2007 Tigers season in review - Page 5 - Detroit Pistons Fan Community

mikhail1973 · #41 (**permalink**) 09-28-2007, 04:08 PM

Here's an interesting look at the possibility of Bonds playing in D-town next season:

Quote:

On Barry Bonds coming to the Tigers: I suggested on Baseball Tonight the other day, you know what Barry Bonds is out there, the Tigers need a left-handed bat, desperately, and Jim Leyland is a guy that can manage Barry Bonds. Bonds is going to be one of those rare players, who in going to the American League will cost less money, then he is this year, because he was going for the record, so he was able to ask for more money from the giants and will be more productive because he is going to play more in the American League as a DH. I think there is a way that with Sheffield DH-ing, Bonds DH-ing, Sheffield playing left field, Maybin playing from leftfield from centerfield, you can maybe mix and match some playing time. Protect Bonds, protect Sheffield, get Maybin playing time for a young player, and have one of the most dynamic offenses around. Now there’s going to have to be some making up between Sheffield and Bonds for that to happen and it may be a pipe dream but you know what, Barry Bonds in that Tiger lineup with that left-handed bat it would really make a big difference.

More on Bonds coming to Detroit: He wants to get 3,000 hits and he is 100 or so, 80 away from that number He really wants to play next year. I think that it is going to be highly unlikely that National League general managers are going to make a play for him because he can’t play the outfield anymore. You give him 10 million dollars for a guy; he started 110 games in the outfield this year for San Francisco. That is not enough for a 10 million dollar player, so when you really start to factor it in the only way he gives the club value and where you maximize his value is in the American League. I think it is probably a stretch in Detroit. Jim Leyland can manage Barry Bonds, I really believe that. I think it’s a lot more about the Sheffield, Bonds relationship and whether that would be manageable.

STEVE PHILLIPS: On making Zumaya the closer and bringing Bonds to Tigers

BillLaimbeer · #42 (**permalink**) 09-28-2007, 09:54 PM

Bonds just doesn't fit with Detroit's current team. Sheffield's days in the outfield are over. There simply isn't room for two high-priced designated hitters on one team.

TheeTFD · #43 (**permalink**) 09-29-2007, 12:36 AM

Power vs Slap
Power is to wreckless and leads to strikeouts and short innings.
Slappys make the pitchers work harder but usually need to run the bases better.
Clutch hitting makes both types of hitters champions.

ggazoo69 · #44 (**permalink**) 09-29-2007, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillLaimbeer

Bonds just doesn't fit with Detroit's current team. Sheffield's days in the outfield are over. There simply isn't room for two high-priced designated hitters on one team.

What's wrong? Not up for a $20 million platoon system at DH: Bonds plays against righties and Shef against lefties?

BillLaimbeer · #45 (**permalink**) 09-29-2007, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ggazoo69

What's wrong? Not up for a $20 million platoon system at DH: Bonds plays against righties and Shef against lefties?

Sounds good to me. I'm not sure if Sheff, Bonds, or Ilitch would go along with it, though...

BillLaimbeer · #46 (**permalink**) 09-30-2007, 11:35 PM

Well, it's official. Leyland and Dombrowski met with Casey today and told him he was gone.

Quote:

Once the club decided Carlos Guillen would move from shortstop to first base next year, Casey effectively lost his spot on the roster.

“This has been the greatest year and a half of my career,” Casey said before Sunday’s season finale. “I just appreciate being over here. The World Series last year was great.

“This is a great bunch of guys in here, man, and a great city. I love Detroit and the fans. I’ll miss that atmosphere. I’ll miss the staff. Those guys are great. It’s a top-notch organization.

“I appreciated that they (Leyland and Dombrowski) brought me in to say that to me, man-to-man. That was great. I have nothing but great memories here.”

Tigers tell Casey he won't be back in 2008

roscoe36 · #47 (**permalink**) 10-01-2007, 10:24 AM

Too bad, I liked Casey.

TheeTFD · #48 (**permalink**) 10-01-2007, 10:46 AM

bad move I think.
Maybe they're looking for something big....

BillLaimbeer · #49 (**permalink**) 10-01-2007, 11:28 AM

Casey hit only 4 HR in 143 games this year. He is arguably the slowest guy in the major leagues. He is an incredibly nice guy, but the Tigers need production. I wish him luck.

ggazoo69 · #50 (**permalink**) 10-01-2007, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillLaimbeer

Casey hit only 4 HR in 143 games this year. He is arguably the slowest guy in the major leagues.

Definitely a bench player these days. I know Thee likes his contact and so do I but playing at Comerica, we need speed. That's why Maybin will get a lot of time next season.