Please Remember That The Tigers Still Have Problems.
by Brady Eyestone on Jan 24, 2012 5:24 PM EST
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Today has been a weird day. First, Jonah Hill became an Academy Award nominated actor and, at roughly 2 PM central time, it was announced that the Detroit Tigers signed Prince Fielder to a nine year, $214 million dollar deal. And all around Twins territory, hearts broke. Babies cried, and everyone, at or above the age of 21 started drinking to drown their sorrows. Because, as we all know, one player a team makes. Clearly.
So, I decided to take a look at the Detroit Tigers starting lineup. One by one and talk about what they are on the field. Just to give everybody a reminder that the Detroit Tigers, even with Fielder and Cabrera still have a lot of issues.
The line up, after the jump.
Austin Jackson. He is a strikeout machine with little power. Sure, he can run and catch baseballs, but he can’t get on base to save his life. His BABIP over the last 2 years has been .369. At some point, that is going to come down, and with a better middle infield in Minnesota this year, we will certainly do our part.
Brennan Boesch. Boesch from me, gets a big old yawn. He has some power, he walks a little bit. Hell. Baseball-refrence.com says the player most similar to him is Matt Murton. Boesch has a career 107 OPS+. He is the very definition of average.
Miguel Cabrera. We all know what Miguel Cabrera can do. He’s good. He’s really, really good. Nothing more needs to be said about him.
Prince Fielder. He’s a stud. He gets on base. He has crazy power. He, like Miguel Cabrera is really, really good, and there is no need to talk about him anymore.
Alex Avila. We don’t really know what to expect out of Alex Avila. Bill James says to expect a batting line around .277/.376/.477 from him. Like Austin Jackson, he’s going to strike out a lot. Also, like Austin Jackson, his BABIP was high last year, at .366. Look for that to come down, once again, especially in Minnesota. With Revere and Span in the outfield, a lot of his doubles will be singles or hard hit outs. And with Carroll and Casilla in the middle infield instead of Casilla, Nishioka, Hughes, Cuddyer, and Plouffe the Twins should be able to convert a lot more of his ground balls into outs.
Delmon Young. Delmon Young is bad.
Jhonny Peralta. Peralta just came off the second best year of his career in 2011. However, over the course of his career he has been nothing but a solid, regular, everyday player who in no way has ever been anything special. He’s always had some power, but he’s never really gotten on base at a spectacular clip or hit an incredible amount of home runs. Since the 2006 season, Peralta has been nothing more than an average to maybe below average player with an OPS+ of 99.
Ramon Santiago. No speed. No patience. No power. He’s nothing to ever worry about.
Brandon Inge. Think of the young career of Ben Revere. He has hit .262/.305/.301 since his debut in September of 2010. That’s 511 plate appearances. The last time Brandon Inge has hit better than that in all 3 categories was in 2004. Inge is the proud owner of a career .305 OBP and an OPS .692.
The Tigers did sign Prince Fielder today. Just like when the Seattle Mariners got Adrian Beltre. Just like how the Red Sox got Adrian Gonzalez last year. Everyone said the Red Sox would win the World Series because of that.
Remember that the Twins couldn't keep a healthy team on the field. How many jokes were made about how we were watching the Rochester Red Wings last year? Those jokes were made ALL YEAR. The only member of the Opening Day 9 who spent no time on the DL last year was Danny Valencia. And remember, as a team, the Twins have gotten much better than they were last year with the additions of Willingham and Doumit.
Let's not freak out. Let's just remember that Prince Fielder is one very good bat, but he is only one bat. He's still on a team with Brandon Inge, Delmon Young, and Ramon Santiago.
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You forgot the Verlander factor
They get 20+ wins for free regardless of the rest of the team. I’d love to trade the Tigers “problems” for the Twins problems.
by ColossusOfRhode on Jan 24, 2012 5:55 PM EST reply actions
20+ wins for free? So you are assuming that Verlander is going to pitch just like he pitched last year?
by Brady Eyestone on Jan 24, 2012 6:21 PM EST up reply actions
Okay, maybe it's only 17+ wins
He’s only had one season where that didn’t happen. In fact, if you throw out 2008, which clearly seems like the anomaly, he’s won an average of 19 games a year when he pitches for a full season. I don’t see any reason to think he’s about to fall off.
(I’m an unabashed Verlander fan, but the numbers actually bear me out in this case.)
by ColossusOfRhode on Jan 24, 2012 6:48 PM EST up reply actions
I never said he wasn’t a factor. You’ll notice how I was only referring to the offense. And only the starting nine. You’ll notice I never mentioned anything about any bench players like Don Kelly.
by Brady Eyestone on Jan 24, 2012 7:16 PM EST up reply actions
Well, then, my original point still stands
You’re simplifying the Tigers down too much by ignoring their pitching staff… and I’d still trade the Tigers problems for the Twins problems any day of the week, even if you ignore pitching. (I’d also question whether or not Brandon Inge winds up in the starting nine over Don Kelly.)
by ColossusOfRhode on Jan 24, 2012 7:32 PM EST up reply actions
There isn’t much of a difference between Kelly and Inge. And the pitching is a fine point.
