Tiger Geist

The writing is on the wall:  Inge to catch every other game (until Leyland changes him mind);  Pudge to try to stay healthy so they can trade him.  Isn’t this the most logical explanation?  Dombrowski to rest of league:  36 year old catcher with no contract for next year available for a playoff run.

Inge continues to prove that 2006 was a fluke with his current hitting;  maybe they’re auditioning him at catcher for next year.  But is Inge THAT good of a defensive catcher that they’ll pay him $6mil / year to hit .220, when they have at least 3 others just like him in the minors, making $100k max?  Maybe they’re auditioning Inge at the same time.  Dombrowski to the rest of the league:  Multi-talented fielder owed $15+ million over the next 2.5 years available;  national league teams — notice his flexibility!!

If Inge is such an amazing third baseman, why would the Tigers look to move him to catcher?  Not really the hot bat you’re looking to move into the lineup.

Is detroit positioning themselves for a big trade?  It seems they have to clear a way to move Guillen into more of a full time DH role to be successful in the long run.. but maybe they’re more willing to eat Pudge’s contract before they eat Sheffield’s.  I can’t see Renteria going anywhere this year, unless they plan on playing a healthy Ramon Santiago full time at short.  That seems like a reach.

Interesting note:  Leyland is totally against putting Granderson down in the order (he seems like an ideal #3 hitter), but has no issue batting him ninth against left handed pitchers.

Lots of call ups.. more DL stints… and a serious injury to Jeremy Bonderman.  What does this mean?  Who knows.  What I do know is this team has NO shot at the playoffs with Dontrelle Willis in the rotation.  None.  I can’t see how he can win a game this year, unless he were to pitch in relief — he can’t possibly last five innings of any game.

Tonight’s game was particularly frustrating, a series win on the line against a division opponent.  And Dontrelle tied history:

Willis became just the third Major League pitcher since 1956 to allow eight runs with as few as three hits.

Not sure what their options are, but he can’t stay in the rotation, and he can’t pitch out of the bullpen.  Not really much else to say.

Overall, I do like their recent call-ups.  If they can get the bullpen healthy, maybe they can shorten the game enough and play some defense.  As frustrating as Cabrera has been to watch… Granderson is really stinking up the joint (currently sitting at .236 batting average).