Jan 10 2009
MLB 30 in 30: Detroit Tigers Preview
Last year, the Tigers went 74-88, making them the most disappointing team in baseball. The team, which was highly touted and by many, picked to go to the World Series, ended up in last place. The Royals even finished higher than them. A team of high profile stars, such as Miguel Cabrera, Justin Verlander, and Magglio Ordonez, they did not have any chemistry and went on to an awful season after high aspirations. They made a splash last off season by trading and signing Miguel Cabrera to a long term deal. He is their future, along with SP Justin Verlander. This year, however, no splashes have been made. They released SS Edgar Renteria, and lost Tood Jones who retired. They replaced Renteria but getting Adam Everett, an excellent fielder. They traded OF Matt Joyce for P Edwin Jackson, formerly of the Rays. They also got a catcher that they needed by trading for Gerald Laird, and also have Brandon Inge and Matt Traenor to back him up. On paper, thier starting 9 are a pretty good bunch and should compete if they figure out how to be a team.
Here is thier projected position players this year:
C: Gerald Laird: Laird will not be solving thier problems, but he is a capable player as a catcher. He did not have great stats, but only played around half a season so he could hit 15 HR this year and be decent for them. If only Cabrera could play some D, then Inge could catch, Guillen play first, and Miggy play 3rd.
1B: Miguel Cabrera: An absolute star already who put up amazing numbers last year. Expect the same and enjoy watching him hit because he is something special. No weight jokes this year either please!
2B: Placido Polanco: On of the best contact hitters in the game, Polanco hit over 300 with 8 HR and 58 RBI. He is one of the best in the league while recording a strike out practically ONE every THREE games.
SS: Adam Everett: Everett won’t provide any pop in the lineup, but he sure can make some defensive plays and thats where his real value is.
3B: Brandon Inge: Inge can play C, 1B, 3B, and the OF, so he can go anywhere they need. He does need to get his average up though, barely hitting over the Mendoza line.
OF: Carlos Guillen, Curtis Granderson, Magglio Ordonez: Production wise, this is one of the best outfields in the league. Guillen has accepted a move to play LF so that other players can fit into their other positions. Granderson is becoming an elite CF option with his combination of power and speed. Magglio, although often injured, put up a nice year last year hitting .317 with 20+ HR and 100+ RBI.
Here is their projected rotation and closer:
SP: Justin Verlander, Armando Gallaraga, Jeremy Bonderman, Edwin Jackson, Dontrelle Willis: If this staff can perform like their names suggest, they can be a great staff, but there are many questions. Can Dontrelle get his control back and bounce back from his awkward knee injury? Can Gallaraga repeat his nice rookie season? Will Verlander bounce back and produce like he did when he was a rookie? Will Bonderman ever learn to get his ERA down? Can Jackson be a starter? Don’t they wish they still had Jair Jurrgens? Tons of questions that need to be answered.
CL: Fernando Rodney: Rodney is on the depth chart as closer, but that can, and probably will change. Joel Zumaya is coming back off an injury and can also be a closer. Although Jones blew a lot of games, he was a nice closing option and had experience. They could have a shaky pen due to inexperience.
My expectations for the team: I think they can bounce back and compete this year. They should on paper, but if the game was played on paper, the Mets and Yankees would be in the World Series every year. I think they will be in there till the end, but the central has 4 possible winners and its a 4 way coin flip for it.
