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Tigers Have Been Exposed
Many times during the last few weeks, Tigers manager Jim Leyland has said, 'We were never as good as 40 games over .500.'� It is one of his pat answers when asked about the Tigers' recent spotty play. They were just 19-31 in their final 50 games of the regular season. And it was pretty clear in Game One of an American League Division Series just how much better the Yankees are than the Tigers. It was just one game, and the Tigers still have a puncher's chance of winning this series if Justin Verlander and the bullpen come through tonight. But it is a long shot. The Tigers overachieved when they were 76-36. It is that simple. The good part is they have a decent nucleus for the future, but if the Tigers are going to make it back to the playoffs next season, they must make some major trades during the off season. People talk a lot about the Tigers pitching, but it is overrated. Nate Robertson is just what he is - a .500 pitcher at best. Jeremy Bonderman is disappointing. He may never
fully recover from his second half this season and become the dominant pitcher he should be. The Tigers obviously need some real thunder in the middle of their lineup. Bonderman is the leading candidate to be traded this off season for it. But that is just one chip to deal. The Tigers need so much more. At least now Dave Dombrowski and Leyland have a real idea where the club stands on the grand scale. The loss Tuesday was just another reminder.
fully recover from his second half this season and become the dominant pitcher he should be. The Tigers obviously need some real thunder in the middle of their lineup. Bonderman is the leading candidate to be traded this off season for it. But that is just one chip to deal. The Tigers need so much more. At least now Dave Dombrowski and Leyland have a real idea where the club stands on the grand scale. The loss Tuesday was just another reminder.
Random thoughts- I thought Frank Thomas was at the end of his career and that Oakland should not have bothered acquiring him. I cannot believe how great he was the second half of the season and what he did in the ALDS opener Tuesday at Minnesota.
- My best guess is that Columbus will be the most-improved team in the NHL this season. The Blue Jackets might give the Red Wings more fits this season than Nashville, which remains woeful along the blue line.
posted by Pat Caputo at
4:06 AM
17 Comments:
Hey Pat......now that we're there (the playoffs against the Yankees) i cant help but look back at at the trading deadline and wonder what Abreu or Soriano would have added to this line up. With that said, would you have given up any of the minor league talent to bolster THIS current Tiger team to compete with the Yankees? I know what you've said in the past, but how about now?
Keep up the great work.
You know what considering the team they are up against. I thought they played pretty good for be new to the playoff sceen. THat Yankee lineup is just redicuolously sick. The tigers staff have been descent. However, it is hard to overcome mistakes against a team like the Yankees. I agree Bonderman is the biggest disappointment of the year in my oppinion. He should be at that next level at this point. Instead he has taken a turn for the worse. You have a good nucleus and some good up and comers. However, the championship teams make that trade and add the veterans to put them over the top. I wouldn't mind seeing the tigers put a bid in for a guy like Zito or something. But They desperately need some added bat help. IT is starting to be insande how they can't bring a guy home with a couple on and nobody out. What happen to the fundamentals to get those runs in. I still feel that if we can be paitent at the plate. Make the fundamental plays. Keep the game with in 1 run going into the 5th or 6th. I think we take this game. Matter of fact I think we take the series. Only problem is I don't think our Pitching will hold up enough.
Tony,
It's obvious they would have added to the lineup, but at what cost? Washington would only take Cameron Maybin in a trade for Soriano. No general manager would have done that for a rental player. Abreu's issue was contract status. He wasn't hitting to the same degree in Philadelphia as he had been and is starting to lose his physical tools. The Tigers would be on the hook for two years after this at more than $30 million. Abreu has been terrific for the Yankees, but would he be able to post the same numbers in the middle of the Tigers lineup with far lesser hitters surrounding him? Personally, I don't think so. Also, the Tigers did pick up Casey. He has produced a lot of runs for them, including an RBI double last night. It's not the players the Tigers don't have that is the problem. It's the players they do have performing at a lesser level since the start of August.
Caputo
Maddog52,
You know, I wrote the same thing in my column today in the print edition of The Oakland Press. It was just good they didn't embarrass themselves after that terrible weekend. But in a way, that is kind of sad considering wherre they stood at 76-36. I think the Tigers bullpen, except at closer, is better than the Yankees bullpen.
Caputo
Daver,
It was fun while it lasted. And regardless of what happens this week, the Tigers do seem to be in good shape for fielding strong teams deep into the future. Overall, it was a great summer for baseball in Detroit. It's just difficult to think that way right now. Maybe the Tigers will do something about it tonight. I think they have a chance.
Caputo
I rule,
If they do trade Bonderman, it will represent a gamble for the very reasons you pointed out. He is very talented. He might be the Tigers most talented pitcher. His current problems might just be a blip on the screen. The rub comes with the Tigers having to make a long-term decision on him this off season. He will have four years in and is eligible for free agency after 2008. The closer he comes to free agency, the more his trade value goes down. So it is time to either sign Bonderman long-term for a very hefty cost -we're talking $50 million or something similarly ridiculous - or trading him. It is not an easy call.
