This Week's Poll Question

by Ian Casselberry on Feb 2, 2009 10:30 AM EST in Detroit Tigers News

I had a couple of different ideas for this week's poll, but I think the BYB community has to respond to what our friends at Royals Review dropped into our inbox last week. As we know painfully well, the Detroit Tigers finished last in the AL Central last season, one game behind Kansas City. So Royals fans have some bragging rights. And they might be cashing in.

Asked for a "Gut Response" on whether the Royals were better than the Tigers, two-thirds of those who responded said yes. Might they be a little bit biased? Sure. But it might also indicate how the Tigers' offseason is being viewed by rival fans, as well.

How have the Royals spent their winter? They've added Mike Jacobs, Coco Crisp, Willie Bloomquist, and Kyle Farnsworth, while losing Leo Nunez and Ramon Ramirez. Perhaps most importantly, they also signed Zack Greinke to a four-year contract extension. (Did I miss anything?)

So that brings us to this week's poll question:

Are the Tigers Better Than the Royals?

You can find the poll on the right sidebar below the FanPosts block. Or you can click here to vote.

Just as the Royals fans did, go with your gut. I'm sure an equally partisan response is to be expected, but after you vote, we can have a more in-depth discussion in the comments.

If you have suggestions for future poll questions, shoot me an e-mail.

* * *

Last week's poll was far more one-sided than I anticipated. I figured there'd be more of an argument. But Tiger Town loves their Polly. Here are the results. The word "landslide" comes to mind.

Should the Tigers give Placido Polanco a contract extension?

72% Yes. He's an important leader for the team

27% No. He's 33, and replacements are on hand.

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Comments

Are they better?

If they want to be!

by densogirl on Feb 2, 2009 10:24 AM EST reply actions

Polly

This should come with a bit of a caveat. Everyone who voted to keep him is going by last years performance coupled with not knowing how Hollimon or Sizemore will fare this season. If Polly struggles and either of those guys have a breakout year I think plenty will change their tune.

I like Polly as much as the next guy but if he wants hit market value ($10+ million) in his age 34 season I think he’s about as risky as taking a chance on Hollimon or Sizemore if in fact they emerge.

by MacRae on Feb 2, 2009 10:29 AM EST reply actions

I agree

That poll struck me as too strongly worded on the negative side, and too weakly worded on the positive side. As McRae writes, a lot depends on what happens this year, and what type of contract Polly would want.

I love the guy but I’m a realist. The Tigers have several young building blocks (Granderson, Cabrera, Verlander, maybe Bonderman) who are only going to get more expensive. They also have several older guys with a few more years to go on big contracts (Ordonez, Willis, Robertson, Guillen). The Tigers only have so much money to spend, and if they can get 80% of what Polanco can give them from one of these young guys, that helps ease the strain, and gives them money to spend elsewhere….

by ThaWalrus9 on Feb 2, 2009 11:34 AM EST up reply actions

That's fair

I probably should’ve worded the two choices more evenly, but I tried to include the first argument that might be used on either side. Maybe if I’d said replacements “could be” on hand?

Bless You Boys

by Ian Casselberry on Feb 2, 2009 12:52 PM EST up reply actions

In fairness you didn’t ask if we should keep him next year you asked if we should grant an extension and I guess the open question is if the people who voted “yes” meant now or in November.

I voted “no” but I was thinking that that the question asked if we should grant an extension now, a decision that seems categorically insane.

by MacRae on Feb 2, 2009 1:39 PM EST up reply actions

Polanco

I cannot believe those voting results. I like Polanco as much as the next person, but let’s look at the facts:

The Tigers got killed last year as they appeared to be a team that was aging way too fast. What does re-signing a 34 year old player to a big contract do to that perception? Some Tigers are already aging less than gracefully and who’s to say it won’t happen to Polanco.

I think the Tigers should take wait and see position with Polanco and then do what the Pistons did with Ben Wallace a few years back: Get your money and years figures set and stick to them. If Polanco wants more and thinks he can get it, then he should and the Tigers should know how to let him walk.

Check out www.spotstarters.com for more news on the Detroit Tigers.

by spotstarters on Feb 2, 2009 11:32 AM EST reply actions

Tigers/Royals

I have to say, after looking at the two rosters, I could definitely make the case for the Royals. Their pitching staff, both in the rotation and in the bullpen, is better than the Tigers’. Offensively, the Tigers have the edge, but not at every position (third, shortstop, catcher, maybe DH).

by ThaWalrus9 on Feb 2, 2009 11:49 AM EST reply actions

By the way

I’m looking forward to the “Best shape of his life” article about Miggy. He had all offseason with that fat new contract, I don’t want him to show up looking like Bartolo Colon….

by ThaWalrus9 on Feb 2, 2009 11:53 AM EST reply actions

All things equal...

…we’re probably better. But that said, I think the Royals will be decent this year.

Top of the rotation:
Greinke
Meche
Hochevar (I think he’ll come through)

vs.

Verlander
Galarraga
Bonderman (please do not be too messed up)

A push, I’d say.

They added Coco Crisp to replace the excreble Joey Gathright. The Jacobs signing is a bit weird, since it implies a lack of confidence in both Billy Butler and Kila Ka’aihue. Who are young, so maybe it’s just a safety signing. Though maybe not:

MLB Trade Rumors:
Moore [Royals GM] named three free agent bats he ranked above Mike Jacobs: Mark Teixeira, Manny Ramirez, and Bobby Abreu. He implied those three are out of the Royals’ price range.

Besides the obvious lunacy (Adam Dunn? Frank Thomas? Several others at the time?), I love that he “implied” that Mark Teixeira was out of their price range, as though allowing that information to slip out without plausible deniability would allow the other GM’s to steal a march on him. So whatever.

They do have a bit of a blockage issue, because some of their best-looking young hitters (Alex Gordon, Billy Butler, Mike Moustakas, Kila Ka’aihue) are corner infielders.

I think their bullpen was pitching a bit over their heads last year, and that ours has improved.

They need guys to develop, we need guys to be healthy.

Bonus Prediction: Kyle Farnsworth is going to get into a fistfight with Gary Sheffield on the 25th of April.

In DD we trust; all others must bring data.

by cherub_daemon on Feb 2, 2009 1:41 PM EST reply actions