Introducing Your 2010 Detroit Tigers...?

[Editor's Note: Promoted from the FanPosts, for the sake of discussion.  I'm sure a lot of you would like to chime in on this.]

Because it's NEVER too early to speculate and produce rumors.  I thought this would be a sort of fun game we could play.  Read on...

I was looking through all of the current contracts for the Tigers.  I was also looking at who is going to be available on the free agent market after this season.  While we are undoubtedly in first place currently and we seem to have many elements of a winning team, no team ever stays completely together from year-to-year.  The fact of the matter is, we are going to lose some of our favorite (or perhaps unfavorite) players following this season.  I propose to you to put together your OWN roster for the 2010 season, bearing in mind who is currently under contract and who will potentially be leaving.

Below you will find the needed links to formulate such a roster.  The 1st link has the players' current contracts.  The 2nd link is a list of available free agents after this season (or potential FA's depending on options and whatnot).  Note that the 2nd link has a link within it that also displays players who are CURRENTLY FA's (i.e Pedro Martinez, Ben Sheets, etc.)

http://mlbcontracts.blogspot.com/2005/01/detroit-tigers_21.html

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2008/12/2010-mlb-free-a.html

*** The only twist in this is that you need to try to make it realistic.  You need to factor in money and other conditions, just as a GM would  (can't have the Tigers signing Victor Martinez, Josh Beckett, Matt Holiday, and Manny Ramirez all at once because it's just not going to happen).  Everyone always thinks they know it all and could do the GM's job...well now is your chance to prove it.

With that all being said, here's my attempt at our 25-man roster for Opening Day:

C - Gerald Laird

Laird was only signed for one year but his defense and attitude make him a good value and I would like to see the Tigers re-sign him this offseason.  He's familiar with our pitching staff now so it would be good to continue to have some continuity next year rather than sign a new player who would have to come in and learn our pitchers from scratch.

1B -  Miguel Cabrera

He's not going anywhere.

2B - Felipe Lopez

Great all-around player who is also very versatile.  Seems to fly under the radar just enough to probably not command a huge wad of money (has played in small markets of Cincy, Washington, and currently Arizona).  He's basically like a Polanco but with more speed.  Good defender.  Will be 30 years old so still a lot of years left.  Only knock is can be injury-prone but has played through this year thus far without missing any time.  I'm very high on this guy...would love to see Detroit get him or even put him at SS if they want to bring up Scott Sizemore to the Bigs.

3B - Brandon Inge

Has another year left yet, and has once again proven his worth to this team.

SS - Marco Scutaro

Another solid, all-around mid-level type.  Having a breakout year this year in Toronto after spending much of his career on the bench in Oakland.  Will probably ask for a little more money because of this but still not an A-level FA so should be affordable.  Barring any inability to sign Scutaro, my second choice would be to re-sign Everett.  He's a good value and has been a little bit of a surprise at the plate, but still nothing to write home about.

CF - Curtis Granderson

Nothing to see here...move along.

RF - Magglio Ordonez

Perhaps my most controversial of picks, I'm sure.  However, I have a feeling that some how, some way he is going to get that option to kick in this season.  I think he may do just well enough in his current situation to justify getting enough ABs.  If I am incorrect though, this would throw some of my other choices off.

LF - Wilkin Ramirez

We have a million and one OFs in the minors who have been up and down the last few seasons...it's about time some of them start getting more chances.  In the very limited amount of time I got to see this guy, there was just something about him that I liked.  I could also see Clete Thomas going in this spot, pending his performance in the second half.

DH - Carlos Guillen

He's got 2 years left and I don't see the Tigers eating his contract over others such as Nate Robertson or Dontrelle Willis.  If he can somehow get healthy again (I know, asking a lot) he may be a serviceable DH.  This would also keep him healthier, rather than trudging around in leftfield everyday.

BN - Dusty Ryan

We need a backup catcher and he hasn't really done anything to lose this spot, has he?  May as well keep it warm for other kids we have in the minors.

BN - Clete Thomas

Should be re-signed.  Seems to do well in his role, has a cannon for an arm, and is a fan favorite (still not sure why).  Can play anywhere in the OF.

BN - Ramon Santiago

I personally think he is a great career utility guy.  Has been clutch at times this season.  We need someone to back-up the middle INF.  Re-sign him please.

BN - Ryan Raburn

I'm always on the fence about Raburn, but ultimately I think it would be smart to re-sign him.  He can always be trade-bait with his versatility and he has some limited power which I like. 

SP - Justin Verlander

Obviously our biggest off-season goal is to re-sign him.  Has shown that 2008 was a fluke.

SP - Edwin Jackson

Re-signing him should be priority #2 behind Verlander.  His price is going to sky-rocket though after busting out this season as one of the most reliable pitchers in the league.

SP - Rick Porcello

Should be great for years to come.  Is signed through next season plus has options for 2011 and 2012.

SP - Jeremy Bonderman

If he can somehow come back healthy next year and help this club (feels like I say this every year) he would be a very adequate #4.  It would be very easy to say forget him but the fact is he is under contract and will be pitching for a new one so maybe he can get it right again.

SP - Lucas French

We need a lefty and I can't think of any other lefties we have who are big-league ready.  (This includes Willis)  He has pitched in some big games already (Grienke anyone?) and we shall see how he plays out the rest of the season.  I think he has good potential though.

RP - Bobby Seay

Has been lights-out lately and very good overall through most of his tenure here.  I feel he has earned a new contract.

RP - Zach Miner

Say what you want about him but he has quietly been very valuable to this team, either as a spot-starter or an innings eater.  Leyland clearly likes him too, it seems.

RP - Ryan Perry

Our potential future closer.  Next year he can get a full MLB season under his belt and we'll see how much he improves.

RP - Joel Zumaya

There are so many reasons not to trust this guy anymore but he is the guts of this team, in a way.  He's also a huge fan-favorite and I think there's a good chance he may re-sign this offseason.

RP - Fu-Te Ni

If what he has shown thus far is any indication of the type of bullpen guy he can be for us, I don't see why you let him go.  Seay is nice, but wouldn't it be great to have TWO reliable lefties in the pen?

RP - Octavio Dotel

I dunno, I just seem to always be very high on this guy.  Plus wouldn't you want to really stick it to the White Sux by signing him away from them?  Dude can pitch.  Hopefully Tigers aren't stingy with the money and go after him.

RP - Rafael Soriano

And finally.....our new closer!  He is a very dominant pitcher but has always been stuck behind someone else in Atlanta's pen (i.e. Mike Gonzalez).  He's still fairly young, as we know closers can last a very long time.  I hope the Tigers learned their lesson last year by having to settle for Lyon.  Rodney has been perfect in save situations so far this year for sure...and I couldn't be happier.  But he will also probably be asking for way more than what he is really worth to stay and if you had to pick, wouldn't you rather take the guy who will be good in save AND non-save situations?  Plus maybe he could add a few years back on to our lives after Todd Jones and Rodney.

EDIT:  And if it wasn't already implied, yes, this is based on us eating the remaining year of Willis and Robertson's contracts.

Aaaaaand, as long as I'm tinkering around here, let's look at my projected lineup:

1 - Felipe Lopez

2 - Marco Scutaro

3- Curtis Granderson

4 - Miguel Cabrera

5 - Brandon Inge

6 - Carlos Guillen

7 - Magglio Ordonez

8 - Wilkin Ramirez

9 - Gerald Laird