Caputo
Wow! If I have ever read an over reaction, this is it. That is all I can say. The tigers don't need to trade anyone, they are a good team as they are. Bonderman will eventually learn to control his emotions, as he has at times. The hitters are ok, but the pitching is very good. They will stay a good team for years to come, because their pitching is so young, and their hitting will only get better. I don't see a need to blow anything up. They will be fine doing things the way they should - by developing from within.
Pat,
The lineup is missing power at 1st base and/or Soriano. You could put an orange cone at 1st if Soriano is in your lineup. What do you think about the Tigers chances in the Soriano sweepstakes? He'd easily be the best player we've had in forever (excluding Milt Cuyler).
You might know I'm a big Bonderman supporter. This kid has improved every single year, including this one, and his future as an ace hinges on whether he can add an effective 3rd pitch. They have payroll space to add free agents without giving him up. I hope we get to see Jeremy pitch this Weekend.
The biggest disappointment this year is Chris Shelton. He's worse than Carlos Pena in all facets of the game. Shelton left a gaping hole at 1st base.
Marty,
What you wrote is valid, but nobody is saying the Tigers should "blow it up.'' It's just a fact they have to make a decision on Bonderman soon. Does the organization have the confidence to mortgage the future on him. That's the issue. Even at his worst, he is still a good pitcher.
Caputo
Rob,
No doubt about it regarding Shelton. His fast start was very important, but his fading didn't help the situation as the Tigers tried to sustain their lofty record. I think there is a very minimal chance Soriano will sign with Detroit. He likely look for a warm weather opportunity or sign with the Yankees or Red Sox. The Tigers might sign a big name free agent (Carlos Lee?), but it is more likely they will make a blockbuster trade or two.
Caputo
With all due respect, I disagree.
When they were 40 games over, they deserved to be. They were pitching great and tearing the cover off the ball. That wasn't an illusion. They weren't possessed by aliens. No one "took them lightly".
Now they are like a golfer who has lost his groove. I still don't understand how this can happen collectively, but I defer to your wisdom from an earlier answer to me.
When I'm swinging the club well, I can approach the 18th as a "must-par", and stand a good chance of success. When I've lost the groove, I stand little chance other then by accident.
Unfortunately I think the Tigers are in the same spot. We can call tonight a must-win game, they can approach it as a must-win, but it is unlikely to occur the way they are playing.
Hi Pat,
As usual, I think your analysis of the Tigers is right on the money. The one thing that bothers me is that for as good as this team was in stretches this year, they look a lot more like the Omaha Royals team they played last weekend. People in Detroit right now are making it sound like the Yankees are the greatest offensive club ever assembled, everyone is complaining about the payroll discrepancy, Pudge "ducking" when Posada threw Ordonez out at 3rd, etc.....but the bottom line to me is that for as good as the Yanks are on offense, they are a very beatable ballclub. The Tigers are just awful right now. The Tigers do not match up well with ANYONE right now, and that is the biggest disappointment. These guys simply ran out of gas. No wonder Leyland was so emphatic about letting them have a champagne celebration when they clinched a wildcard spot. HE could see the handwriting on the wall as well as everyone.
Allan,
You're anology is a good one and not necessarily incorrect. I guess it is just a matter of how you happen to look at it.
Caputo
Chris,
They haven't played well for a long time now. They are 19-32 in their last 32 games. If they had started out this season like that, the Tigers would have been in trouble. I do feel their best chance to a win game in this series is tonight. But they must start hitting in the clutch and making some diffferencemaking plays with the glove.
Caputo
Mr.C.--If Bonderman is traded and Robertson is only a 500 picther how are tigers going to fill these spots..It seems to me Robertson did not get much run support in some of his games. One of the announcers on fox said the team batting average for the tigs was 200 in the 2nd half of the season.?? If Bonderman asks for 40 or 50 mil as you suggest i would trade him. the trouble with BB is that NYY has so much money they can take that chance. It's like unpasteurized milk the cream comes to the top and NY takes it. Vinny
Vinny,
Ledezma would take a spot in the rotation and Maroth will be healthy. Also, they expect Andrew Miller to be a major league starter, perhaps as soon as next season. And don't forget about Humberto Sanchez. If they do trade Bonderman, it will be for a lot, probably involving a lot of players and would probably also include a starting pitcher coming back in return. Don't worry, Vinny, they aren't going to just give the guy away.
Caputo
Mr. C. Wow what a game. Kriswell & Vinny were wrong again. NYY in 3. It.s nice to have good friends & Nice to have a great Bull Pen!--BoB Lemon -Or something like that. Vinny
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