What's next? Tigers need more offense, GM Dave Dombrowski hints
by Kurt Mensching on Feb 4, 2010 9:53 PM EST
in Detroit Tigers News
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PrintOK, so it's not as if Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski is making the exact claim, "We need to add some more runs to our lineup." But he may as well be saying that.
Quoted by the Free Press today, Dombrowski said:
"I always bite my tongue when I say this, because you never feel comfortable about, really, anything," he said. "But we’re not looking to add pitching at this point. We have what we think are four starters that are pretty well established and a battle for the fifth spot. Our bullpen’s pretty well set at this point, from the left side and the right side.
"Most of our positional spots are set, in the sense that if you had to open the season, I’d feel comfortable in that regard. But if there was an area we’re going to address, it would be an offensive perspective. I don’t know if anything will happen or not."
At this point, this truly feels like the kind of slow burn we typically get when the Tigers make a rather telegraphed move. Denials, non-denials, hint-dropping, etc.
So at this point, I will say I pretty much expect Johnny Damon will be a Tiger. I could be wrong, but ... it just has the feel. Not that it has to be Damon. It could still be Felipe Lopez. But I just feel like it will be Damon, honestly.
There is one thing I know is true and one thing I believe is true: The Tigers have a lot of money invested in 2010's payroll, and they are still a team that will come up a few wins short of a division title. The latter is because of too many problems with their offense. It would be folly to come so far toward competing in 2010 and not complete the job. In for a penny, in for pound.
The Tigers need some left-handed pop in their lineup. Actually, any pop in the lineup would be nice. But when the opening-day lineup is projected to include eight right-handed batters and a switch hitter, as well as two rookies with no major league at-bats, well you can see why adding Damon's bat would make sense. Manager Jimmy Leyland has probably been in Dombrowski's ear telling him just that, just as he likely told Dombrowski how much better he'd feel with having an established closer pitching in the ninth inning.
After the Verlander signing, the payroll is already above $120 million for 2010 with a few league-minimums to go on top of it. Signing Damon could cost $6 million -- I don't think he'll be the $4-5 million people expect if he takes a one-year deal -- putting Detroit around $128 when all is said and done. But I wouldn't be surprised to see a move by opening day that freed up some cash either if an addition signing is in fact made.
In any case, I don't think this is the last big press conference the Tigers will be holding before the season opens. Dombrowski still has some work to do.
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Rightly or not, I put a lot of stock in Damon’s statements about not wanting to go through spring training. I think this is especially true if he signs for a discount rate. Even If the Tigers and Damon were close to an agreement i don’t think anything will come out until well into spring training.
Baseball players kind of have to go through spring training
as a means of getting prepared for the upcoming season.
If Damon doesn’t want to go through that, I find that somewhat discouraging.
by FloridaownsFSU on Feb 5, 2010 5:57 PM EST up reply actions
then why bother with spring training at all
I mean, then neither do Manny, Maggs, Jeter, Mauer, Morneau, (Biggy) Cabrera, A-Rod, Pujols, Icihro, Crawford, Youkilis, Figgins, Pudge, Pedroia….. et al.
All these guy need spring training, it helps loosen them up for the upcoming season, not all of them are regimented in keeping physical in the off season. It’s good for them. It prepares them mentally for the upcoming season.
If Damon says he doesn’t want to go through spring training he is either lazy or arrogant.
Welcome to Detroit, NO sissies allowed
Or bluffing
If he says he needs ST, it means he’s put an artificial deadline on when he has to sign.
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
+1
and I don’t think it’s anything to worry about if we sign him and he has missed a substantial portion of ST
...
but not all of them are saying they don’t need spring training.
I disagree with that statement too.
Welcome to Detroit, NO sissies allowed
I think it's easy to confuse
Arrogance with confidence. Every athlete has to be confident in his own abilities, even through slumps and injuries, or he would have left the sport long ago for something else. Not every athlete is arrogant, thinking that they are better than other people just because they can throw a ball really fast, for example.
"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero
by Baroque on Feb 6, 2010 10:25 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I've always assumed we can trade Seay at will,
but do we need his permission since he avoided arbitration by signing earlier?
