FanPost

It is not about being right, it is about being smart

Donnie Kelly Baby, your love for the Tiger's is admirable but you simply can't "hope" for championship, you need to build one. You need more than just old ass hitting talent to win it all. Tiger's had that magic in 2006 and just blew it. They had chances again and again and just failed to achieve the final wins necessary for the "Big Enchilada". There is no shame in what they have achieved and as 20 year season ticket holder and a fan since 1973 (8 years old), I want these boys to win. I watch every game and never hope that they lose.

REALITY BITES:

The reality is that this group has the wrong mix and they can't get the right mix by standing pat or worse, be buyers. People like to say "It's Illitch's money" so he can do what he wants. Sure, he can and he has and he will again but there is something called throwing good money after bad. There's a thing called being on "tilt" after a bad beat. Illitch is impatient as he ages and he making poor decisions and the long term effects are coming to light every time he signs someone to some huge and long term deal. The Tiger's currently have more long term commitments than any other team in the league. Dave D knew this and was trying to do the right thing when Illitch canned him. Don't forget what Illitch said " I didn't win with him". Really? This guy took the team from a 100 loss team to a consistent winner and twice had a bite at the big apple. With that type of response, why does Holland still have a job? He has not done anything in 7 years!!

TIGERS MUST BE SELLERS

Dave D did what he was supposed to do and Illitch could not stomach it. Avila is in a worse position now because he has huge contracts that last beyond 2019 and things will only erode year by year. 7 games behind in this division is huge. Cleveland has been patient and that pitching is really good. KC still has a chance to make the playoffs too but CWS and the Tigers only look good against bad teams. Avila MUST complete what Dave D started or else this bad mix of players will last for 2 to 3 more seasons and it will be just awful to watch. Cleveland and KC are the teams to beat right now and they have youth on their side and great pitching, The Tiger's do not. Fulmer and Norris are only two future SP's, Boyd might be another but they are still two shy of a competing staff. Need at least 4 RP that can get guys out and a Closer that's not in his late 30's for a change.

I don't want the Tiger's to lose or fail so I can be right. I just want them to make better decisions and one that we all can get behind for the future of this team. Dave D took a huge gamble when he traded for Cabby and it turned around this franchise. Now, a decade later, Avila can do it again. Use Cabby, Kinsler, Maybin, Upton, Zimmerman, KROD and VMART/JV with their permission and try to get an even better haul than last year. If he does that, the 2017 Tigers could be what Cleveland was two years ago and by the time 2018 rolls around, they can compete for the next 5-7 years. If they buy or stand pat, it will be just another poor decision that will put the franchise further behind the 8 ball. The fans will continue to only half pack the park and they can't pay the bills that way. Sell and get a huge haul that we all can be happy about and then make another run. The Tiger /Marlin trade took like 7 players to get it done. How many prospects do you think they could get by trading him? 5 if they eat some of the contract and 3 if they do not. With all the guys they could move, they could get around 12 prospects and 6 would be top tier. They could clear so many dollars and recoup all those prospects that have been traded over the years.

Cleaning house is not starting over if they get the right guys. The key is to do what Dave D did and that's to get another Fulmer and Norris, find a few OF's that can play a corner and Center. It can be done and with all cash cleared, they can add back as needed. This is why Upton was such over-kill and dumb.

AVILA FINISH THE JOB!!

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of the <em>Bless You Boys</em> writing staff.