Before the World Series began, I predicted the Tigers would win it in six games. Now that it is over, I do not feel that thought was outrageous. The Tigers could have won that series. They made too many mistakes. They played poorly. I do not believe they choked. I do not believe the layoff hurt them. I just think they are an up and down entity by nature, and that they hit a down cycle. They lost their last five regular season games and their first game against the Yankees in the playoffs. They then won seven straight. It seems almost apropos they ended the season by losing four out of five. The Tigers won two playoffs series. That should never be forgotten. They won the American League pennant. There is no shame in losing the World Series. The disappointment, though, comes from knowing the Cardinals are not that good. Most teams in the World Series are a lot better. I am not sure whether this season is a one-time deal for the Tigers, or something that bodes well for their future. I do like their pitching, and I feel they should do everything possible to hold on to it. They need more consistency offensively, but who do you get rid of? A lot of the players - Placido Polanco, Magglio Ordonez, Brandon Inge, Craig Monroe - who did not come through for the Tigers during the World Series, did, for the most part, during the regular season and the playoffs. And they cannot get rid of Pudge Rodriguez because catching is so difficult to find and he is still one of the best receivers in the game.
Random thoughts
- I am more convinced than ever the Tigers should re-sign Sean Casey - if he will take the proper pay cut. He is a consistent, professional hitter. That is what the Tigers need more than a free-swinging power hitter.
- The final blow for John L. Smith as the head football coach of Michigan State came with the loss to Indiana. They lost to Illinois and Indiana this season. Smith can only thank his lucky stars Grand Valley State is not on the Spartans schedule. And I am only half-joking.
- Michael Vick is lighting it up for the Falcons and toyed with the Lions last season on Thanksgiving Day at Ford Field. It would be surprising if he does not do it again.
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27 Comments:
pat,
thanks for the great commentary throughout the summer
Pat,
I think I'm feeling much like yourself about the 2006 season. I might be a little more disappointed, or perhaps it's just harder for you to express it all, with your position in the sports world. But I need to get at peace with this, and express the positives that leave us all with the hope that snuck up on us this season. Here are my exact setiments, and I now have them off my chest!
Who do the Tigers get rid of? Good question and a tough one to ponder. We do need the room to make improvements, so I start with Marcus Thames, Chris Shelton, and Neifi Perez. I think I'd also let Jason Grilli go, just because of our depth, and he didn't do anything outstanding. The rest of my wish list is contained in the link above.
Thanks for your contributions to a very satisfying season, Book. Somehow I think next season will even end up the right way.
Anonymous,
Thank you and everybody else. I get a lot out of this blog in the interaction with the readers and enjoy it very much. I will continue posting every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Sorry it was up late today. We had some technical difficulties.
Caputo
Garold,
Those players are vulnerable for obvious reasons. If I were the Tigers I'd really look to get strong with bullpen depth. I might fortify that area and make Zumaya a starter. Just a thought.
Caputo
Pat,
I still like that idea; Zumaya as a starter. What do you think about moving Robertson to the bullpen? Assuming that they resign Jamie Walker, either Ledezma or Robertson could become trade bait. Everybody's always looking for hard throwing lefties. Robertson seems like one of those kind of guys that could bite you down the road though.
I suppose Dombrowski first has decide what he is willing to sign Walker for, or whether that money would best be used to sign a right handed set-up man? I wonder what trade value Maroth could bring, but I'd hate to lose him as well.
Pat
We must blow up this team now. I would start with Leyland. He is the one who did not make any adjustments during the series. He did not tell Ordonez and others to stop swinging at the first pitch and make them be more patient at the plate. Batting Inge a pitcher
then Granderson was giving up an
when he could not afford to. Pudge's best defensive days are behind him, letting that on ball go through his legs is proof for me. How to fix the team? Trade from this pitching depth, make an offer for A-rod Soriano and Tejada
then maybe then will be a legitimate contender. Problems of production at 1st 3rd and C hurt this team. Unfortunately Maybin won't be brought up early.
Remember our expectations change and we will not be satified unlee we retun to the World Series.
Pat
We must blow up this team now. I would start with Leyland. He is the one who did not make any adjustments during the series. He did not tell Ordonez and others to stop swinging at the first pitch and make them be more patient at the plate. Batting Inge a pitcher
then Granderson was giving up an
when he could not afford to. Pudge's best defensive days are behind him, letting that on ball go through his legs is proof for me. How to fix the team? Trade from this pitching depth, make an offer for A-rod Soriano and Tejada
then maybe then will be a legitimate contender. Problems of production at 1st 3rd and C hurt this team. Unfortunately Maybin won't be brought up early.
Remember our expectations change and we will not be satified unlee we retun to the World Series.
Thanks Mr.C It hurts bit losing. Difficult to figure the tigers out. Deep down inside i did not think they would get as far as they did. So many bad plays hard to figure! Vinny
Hmmm... Jalen Rose waived by the Knicks today. Does that make him a free agent?
If so, I'll bet the Cavs would love to acquire his services, but what about the Pistons?
