigers make an offer to Jose Valverde?
Rumor has it that the Tigers have made an offer to Jose Valverde. Valverde is definitely a top flight closer, no doubt about it. The supposed offer is actually for a reasonable price, 2 years & $12-14 million. I think this is a great idea .... IF WE DEAL HIM BY THE TRADE DEADLINE!
What kind of asinine thought pattern is this? I understand not offering arbitration to Rodney and/or Lyon. We didn't want to get stuck with a 1 year $8 million deal for a closer ... not when we are this far away! OK, so, since we are that far away, we might as well trade the face of our franchise and our #2 starter for a few young prospects that will be good in 2 years and will be cheaper at that point! OK, makes sense! Also, let's not make an arbitration offer to our Gold Glove 2B, that just happens to be one of the best hitters in the MLB over the last 4 years, because he is getting a little older and we don't want to get stuck payin him $8 million over 1 year when we can get some valuable experience for one of our up & comers, not to mention we are strapped with bad contracts that expire after this year and next. Let's build and prepare for 2011 & 2012! Great, I understand AND back that up!
OK .... SO HOLD THE DAMN PHONE! Why in all that is holy would you drop $12-14 million on the final piece to the puzzle? We are NOT going to contend next year (if we do, we'll all be shocked), so why, I mean WHY?!?!?!?! try to land Valverde. That is like the Lions drafting 3 straight Wide Receivers without and offensive line or Quarterback .... Oh, Wait a minute!!!!!! You get it .... I know our options for closer are limited but, don't make this huge mistake now! We are finally getting on board with the supposed plan to build for the next 2 years! I'm just sayin
What kind of asinine thought pattern is this? I understand not offering arbitration to Rodney and/or Lyon. We didn't want to get stuck with a 1 year $8 million deal for a closer ... not when we are this far away! OK, so, since we are that far away, we might as well trade the face of our franchise and our #2 starter for a few young prospects that will be good in 2 years and will be cheaper at that point! OK, makes sense! Also, let's not make an arbitration offer to our Gold Glove 2B, that just happens to be one of the best hitters in the MLB over the last 4 years, because he is getting a little older and we don't want to get stuck payin him $8 million over 1 year when we can get some valuable experience for one of our up & comers, not to mention we are strapped with bad contracts that expire after this year and next. Let's build and prepare for 2011 & 2012! Great, I understand AND back that up!
OK .... SO HOLD THE DAMN PHONE! Why in all that is holy would you drop $12-14 million on the final piece to the puzzle? We are NOT going to contend next year (if we do, we'll all be shocked), so why, I mean WHY?!?!?!?! try to land Valverde. That is like the Lions drafting 3 straight Wide Receivers without and offensive line or Quarterback .... Oh, Wait a minute!!!!!! You get it .... I know our options for closer are limited but, don't make this huge mistake now! We are finally getting on board with the supposed plan to build for the next 2 years! I'm just sayin
Tigers make a handful of minor moves
OK, I disappeared for a minute ... but, don't worry me (I believe I am my only reader), I am baaaacccckkkk!!
OK, The MoTown Kittys have made a couple of moves that may be worth talking about. After "The Trade", I was expecting to see another money saving deal but ... not so much!
Move #1
Dusty Ryan traded to the San Fransisco Giants for a ptbnl or cash
Bye Bye, Dusty Ryan! I am a fan of Dusty, not as a starter or as an impact player but, as a backup and a "homegrown talent". I know we all miss the days of Lou, Tram, Gibby, Lance, Jack & Petry but, having a guy move through our system and be a player on the major league roster seems to be a thing of the past. I was kind of hoping that Dusty could hang around for a bit. I know we now have a surplus of catching and Dusty wasn't a great prospect so, someone had to go! Dusty came up for a cup of coffee in 2008 & 2009. In 2008 he turned a few heads while batting .318 with 2 HR in 44 at bats but, he followed that up with a .154 average in 2009 in only 30 ABs. The idea was to let him have a little more time in AAA. After hitting .266 with 17 HRs between AA & AAA in 2008, Dusty followed up with .257 and 10 HRs in AAA for the 2009 season.