I agree Kurt
I have a gut feeling too that tells me if it’s anyone it’s Damon. We heard a lot of rumors and then all of a sudden they ceased. If I were a betting man, I’d put a few Lincolns down that DD and JD will be talking playing time and cash in the coming days. I honestly don’t see Johnny Damon signing on and playing in some platoon role – he’s going to want his AB’s. The Tigers should find a way to convince him that he’ll get his plate appearances, he’ll just need to share some time with Carlos in LF since Jimmy already promised him that position. This knocks Raburn back but it’s not like Maggs or Guillen won’t need a day off or aren’t injury prone.
I just hope DD get’s it done. This team, the more I look at it, looks like it has the chance to compete for a division title and Damon would be key in actually winning it. World Series? No. But I’d like to actually buy playoff tickets and get to use them this year rather then have them sit on my dresser, taunting me. Such a disappointing October :(
The artist formerly known as Granderson28
I think the bigger surprise at this point...
would be if Damon wasnt a Tiger when Spring Training starts.
by rock n rye on Feb 4, 2010 11:36 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
I don't know if anyone saw this yet
Granted its Lynn Henning and there’s no source attached, but he states they’d have to pay Damon 7 mil or more a year and Damon wants a second year?? This seems to contradict everything we’ve heard about his value dropping.
The artist formerly known as Granderson28
Henning’s just speculating. And still dumping on Granderson.
by StringTheory on Feb 4, 2010 11:39 PM EST up reply actions
No kidding
I’m over the Grandy shenanigans, I don’t see the point of continuing to beat this dead horse. Grandy’s a great guy and was a face of this franchise because he was well loved – there is no question. It hurt the majority of us to see him leave because we love him and he’s just a fun guy to watch. All that said – now that this offseason is coming together, it’s all making sense, at least to me.
Edwin – due to make huge bucks – gone for cheaper arms
Grandy – due to make big bucks in the coming years – gone for cheaper arms/CF
—- biggest thing people miss here is that these are probably two of the only guys the Tigers would be willing to part with that were worth a darn on the trade market—-
Rodney/Lyon – asked for too much for unproven commodity
Valverde – proven closer, better option than anyone else. Needed a closer.
Verlander – using the money that would have been spent on Edwin and Grandy, lock up your ace.
And if DD gets Damon, I’d be thrilled – it makes the lineup respectable.
Henning just likes to stir the pot but he really should think before he writes. DD seems to have had a lot of this planned out – maybe it all fell in his lap – but this is all coming together very smoothly for the Tigers.
The artist formerly known as Granderson28
Henning is a jackass.
I’m not going to respond further.
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
by David Tokarz on Feb 5, 2010 12:15 AM EST up reply actions
I'm only into the Damon deal if it's only one year at 5-6...
nothing more.
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Henning says...
2 years $14 million…
2 years is a joke for a guy who has no other offers…
WHAT ABOUT WILKIN RAMIREZ??? Why not play him… he has had decent SLG in the minors and would provide some power…
How about NOT leaving him in the minors untill he is 27 and loses all prospect value and status???
A platoon of Ramirez/Raburn/Thomas/Maggs/Guillen for 3 spots, LF RF and DH sounds sufficent to me..
No need for Damon…
IT would put our payroll up near $130mil again and if the Tigers lose money, it might be that much less money they are willing to spend NEXT year when it will really matter…
Would you rather be .500 this year, miss the playoffs, but have Ramirez show that he would be a good RF and have the money to sign Crawford or Werth in the offseason???
Or would you rather sign Damon for 2 years, and not be able to sign a big FA OF next year just so we can try to make a run this season???
Ramirez has poor pitch recognition ability
He needs at least another couple months in the minors.
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
To play where in the field?
He has something like 70 innings in the outfield since 2004. As a backup at first? If Miguelito has the year we are all expecting, then Branyan would be lucky to have 50 ABs.
And remember how stifling it was when Sheffield was locked in at the DH spot? Leyland wouldn’t be able to “rest” Ordonez or Guillen in the DH spot as regularly.
It was stifling because Sheff sucked at the DH spot after he was hurt. If he was mashing, it wouldn’t have been “stifling.”
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Unfortunately, I’m not sure how much of this is an innate trait and how much of it can be learned. If it is something that can be learned, I"m not sure how much ground can be made up in a couple of months. Still one of the huge mysteries in baseball.
My old blog is Tigers By The Numbers.
Now I write at Bless You Boys.
Like music? See what I'm listening to at my Last.fm account.
