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.