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Tigers First Two Games Raise Questions About Dombrowski And Leyland
The Tigers 0-2 start begs the question why?
- Why give Dontrelle Willis and Gary Sheffield long-term contract extensions after trading for them, hindering the Tigers from adding a bonafide veteran closer during the off season?
- Why sign Brandon Lyon to a $4 million-plus contract when it’s obvious he lacks the "stuff" to be an effective late-inning pitcher?
- Why not use rookie Rick Perry in pressure situations in the first two games - if he gives you the best chance to win?
- Why give Nate Robertson a long-term contract extension to be a mopup man?
- Why trade for over-the-hill shortstop Edgar Renteria last season when quality relief pitchers such as Scott Linebrink and Octavio Dotel were available?
- Why not leave Edwin Jackson in for another inning when he had thrown just 90 pitches?
- Why, with all that ability, can’t Justin Verlander pitch well in the clutch for the Tigers anymore?
Here’s the simple truth about the Tigers:
General manager Dave Dombrowski made several key moves - the signing of Pudge and Magglio Ordonez, the trades for Carlos Guillen and Placido Polanco, signing Kenny Rogers and Todd Jones, etc. that turned the Tigers into pennant winners in 2006. Since then, however, he has made a series of moves that have backfired badly. It has the left the Tigers as not only an expensive team, but a bad team. At least it sure looks that way so far this season.
The "season’s a marathon" line doesn’t fit here - not after last year when the Tigers couldn’t recover from a horrible start.
Manager Jim Leyland may turn out to be the fall guy in this, but he hasn’t been given the best parts to work with - just expense ones, a couple that aren’t even with the club. Although it’s pretty obvious he has lost his touch, too.
It’s put owner Mike Ilitch in a spot. The Tigers are having trouble generating much buzz. Coupled with the flagging economy, it’s going to make ticket sales difficult. It’s not like Dombrowski and Leyland haven’t done well in the past. They have, but even after two games, this just doesn’t look like it’s working.
- Why give Dontrelle Willis and Gary Sheffield long-term contract extensions after trading for them, hindering the Tigers from adding a bonafide veteran closer during the off season?
- Why sign Brandon Lyon to a $4 million-plus contract when it’s obvious he lacks the "stuff" to be an effective late-inning pitcher?
- Why not use rookie Rick Perry in pressure situations in the first two games - if he gives you the best chance to win?
- Why give Nate Robertson a long-term contract extension to be a mopup man?
- Why trade for over-the-hill shortstop Edgar Renteria last season when quality relief pitchers such as Scott Linebrink and Octavio Dotel were available?
- Why not leave Edwin Jackson in for another inning when he had thrown just 90 pitches?
- Why, with all that ability, can’t Justin Verlander pitch well in the clutch for the Tigers anymore?
Here’s the simple truth about the Tigers:
General manager Dave Dombrowski made several key moves - the signing of Pudge and Magglio Ordonez, the trades for Carlos Guillen and Placido Polanco, signing Kenny Rogers and Todd Jones, etc. that turned the Tigers into pennant winners in 2006. Since then, however, he has made a series of moves that have backfired badly. It has the left the Tigers as not only an expensive team, but a bad team. At least it sure looks that way so far this season.
The "season’s a marathon" line doesn’t fit here - not after last year when the Tigers couldn’t recover from a horrible start.
Manager Jim Leyland may turn out to be the fall guy in this, but he hasn’t been given the best parts to work with - just expense ones, a couple that aren’t even with the club. Although it’s pretty obvious he has lost his touch, too.
It’s put owner Mike Ilitch in a spot. The Tigers are having trouble generating much buzz. Coupled with the flagging economy, it’s going to make ticket sales difficult. It’s not like Dombrowski and Leyland haven’t done well in the past. They have, but even after two games, this just doesn’t look like it’s working.
Labels: Jim Leyland Dave Dombrowski Justin Verlander Ryan Perry Brandon Lyon Edwin Jackson Detroit Tigers
posted by Pat Caputo at
1:29 PM
12 Comments