If Detroit has any cap room, he's probably more of an asset than Dupree. Maybe?
There were three players who did somewhat well in the playoffs hitting wise guillen, inge(my two favorite players) and casey, not just casey. I believe that inge really was nervous and this experience will help him remain calm in the next series. We just had too many players who were kind of shell-shocked that we were there. Ordonez did nothing, polanco did nothing, granderson and monroe did nothing. Plain and simple they were in awe they were in the World Series.
We really could have won the last two games and should have won game 4 when bondo pitched.
I have followed the tigers my entire life and I'll say it again Leyland although normally a genus, has the reverse tramell syndrom - taking pitchers out too soon.
I'd rather bonderman or Robertson screwed up their own games than have them watch rookies do it.
I also would have had maroth pitch in the series no way would i want a guy like verlander to log many more innings (look what happened to big bird)
Anyways, its a good series to reflect and I've always thought that the Indians will be very scary.
Off-season musts
We also have to move magglio to DH and buy a top notch right fielder with a gun. I dont care what anyone says, his fielding for the most part was terrible.
We need a good leadoff hitter who works the count(with speed)
We also need a top shortstop or firstbasemen.
Leyland also should have used small-ball and tried to create some runs like he did in the middle and begining of the year.
Enough ranting
It was a great summer Pat I must have listened to at least 220 of your shows durring the summer.
I look forward to a stronger tigers in '07!
-David
Garold,
In my line of thinking, you don't trade pitching - especially left-handed pitching. I'd bite the bullet, resist the tempatation and keep both.
Caputo
Anonymous,
Leyland is a great manager. He is what is right about the Tigers, not wrong - although he over thinks sometimes. Tejeda had a poor season by his standards, would cost tons of money and players and is not, at this point, worth the gamble - in my opinion. A-Rod is great player statistically, but it's bothersome that every team he leaves seems to get better. And every team he goes to seems to get worse. If the Tigers sign Soriano, that would be a good move. But it's a long shot.
Caputo
Vinny,
I agree. The Tigers had a great season by any standard. The way they played in the World Series wasn't good, but doesn't ruin the total picture.
Caputo
Garold,
I think it would be a great move if the Pistons figured out a way to get Rose. But somehow I think they will find an excuse not to.
Caputo
David,
The Magglio to DH thing is interesting. They need a DH. It would probably help keep him healthy. Maybe even help him as a hitter. But player like that don't like the idea of being a full-time DH. That would be a hard sell. I'm not sure Leyland would be able to pull it off considering Mags would be difficult to move because of his salary and the years left on his contract.
Caputo
You couldn't summed it up any better Book about the Tigers. So I won't say any more. I look forward to the off season. For the first time in years I think the Tigers are going to be competitive in the open market and an attraction as oppose to a circus.
I see you brought up the Spartans. I don't mean to laugh at you spartan fans but oh my god you lost to The Indiana Freaking Hoosiers. Michigan's finest High School team could beat this team. John L. doesn't have this team prepared and he should be beaten out of town for wasting a talent like Stanton.
People can say what they want about Michigan. They are not a 50 point scoring team. There Defense looks awesome. Is there anyone playing better the Woodley. THis OSU vs Mich. Game I fell is going to be one for the ages. I love it. I am so pumped. If the game is really close these two teams both deserver to go to the National Title game. USC hasn't played as good as their record is. Texas don't deserve it after the way they were handled by Texas Tech. West Virginia will choke against of all teams Rutgers or Louville (who is my sleeper team) they have quietly looked extremely well.
You couldn't summed it up any better Book about the Tigers. So I won't say any more. I look forward to the off season. For the first time in years I think the Tigers are going to be competitive in the open market and an attraction as oppose to a circus.
I see you brought up the Spartans. I don't mean to laugh at you spartan fans but oh my god you lost to The Indiana Freaking Hoosiers. Michigan's finest High School team could beat this team. John L. doesn't have this team prepared and he should be beaten out of town for wasting a talent like Stanton.
People can say what they want about Michigan. They are not a 50 point scoring team. There Defense looks awesome. Is there anyone playing better the Woodley. THis OSU vs Mich. Game I fell is going to be one for the ages. I love it. I am so pumped. If the game is really close these two teams both deserver to go to the National Title game. USC hasn't played as good as their record is. Texas don't deserve it after the way they were handled by Texas Tech. West Virginia will choke against of all teams Rutgers or Louville (who is my sleeper team) they have quietly looked extremely well.
Pat,
You summed it up well! This was a great season, and the fact that we are talking Tigers in October is a great feeling. Despite all of this, I must admit that this World Series leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. I thought the Tigers matched up very well against a pretty mediocre Cardinals ballclub, and I also thought that the Tigers would win it in six. If the Tigers would have played good ball, I could accept the loss easier, but they were really horrible throughout the series. They looked like the Bad News Bears. Also, I mentioned this the other day, but I think Leyland TOTALLY blew it with the rotation! Kenny Rogers was having a historically good post-season, and he pitched once during the series.....Leyland is great, no doubt, but I think the rotation was set up terrible.......
