Tiger Geist

I take a ‘vacation’ to Michigan and I find myself more out of touch with what’s happened to the Tigers over the last week then when I’m at home in San Francisco.  I’m still digesting the changes.  here are my current thoughts:

• The team is 7-5 since the all-star break.  They’ve gained a game on the division leader, even though they lost a three game series to them.  That’s progress.
• Todd Jones is out at closer.  For now.  It shows Leyland at least recognizes that something isn’t right.
• Sheffield continues to get some at-bats.  Not sure when Leyland will recognize that this isn’t right.
• Zach Miner might be a decent starting pitcher (2-0).  Upsetting that management didn’t see this earlier in the year.
• Detroit can play a lot better;  they can get hot.  I don’t think that the White Sox will play any better then they already have.  I’m still concerned about Minnesota, who is trying to make some deadline deals.
• Some minor leaguers seem to be getting hot.  This can either help the team down the stretch or at least provide some hope for the future.  I don’t see Detroit depleting the farm system any further this winter.
• I don’t see any trades in the next few days.  Most (not all) of the players detroit would try to trade would pass through waivers with their contracts.  If someone claimed Sheffield, I could easily see Detroit just washing their hands of him.
• Would an NL team take Renteria off Detroit’s hands?  Doubtful.
• With a couple of teams looking for catching help (Marlins, Yankees), i doubt Pudge would pass through waivers.
• I had a great lunch at Slow’s BBQ yesterday, and saw Tiger stadium being demolished.  After hanging in the neighborhood, it still makes no sense how anyone could make a logical argument to save it.