OT-Cant wait for opening day...
Just for something different to talk about, but i think the Tigers could really surprise people this year. They have power arms in the bullpen with Schlereth, Perry, Zumaya and Valverde and there rotation should be solid with a Cy Young type year from Verlander. Im excited to see what Jackson can do in center, and hopefully the offense as a whole plays better this year. If the pitching holds up and the Tigers get decent offensive production, I dont think 90 wins would be out of the question and possible an AL Central title in another average AL Central as a whole. Thoughts...?
February 20th, 2010 at 11:30 PM ^
Disclaimer: I know almost nothing about the Tigers last few seasons.
But seriously, Johnny Damon?
February 21st, 2010 at 2:26 AM ^
So if you admit that you don't know what you are talking about, why would your little snowflake of an opinion mean anything?
The debate begins and ends with the fact that Damon is the best option to fill the hole at the lead off spot.
February 20th, 2010 at 11:40 PM ^
This coming year I cant to see if Willis, Robertson, Bondo, zoom zoom a.k.a zumaya can they redeem themselves from their rediculous contracts. Also to see what velverde does this year. Last but not least to see How justin verlander pitches with his new contract and will porcello break the sophmore slump,also to see the young buck pitchers that we traded for and also jackson will they live up to the exspectations that we traded for
February 20th, 2010 at 11:55 PM ^
I'm always excited for opening day and think we have a better squad than most think. I am more excited for next year's opening day though after we get rid of the billion dollars worth of crappy contracts that expire after this season. Real interested to see what direction they go in with all that money. Here's hoping to Carl Crawford!
February 20th, 2010 at 11:55 PM ^
Cubs? Oh no, no moves to keep up with the Cardinals this offseason. 102 years now. Fan-freaking-tastic.
February 21st, 2010 at 9:30 AM ^
the traffic in my neighborhood could start to lighten up pretty early this season.....
February 21st, 2010 at 12:11 PM ^
I hope not. Hope. No injuries please.
February 21st, 2010 at 12:14 AM ^
Enjoy Damon's noodle arm in the biggest outfield in the game. Should be entertaining to watch. Granderson certainly wouldn't have cost 8 million this year. Terrible trade off.
Also, the rotation had holes. Is anyone going to step up from the Willis, Robertson, Bonderman crew...? I say no.
Peavy, Buerhle, Floyd, Danks will power the White Sox to the AL Central title.
February 21st, 2010 at 2:24 AM ^
Odds Peavy pitches the entire season without an injury?
February 21st, 2010 at 11:39 AM ^
Even if he does stay healthy he's not going to be the same pitcher. Extreme fly ball guy leaving pitcher heaven to go to pitcher hell = recipe for relative disaster. Chicago fans need to temper their expectations or they are going to be disappointed.
February 21st, 2010 at 2:45 PM ^
Well, considering a friend of mine said the signing of Damon should yield them the AL title, not just the AL Central. I think the Tigers need to do the same.
Also, that's the point of Opening Day. Hope springs eternal. I think the White Sox have a good lineup. Are they open to possible injuries that may quash their goals? Yes. Is every team? Yes. I am encouraged with the lineup the Sox have.
Also, we got a peak of Peavy in the Cell last year. 3-0. 20.0 IP, 1.35 ERA, 8.10 K/9. Obviously, this doesn't extrapolate over the entire season, but shows he can handle the change of venue. Will he stay healthy? That's the million dollar question.
February 21st, 2010 at 11:21 AM ^
The trade was not Granderson for Damon!!
We got Jackson, Schlereth, Scherzer, and Coke for Granderson and Jackson. We added Damon to fill a leadoff hole.
I would much rather have Jackson, Schlereth, Scherzer, Coke, and Damon than Granderson and Jackson.
February 21st, 2010 at 11:27 AM ^
About one thing: Grandy wouldn't have cost us $8M this year. He was slated to make $5.5M, then $8.25M in 2011, and $10M in 2012, and a club option for $13M(!) in 2013 ($2M buyout). So yeah, Damon's one year at $8M really sucks I guess.
