When the Tigers were done with their off season trades, most of us in this town - myself included - were praiseworthy of the Tigers’ organization. There was a window of opportunity there. They were going for it. And on paper, the Tigers looked like one of the best - if not the very best - teams in baseball.
But perhaps, like the Tigers themselves, we were all sold a bill of goods. The Tigers’ 0-6 start is stunning. Not only are they losing games, but they look like a bumbling sandlot team while doing so.
The bullpen isn’t good. Injuries to Joel Zumaya and Fernando Rodney have been devastating. Yet, the rest of the team has been just as bad - or worse.
The Tigers have hit into so many weak ground-ball double plays that it is maddening. They look slow and fumble-handed defensively. Carlos Guillen’s performance Sunday was embarrassing, and there is a noticeable lack of range on the left side of the infield.
As of now, the Tigers are a compilation of big names, not a team.
Dontrelle Willis can’t throw strikes. Sometimes pitchers never come out of that funk once they fall into it. Miguel Cabrera will hit, but when? It doesn’t matter if it is too late. And he sure doesn’t contribute much otherwise. Edgar Renteria looks like a ball player past his prime.
I didn’t like the Renteria trade initially, but thought it was a good move after general manager Dave Dombrowski made the trade with the Marlins. But when you look at the three players the Tigers got in those trades, and then compare them to the eight young players they gave up, it seems like those trades might have been monumental mistakes that might cost the Tigers for eons. Especially when the Tigers’ sky-high payroll is considered.
So it is limited proof - just six games. But it is disconcerting nonetheless.

Random Thoughts

- This NCAA tournament has been a dud so far. Only one of the games from the Sweet 16 on has been all that exciting, Kansas edging Cinderella Davidson at Ford Field. Hopefully the championship game will make up for it.

- I think the ideal running back for the Lions in this draft, if they go beyond the first round without taking one, is Matt Forte from Tulane. He is downhill a runner, who presses the hole quickly and makes good cutback moves once he gets a little space. He is solid and very productive.

- If there is a bright side for the Tigers, they are only three games behind the Yankees, and two and half games behind the Indians and Red Sox. And there is obviously plenty of time to makeup ground. The bad part, 12 of the Tigers next 14 games are on the road.