This is true
But a marginal change in pitch recognition can lead him to a career like Juan Encarcion as opposed to AAAA slugger.
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
Also true. Then again, is a Quad-A slugger defined as someone who can’t hack it at the major league level or just someone who wasn’t given enough time to figure it out?
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Now I write at Bless You Boys.
Like music? See what I'm listening to at my Last.fm account.
Hmm
I’d say in Ramirez’s case that it would be someone who couldn’t hack it as anything besides 4th OF…
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
It’s a term that I’ve been reconsidering with the Jake Fox’s and Jack Cust’s getting playing time and showing they have value.
If only someone would give Mike Hessman some time.
My old blog is Tigers By The Numbers.
Now I write at Bless You Boys.
Like music? See what I'm listening to at my Last.fm account.
Hmmm... Yeah
The more I think about it, the more i don’t want Damon…
If we sign him for 2 years, I really think it would hinder the Tigers chances of having the payroll flexibility to sign a good bat next season… Dunn, Werth, or Crawford would be just what this team needs to take the next step…
I know we have lots of $$$ coming off the books, but we are already going to have 2 $20 million players by 2012…. Every guy we add for $5-$10 mil is just less to spend on QUALITY YOUNG players like Werth or Dunn…
Heck without another signing this year I could see the Tigers making a run at 2 good FA next year… maybe a SP like Webb…
Jayson Werth is 30
Brandon Webb is 30. Adam Dunn is 30. These players aren’t young. And nobody wants him for 2 years.
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
besides...
I don’t see much need to be signing a starting pitcher, let alone an older one.
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It would allow,
The Tigers signing a SP next year would allow them to use some of thier minor league pitching depth to trade for a young slugger…. There arent going to be many young sluggers hitting FA in the next 2 years, so trading for one would be a good route…
The case for Damon
The Tigers need help at the top of the lineup. Damon can do that.
The Tigers desperately need more speed on the bases. Damon still has that.
The Tigers lack pop from the left side of the plat. Damon has that, too.
We know that Scott Boras will take it down to the last minute to squeeze the last penny for his clients. Clubs skip talented prospects in the draft because Boras represents them.
We know that the Tigers don’t have a lot of room on their payroll, and have just traded two All Star players to clear some payroll space. So Damon’s price will have to come down.
But if Bobby Abreu can play for $ 5 million for one season, so can Damon.
If his price comes down that much, the Tigers should pounce on him.
Damon is said to be willing to take deferred money, and that helps.
The Tigers have a surplus of pitching. Okay, some of it is immovable, but there should be a market for a reliever such as Bobby Seay or Brad Thomas. That would clear $ 1 million to $ 2.5 million.
I have the payroll, after Verlander’s signing at about $ 124 million, including the addition of a number of near minimum salaried players. If the edict is to keep payroll no higher than it was in 2009, they could do this. And it would really help the Tigers, IMO.
by Tigerdog1 on Feb 5, 2010 1:29 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
But if Bobby Abreu can play for $ 5 million for one season, so can Damon.
If his price comes down that much, the Tigers should pounce on him.
This is the key – IF it comes down that much. If he wants big money for two years, then take a hike and find some other team to pay that much, Boras, if you can.
I have my doubts that he will accept the contract the Tigers should be offering, and if he won’t I hope they don’t start bidding against themselves because that would do nothing but hurt them long-term.
"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero
I like Damon in Detroit
I like his lefty stick, but I doubt he’d bring much pop to Comerica. He won’t get near the HR’s he had last year playing in Detroit, my guess is 15ish
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Feb 5, 2010 2:26 PM EST up reply actions
The 2year, $14 million Damon supposedly wants . . .
. . . is the deal the Yanks offered him, and he rejected. So, his price is coming down . . .
Signing Johnny Damon
As much as I would like Johnny Damon, I also must be realistic about the Tigers needs. They have an abundance of outfielders. What they need is a decent infielder who has a little pop in his bat and can play soldi defense. We missed out on that guy for about the same money Johnny is asking. That guy is Felepe Hudson whom the twins just picked up. The sox and twins have not sat idle. They’ve both acquired some pieces that is probably some reaction to Tigers pitching. Although, I must give DD credit. He has not done a bad job adding our own pieces given he’s already hand cuffed with $50 million on the roster who hasnt helped us in the last two solid seasons. I’ll bet DD and the front office are kicking thier tiger tales when they saw Hudson signed a one deal for $6mil. Not bad for a career 280 hitting all star golden glover. We need a veteran infielder.
