A Detroit Tigers Blog
Archive for March 2008
Article in the det news today about injuries to the Dodgers. Not sure how it will all shake out, but Ned Colletti (can’t make that name up) is a smart GM. He worked with Brian Sabean for years in SF and I imagine that he’s learned a little something — namely, if you have a starting third basemen who is only 24, you trade for the short timer (Joe Crede and his expiring contract) vs taking on a three year deal with Brandon Inge.
Nice to see the red sox doing something right, in threatening to boycott their trip to Japan if the coaching staff (trainers, etc) don’t get the $40k MLB promised them. $40k sounds like a nice stipend, i’ll use that for my future contract negotiations.
The whole trip is rather absurd. With the AL East and AL West in for what i believe to be tight races, an early season back injury could derail things early on. Walking wounded Eric Chavez won’t make the trip for fear of back flare-ups; he is by far one of Oakland’s highest paid players. I’d keep Rich Harden away from nail clippers, let alone a flight to Japan. I’m already dreading the long flight from SF to Tampa (via Atlanta) for spring training this weekend; can’t imagine what a trip across the ocean would do to some of these players preparing for the season.
Maybe the players should have been given some practice time in Hawaii to shorten the trip?
From all I’ve read, I can’t tell if there are one or two outstanding issues this spring: fix the bullpen or to trade Brandon Inge. Most articles / blogs I’ve read seem to lean towards a BI trade that involves pitching in return. Could you make another move to improve the pitching and leave Inge on the active roster? Let’s examine this.
Must the Tigers trade Inge because of his contract? I don’t think so… they’ve thrown enough money around AND they’ve successfully traded all of their pitching prospects that they have to win in the next year or two. And to continue winning they’re looking at a decent priced free agent pitcher next off-season.
Must the Tigers trade BI because of clubhouse chemistry? Jim Leyland doesn’t seem to think so.
Must they trade BI to keep him happy? I doubt they care at this point. He took his gigantic contract and, the first year in, layed an egg.
Now, what about the bullpen? How bad is it? This seems to be everyone’s concern. That said, what are they willing to do to fix it? Would they consider keeping Inge and trading a lower cost (and younger player)? What about a combo deal?
Giants are looking for partners, and have some average (yet apossible upgrade) arms (Steve Kline), as well as some young talent that they probably won’t part with. But what about for BOTH Raburn and Thames? Raburn would be an upgrade at any position in SF, and his versatility would be great in the NL. Thames? Lots of power on a team lacking it. Not sure how happy the Giants would be playing him at first, but probably serviceable in spot starts, and probably ideal for double switch situations. The Giants say they are not interested in trading pitching for offense, but what about obtaining TWO possible cheap starters? Would that be enough? And to what extent would the Tigers be content to trade two cheap utility players with ‘upside’ and keep Inge as a utility player? At what point will Inge just agree to learn how to catch for next year so I can put away my voodoo doll of him with an infielders glove on?
Not a huge Thames fan, but it would pain me to trade away Raburn. But maybe a Mike Hessman could step up as the firstbase / DH backup, with Inge roaming around? Jeff Larish maybe?
Another thought — Brian Sabean can say what he wants, but the Giants have a huge debt remaining on their stadium (no private funds to build AT&T park); they’re going to have some MAJOR issues drawing fans this year. And, if Rich Harden can stay healthy, Oakland might have a decent team this year (15-5 so far in Cactus league action). Might be harder for SF to draw the casual fan to the ballpark this summer (Note: I work 6 blocks from AT&T park, so i’m willing to take any free tickets Brian Sabean is willing to throw at me).
No big surprises announced as the roster was trimmed further today. The bullpen really concerns me, as well as the lack of depth in Toledo. There seems to be some talent (Clay Rapida, Freddy Dolsi) but we won’t know more until they get more innings under their belt in AAA. It does seem that relievers seem to improve with age, and thats my big hope with Denny Bautista. At 27, hopefully he can find the strike zone in the regular season this time around. With the back of the bullpen in disarray… actually with the names in the front of our bullpen… he needs to step up. Help us Denny Bautista, you’re our only hope.
