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If the Giants and Rangers can reach the World Series, so can the Tigers
The Tigers were a .500 club in 2010, and even before the off season has really begun, many of their fans are thinking it will be more of the same in 2011.
Third baseman Brandon Inge has already been re-signed. The Tigers will work out some sort of a deal with Jhonny Peralta, or pick up the option on his contract. That will be at least $11 million spent next season on the leftside of an infield that is more solid than enthralling. General manager Dave Dombrowski has already indicated he will fill second base from within, meaning the not-so-dynamic trio of Buster Rhymes, Danny Worth and Scott Sizemore will be vying for the position in the spring. Even catcher, the Tigers puzzlingly have every-day faith in Alex Avila, who was decidedly mediocre last season.
The Tigers will add a bat in the middle of the line. And perhaps keep Magglio Ordonez, when all is said and done.
How that make this team much different? It is the current lament of Tiger fans.
The Tigers fell so far out of it last season, how can they possibly be thinking World Series?
Then I look at the two teams actually in the World Series this year - the Rangers and, particularly, the Giants.
How about postseason heroes Cody Ross of the Giants and Colby Lewis of the Rangers. Both are Tigers' castoffs. Oh, it will be a touching moment, won't it, when Clay Rapada is pitching to Matt Treanor. Do you fear Andre Torres? I did when he played for the Tigers. That was the scariest baseball I'd ever seen by an alleged "prospect." Real Halloween stuff.
I keep expecting Alexis Gomez to pop up on one of these teams.
The Tigers have some big parts in Justin Verlander and Miguel Cabrera. If they unexpectedly hit on a few of the parts surrounding them, the Tigers will be right there.
Third baseman Brandon Inge has already been re-signed. The Tigers will work out some sort of a deal with Jhonny Peralta, or pick up the option on his contract. That will be at least $11 million spent next season on the leftside of an infield that is more solid than enthralling. General manager Dave Dombrowski has already indicated he will fill second base from within, meaning the not-so-dynamic trio of Buster Rhymes, Danny Worth and Scott Sizemore will be vying for the position in the spring. Even catcher, the Tigers puzzlingly have every-day faith in Alex Avila, who was decidedly mediocre last season.
The Tigers will add a bat in the middle of the line. And perhaps keep Magglio Ordonez, when all is said and done.
How that make this team much different? It is the current lament of Tiger fans.
The Tigers fell so far out of it last season, how can they possibly be thinking World Series?
Then I look at the two teams actually in the World Series this year - the Rangers and, particularly, the Giants.
How about postseason heroes Cody Ross of the Giants and Colby Lewis of the Rangers. Both are Tigers' castoffs. Oh, it will be a touching moment, won't it, when Clay Rapada is pitching to Matt Treanor. Do you fear Andre Torres? I did when he played for the Tigers. That was the scariest baseball I'd ever seen by an alleged "prospect." Real Halloween stuff.
I keep expecting Alexis Gomez to pop up on one of these teams.
The Tigers have some big parts in Justin Verlander and Miguel Cabrera. If they unexpectedly hit on a few of the parts surrounding them, the Tigers will be right there.
Labels: Cody Ross Colby Lewis Clay Rapada Mattt Treanor Alexis Gomez Andre Torres
posted by Pat Caputo at
11:24 AM
10 Comments:
Spoken like a true fan.
I don't buy it, unless there's a good-hitting left hander added to replace Damon, etc.
None of those second basemen will be above average.
Tigers were weak-hitting in the bottom of the lineup, weak defensively and most importantly, weak in starting pitching.
Basically a .500 team and will still be the same next year unless some signigicant additions are made.
Baseball is known as the "perfect" game that will expose your weaknesses throughout the long season.
Pat, With all that money coming off the books for 2011, and the top 3 spots in the rotation set, I think in addition in filling out the 3 and 5 spots in the lineup, they need to upgrade the 4th and 5th starter slots, if Coke doesn't cut it, and extra bullpen help as they have identified as a need. They also need a catcher that's established, Avila is a long shot as the everyday catcher. Dave
Bubba Trammell has got to be on the one of those World Series rosters somewhere too.
Pat,
If everything goes right, I agree with you. All you have to do is look at the 2006 season to see it. Catch lightning in a bottle with a couple players having career years, just make it to the playoffs, and see what happens. As evidenced by this season, once you make it to the playoffs in baseball, anything can happen. Whenever you align good pitching with one of the best players in the game, you always have a chance, no matter if the supporting cast is a bunch of replacement-level players.
Travis
Anonymous,
There is no question the Tigers are a flawed entity, but so are the Giants.
Caputo
Dave,
It will be interesting to see what they do with final spots in rotation. They have Oliver, remember, and love young power arms. I do think they will pick up a veteran for the fourth or fifth spot. They don't seem enamored with Galarraga.
Caouto
Core Contrarian,
That truly made me LOL.
Caputo
Travis,
Also, I don't see the AL Central as being that strong next season. White Sox just don't seem to have it anymore, and I don't see Carl Pavano winning 17 games for Twins again.
Caputo
The Tigers' batting lineup is just not strong enough and needs significant hitting upgrades at a few positions.
Sandy Gohlston,
I agree, but the Tigers lineup, even as is, isn't any worse than the Giants.
Caputo
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