Verlander's contract
I noticed (and wrote about how) Verlander’s first year is $6.75M when the Tigers’ offer was $6.9. They had to have braced to pay him right around $8.2M (midpoint of offers) so I’d think that money could be used to add the extra bat being discussed.
I’m curious to see how adding Damon would affect the roster. Methinks a post about it has to be coming.
What’s next?.Tigers needs more offense GM Dave Dombrowski hints . ‘’We need to add some runs to our lineup’‘..umm.. I have been saying that for the last 3 years. The key is run production right?.so say GM Dave Dombrowski,but, the Tigers lost that 3years ago, but they can regain this simply by ’’ being more focus & more discpline ‘’ at the plate recognizing the pitches that is throwed to them..Thats called ’’ Art of Hitting’’ . Good start in signing Damon which will help. The Tigers have a good nucellus to work with as a team requires some revaping is in order.2006 Tigers was a magical year which they had everything go for them…all cylinders most definitely were working.By the way, Tigers scored a 1000 runs during the 2006 campaign. Just like 2006 they have to get back to scoring runs to be successful!
What?
They scored 822 runs that year. The reason they got to the World Series was because they had career years out of almost all of their pitchers, and the offense had an amazing year from Carlos Guillen to go with around league average production from everyone else (that’s great for guys like Inge, Monroe, and a young Curtis Granderson).
Even an offense like last year’s Yankees only (lol, only) scored 915 runs. NO ONE scores 1000 runs.
No way...
…should they give Johnny Damon TWO years. No friggin’ way.
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here is the stats for Johnny Damon in 2009— AVG 282 *HR 24 *RBI 82 *RUNS 107! Damon is now a free agent and nolonger listed on the roster of the yankees..so that said , the only option left for Damon being traded to some other club,retirement, or sign on the dotted line with Tigers for let’s say, 7mm with those numbers any team will gladly pick him up no question asked…The remains, are the Tigers want him or not want him. What are Tigers waitingfor sign him before The Bluejays pick him up.Damon used to play CF then DH and in LF.Also,Damon is left handed batter & lead-off as well.Sign Damon to a 1yr/7mm then end of 2010 we than discuss possibilities of extenting him contract!
by '' spiderman '' on Feb 5, 2010 12:05 PM EST reply actions
Can we all agree that another power hitter is needed...
This is huge. I do have to be on the anti-Damon bandwagon though. New York would not sign him, so the Tigers have to take their leftovers? The Tigers need INFIELD support, incase of injuries and too many question marks. There are plenty of outfield possibilities, but the infield is very light in terms of depth.
DD might go for Damon to sell tickets, but another mediocre season will hurt more in the long-run.
In my opinion Damon is an East Coast commodity trying to get East Coast pay. This is the Midwest and Detroit…The Tigers need the strong infield to support the pitching…
Don't drive angry!
Personally I think that we are deeper in the infield than most think...
mostly it’s because i feel that Santiago can handle more playing time than most give him credit for and that Guillen is a better DH/backup 3b than a left fielder.
Personally I’d like Santiago to turn into our infield supersub and have either Raburn or Clete be outfield supersubs depending on how the outfield situation works out.
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I agree with the Santiago angle...
My concern though is if we need 2nd and 3rd base coverage, then it starts to look questionable if Guillen is not healthy. Once again, big ifs…
Don't drive angry!
I have been watching the
Caribbean Series, I am really impressed with Ramon Santiago. He’s been dominate thus far. He’s playing Short and doing a damn fine job. i guess the point is, and i am sure that most of you will disagree, I really think he could have played SS everyday here, Detroit in ‘10. I know last night the DR was losing 2-0 and Ramon rbi’d 2 and Freddy Guzman stole home ftw. Was a great game.
Welcome to Detroit, NO sissies allowed
And Brent Dlugach
He may have “future utility guy” written all over him, but in a pinch, that’s useful.
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
dont forget
Raburn and Don Kelly had some time at third last year as well
by rock n rye on Feb 5, 2010 4:03 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
If getting a power hitter is huge...
…we can’t afford to sign any of the infielders available. Because none of them have better than middling power.
I'm gone for a week
and I miss a lot of good stuff! Boo! Anyways, it’s hard to argue against the fact that the Damon train is running at full-force and should be arriving in Detroit any day now. I’d love to see a little infield insurance, though.