I agree with you about Casey, he is a solid fielder, very good hitter, and seems like a great clubhouse guy.
Maddog52,
I am not a Spartan fans. I'm impartial. MSU's season speaks for itself.
Caputo
Chris,
I think Leyland was like the team itself. They both were better in the ALDS and ALCS than they were during the World Series. I just don't think what happened in the World Series should negate what the Tigers accomplished during the season.
Caputo
wasn't singling you out as spart fans. I was speaking more so to spartan fans in general. Their season does speak for itself. You have to admit it is at the point where it is a big time laugher.
Maddog52,
I think it is more like the Spartans fans are angry and the rest of the world is laughing at them because they are so typically upset when their failure under John L. was expected.
Caputo
Pat, thanks for everything during the baseball season. I follow other sports, particularly basketball, but not like baseball. (I have lived in Detroit long enought to understand the curse of the Lions, I won't be drawn in again. I watch the games, but never expect them to win.)
Is there something in Maggio's contract that he has to bat 4th? If we get one or two new bangers at 3 and 4 slots, the others will get better pitches. Hopefully Mag's is not at 4 forever.
Cheers,
Danny
To Russell...
Thanks for the compliments, pal. I've been enjoying your commentaries as well, and have appreciated your overall baseball knowledge and insight.
Regarding that Game 5, 9th inning pinch hitting scenario... I blew it! I confused myself reading the box scores, and do understand the double switch. Mea culpa on that one; Leyland made the right move. I think I was preoccupied with the fact of the Tigers not having a legitimate power option from the left side; although Sean Casey did a nice job filling that role unexpectedly.
My point about DY was this: before the trade deadline, all we heard was that IF Young could rebound and keep his act together, then we didn't need an Abreau or any other leftie rocket fuel. Dmitri came back smokin', and it looked like a good decision, as we had that extra left hand stick that you could rely on. In retrospect, I think all they needed was another small piece from the left side. I've never been a Matt Stairs fan, but as it turns out, it would have been great had the Tigers made a small trade for him, so he could have been on the roster instead of Neifi Perez, who they didn't need in the first place, with Infante. Who ever dreamed that Ramon Santiago would end up on the playoff roster? (man, if he could ever hit like Polanco) But dropping Young suddenly made them a bit vulnerable, as there was no replacement for what he brings, and made it mandatory to include Alexis Gomez on the roster.
You echoed my original point as far as the playoff roster, with the players that we had eligible; we were talking about the 25TH MAN! Detroit was weakest in hitting, and needed some POP potential on the bench for that last prayer situation. It was feared that sending Shelton down in August might ruin him. It didn't produce the desired results, and it did. I just thought that he was still a better choice than Perez, and that since he was an early fan favorite who provided a jump start to the season, he even deserved it more than Perez; possibly delivering in a crucial moment at Comerica.
Yes, a pipe dream at best, but better odds of a walk off in the bottom of the 9th than Neifi Perez. But that's just my humble opinion, and instead of him having a role in a movie about the 2006 Tigers, I think they have to ask have to turn over his uniform now.
My main emphasis about left hand pitchers has more to do with why Leyland didn't use the 2 we had on the roster, than the adding of Maroth or Miller. I was not in favor of Miller on the squad, as I remember what happened to a certain rookie fireballer in the World Series who hit the backstop more than the strike zone, and it ruined his career... Rick Ankiel. I guess Maroth just wasn't ready to contribute; he had few opportunities in September, but didn't produce in the ones he had.
As far as Wilson, I meant him pinch hitting for Pudge. Why not? It was the best spot to do it in the playoffs, for a star who was batting .167 in the post season. I know he just came off a 3-4 game, but I didn't foresee a good AB from him. Big deal if Wilson drives home that runner on second, and has to go catch in extra innings. Maybe Thames drives him home? This was their last chance in the post season! Leyland would not have been vilified for that move had it not worked out. It was right to stick with Inge, but Pudge was in another choke situation, and I would have taken the chance on Wilson, who hadn't had an opportunity, after coming up big at times during the season.
It was a great season, and I agree with you that it's fun talking about Tiger baseball again, and talking about it while envisioning a championship.
Thinkingman,
The White Sox are an example of what I am saying. They added Thome and got rid of their center fielder. That hurt them. The Tigers did beat them because their pitching. Would it be ideal if the Tigers add a power bat in the lineup? Yes. But I don't see it as a necessaity. Great pitching will be.
Caputo
Drew Winkle,
Thames is interesting to speculate about. He has great power, a tremendously live bat. But he is so inconsistent. And what he did for that relatively short period of time this season might have been his 15 minutes of major league fame. I am not sure.
Caputo
Danny,
There is nothing in Mags contract about hitting cleanup. But he is prideful. It is both a strength and a weaknesses. A strength because that pride drives him - regardless. A weaknesses because you have to worry about his ego. That's why Leyland has to be careful how he handles him.
Caputo
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