So, the potential Detroit Tigers infield is Fielder at 1B, Peralta at SS, Santiago at 2B, and some people are saying Cabrera at 3B. That will be a problem for groundballers like Rick Porcello. Scherzer has never been consistent. Doug Fister’s low K/9 rate and terrible defense will mean a lot more base runners. I don’t know who their 5th starter will be. So, aside from Justin Verlander, the starting pitching has some issues.
Jose Valverde gave up 89 base runners in 72.1 innings last year. Way to many for a closer.
The pitching staff has their own set of issues.
Do the Twins? Sure. But, the Division is far from settled. Especially just because of Prince Fielder.
by Brady Eyestone on Jan 24, 2012 7:50 PM EST up reply actions
I wouldn't hold my breath expecting Jackson's BABIP to fall much further than last season's .340.
He was a high-BABIP player in the minors and will continue to be until he starts losing his speed.
"Many people need desperately to receive this message: 'I feel and think much as you do, care about many of the things you care about, although most people do not care about them. You are not alone.'"
They are the favorites to win the central now
but they are not unbeatable they have no defense Jackson and Avila are the only players that are even close to being good defensively. They have no speed what so ever Jackson is the only one and he has big on base problems. Verlander is a monster but the rest of their rotation is meh I doubt Fister preforms as well as he did last year and Scherzer, Porcello are not real fearsome. They are all power playing in a cavernous ball park. How long does it take Prince to get pissed at all the questions he will be getting about his dad for the next 9 years and how mad is Cabrera going to be if he has to DH full time or how terrible is he going to be if he has to play 3rd.
first-worst-first?
Tiger's biggest problem
Is deciding where to hang their 2012 AL Central Banner.
Tigers = Class of the division before adding Fielder. Now could be class of the AL if their pitching holds up.
Royals = Could surprise but we have been saying this since 2000
Indians = Not that good but probably will finish 2nd in the division
White Sox = Rebuilding with Adam Dunn & Batista on the roster? Yuck
Twins = Could this be a historically terrible pitching staff? Maybe! I think the Twins will fight for last in a weak division. But at least we will have another top 5 draft pick.
Wow
The site curmudgeon strikes again.
"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot
by cmathewson on Jan 24, 2012 7:58 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
You are right, I probally need an attitude check.
But this is least optimistic and most frustrated I have ever been with my Fav team.
Last year I hated watching the pitching and the FO has done nothing to address it. Other years I could say they didn’t have the money, or had bullets in the minors waiting to develop.
But this year I feel like the FO quit on the team and did nothing to improve the weakest aspect of the team. I am annoyed that the FO walked away from this season before it started. Now, even if the M&M duo is healthy, will you trade Hicks, Rosario, Sano, Kepler, or Accia to improve the MLB pitching? I hope they don’t and I am confident Ryan won’t do that.
Will I watch, cheer and hope? Yes. But I will have this bitter taste in my mouth.
by clutterheart on Jan 24, 2012 8:22 PM EST up reply actions
It has become rather difficult to have a reasoned debate with you
I understand it’s disappointing to have a budget cut after the worst season in 30 years. And I don’t pretend to think they are nearly as good as they were in 2010, when they had a comparable budget to this year at this stage in the offseason (adding Hudson and Thome put them way over).
But they are not as bad as you claim. Last year was a mess mostly because of injuries. We used the opening day lineup like five games times all year, with 135 different lineups. The only pitcher who was not hurt at some point int he season (starter or reliever) was Pavano. I don’t think anyone has really sat down and analyzed just how disruptive the injuries were. We had games with mostly a AAA roster and the fourth starter from Rochester on the mound.
If I was going to put odds on the injuries we had, I’d say it was 1 in 100. There’s almost zero chance they sustain as many injuries in 2012 as they did in 2011. Just staying healthy makes them a better team this year than last.
To say it’s an historically bad pitching staff is negative hyperbole in the extreme. The only way they can be worse than last year is if Baker, Liriano, Blackburn and Marquis are hurt for most of the year, and forced to pitch through injuries. As I said, that’s highly unlikely.
I don’t think they will contend. But I don’t think its homerish to expect a winning record. And if a few chips fall into place (Baker, Liriano, Zumaya, Morneau, etc.) they could make it interesting into September. In a rebuilding year, that’s not bad.
"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot
You are correct
And I am not sure I want a debate as I agree that I am too negative on my local 9. Also you are right saying "historically’ bad is hyperbole. so let me rephrase:
The pitchers will be bad, very bad and even slightly better than last year is still not very good.
To be better than last year, Baker needs a career year – especially in innings pitched, and Liriano needs to go back to 2010. But even if they do, the other 3 are not great and there is little depth behind them. I have no idea what to expect out of Pavano but I think Jason Marqueis is going to have a 5+ ERA. The DH will hurt him and I do not expect Target field to help him as he didn’t do well with the nationals and that is rather pitcher friendly park. I have no confidence in Blackburn, Hendricks needs more time at AAA, Swarzak & Diamond are not that good and any bullpen anchored by Matt Capps is not one to have confidence in.
