If he can play like he is now all season next year, then I can’t complain (but I probably will).

(1) I do not think there is any sese in talking about Magglio. We have reached the point
of no return, mainly because we cant sit him for long stretches and we NEED his offense now and will need it in the playoffs. I would make the following batting order consistent day in and day out against righties:

Grandy CF
Polanco 2B
Cabrera 1B
Guillen DH
Ordonez RF
Avila C
Inge 3B
Thomas LF
Everett SS

(2) I think they can live with Raburn playing at third once a week. I do not think they need to rest Inge more than that, especially since he is getting some new treatment that is working.

(3) I think the Twins will stick a fork in themselves and we do not need to worry. Their pitching is just not good enough to hang with the Tigers and White Sox. No ace, no race. I suspect that they will be out by 7-10 games in a few weeks. Signing Pavano hurts them
when they play against teams not names the Tigers or White Sox.

(4) I am not yet ready for football. However, here are some thoughts: I think that Stafford will start game 1. I think Stafford will throw at least 15 TDs and probably that many interceptions (if not more) over the course of the season. But that’s ok. Finally, I think the Lions’ defense will dictate whether they will win more than 4 games.

ended at 1st base? I’d prefer him at 1st over Guillen at the very least…

Also, Grandy’s newest blog is up, and it’s about “The Fight”. He is so darn diplomatic, he should run for office after baseball ends for him.

1) Can’t wait for football season bc of Stafford? Man, ppl never give up with the Lions do they, we’re like Cubs fans, but way more pathetic

2) Magglio, I can’t stomach 18 mil. It’s just too much. There are adequate players (not very good ones mind you, but adequate) that would be of nearly equal value to them the rest of the way. Wilkin Ramirez, Clete Thomas, Don Kelly, Marcus Thames, an amalgamation of them, etc. We could do so much more with that 18 mil next season it’s not worth it for that playoff run. Plus, we could still play him as much as we wanted in the playoffs. How do we get around it, how bout sending him to the DL for 3 weeks with anxiety disorder?

3) Sure Everett was on base three times yesterday, and I am by no means a “grass is always greener” outlook type-guy, but I think maybe it’s time to look at Santiago as the primary member of that platoon. Everett’s defense is not significantly better than Santiago’s, or awesome in general, to warrant his last-among-SS-in-the-AL OBP.

4) No 3B is necessary, Raburn isn’t the long-term answer, but he’s fine as a stop gap. Yesterday’s game frustrated my to no end, but Raburn’s errors were a freak occurrence, he hasn’t shown himself to be that bad over the course of the season.

5) Nate Bump is basically a washed-up 33 year old. But he is DOMINATING AAA right now. Killing it. I think he is definitely a better answer than Bonine as a long-middle/spot guy. I’d like to see Bump at some point this year, and ride his Renaissance this year down the stretch for some valuable innings.

6) People are really looking down upon Gerald Laird. I’m a huge Avila fan, but Laird is the primary this year no doubt. He’s been great defensively as well as calling games.

7) Heading down tomorrow. Is there really any opposing pitcher in the AL you’d rather see right now than King Felix?

This is what the Tigers are looking at this offseason, and why they need that Ordonez money:

UFAs (in order of projected value on the market):
Polanco
Rodney
Lyon
Laird
Santiago
Everett

RFA/Arb.:
Verlander
Jackson
Seay
Zumaya
Thames
Miner
 
That’s a shit ton of talent, much of which they could get a break on in the RFA category by locking them down for more money now in exchange for less later. Let’s hope they have the funds to do it.

You have to realize that if even Ordonez does not get enough at bats, he will take his case to court and try to prove that the Tigers sat him on purpose. A few month ago, he was playing poorly and he would not win such a case. But now, he would certainly win because he is hitting well…in fact, he is the Tigers best hitter right now after Cabby (not counting Avila’s limited at bats). So, forget Ordonez. He is playing and will do so next year. I think he is not worth 18 mil, but at the same time, he has EARNED his money (unlike many other tigers).

Not a problem!

Polanco → Sizemore
Rodney → Perry
Lyon → Sign someone cheaper or some good arms in AA/AAA
Laird → Avila
Santiago → Sign for cheap if need be
Everett → Sign for cheap if need be

RFA/Arb.:
Verlander → Give the $$$
Jackson → Give the SSS
Seay → Sign for cheap or goodbye and thanks
Zumaya → Sign for cheap or goodbye and thanks
Thames → Sign for cheap or goodbye and thanks
Miner → Sign for cheap or goodbye and thanks

In sum, we only need to give major $$$ to Verlander and Jackson

http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/draft/?p=1626

Sure this could be a bluff, but I think they’re not kidding. Interesting maneuver by the Rays, who paid overslot for every guy in rounds 3-6 but won’t budge here

I can live with Raburn from time to time – he isn’t generally an error factory, and usually is adequate defensively.

Magglio is likely staying unless something catastrophic happens to prevent his option vesting, but it’s Illitch’s money, not mine, so I can’t bring myself to worry about it that much.

And why do they always call them “chick flicks” if this is one woman who would much prefer a good adventure or science fiction story than a romantic comedy (which often isn’t very romantic or particularly funny)? Just because we share genders doesn’t mean we share interests, movie industry.

An update on all the pitching we’ve traded away since 2006 and how it compares to what we have received in return…

http://www.detnews.com/article/20090815/SPORTS0104/908150327/1129/rss15/Few+regrets+on+Tigers++departed+dozen

I’d like to see Ryan, Kelly, Larish, Simons, and Bump.

Ryan — 3rd catcher, standard.

Kelly & Larish: 3B options, already been with club, both get a look at the last playoff roster spot

Simons: Most MLB ready of the fleet of relievers they have coming through the pipeline

Bump: See above, well-seasoned vet, well earned shot at emergency starter and long middle

At 3rd 1st or DH.

Either Raburn is getting DFA;d, Thomas is getting demoted, or Inge is being sent to the DL.

Is he in the final year of his contract?

Though he’s had clutch hits this year, he’s cost the Tigers on D and hasn’t been very consistent at the plate. Time to send him down or let him go, either way, the experiment is over.

If Raburn is the one going, could we see a Huff/Granderson/Clete outfield against righties, with Guillen at DH to limit Maggs’ Plate Appearances? They couldn’t really afford to sit him because the alternative options were so bad, but with Huff in the lineup, you can keep that option from vesting.

Huff is a left handed bat to bat third or fourth.
So it’ll be Clete

He is going to give everyone a dirt mustache, or is that solely reserved for Inge?

We need another SS in the minors…Iorg is no sure bet

And Liriano only faced us once…

don’t remember the comerica start.
i rememebr the metrodome start, when Magglio hit a bomb of Liriano late in the game
(though we still lost)