Move #2
Freddy Dolsi claimed off waivers by the Chicago White Sox.
Maybe Freddy's 3.55 ERA was a little misleading but, I just do not understand letting him go at this point. I understand that after "The Trade", we needed to make room for players but, there are other people that will NOT be part of the Tigers plans for 2010 that also would not be claimed. Freddy came up in 2008 and had a respectable 3.97 ERA in 47 2/3 IP. HE walked a couple too many and didn't strike out enough but, he was decent! Our bullpen is going to have Dontrelle Willis for the love of God! Freddy pitched in Toledo this year where he managed a 3.83 ERA. I know he is not the next coming of Mike Henneman but, he was definitely worth attempting to hold on to.
Move #3
Clay Rapada traded to the Texas Rangers for a ptbnl and cash
I always like Clay Rapada. I guess I was hopin he would turn into one of those side arming lefties that give the Tigers so much trouble but, it just never happened. Clay has manages a 5.00 ERA for the Tigers in 27 innings while giving up 26 hits and 18 walks while striking out 21. Clays ERA has been right around 2.50 with Toledo the last couple of years. I think he is a guy with potential but, we seem to have an awful lot of these mediocre guys.
Move #4
Tigers sign LHP Brad Thomas
OK, let the confusion begin. Why would we deal away 1 mediocre LHP just so we can go out and spend $1 million on another one that has not even been good enough to pitch in America (he has been pitching in Korea where he was 5-11 with 44 saves and 2.86 ERA)? I don't know is the proper answer. Thomas has a career ERA in the Majors of 16.88 and a minor league ERA of 4.01. Oh yeah ... and as he has moved up through the minor league ranks, over the last 10 years (yup ... 10), his ERA has gotten progressively worse. I guess if you got a feeling that a guy is starting to get it ... great! But, at $1 million? I don't see the sense in this move
Move #5
Tigers sign Enrique Gonzalez
Enrique Gonzalez' career MLB numbers look like this; 4-7, 5.93 ERA, 27 G, 18 GS, 127 IP, 122 H, 67 K, 37 BB. In his 10 year minor league career he was 68-66 with a 3.93 ERA and everything else is real similar, ratio wise. OK, bring in competition, that is fine or even bring in someone to fill out Toledo's rotation but .... we probably will not see this guy!
Move #6
Tigers sign Phil Dumatrait
Dumatrait, the #22 pick in the 2000 draft by the Boston Red Sox, has been kind of a minor league bad ass! He underwent Tommy John surgery in 2004 and another surgery in 2008. Each surgery has kind of knocked down his bad-ass-ness! In 8 minor league seasons, Phil has a combined 3.37 ERA in 132 games (127 starts). He also has a 4.1 BB/9 and 7.0 K/9 average. As far as being a MLB pitcher .... well ... a combined 7.06 ERA, including a 6.92 last season. OK, again, I am not seeing where this is headed. Another below average player. My hopes are that this is just a move for depth (hopefully in Toledo) and we'll NOT see him in a Tiger uniform, unless he miraculously gets back to old form.
Move #7
Tigers sign Andrew Bouchie
Bouchie, a 7th round pick by the Milwaukee Brewers in 2006, appears to be a signing to build minor league catching depth. In 3 minor league seasons, Andrew has a .224 with 18 HR in 868 at bats. In 2009, Bouchie played for the Long Beach Armada in the Independant League, where he hit .290 with 7 Hr and 43 RBI in just under 250 at bats. Not a bad stat line in LB but, this is a guy who has never played above high A ball! So, I wish him luck .... I'm just sayin.....
OK, The MoTown Kittys have made a couple of moves that may be worth talking about. After "The Trade", I was expecting to see another money saving deal but ... not so much!
