RSS
Maybe they need a starter
When he managed the Tigers, Sparky Anderson had a sign in his office. It read: The world turns over every day on the person on top of it. The point hits home often in sports. Take the Tigers. A week ago, if you asked me, I would have said starting pitching is the least of their problems. Now it should be a priority. Other than his gutty start against the White Sox last week, Kenny Rogers hasn't pitched well lately. Zach Miner has struggled, too. Jeremy Bonderman is finally getting run support. But it is the only reason he has won his last couple decisions. We'll see how Justin Verlander does today. He's been a real bright light lately. In the meantime, Dmitri Young is swinging the bat well. The need for a left-handed hitter seems to have subsided. Craig Monroe is getting a little healthier and swinging the bat well. Left field/DH is fine with Monroe and Marcus Thames. Mike Maroth has made progress, but it'll still be awhile before he returns. Forget Dontrelle Willis. That's not happening. Same with John Smoltz. But Livan Hernandez could be a huge help.
Random thoughts
- It was a good thing for the Red Wings that Ed Belfour signed with the Florida Panthers. Now hopefully the Wings don't bite on the Dominik Hasek temptation. I say go have some guts and go with Jimmy Howard. He has exceptional talent. You can always trade for a veteran goalie during the season if it doesn't work out. But I think Howard would work out.
- Brandon Inge has been brilliant with the glove lately. He is making one great play after another and his batting average is starting to rise. It's time his many critics cry uncle and admit the guy can play. Oh, and he's not another Tom Brookens, which is something I have said in the past. He's much better than that.
- It'll be interesting to see if Michael Hart can stay healthy this year. And if he doesn't, it'll be interesting who replaces him. Kevin Grady wasn't as good as advertised last season and freshman Carlos Brown could be a future star.
posted by Pat Caputo at
7:07 AM
15 Comments:
I agree with you about the pitching, it always bothered me when I heard fans talk about trading a pitcher for bat. Inge WOW! When he hit that HR to make it 7-3 i thought the tigers would win. I hope Verlander can win today and go deep into the game, here comes Minn. Inge-- that play he made to his left was super. Funny even on the replay it looked like it was past him. Forget about Hasick the wings have more problems than in goal. V.
Pat
Ug.
Inge is driving me nuts. I haven't waffled this bad in a while. I guess for the time being, I'll have to agree with you and jump back on. I think the biggest factor is in the last 2-3 weeks, his avg has jumped 20+ points. A 248-35-90 inge at end of season is much more palatable than a 221-35-90 inge.
But we'll see how he plays down the stretch...
v,
the tigers have 13 pitchers on their staff now that gomez was send down for lewis wednesday. pitching is their bread and butter and they know it. Inge has been terrific lately.
caputo
nick p,
like i wrote before, no player on the tigers inspires more variety of opinion. and you're not alone. there have been times in the past when i wondered if he is that good. but lately he sure has been.
caputo
I have always liked Inge personally. People forget he is just a young dude. He is in a zone at 3rd. Hitting will be what it is. His numbers for a lower half of the order you can't ask for more. Plus he is durable does he ever get injured.
Pitching you can always use. Kenny is showing signs of what everyone had concerns for. Miner well he is one start away from AAA. Nobody knows how Maroth will be. Simulated and realy major league batters are two different things. So Livan Hernandez might not be a bad choice. He is proven in the playoffs. I'd also think of some bullpen debth and add another arm there if we could. I like Gonzalez from the Pirates.
Hasek stay retired dude personally. I like the Markov signing. I'd kind of wait as long as they could now for the goalie front I think they could get what they want. THough I like giving howard a chance. It can't hurt. He struggles early on then make a move.
thinkingman,
my big thing with the wings is that they have an excellent group of hockey people in charge who have to get back to using that knowledge to evaluate young player personel instead of constantly going after older players. the wings became a power developing a young nucleus during the 1990s. i'm not saying going into a total rebuild, but error on the side of youth for a change instead of these older, washed up players. how is howard going to develop if they don't let him learn by trial and error in the big league? that kid is talented. his butterfly is one of the best i've ever seen.
caputo
maddog52,
hernandez isn't what he used be, but might turn in some quality starts and the cost isn't that much. he has a history dombrowski and leyland. i like a lot of the pirates, but am not sure they are selling that much for a bad team.
caputo
Mr. Caputo 13 Pitchers on their staff. If you are telling me they have enough to trade some of them lets replace Rogers for one of the better pitchers the tigers have and give Mr. Rogers a rest. Vinny
vinny,
i wouldn't remove rogers from the rotation for a long time. he pitched poorly tuesday, but very well in his previous start against chicago. he's earned a number of bad starts before that is a consideration. without him the tigers wouldn't be close to where they are at.
caputo
here is a question to ponder for you. IN my mind Verlander is the R.O.Y. lariano has been good, but Verlander has done it since the beginning. If the Tigers beat lariano. WOuld that put Verlander in the top. I mean considering record as well as stats?
maddog52,
sure, if the tigers beat liriano it would help verlander's cause. but one way or another, you'd think he'd get more consideration.
caputo
royaloaklobo,
you've been to the metrodome. you know what i am talking about. but it's not the worst i've seen. two i dislike (disliked) more - the old kingdome in seattle and tropicana field in st. petersburg. domes overall aren't good, but those three stadiums take the cake.
caputo
vande,
maybin is the best position player prospect the tigers have had since the late 1970s and the tigers will not trade him - period. teams asking for him in a deal is a futile effort, but they ask anyway - just in case the tigers have had a brain freeze.
caputo
daver,
it was al ackerman for the bless you boys phrase. i agree with that inge, more and more, is becoming respected within the game.
caputo
Where are all these people getting the "Mike Hart is injury prone" stuff from? From all accounts it was obvious that the UM coaches rushed Hart back week to week because it was apparent that a 70% Hart was better than a 100% Grady (just ask John L Smith). Hart has NEVER had any sort of injury problems in the past and last year was a result of the staff not letting it get the proper rest.
Carlos Brown looked untackleable (not sure if that is even a word?) at the spring game and seems like he will fill in quite nice.
With Kevin Grady..can it really get any worse than it was last year? He didnt get the job done last year plain and simple...
The way I look at it the offense really cannot go any where but up. The o line was injured and pathetic last year along with Harts injury and Gradys lack of any experience...Now we have Hart and Grady with a year under his belt along with what looks to be an improved offensive line...and really...what are the odds they get hit with the injuries they had last year again?
Just like the God of College Football stated (Phil Steele) Michigan could have been 12-0 just as easy as 4-8 last year...
It is going to be a good year for the Maize and Blue...
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home