Alright, they’re not very good this year. They might struggle to win 85 games. The only current highlight is the late inning victory against Toronto, and the attempted surge two nights ago (to lose 4-3). Why does it matter? At least it feels that the team hasn’t quit. They just might not be very good.
Not much to write about lately; the season’s over and I try not to get too upset about ANOTHER blown save, or how the offense isn’t clicking, or how Leyland waited too long to make a change (moving Cabrera to the 4 spot, moving Miner to the rotation, etc). Instead I’ve watched my wife go ape shit over Michael Phelps for the last week. Its much more interesting. Do you want someone to talk with about how awesome Phelps’ abs are? Drop my wife a line.
Onto the Tigers… Gary Sheffield worries me. He’s spouting off about his playing time, his role with the team, whatever. I don’t know if he’s done (he’s probably not hitting 30 home runs next year even if he is healthy), or if he’s just being a baby. I do know that every time he goes into a contract year, he starts making noise. That’s why Detroit had to sign him to an extension as they traded for him — to keep him quiet. New York had similar problems; he seems to enjoy having a contract with a few years on it to feel ‘respected’. I don’t see Detroit dumping him this year or this offseason just to eat his contract (though I think they should), but I fear the distraction going into spring training unless suddenly, at age 39, Sheffield learns to keep quiet. If Tampa Bay, the team that makes the most sense to bring in Sheffield, doesn’t want him — who else would?
Barring a major collapse by both Minnesota and Chicago, Detroit’s basically out of contention. But now they have to figure out what to do about next year — who will be able to step in. Because they can’t go into the spring with this team intact, its already proven it won’t work. Granted, injuries to Bonderman, etc haven’t helped. But the 2009 Tigers have more question marks then the 2008 team did.
Another fear: What if Justin Verlander is the new version of Jeremy Bonderman? Started off great, great stuff, but just never puts it together? From a Jason Stark article, quotes from a scout on Verlander:
Justin Verlander — “His stuff is now a grade below what it was. He’s become a two-seam sinkerball pitcher. Where’s the front-door hammer [curveball]? Where’s that four-seam fastball he used to bang guys away with? I’m not seeing it. I’m seeing a lot of contact, and the hitters look way too comfortable.”
Is the strain of pitching the entire year catching up to the still relatively young pitcher? Its easy to blame the pitching coaches for not doing their best, but what is going on with Detroit’s pitchers this year? Besides Gallaraga, have any of them progressed this year? Dolsi showed a lot of promise, only to quickly fade. Rodney & Zumaya’s problems I still think stem from a lack of spring training and trying to come back too fast (Rodney has had so many mechanical problems that I really think he was rushed back too quickly). Zumaya was an unknown — his injury and resulting surgery had never been done on a pitcher before. I don’t think anyone knew what they were going to get, or how long it would last.
What has improved seems to be the overall team defense. Its been written how Thames has improved in the outfield, and the young outfielders all are above average (Granderson, Clete Thomas, Raburn, Matt Joyce, Clevlen) to start with. But Guillen, Renteria, and Cabrera all improved as the year went on.
Back to Sheffield. A major problem this year was his inability to play in the field, limiting a team who wasn’t playing well and had some health issues. Going into next year, will Detroit limit themselves again with an inflexible lineup and roster? If they must keep Sheff, I imagine Thames will have to go. Too many DH’s spoil the pot.