Tigers looked good this season. Somebody needs to straighten out the young pitchers (Bonderman). 90 victories woulda been a nice round number..............
Hey Roscoe. I am all with you on this. I am not looking for the recognition or a different status. I am here because I enjoy it. I finally found a place where I can talk about sports with intelligent people. And I want to keep it this way and promote contribution of others. Dre, thanks for recognition.
Excellent review. The one minor point I might add is that maybe the Tigers already have the ideal leadoff hitter in Palanco. Palanco has a high OB%, and very seldom strikes out. Maybe the following lineup could provide enough offense, improved defense, and leave enough money to sign a veteran SP. 1. Palanco 2B 2. Rodriquez C 3. Granderson CF 4. Sheffield DH 5. Ordonez RF 6. Guillen SS 7. Mabin/Thames LF 8. Inge 3B 9. Santiago SS
The competition was tough, 90 W's may not have been enough as the 4 best teams are already there and still battling out on who will get the HF advantage. Needed those 95 wins again like last year. We all know that there were at least 15 games the tigers thru away to both bottom feeders and the Indians, that could have had them sitting at almost 100 W's at season end but there's always next season. Verlander was probably 4 victories short of a Cy Young Award, and if Maggs had hit 15 more homers maybe we see 8-10 more victories and a certain MVP for him. Of course both those awards would only come into frution if the Tigers were the divison winner or even the wild card winner and the Yankees were sitting at home during the post season. :(
Excellent analysis and summary, Mikhail. In retrospect, it is too bad we released Carlos Pena, a first baseman/designated hitter, in early 2006. Carlos showed real power in 2005, hitting 18 home runs as a part-time player (only 260 at bats). At one point late in the season when he was playing more regularly, I think he hit home runs in something like four out of five games. One of those home runs was one of the longest ever hit in Comerica Park. This year, Pena has really blossomed for Tampa Bay. He has 42 home runs and 116 RBI's. We could have used that kind of production this year.
Rob Parker's column today suggested that Sheffield should retire. It'll be tough for a 39-year-old man to go through surgery and rehabilitate. I'm not sure Shef wants to do it. I honestly was glad when they signed him and I think he contributed this season. Could he have contributed more? Certainly. But it isn't his fault he was hurt. Injuries did this team in. Plain and simple. But even with the injuries this team could have gotten in as they threw away too many games (as Dre pointed out). I'm actually kinda surprised they're gonna win 88-89 games.
Tigers were not the first team to give up on the guy. He got cut the same reason Monroe got cut. He hit for very low average and struck out way too much. He couldn't make it with Oakland, Detroit, and Boston. In the last season with Tigers he hit .235 and struck out 95 times in 79 games. We all know he had power, he just had to put it together. He didn't want to play in the minors and that is why Tigers let him go.
Talk about Comeback Player of the Year. Pena had 1 HR last year. Tonight, he hit his 43rd HR of the season. Who'd of thunk it?
What does everyone think of Ryan Raburn? Is he better than just a bench player? Is the future outfield of the Tigers to be Raburn, Maybin and Granderson? Or am I reaching here?
I believe you're reaching. He'd be great off the bench since he can play multiple positions. But he's an average defender at best. I think he'll be around for a long time though because of the versatility.
If his bat is good enough, being an average defender doesn't bother me. I think you're right. He won't start, but he's been a pleasant surprise to me this season.
You know who the Tigers could really use at the top of their rotation next year? Johan Santana. What would it take to land this guy? 6 years for $120 million? Is Illich really committed to winning? Would he shell out that kind of money for Santana? ESPN - Johan Santana Stats, News, Photos - Minnesota Twins - MLB Baseball
He'd look great in Tigers uniform. The problem is that he's under the contract with Minnesota next season and they'll be looking to trade him if they can't re-sign the guy. I don't think they'd want to trade within the division and I don't think Tigers are going to give up top notch prospects to a rival.
Why not? If you had Santana, you wouldn't have to necessarily re-load the farm system as quickly. The Twins would want an awful lot. And frankly, I don't think Ilitch wants any more big salaries. He's got Sheffield and Ordonez. Sheffield is being overpaid as it is.