Move #1
Dusty Ryan traded to the San Fransisco Giants for a ptbnl or cash
Bye Bye, Dusty Ryan! I am a fan of Dusty, not as a starter or as an impact player but, as a backup and a "homegrown talent". I know we all miss the days of Lou, Tram, Gibby, Lance, Jack & Petry but, having a guy move through our system and be a player on the major league roster seems to be a thing of the past. I was kind of hoping that Dusty could hang around for a bit. I know we now have a surplus of catching and Dusty wasn't a great prospect so, someone had to go! Dusty came up for a cup of coffee in 2008 & 2009. In 2008 he turned a few heads while batting .318 with 2 HR in 44 at bats but, he followed that up with a .154 average in 2009 in only 30 ABs. The idea was to let him have a little more time in AAA. After hitting .266 with 17 HRs between AA & AAA in 2008, Dusty followed up with .257 and 10 HRs in AAA for the 2009 season.
Move #2
Freddy Dolsi claimed off waivers by the Chicago White Sox.
Maybe Freddy's 3.55 ERA was a little misleading but, I just do not understand letting him go at this point. I understand that after "The Trade", we needed to make room for players but, there are other people that will NOT be part of the Tigers plans for 2010 that also would not be claimed. Freddy came up in 2008 and had a respectable 3.97 ERA in 47 2/3 IP. HE walked a couple too many and didn't strike out enough but, he was decent! Our bullpen is going to have Dontrelle Willis for the love of God! Freddy pitched in Toledo this year where he managed a 3.83 ERA. I know he is not the next coming of Mike Henneman but, he was definitely worth attempting to hold on to.
Move #3
Clay Rapada traded to the Texas Rangers for a ptbnl and cash
I always like Clay Rapada. I guess I was hopin he would turn into one of those side arming lefties that give the Tigers so much trouble but, it just never happened. Clay has manages a 5.00 ERA for the Tigers in 27 innings while giving up 26 hits and 18 walks while striking out 21. Clays ERA has been right around 2.50 with Toledo the last couple of years. I think he is a guy with potential but, we seem to have an awful lot of these mediocre guys.
Move #4
Tigers sign LHP Brad Thomas
OK, let the confusion begin. Why would we deal away 1 mediocre LHP just so we can go out and spend $1 million on another one that has not even been good enough to pitch in America (he has been pitching in Korea where he was 5-11 with 44 saves and 2.86 ERA)? I don't know is the proper answer. Thomas has a career ERA in the Majors of 16.88 and a minor league ERA of 4.01. Oh yeah ... and as he has moved up through the minor league ranks, over the last 10 years (yup ... 10), his ERA has gotten progressively worse. I guess if you got a feeling that a guy is starting to get it ... great! But, at $1 million? I don't see the sense in this move
Move #5
Tigers sign Enrique Gonzalez
Enrique Gonzalez' career MLB numbers look like this; 4-7, 5.93 ERA, 27 G, 18 GS, 127 IP, 122 H, 67 K, 37 BB. In his 10 year minor league career he was 68-66 with a 3.93 ERA and everything else is real similar, ratio wise. OK, bring in competition, that is fine or even bring in someone to fill out Toledo's rotation but .... we probably will not see this guy!
Move #6
Tigers sign Phil Dumatrait
Dumatrait, the #22 pick in the 2000 draft by the Boston Red Sox, has been kind of a minor league bad ass! He underwent Tommy John surgery in 2004 and another surgery in 2008. Each surgery has kind of knocked down his bad-ass-ness! In 8 minor league seasons, Phil has a combined 3.37 ERA in 132 games (127 starts). He also has a 4.1 BB/9 and 7.0 K/9 average. As far as being a MLB pitcher .... well ... a combined 7.06 ERA, including a 6.92 last season. OK, again, I am not seeing where this is headed. Another below average player. My hopes are that this is just a move for depth (hopefully in Toledo) and we'll NOT see him in a Tiger uniform, unless he miraculously gets back to old form.
Move #7
Tigers sign Andrew Bouchie
Bouchie, a 7th round pick by the Milwaukee Brewers in 2006, appears to be a signing to build minor league catching depth. In 3 minor league seasons, Andrew has a .224 with 18 HR in 868 at bats. In 2009, Bouchie played for the Long Beach Armada in the Independant League, where he hit .290 with 7 Hr and 43 RBI in just under 250 at bats. Not a bad stat line in LB but, this is a guy who has never played above high A ball! So, I wish him luck .... I'm just sayin.....
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