Are you thinking he'll sign to be a bench guy
Or do you want him over Sizemore?
I don't see any way Damon wouldn't take at bats from Raburn
And I’d rather see Raburn get 500 PAs as LF/DH. Unless the plan is that Ryan’s gonna be the starting 3B in 2011, and back up 3B/1B this year to get reps. In which case, I’d still prefer Branyan to Damon as DH. Probably a little cheaper, and more upside.
the plan as I see it
Damon in left
Guillen at DH to help him avoid falling apart
Raburn 4th outfielder
Raburn should not be playing third base and is definitely not a third base candidate for the future, in my opinion.
I do like Branyan, but his being unable to do anything in Detroit but DH means there isn’t as much room for him as there is for an outfielder.
I’m not concerned about Damon’s defense either, because he’s being compared with Guillen and Raburn, so it’s not like they’re going to be making a downgrade out there.
by Kurt Mensching on Feb 5, 2010 5:00 PM EST up reply actions
as far as Raburn getting 500 PA
I think he’s not the kind of batter who is going to sustain his 2009 successes when given that many PA. Pick the spots right and he’s a great asset. But let’s not look at 2009 too strongly and forget 2008.
by Kurt Mensching on Feb 5, 2010 5:03 PM EST up reply actions
Disagree
His minor league numbers weren’t great, but I still think he could put up decent numbers in 450 or 500 AB’s- just not good enough for a starting job.
I keep saying this over and over, but what’s wrong with Raburn as a super-sub player getting time in all three OF positions and 2B/3B? He’s above the level of either a replacement player or even a bench guy and could replace a hurt player or give us a decent bat in the lineup every day in which one of our old, decrepit starters, needs a day off. I keep making the Tony Phillips comparison, and while Raburn is a different player than Phillips, there’s no reason he can’t fill that role.
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
I’m a little bit more optimistic about Raburn. I don’t like the likening to Thames as he’s a more well-rounded hitter (and player) than Thames. I think Raburn is a starting OFer in the major leagues if someone were to give him a chance. A star? No. A solid player who can be a LFer for someone that doesn’t have a youngster or a vet currently? Absolutely.
That said, I think he should be getting some where around 3-4 starts a week between LF, 3B, 2B if I had my way.
My old blog is Tigers By The Numbers.
Now I write at Bless You Boys.
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personally...
I feel that Ryan’s performance will improve if he gets a steady position in the field.
My Music: Now on last.fm!!
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I'd feel more comfortable with Raburn . . .
. . . having a lefty counterpart to platoon (potoon?) with . . .
How much of a tryout has he actually had at 3rd? We all remember one disastrous game there, but I suspect he won’t make 3 errors at 3rd every game . . .
he's started just 14 game at third since A-ball in 2003
his minor league fielding % (flawed that it is, it’s the best we’ve got) was 867. His major league fielding stats are too small to have any significant meaning, but aren’t exactly rosy either.
by Kurt Mensching on Feb 5, 2010 6:28 PM EST up reply actions
thought
you guys want a thread to discuss possible 25 man roster permutations? I can give my best guess this weekend if that’s something everyone would find fun.
Yeah . . .
. . . the kind of conversation we’re having here, about backups and 4th outfielders, is beginning to require us to start counting roster slots . . .
by rea on Feb 5, 2010 6:39 PM EST up reply actions
i'm down with that
Interesting looking over the Ron Shandler projections, to compare OF possibilities, using Runs Created per Game (RC/G) and Base Performance Value (BPV). The best hitters have BPV above 50 and 7.50, while few hitters ever surpass 10.0 RC/G and poor hitters are below 3.00.
Raburn: 5.64 RC/G, 62 BPV
Damon: 5.82 RC/G, 76 BPV
Guillen: 5.34 RC/G, 59 BPV
Ordonez: 5.75 RC/G, 61 BPV
Branyan: 6.23 RC/G, 53 BPV
just for kicks, Granderson: 5.66 RC/G, 75 BPV
and for reference, Cabrera: 7.01 RC/G, 75 BPV
Shandler also provides Major League Equivalent statistics for the 2009 season, where Scott Sizemore posted a 5.64 RC/G and 78 BPV. By contrast, the equivalent stats for soon-to-be major leaguer Austin Jackson were a mere 4.87 RC/G and 16 BPV.
