Like Stripes on the Fur Coat of a Tiger - 02/05

by Ian Casselberry on Feb 5, 2009 11:00 AM EST in Detroit Tigers News

Our friend Mike McClary was a guest on Baseball Digest Live yesterday. It's good for a listen, if you want to hear what the national perception of the Tigers might be going into this season. And Mike did a great job representing the Tigersosphere. (His segment begins at the 56:10 mark.)

Have you welcomed back Mack Avenue Tigers yet? (Kurt's doing the personal blog thing too, which I'm looking forward to reading.)

It's Just Sports stumbled upon some possibly insane speculation/wishful thinking from Bill Simmons regarding Miguel Cabrera. It's not the first time I've seen this, either. Maybe I'm naive (and hopeful), but I find it hard to believe the economy would push the Tigers in this direction.

Tom Gage thinks it's clear the Tigers intended to reduce payroll by 10% for this season. Captain Obvious statement or insightful observation?

I'm a few days late with this, but would like to publicly bow my head for the demise of Baseball Toaster. I found some of the first baseball blogs I ever became interested in over there (glad to see that Dodger Thoughts and Bronx Banter live on), and they definitely played an influence in how I've tried to establish a voice here at BYB.

At Minor League Ball, John Sickels has posted a three-part "Recent History of Catching Prospects," which includes several familiar names of Tigers past and present that might interest you. (Here are parts one, two, and three.)

Sickels also posted excerpts from his newest book, one of which is for shortstop prospect Cale Iorg. (And we already know that Sickels isn't very high on Iorg.)

Would you wear one of these? I might go for the Pedro Cerrano shirt. But where's a Billy Chapel or Billy Young shirt?

This is from a couple weeks back, but Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times rated the American League press boxes. Where does Comerica Park rank?

So is anyone else in the BYB community interested in reading The Yankee Years? But maybe I'm being swayed by the hype.

My Tigers-related justification is curiosity over Gary Sheffield possibly being mentioned in the book. My baseball fan justification is that Tom Verducci is a fine writer. But I'm still surprised Joe Torre didn't wait until after he retired from managing for something like this.

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Joe Torre's book

This book thing kind of confirms my opinion and some others who have opined about Joe Torre. Yea, yea I know he has a perfect right to write a book, but what decent manager would write a book like this while he’s still managing and with a different team. He’ll make a fortune, but it just doesn’t set right. imo, it makes him look like an @@@hole. Sorry, but what goes on in the clubhouse, stays in the clubhouse. It’s not very professional or classy on his part. He must really hold a grudge!

by densogirl on Feb 5, 2009 11:27 AM EST reply actions

Bill Simmons

I’m not surprised Bill Simmons would speculate about the Red Sox going after Cabrera. The Tigers won’t bail on him no matter how bad the economy gets. Trading him could ultimately lose more ticket sales than his salary is worth (ok, exaggeration, but they won’t do it). Simmons is the biggest homer on the entire ESPN staff (yes, even more than Dukie V). It only makes it worse that he’s a Red Sox (and Celtics) fan.

by handsomerob1 on Feb 5, 2009 3:37 PM EST reply actions

What a jerk

He’s a Sox fan hoping our loss will be their gain? Maybe Jonathon Pappelbon will break his shoulder, too. I’m not in a very good mood today!

by densogirl on Feb 5, 2009 6:05 PM EST up reply actions

Not totally off base

I do think Detroit is much more likely to move Verlander (and the unknown, arbitration contracts) then Cabrera. Cabrera would be a salary dump; Verlander could command prospects in return. He’s better then Joe Blanton… I hope. And would Detroit be more excited to pay Cabrera $20 mil to play in 150 games, or Verlander $12 – 15 million to pitch in 35? I don’t quite understand arbitration hearings, but its seems the Tigers went pretty far to argue over $600 – 800k in Verlander’s 2009 contract.

I agree, Miguel isn’t going anywhere, but it may be a bizarre summer.

by jb_sf on Feb 5, 2009 6:35 PM EST up reply actions

The definitive NYY book has ready been written

Jim Bouton’s awesome “Ball Four.” It’s essential reading for any baseball fan. I’m overdue to read it again, actually. So I honestly have no urge to read Torre’s version of The Bronx Zoo…written by Sparky Lyle.

As for Simmons, he, as he does all to often as of late is talking out his ass. I’ve burned out on his all Boston, all the time columns and chats. I used to love his stuff, then the Boston teams got good, and he became insufferable, then rote. When he really puts his mind to it, he can write some great stuff. But he’s lost a few feet on his fastball, much due to his battles with ESPN. I will say his podcasts are a good listen.

Anyway, Miggy is going nowhere.

waynefontes.com

by BigAl on Feb 5, 2009 6:28 PM EST reply actions

This train is hitched to Miggy for 10 years. Simmons is a Sox homer who is trying to wish his way to a right-handed bat to replace Manny.

Simmons, in my opinion, is an glorified fan who somehow got an in with ESPN. I have never found him particularly interesting, save for his most recent column about his dog. That one got me.

by rook34 on Feb 6, 2009 12:16 AM EST reply actions

Cabrera

I can’t imagine anyone with half a brain seriously believing Cabrera could end up in Boston.

Cabrera is gonna be the MVP of the Tigers for the next 5-10 years at least, maybe longer considering he is ONLY 25 years old.

I don’t think people appreciate how good a season M-C had last year when you consider how much he struggled for the first month or two, and STILL led the AL in home runs.

Simmons is just trying to sell magazines, nothing more.

by Todd1005fm on Feb 6, 2009 8:52 AM EST reply actions