Everyone please step back from the ledge
by Boney on Dec 8, 2009 5:05 PM EST
13 comments
On the surface, Dave Dombrowski has just traded Tiger Town's prodigal son Curtis Granderson for a group of unproven ballplayers. Everyone is going to miss Curtis because of not only his playing abilities, but his personality and what he did for the community also.
What we need to realize as Tiger fans:
Curtis Granderson was solid in 2006, great in 2007, solid in 2008 and declining in 2009. He is still a great defensive centerfielder who can cover plenty of ground in the cavernous Comerica Park. With liabilities like Magglio and Guillen manning the corner OF spots, he's the perfect man for the job.
Even though he's been in the league for several years now, he has not yet developed or improved on his ability to hit left handed pitching. Honestly, and I'm going to get bashed for it but here goes, he's a Brandon Inge who can steal bases last season. Sure he was an all star, borderline at best. He's a great defensive CF, but Brandon is just as good at 3B.
The thing I'll miss is his left handed bat. He may hit homeruns, but this team needs a middle of the order left handed bat and he's just not that. He's not going to be able to bat 5th for your team like a Hideki Matsui. He didn't get on base enough last year to continue putting him in the leadoff spot. Batting him down in the lineup is a waste of the talents he does possess.
Edwin Jackson is being moved for the same reason Tampa dumped him. He was a prospect that never really panned out after being hyped in the Dodgers' system, and there is no reason to take the guy to arbitration if you can't afford to pay him what he likely would receive in arbitration. He's the perfect buy low, sell high deal. Max Scherzer throws an easy 95+ fastball and for a strikeout pitcher, he has an incredibly low total of walks. My concern with Scherzer is he averaged 5 2/3 IP per game last season so, hopefully that doesn't mean Zach Miner ends up pitching at least every 5th day.
With the rotation of:
Verlander
Porcello
Scherzer
Bonderman
whoever
I think we are solid going into next season. With Schlereth and Coke being solid situation lefties, it just adds to the potential overall depth that our bullpen desperately needs. Clay Rapada wasn't getting it done, and Seay had injury and confidence problems toward the end of the season last year.
Right now, I'd put our front 3 starters up against any other team in baseball. With Porcello's potential, Verlander's abilities and Scherzer's potential we've got, what I think, is a better front 3 than we had last season when we competed for a division crown.
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Bless You Boys writing staff.
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If things pan out like they should folks will like this deal.
But people need to mourn losing a favorite player, at least for a little while.
by 13194013 on Dec 8, 2009 5:35 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Yeah, that's a bit too quick.
He’ll have the opportunity to come back this year to start but will probably be kept on a short leash.
2100 Woodward and Twitter
by john.kmiecik on Dec 9, 2009 12:07 AM EST up reply actions
It's close
And I’m Bondo’s biggest supporter here. But it’s gonna take a miracle for him to come back like he was. But man, if he does… you can forget about a lack of offense. Detroit’s gonna have a deck’s worth of aces…
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
by David Tokarz on Dec 9, 2009 12:22 AM EST up reply actions
We'll see about his shoulder.
I’m hoping he comes back at a decent level; it’ll be better than Nate Robertson.
I don't expect ace out of Bondo
Solid 4-5 man at best. I hope for more, and I hope for the best: he’s been dealt a pretty raw deal.
2100 Woodward and Twitter
If he goes back to where he was
He’s got that potential. I’d really like solid #4 though… I love Bondo.
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
Agreed
It’s interesting how Bondo has had almost as much injury time as Glass Joel, yet none of us rag on him for it. It’s because godamnit he tries so hard and wants to come back
2100 Woodward and Twitter
by john.kmiecik on Dec 10, 2009 7:07 PM EST up reply actions
That
And Bondo’s injury was not self induced… and it was life threatening. Kid’s a fighter.
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
by David Tokarz on Dec 10, 2009 8:07 PM EST up reply actions
I loved what I saw from Robertson towards the end of last year
There is a chance Nate and Bondo could BOTH make contributions in the rotation. But to be honest, if one of them pans out and gives us a chance to win every five starts, I’d be happy.
Also, the thing I like about Coke, Schlereth, and Seay is that they aren’t just situational lefties. All three can pitch to righties as well, which is why I don’t think we should feel forced to move one of them. I don’t know anything about the new LHP from Korea though, maybe he’s a LOOGY pitcher. Does anyone know?
A lifelong Tigers fan
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