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The sea has parted for the Tigers and they need to go for it
The 40-game mark, made so famous in this town by late Hall of Fame manager Sparky Anderson, is here for the Tigers. And if the postseason started right now, the Tigers would make the American League playoffs as a wild card team. They are on pace to win between 88 and 90 games.
They have a better record than the Yankees. They have a better mark than the Red Sox. They are way in front of those pesky Twins, who are bruised and battered this year after haunting the Tigers for so long.
The Tigers only trail the Cleveland Indians, a club in transition, by just 3.5 games in the American League Central. That is even though the Indians have played as well as they possibly can - and the Tigers clearly have not.
What that says is the American League isn't as strong as most seasons, and that the window of opportunity has popped wide open for the Tigers.
This is what I expect:
- The Red Sox and Yankees to come on, and the Rays to continue to play well, but that the wild card option is more open for the Tigers than most years.
- Ultimately for the Indians to fade and the White Sox to make a run. The White Sox have started to quietly win some games and are inching toward .500. The White Sox recovered nicely from a similarly bad start last season. They have the same 17-24 record they had last season - and they won 88 games in 2010.
- Mets shortstop Jose Reyes and outfielder Carlos Beltran are on the final year of their contracts and playing well. The Mets are having financial problems and may even be willing to deal All Star third baseman David Wright, an expensive, but outstanding player, who is signed long term.
If there is a team that should be interested in any of those three players, it's the Tigers, who have plenty of flaws along with their obvious strengths.
The key to their availability is whether the Mets remain in the National League East race. They have been playing better lately, but are still below .500.
There remain roughly six weeks until the trade deadline. The Tigers' objective in that regard should be clear, however.
Go for it.
I see one untouchable in their system - pitcher Jacob Turner. Anybody else, I'd move if it meant bringing in a quality player to help ensure a postseason spot.
They have a better record than the Yankees. They have a better mark than the Red Sox. They are way in front of those pesky Twins, who are bruised and battered this year after haunting the Tigers for so long.
The Tigers only trail the Cleveland Indians, a club in transition, by just 3.5 games in the American League Central. That is even though the Indians have played as well as they possibly can - and the Tigers clearly have not.
What that says is the American League isn't as strong as most seasons, and that the window of opportunity has popped wide open for the Tigers.
This is what I expect:
- The Red Sox and Yankees to come on, and the Rays to continue to play well, but that the wild card option is more open for the Tigers than most years.
- Ultimately for the Indians to fade and the White Sox to make a run. The White Sox have started to quietly win some games and are inching toward .500. The White Sox recovered nicely from a similarly bad start last season. They have the same 17-24 record they had last season - and they won 88 games in 2010.
- Mets shortstop Jose Reyes and outfielder Carlos Beltran are on the final year of their contracts and playing well. The Mets are having financial problems and may even be willing to deal All Star third baseman David Wright, an expensive, but outstanding player, who is signed long term.
If there is a team that should be interested in any of those three players, it's the Tigers, who have plenty of flaws along with their obvious strengths.
The key to their availability is whether the Mets remain in the National League East race. They have been playing better lately, but are still below .500.
There remain roughly six weeks until the trade deadline. The Tigers' objective in that regard should be clear, however.
Go for it.
I see one untouchable in their system - pitcher Jacob Turner. Anybody else, I'd move if it meant bringing in a quality player to help ensure a postseason spot.
Labels: Tigers Sparky Anderson
posted by Pat Caputo at
9:03 AM
12 Comments:
Totally agree Pat, as always. good blog.
I agree things look good (this week) - but be careful what you wish for ... the last thing in the world the Tigers need is a Pat Swilling type of trade, where they give up a huge upside player for a veteran because someone upstairs thinks this team is better than it actually is.
I'd love to jump right in and agree Book, but this year is a little bit of bad timing - with the Tigers losing $29M last year - I really don't see Mr. Illitch jumping for his check book right now.
Recent mid-season accquisitions haven't really panned out for them in recent years (although there is likely one I'm not remembering).
But I surely would agree that if David Wright becomes available - then it would be wise to accquire him.
Jumping into stands to catch foul balls is great - but it doesn't make up for batting .198.
I think a .198 average should be the automatic cut line for the bigs.
And I'm a big Inge fan.
Pat, good column and absolutely the Tigers should be making a move. I would be happy with Wright or Reyes. They have 4 lefties that are pitching at AAA, too many outfielders at the pro level or in the minors. Look like they will get logjam at 3B eventually with the prospects even though the prospects make a lot of errors. They are really no outstanding ss in the mirrors except for Nunez. So the Tigers do have some trade bait available that is better than previous years.
Agree with you, Pat.
We might have a chance at winning the pennant as we are. With good pitching.
But we are sorely lacking at hitting.
We need to fill an outfielder and a good left-handed hitter.
Maybe we should trade for Palonco (340 hitter) or Granderson (13 HRs). Just kidding.
Dombrowski should be in on those Mets you mentioned, but they're all a bit risky with current or prior injury issues. Can't afford another acquisition like Washburn where the guy was pitching on an injured knee that made him a nonfactor down the stretch. This is where the team's major league scouts earn their pay. Still think another vet bullpen guy is the priority over a position player. With the amount of $$ given to setup men in the offseason, those guys aren't going to come cheap in the trade market. Look at what the Nats got for Matt Capps last season.
MIke O' Connell,
Thanks for the compliment, but I wouldn't always agree with me because sometimes I'm wrong. LOL.
Caputo
Anonymous,
Agreed. There is risk involved with prospects for veterans trades, but I strongly believe the right moves could put the Tigers over the top and into the postseason, and perhaps make a run once there.
Caputo
Fred Brill,
There are two ways of looking at the Tigers losing that money last year. The biggest is it didn't paid off because they didn't win. Would have made money with a postseason appearance. Sometimes you have to spend money to make money. Might be wise to do so now.
Caputo
Barry,
Tigers need one more player in their lineup who can break open a game with a key hit.
Caputo
Anonymous,
And Matt Joyce...But honestly, the only one you really question was not offering Polanco arbitration after 2009 season. He was a differencemaker.
Caputo
Woody,
You are right. You don't want to be the victim of bad trade. They shouldn't just make a trade for a trade's sake.
Caputo
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