In other news, San Francisco Cruceta is as absent as a trade partner for Brandon Inge. Note to foreign-based players: Performance enhancing drugs + work visas don’t mix. Either don’t take them, or don’t get caught.
I’m conflicted on Jimmy Leyland’s regular season batting order. This is based on the assumption that I think Miguel Cabrera is a better hitter then Gary Sheffield.
Widely publicized is the suggested batting order going into the season:
With that order, maybe it doesn’t matter. But, over the course of a season, the #3 hitter will have more at bats then the #5 hitter. If I think the positions are relatively interchangeable in terms of what you are looking for, you’d want the better hitter at the #3 position. But what does Sheffield give you that Cabrera does not? More walks and less strikeouts. Or so I thought…. Gary walked a mere 5 more times then Cabrera last year, while striking out a hefty 56 fewer times. Miguel had a higher on base percentage (.401 vs .378, though Sheffield has a higher career avg by 11 points). If they’re both getting on base about the same amount of time, they’re both feared hitters, the major flaw in Cabrera’s game is strikeouts.
Wouldn’t getting better protection in Ordonez, who lit up the league last year (and is already on a torrid pace this spring), lead to better pitches for Cabrera to see? Wouldn’t Ordonez give Cabrera a better at-bat then Guillen, and help reduce his strikeout total? I’ll make the assumption that, based on health, Cabrera will also play in more games this year (he had 94 more at bats last year). Might as well keep him in the same spot he’s used to as much as possible.
After going through the lean years, and while Carlos Guillen is a fine hitter, isn’t it nice to have at least THREE players that are even better? Though I really think Sheffield and Cabrera should flip flop, I almost feel guilty for discussing it.
Not really news, except Rick Porcello won’t be in camp when I go to spring training next week. I guess next year I have to plan the trip better if i want to see the prospects. Last year it was fun to watch Maybin homer in a few at-bats.
Is it ‘por-ch-ello’ or ‘por-sell-o’? Anyone?
Yeah, its only against Woody Williams and our old buddies Brian Moehler and Doug Brocail, but sounds like the projected starting lineup knocked the cover off the baseball this afternoon in grapefruit action. I still worry about Pudge’s hitting over the entire season (he has been prone to 2nd half drop offs) but the bottom of the order looks to be as much of an improvement as the top half. Who knows how long it will last, but Ramon Santiago’s hitting (at .476) has been a pleasant surprise.
Tom Gage today blogs about SF Giants interest in Brandon Inge today. I still think its a bad idea for the Giants (who will be downright AWFUL this year), unless you assume last year was just an off-year for Inge — and you have to factor in a loss of power at AT&T park (Brandon doesn’t hit too many doubles). I’m also not sure what the Giants have to give up. However, he honestly is probably better then most of their starting lineup, and SF is the kings of bad contracts for average players (that’s Barry Zito waving to us over there). Actually, Brandon, let’s have a quick heart to heart. You are MORE then welcome to come to my big gay city. I’ll even show you around town and buy you a drink at the toronado (wait.. you make $6mil /year.. you buy i’ll tip). I’ll wave to you from the stands and support you in any way possible… as long as you don’t wear a Tigers uniform.
This is probably the biggest issue going into the season. The more I think about it, the more this worries me. It could be fine But there are too many concerns for opening day… namely:
Health: Are we healthy enough to compete without dipping into AAA?
Fernando Rodney is a decent (I actually like him, but i may be in the minority) pitcher when healthy. He’s not. Joel Zumaya is a great pitcher when healthy; he’s not, and may never return to form — truth be told, even if he never throws 100 mph again, he can be an effective pitcher with his devastating curve ball. But he’s out for a number of months. Todd Jones is an effective closer when he’s on; he’s not on. Even worse, he doesn’t have the arm strength yet.. something of a concern at age 39. Those are serious health concerns about our end of the year projected 7th, 8th, and 9th guys. Can the team hit well enough, and can the starters pitch deep enough in the early part of the season to keep these pitchers from rushing back? Can hitting keep a big enough gap to allow Jones to get on track?