It appears that signing Damon for the right amount would be a real value to the offense. And it appears that Jackson isn’t going to be ready just yet. If Damon were signed, the odd man out of the lineup should be Guillen, not Raburn.
2010 is Year 4707 in the Chinese Calendar - The Year Of The Tiger
by TigerFanInCleveland on Feb 5, 2010 10:52 PM EST up reply actions
things
we don’t need to sign anyone lets go to spring training and see how things work themselves out and maybe swap some excess pitching and Thomas for a good infield bat if we sign Damon let him replace jim price
It’s not clear how many suitors are showing interest in Johnny Damon at the moment. But the Tigers and Braves are definitely among the group, multiple major league sources told FOXSports.com late Friday.
Dombrowski said:..[SP] We have what we think are four starters are pretty established and a battle for the fifth spot. [BP] Our Bullpen’s pretty well set at this point from the left side and right side. [OF / IF] ‘’ Most of our positional spots are set to open the season. I’d feel comfortable in that regard’’. According to Dombrowski, when the opening-day lineup is projected to include – eight right-handed batters and a switch hitter in Guillen [LF] and [DH] Damon, thats my opinion because of offensive perspective Dombrowski said, I will say I pretty much expect Johnny Damon will be a tiger..their we have it!. MY HUGE OPINION,
I also feel comfortable at least in opening day lineup. but, will Damon get on board with the Tigers or not?. Dombrowski expects he will. Even though Damon signs up with the Tigers still the question marks remains as far as, the Tigers offense goes.Focus & Discipline at the plate driving in runs and winning ball games is a big factor in being successful as a team contribute have your best front forward and have some fun along the way.That said, for sure It will be interesting run this year for the Tigers.Remember, [focus on hitting & focus on Discipline, participation from all tigers must do that as well whether be, a patoon, starting player..let say, go tigers and getit done what you say!
Tigers LH Hitting
Robison Diaz hit well for the Pirates, is a LH bat with good power. Unless there is a big reason the Pirates let him go, he could be a big help. If his catching isn’t up to par, DH. May be a good enough hitter to need to have him in the lineup. Would give Avila some more time at Triple A. Austin Jackson may be a better player in the long run with a year in Triple A, hard to go from Double A to the bigs. Blalock would be a good bat and he played 3rd a lot, but with a 13 position player roster where do you put him? Need an infield slot for Sizemore and Dlugach to rotate between Toledo and Detroit, if Lopez is signed.
Lopez bats first, Damon third? Any way you can unload the high priced players who haven’t contributed much would be a great move. What’s tough about that is who else wants to pay big bucks for almost invisible production? Great if Dombrowski can pull that off. Competition in the bigs is unreal for players and the club, fans should appreciate that.
Diaz
Correction – Diaz bats right. Still a possibility.
Another correction: he doesn’t hit for power. At all.
by StringTheory on Feb 9, 2010 12:26 AM EST up reply actions
Tigers were last year [86-77] almost made the playoff. The Tigers are the same team as a year ago , yes Polanco & Granderson is now history 2010, looking to the future up coming prospects like – Avila C , Jackson CF , Sizemore 2B ect. and more. I said ‘’ before Spring Training hits last year, my perdictions was tigers finish the year [86-76] in 2009". I was correct. Now with all the question marks facing the Tigers namely, two rookies , of course, Inge who had surgery on both legs in the off season he plays 3B – just wondering if he is alright either both defensively and offensively and is going to effect him playing 162 game schedule? – Inge , Guillen , Maggs, Laird rebounds?. The [ Key ] for this year 2010 for the Tigers – [ 1 ] staying healthy all season long, [ 2 ] will be getting on base and then scoring them – being a ’’ offensive tool or weapon ’’ both rightside & leftside of the plate. Tigers have a good nucellus which to work from, but they must complete the final test just like they did in 2006, all cylinders on fire. – all phases of the game – including: defense , offense , bullpen, pitching, run production most importantly , winning ball games. In conclusion, my perdiction will be for the Tigers in 2010 campaign [ 80 – 90+ ] wins depending on the above comments already discribe who knows even a divisional championship or a world series appearrance. For sure , 2010 Tigers is going to be an interesting ride – looking forward to watching them. GO TIGERS!
by '' spiderman '' on Feb 11, 2010 6:26 AM EST reply actions
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