See the previous reply for my comments on the thoughts that this was a Grandy for Damon trade, which is crazy talk.
February 21st, 2010 at 1:36 AM ^
Seattle has the biggest outfield in the game I believe. Tho it is big.
Valverde said today he thinks he can get something like 72 saves this year. He came to the team not expecting a whole lot but thinks they are a lot better than everyone thinks.
I like his gumption but 72 saves is like Kitna saying the lions would get 10 wins
February 21st, 2010 at 4:30 AM ^
if the Tigers go 72-90 and get all their wins by 2 or fewer runs.
I hope I am wrong but I don't see this as a good year for the Tigers. I think they will continue struggling to score runs, I am skeptical about the guys coming off injuries, and several pitchers who overachieved last season may not be able to replicate their performances. But then Leyland always seems to get the most out of his roster.
February 21st, 2010 at 9:35 AM ^
I know it's cliche, but that's what wins. They have a solid rotation: Verlander, Porcello, Scherzer, Galarraga, and a Bondo/NateRo/Willis combo for the 5th spot. It's a little righty heavy, but most teams would trade for our top three (especially because of their age and contracts). The bullpen has some depth again, barring too many injuries. Whatever we get from Zumaya is a bonus. I am really looking forward to Perry making the leap this year.
Say what you will about Damon (located in Damon thread), but he is an upgrade defensively in left. Jackson will be fine in center, and we know what we're getting from Mags in right. The infield D should be just as good. Inge, Everett/Santiago, Sizemore, Cabrera are all solid defenders. Laird behind the plate is great defensively and will make a nice late innings sub for when Avila gets starts.
I think the difference between 81 and 90 wins comes down to how well we swing the bats. Most of the hitters have pretty extensive track records (Sizemore and Jackson excluded), so we know about what we're going to get there. If we get consistent production from a few guys at the bottom of the lineup, we should be pushing 90 wins. I don't know if that will happen though.
Either way, to echo the OP: I can't wait for opening day. Warmer weather, baseball, beers and brats. Man, I hate winter.
February 21st, 2010 at 10:17 AM ^
Pitching and defense wins games?
Last year, the 4 highest scoring teams in the AL were the 4 playoff representatives. The WS Champ was the game's leading scoring team. The NL rep was the NL's leading scorer.
When people talk about "defense", they're largely talking about pitching. The number of wins that Damon will contribute or lose due to his glove and arm will be +/- one and MAYBE two games. Bad fielding, particularly from a corner, particularly from LF, doesn't really matter so much.
February 21st, 2010 at 11:18 AM ^
A one-year example does not a pattern make.
In 2008, only 2 of the top 8 highest scoring teams made the playoffs (BOS and CHW). Detroit finished 4th overall in runs scored in 2008, yet their final record was much worse than it was in 2009 when they scored fewer runs. Also the 4 playoff teams in 2008 were among the top 6 in AL ERA as well. The same holds true in 2007 as 4 of the top 8 teams in ERA all made the playoffs.
I will concede that defense isn't as important as teams tend to be all over the map in terms of Defensive Efficiency, and still make the playoffs.
Overall, I think a team's success is more correlated to ERA than it is runs scored. I don't have the time to go through and do a complete analysis comparing ERA to win% vs. Runs Scored and win%, but it would be an interested exercise.
2009 seems to be more of an exception as opposed to the rule.
February 21st, 2010 at 12:00 PM ^
I'm cautiously optimistic. The Tigers have done nothing but disappoint me from the 2006 World Series, through the 2008 season when we all thought we would win 100 games, and then last season's Mets-style collapse. I agree that they have the potential to have a good season, but if some things don't work out, it could get bad pretty fast. If Sizemore, Jackson, and the bullpen doesn't pan out, I anticipate a long frustrating season.
February 21st, 2010 at 12:21 PM ^
I like the additions to the bullpen. But counting on Zumaya is iffy at best. I mean the guy got hurt playing guitar hero last season. I think the offense will be better because almost every player decided to slump at the exact same time (thank god for Cabrera). I could see us winning the AL Central.