Middle relief: How long can we survive with Jason Grilli? Who else is there?
Grilli’s just not that good. Sorry. Zach Minor? Getting shelled. Who else do we have? Bobby Seay and Tim Byrdak are left handed specialists that make me dream of Jaime Walker. Danny Bautista is throwing lights out, but has a history of not finding the strike zone. Francisco Cruceta is a made up person who was invented strictly as a way for the Tiger organization to deflect questions about Brandon Inge. Actually, from now on I’m calling him San Francisco Cruceta. A made up name for a made up player. Yorman Bazardo seems to be the likely candidate filling the “Chad Durbin” role this year; not enough information to make too much of a decision yet. But doesn’t that sound like the rest of the bullpen?
AAA Depth: Do we have anyone ready to be called up in case of injury?
Enough said… who gets the call if someone gets hurt? With so many questions about the bullpen currently, is there any chance that said minor leaguer is any good?
Are there any values on the trade market: How deep do we have to go in order to get a quality relief pitcher?
This is the most troubling question… hopefully we could get some reinforcements without going too deep into our farm system. This is why a trade for Inge or Thames looks so appealing…
Not as much of a concern to me, since it seems Detroit is really above average in many defensive positions.
Outfield (vs Left Handed pitching): What combination will they go with?
Magglio and Thames are average at best. Depending on what type of lineup Jim Leyland wants to field against a left hander, you have the opportunity of watching Curtis Granderson trying to make up for the corner outfield deficiencies. What if Curtis needs a day off? How will Gary Sheffield get at-bats on the road during inter-league play this year, after injuring his shoulder in the field last year?
Corner infield: Do some of the poor fielding pitchers increase the concerns at the corners?
Enough has been said about the Cabrera downgrade. Enough was talked about during the 2006 World Series in terms of fielding woes for our pitchers (The Gambler excluded). Concerns about Guillen’s move to first, coupled with Thames as the backup first baseman might be an issue. Personally, I think Guillen will be fine and Thames gets moved (or a better option at first is used).
Catcher: How will Wilson respond as the backup?
Honestly I think that no matter who catches, defense will not be an issue. But Wilson’s arm is a concern, and how often will it be tested early in the season? How will this affect his health for the year if he over-does it?
In the bay area, I’m able to follow two teams (and their media coverage) without trying too hard. I don’t seem to recall this issue with either the Giants or A’s, but you can pretty much tell if Detroit pitchers are hurt by the way they’re throwing.
Don’t get me wrong, the bay area teams have their own medical problems. Based on injuries to Chavez (when healthy, one of the best third basemen in the game), Hardin (very very elite pitcher.. when healthy) and Bobby Crosby (above average SS, made of straw), its possible Oakland has a team of monkeys as their training staff. Crosby was mis-diagnosed a few different times one year alone. The Giants? Tough to say since one of their trainers has been in prison for two years (cheap shot, I know).
Yesterday, Jordan Tata broke his hand punching a door , but now realizes he’s probably got a bum shoulder. Last year? After a 9-1 start, Bonderman struggles, finally realizes he’s got a hurt elbow. Rodney? Struggled to start last year, was very solid when he returned healthy. Robertson? Similar; bad outings lead to a dead-arm diagnosis, turned things around after rest.
Maybe this is what happens with winning teams; pitchers do all they can to be ready. Maybe its their teammates; maybe its Jim Leyland, but this pitching staff won’t take a day off for fear of letting down the team. Its refreshing in a way that I’m not used to seeing during the lousy years known as the 90’s. Not sure how beneficial it is, but I admire the spirit. Then again, if Verlander gets shelled maybe they should put him on the 15 day DL just to be safe.