Tiger Geist

I hate the all-star game and the whole selection process.  I remember watching the game as a kid, and one lone representitive (or maybe a couple in the glory years) from Detroit would make the team.  Then they wouldn’t play, only to maybe pinch-run for a player and stand on second base for a few minutes.  Nothing really exciting.

Last year, Detroit sent a couple of players to the game, and a few of them were never the same.  Bonderman went 9-1 into the break, and then pitched on a sore elbow before being shut down.  I shuttered at the thought that Galarraga might be our lone representitive… now THAT would just make the team look rediculous.  My thoughts this year?  Let everyone go home for three days and rest.  Give the pitchers some extra rest.  Let the hitters get their mind off of things.  Let the sore legs heal a little, go into the majority of the second half of the season with a renewed focus.

Off day thoughts:

Road trip — Would have been nice to go 4-3 on the road trip, but 3-4 isn’t horrible.  That last game in Seattle was a fluke, but it would have been MORE of a fluke if they lost.  Its a game that, were it May, I’d have felt we would have lost.

Edgar Renteria — Shitsville, population Renteria.  He’s the current whipping boy on the team I guess.  Rumor has AJ Burnett available in Toronto, with a shortstop wanted in return.  I imagine Detroit pulls the trigger in a heart beat, but I can’t imagine someone like Renteria is what Toronto had in mind.  It will be interesting to see where Mike Hollimon plays in Toledo upon Ramon Santiago’s return to Detroit — he’s played almost entirely second base all year.  If Hollimon starts getting some playing time at short, then Renteria could be on the move — either to another team or to the bench.  Worse, its unclear if there is a replacement in the system for next year.

Trades — does the team look to move anyone?  Can the team think its going to to the playoffs with Eddie Bonine as a starter and getting no production out of the shortstop position (either offensively or defensively)?  What happens if Detroit feels that they’re stuck with Renteria, and that he and Gary Sheffield won’t get hot?  I wonder if they could place a pitcher on the market and try to get some prospects — Nate Robertson may get a look, but with his contract and 3-5 starter range he probably isn’t worth much.  Kenny Rogers is pitching quite well, and with no money owed going into next year.  Would Detroit try to match Cleveland and start gearing up for ‘09?  Teams are looking for pitching, and the top talent is available for a king’s ransome.  Maybe that makes the lesser products with playoff experience more desireable…

Backup Pitcher — The whole situation in Seattle last night makes me laugh, having to use a backup catcher due to a shortened bullpen.  Question:  In terms of a healthy Detroit squad of regulars, who is most likely to pitch for them in the same situation?  Brandon Inge?  One of their strong armed outfielders (though they’re most likely to throw their arms out)?  Could they go with Eddie Bonine and only ask him to throw knuckle balls, assuming he was throwing on short rest?  For some reason, don’t know why, I feel that Ramon Santiago could make it work.