Tiger Geist

I’m not going to worry about whether Detroit should have protected James Skelton on their 40 man roster — he doesn’t project to be a major league starting catcher and I’m not fretting it.  I am concerned about 2009 as a whole.  Very very concerned.

What’s to be worried about?  The more we look at it, the more it becomes obvious why Jim Leyland is begging for a contract extension to whomever will listen:  He knows they won’t contend in 2009, and he wants to be around for when the reinforcements come to town.  These reinforcements would either be via the recent drafts (power pitching) or free agents (possibly more salary with Sheffield and other contracts coming up).

Jayson Stark outlines it as well as you can say it.  If Detroit plays remarkably better then they did in 2008, they still may not even win their division.  I’d say there is a better chance that Cleveland bounces back then Detroit does, and there is no way to fix the current team setup.  Sheffield isn’t the player he once was.  There is no shortstop or catcher.  I’m very very nervous about the health of Carlos Guillen (your new starting left fielder).  Granderson didn’t improve in 2008.  Detroit has no starting pitching depth — they may not even have five major league quality starting pitchers.

The good side?  Miguel Cabrera is a monster, and he’s only getting better.  Detroit _thinks_ they have an answer at shortstop and possibly even catcher by 2010.  The bullpen will improve, as will the starting pitching… again in 2010.  Leyland knows he has to manage his older players better, which may help get better mileage out of the likes of Sheffield and Guillen throughout the season.  I have faith in Granderson, and if we can get some contribution out of a Jeff Larish / Mike Hessman (backups with some pop in the bat) it might spark the team on down nights.

I’m hoping these crappy-shortstop trade rumors (Lugo, Wilson) are just media speculation. I’d rather re-sign Renteria to a short term contract and reduce his role then trade anyone of value for yearly rental, or just to ‘make a deal to make a deal’.

What could be interesting about 2009?  The possible ‘what ifs’.  What if Inge can hit .250?  What if they get a shortstop (whomever it might be) that is decent defensively and doesn’t hurt the lineup?  What if Granderson turns another page?  What if Sheffield either hits like he should, or the team decides to eat his salary?  What if some of the power arms are ready for a mid-season call up?  What if someone in Toledo is on a monster tear offensively?  If Detroit can swallow some salary and are flexible enough to play the hot hand, maybe they can make things interesting.