Jim Leyland carried a basic philosophy during spring training. It was that talent means more than experience. If you throw hard in Lakeland, you will throw hard in Detroit. And at all points in-between. If Jim Leyland did not think like that - and a lot of baseball people do not - Justin Verlander and Joel Zumaya would have begun this season in the minor leagues. Can you imagine how much different the Tigers season would have been? That is why I really like the Tigers bringing Andrew Miller to the major leagues. I think it is a great move. From what I can tell, watching him pitch some games on the sports package I have on my dish during the regular season, and what he showed during the College World Series, Miller is refined. He has excellent command of the baseball and a fluid delivery - in addition to mid-90s velocity and a good breaking ball. It looks like he can get major league hitters out, and is not the type to get nervous under pressure. Who knows? He might be a huge fac tor down the stretch. If he is not, and gets knocked around a little bit, what have the Tigers lost here? It is not like Colby Lewis is going to get hitters out consistently. I like the way Dave Dombrowski thinks outside the box. Drafting Miller was smart. Signing him was a coup. Pitching him this September just might be the difference. You never know.
Random thoughts
- In addition to their victory over the Indians Sunday, the Tigers really needed Chicago to beat Minnesota. As is, a five-game lead at this late stage of the season is not too bad. Things, however, would have become pretty tight had the Tigers lost Sunday and the Twins won. The Tigers? lead would have reduced to three games. That would have been too close for comfort.
- Hmmm. See where Jim Leyland started Omar Infante at second base Sunday. Hmmm. See where he got two hits. Hmmm. See where the Tigers snapped a four-game losing streak. Hmmm. Maybe Leyland should start Infante pretty much every day until Placido Polanco returns. Hmmm. Seems like a no-brainer. Hmmm. Bet he does not on Tuesday in New York. Hmmm. Just an educated guess.
A few weeks ago I wrote on this blog that I was optimistic about the Lions chances this season. Said I even thought they have a chance to make the playoffs. Ah, does anybody out there mind if I take it back?
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16 Comments:
Pat, regarding the Lions and their playoff chances, that story will be written in the games to come, not the preseason. Didn't Miami go 3-7 in Saban's first year before they turned it around? Didn't the great Green Bay teams of the 1960s lose all there pre-season games one year in which they dominated in the regular season? There is time for the Lions to learn more and improve. It's not how you start a race, but how you finish that counts. Keep an open mind and watch with interest, not expectations - that's the key to enjoying a developing team. Someone said long ago: "Never despair, but if you do, work on in despair." The Lions, under Marinelli, will work on. We'll all total up the results at the end of the season.
Mr.C. your off the Lions hook. What does Vegas say. If it wasn't for the point spread could have retired betting against them. Miller-- hope he can make it and put down Minn. dislike their team and their stadium. I should not dislike their team i should respect them. It may be memories of the Bud Grant days. Good thing the tigers didn't rest Rogers like i suggested. Vinny
Pat,
I normally begin each Lions' season with optimism, but for some reason, it just isn't there for me this year. So much for lingering thoughts of a Lions/Browns Super Bowl again; a rematch of the beasts of the 50's. I think they'll be worse than last season.
I agree with you, that bringing up Miller for the Yankees was a great move. Colby Lewis is not a factor in the determination for the 25 man roster in the playoffs, but now Miller could be in the mix with Miner and Maroth for the 11th spot on the pitching staff; a longshot, but available for consideration, if Maroth ends up getting shut down.
If Polanco can make it back for the playoffs, the Tigers will likely release Neifi Perez, I'd think; they wouldn't give him a spot on the Active Roster over Omar Infante. How could they?!? There must be a legitimate reason why Perez is being thrust into the lineup, and I suspect that Placido is done for any post-season play possibility.
no you can take that back about the lions. We all drink the juice and eat the corn bread right before opening day. THen like always reality sets in. I would be absolutely stunned if the lions beat Settle to start of the season. If we can win our division games anything is possible, but we have to do that first. I don't think our division is all that great. but the more and more I see it. The more I just don't see where the Lions think they have a ton of talent. This soap opera with the two young receivers is a joke. Either you want them to succeed or just cut them already. At the same time you can never take a whole lot out of preseason. I'd like to see what happens and how they compete for a full game in the first two weeks. I still think they will impress us.
glof guru,
You make an excellent point. It is way too early to write off the Lions for this season, or come to any lasting conclusions about the Rod Marinelli regime. But, you must admit, that so far the Lions don't look good. They don't appear to set up well personnel-wise on the field, and marinelli has done a couple things that point out his inexperience as a coach. They just don't look good as a team or an organization right now. So the optimisism I had about their chances earlier has gone away. That will change if they win a few games. That will cure the Lions' ills. Their big problem is real simple - they don't win. They need to start winning.
