OT: Tigers shortcomings
While this topic has been discussed in other threads, I feel that it deserves it's own thread, especially as it's the offseason and topics are in shorter supply than usual. So here it goes:
What do you think is the greatest area of need on the Tigers?
I personally feel that the Tigers need another bat above all else, as Ordonez is faltering this year and Guillen is injured. While Guillen will hopefully be able to return and hit well, I am uncertain that he will be able to give the offense a large boost. Furthermore, while Thames seems to be the DH of choice at the moment, I think that we could do a lot better, as he is an inconsistent player and hasn't hit that well since 2006. I think that we could attempt a trade for a number of players including Nick Johnson, Felipe Lopez, Casey Kotchman, [fill in the blank with good hitter for crappy team that is not essential to future of organization].
They have young, stud pitchers, and a whole host of relief arms in the minors. Hopefully, jackson and verlander's best years are in front of them, and porcello looks like he could turn into an ace soon. The offense also has cabrera to build around, and granderson is just about reaching his prime. They need to add some middle infielders, sizemore is having quite the year, but there are probably better options as mid level free agents than iorg and worth. Corner OF needs to be upgraded, and ramirez should be about ready next year. Combine that with a platoon of clete and marcus in right, the tigers should be in much better shape in a year or 2. Even if some of them don't pan out, the decreased salary after some deadweight is cut off will allow them to get decent free agents, and the farm system will look a lot better, allowing them to acquire some talent in trades. If turner pans out, I think he's the first to get moved, as the rotation will be much less of a concern than the offense.
"hasn't _______ well since 2006"
how many guys could we say that about? Not disagreeing with you or anyting. Just commenting on what a fun year that was to be a tigers fan.
for illustration:
Jones was solid, solid, solid in 2006.
If we made it to the 7th, Rodney, Zumaya, Jones would finish it 2006.
If we didn't make it to the 7th, Ledezma was good for several innnings in 2006.
If we were down, someone was bound to make a big hit in 2006.
Inge, Granderson, Ordonez, Guillen, and Pudge all hit for power (of course, Polanco hit for awesomeness) in 2006.
In 2006, Verlander, Robertson, Rogers or Bonderman would probably not let the game get in to question.
In 2006, Kenny Rogers poured champaign on cops while Verlander threw no hitters.
In 06, in 06, in 06. That was the best year I can imagine. I wish I could remember the year I was born, '84, but I don't think I will feel that way about the cardiac cats again.
The no hitter was in 07.
Ye, I was thinking that after I wrote it. But it was a beautiful post, so I left it.
Great point. Virtually everything went perfectly for the Tigers in 2006. It's entirely possible if not probably that they played so far over their heads that they would never match it. About the only thing to go wrong was Granderson slipping in the wet outfield in Game 4 (or was it 5) of the World Series.
Actually, everything went well for about the first 100-110 games of 2006. They were awful in August and September, their giant lead in the AL Central was wiped out completely, and they ended up in the wild card. The postseason followed the same pattern: great for the first two-thirds (ALDS, ALCS), awful for the final third (World Series).
Pitching has been better than expected and if they could get a decent fifth starter or middle reliever the pitching will be fine. But add another bat and give Cabrera some help would help the team a lot more. Get a guy that hits 40+ home runs or someone hitting over .300 and the Tigers would immediately upgrade their offense and help them win those 2-1 and 3-2 games.
I would rather the team grab a lower-profile guy who can still hit - a Casey Blake-type of player - rather than shell out more top farm talent for a high-profile rental. I feel like Texas has enough hitting talent that Detroit could nab someone like Michael Young for a decent package, or pick through the A's or San Diego Padres.