Detroit Tiger Links: Al Avila has some serious questions to answer

Feeling the heat?

It’s been less than two years in the managerial hot seat for General Manager Al Avila, but this feels like a make or break season. The team has an aging roster, a shrinking payroll, and the questions starting to pile up.

Not all of those signings are his fault. Whether it’s Anibal Sanchez’s contract size or the addition of Justin Upton, who actually seems like a decent signing so far. But Mike Pelfrey, Mark Lowe and now K-Rod are 15 million dollars in sunk costs with little value. And worst of all is the Zimmermann contract, which looks like it could be a huge weight around the neck of the franchise.

It’s too early to say how this will go, but it could be a very treacherous couple months for the GM, especially if the Tigers compete but miss the playoffs and don’t sell assets. If the cupboards are bare, the team may opt for a full reset.

Bird hunting

Strong showing by the team in the last series, rallying from a really tough loss Tuesday night to take a series from one of the AL’s better teams. It felt like a microcosm of the whole season, almost everything was inconsistent, but at the end of the day, still hanging in. A underachieving Texas Rangers team is up next.

Don’t want, need.

J.D.’s back hurts

From carrying the team. Has has been the offense for the last week with five home runs in six games. The man is probably about to get paid and the trade deadline is going to be very interesting.

Other random Tigers things

Chris Ilitch was unanimously approved as the new controlling owner of the Tigers. Victor Martinez will not play this weekend as he will be home with his wife Margot for the birth of his fourth child. A preemptive congrats to V-Mart. Classy move by the Tigers PR to title their media notes headers with Chris Cornell songs. Also shout out to Glass Half Fulmer for live tweeting yesterday’s game with entirely with Chris Cornell lyrics. Impressive to watch. RIP Chris.

Like father, like son

Mike Trout things

I will not apologize for continuing to post about the ridiculousness of Mike Trout. Yes it’s early, but it doesn’t change the fact that 5 years into the league he’s on pace to be the greatest player of all time. Have you ever really taken the time to look at his stats? Please look at this:

Does not compute.

For your free time

The Mets, a team that should contend, are complete and utter mess. Freddie Freeman is out 10 weeks with a fractured wrist and this makes me sad. Cleveland was robbed of a home run by a center fielder in three separate series, which this blog fully supports. The Giants are having a bad time and Grant is aware.

Vintage JV is awesome