Caputo
Vinny,
Hey, thanks for being understanding about the Lions. Then again, I don't feel so bad knowing I was right about the Rogers thing and you were wrong. Welcome to the "I Got It Wrong Club," Vinny. I've been a member for years - decades, actually. LOL
Caputo
garold,
Perez is signed through next year and is on the team to stay. They might carry one less pitcher and an extra utilityman for the postseason. Those will be some interesting decisions.
Caputo
maddog52,
As you know,I couldn't agree more with you about the situation with Mike Williams and Charles Rogers. Especially Williams. You either let them show what they can do and put them to work in games, or let them go - no matter how painful the salary cap ramifications might be. Roster spots are too valuable in the NFL to waste. Leaving them in the middle to wallow in controversy is a distraction for the team - and the Lions supposedly are into avoiding distractions.
Caputo
Thinkingman,
You're right. It has never been done before to this degree. But that is exactly my point about thinking outside the box on this one. In my opinion, if a pitcher is good enough to get out major league hitters, but is in the minors or is being babied, it is a waste. The whole objective is not to win minor league games or have a list of prospects to admire, it is to use players that can get the job done to win titles. What if Miller is good enough? Can you imagine the impact he will have? His command in college reminds me a bit of what Steve Howe was like at Michigan. He was ready for the major leagues from the time he left Michigan and had a huge impact on the Dodgers. A pitcher can always hurt his arm. He can do it at instructional league or in Arizona fall ball, too. They can pitch Miller, see what he has and make a decision. If they don't, they won't have any idea. They're paying him a lot of money. If he is capable of earning it, why not let him.
Caputo
Pat,
Yeah, I understand that Neifi Perez came with another year left to go on his contract, but if he doesn't work out, so what?
If it comes down to a “still weak hitting Perez”, or a hot Chris Shelton, you wouldn't come in with your best 25? COME ON, BOOK! I agree that Neifi is most likely here if Polanco can't come back. I don't think the Tigers have to stick with him, and deny a spot to other deserving players, if he isn't one of the best options.
Hey, Neifi Perez may settle in and be as good as a piece as Sean Casey, but if he doesn't after another month, and Placido is ready to go,(which I get a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach about) THANKS FOR THE EFFORT... ba-bye now! It's not like Perez is a building block for the future.
Pat, agree in concept that bringing Miller up may be helpful, but to call it "thinking outside the box" seems like quote an overstatment -- in fact, it was a contractual requirement. His deal with the Tigers requires him to be brought up to the big league club by this Friday, as has been widely reported elsewhere, so doing it now isn't as earthshaking as some commentators are making it seem.
Rex,
I say it was thinking outside the box on two fronts. One, it helped seal the contract deal. But they didn't have to actually use him in games. But using Miller might give the Tigers a lift given his obvious ability. And bringing him up in August, instead of September, will make him eligible to be placed on the postseason roster if he does perform well.
Caputo
I love the coaching staff. If these guys are given some time I think we will have a great team in a couple of years. I have alot of concern with the Lions talent level. Do these guys have the ability to do what is ask of them? I don't think so. That is my concern.
Anonymous,
Your point is valid. You might be right about the coaching staff. There are some really good credentials there. But how much talent do the Lions really have? Again, it goes to back to Matt Millen and what he has done putting together this team.
Caputo
I agree that it is bad for the team. Especially for guys who don't know if they are in the running for a receiver spot as a joke or if they are really thought of highly. Rogers ( I don't like the guy much) WIlliams I think can be a great goaline/redzone receiver with his height and strength to battle dbs for positioning. Rogers he is your down field threat.
As far as Perez. Taht was a joke to begin with. Infante is far more superior then him.
maddog52,
i would love to see them use mike williams in goal line situations. how come they never have, even in the preseason? makes no sense to me.
caputo
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