Yes the Pitching staff had injuries, but that is part of the game. The FO can get a pass for not building depth last year because who knew Gibson would have Tommy John. But what has the FO done to address these problems this year? Not much, unless you consider Doyle the answer to our Depth problems.
In my opinion without more pitching this team’s ceiling is .500 and that is with a healthy Mauer and Morneau.
But I think that if the FO would add one more starter and one more good releiver and a healthy Mauer OR Morneau September could be interesting.
by clutterheart on Jan 25, 2012 5:19 AM EST up reply actions
lineup problems as well
I hate to say it but I don’t think you are being unreasonably pessimistic. Blackburn, Pavano, and Marquis are all candidates to have 5+ ERA’s. Liriano is a wild card. Baker, when healthy, is solid, but that’s not a sure thing. All of those guys could have good years, or bad years.
It would be a stretch to count on a dramatic improvement when you’re starting the exact same lineup, plus Jason Marquis. There’s a chance they’ll all bounce back and have career years — Maybe BLackburn’s problems really were injury caused, and Baker’s too. But Blackburn has a pretty long history of frequent collapses, so it would be a pleasant surprise if he did well. Pavano already has been a pleasant surprise — that could continue, or end, but he won’t improve. THere’s a scenario here where Liriano and Baker kick ass, and Pavano, BLackburn, and Marquis are all solid, sure. But that same best-case scenario could apply to every staff in the league.
The relievers it’s even harder to get excited about. They have a decent closer, one guy who had a great year last year but no track record, and a potential high upside high risk guy in Zumaya. And Duensing, who should be good. But still, a below average staff.
It isn’t even the pitching that worries me though. A team that’s starting Danny Valencia, Alexi Casilla, and Ben Revere is just not very scary. Morneau is a huge question mark. So is Span. Carroll and WIllingham and Doumit are around average MLB starters at best. That’s not a knock, but look at other teams’ starters and tell me they’d trade for ours. We have one star we can be confident in, Mauer, and he hit three home runs last year. It’s just hard for me to be optimistic. I don’t enjoy being a curmudgeon, I’m just not seeing it.
When the season starts and they start winning some games, I’ll be as excited as anyone. I still feel in my heart they’ll hang in there and make things interesting. Blackburn will confound, Liriano will astonish, Mauer will rise from the ashes, Revere will thrill with diving catches, the Twins will rebound once again, as they have so many times before. I really felt like it could happen last season, when they went on their mid-season surge.
I can’t wait for the preseason predictions this year. Very curious what you all think.
But when I look down the roster list my brain just isn’t buying it. It has a bad feeling about this year.
I’d be a lot more optimistic if Morneau hadn’t had that second concussion last year, and if he didn’t talk about how his brain is still slow. But a big year from him would be a pretty big surprise.
THey unloaded three big contracts in Cuddyer, Kubel, and Nathan, and they’re still pushing $100 million. THeir farm system is underwhelming. I don’t know, man. It’s just hard to be an optimistic Twins fan these days.
"They have a decent closer"
No, they have Matt Capps
I can't stand this kind of pessimism
It just ruins baseball fandom for me. My step father is just like this. -Always delcaring that local sports teams will lose because he knows that all the teams, save one, lose the division race. That way he can talk about how right he was later. That kind of negativity just makes me want to vomit.
Let’s take your criticism of the Twins 2012 rotation and look at it for a minute:
Scott Baker. You said he needs have a career year to pitch more innings, but you also later acknowledge that the Twins were horribly unlucky with injureies in 2011. Baker was on the DL for most of the second half, which is why he only pitched 134.2 innings. He was on pace to pitch over 200 innings before he got hurt in early July. He also posted an ERA of 3.14 (pi!) and a K/9 rate of 8.2 last year despite the injuries. He was having the “creeer year” you are asking for. -And about that comment. Baker doesn’t need to have a career year. He has a career ERA of 4.15 and a career K/9 of 7.2. Those are both quite good. A career average Scott Baker who stays healthy in 2012 could win 12-15 games.
Francisco Liriano. Everyone knows Liriano had a bad 2011. We’ve also talked about how he’s likely to rebound in 2012. He has the ability to be a bona fide ace. I actually think it would be shrewd of TR to try and lock him up right now. Because if he has the rebound year we are all expecting, he will get a lot of money as a FA going into 2013.
Carl Pavano. You have no idea what to expect out of Pavano? Well, he’s pitched 220+ innings each of the last 2 seasons. He had an ERA of 3.75 in 2010 and 4.30 in 2011. I’d still take the worse of those 2 years and feel very good about him. Yes, he’s getting older. Still, he can regress a little and still be a solid #2-3 starter.
Jason Marquis. He’s 33, so he’s just leaving his prime. Marquis has a career ERA of 4.55. That’s fine for a guy you are expecting to be your #3 or #4 starter. I don’t see why you say he is going to have an ERA above 5; he’s only done that twice since 2004. It seems like you’re just grabbing for predictions of doom here. I expect him to be a decent starter if he can stay healthy.
Nick Blackburn. Here’s one guy where I kind of see where you are coming from. His low K/9 rate has had me bracing for a possible ERA 6+ season for the last few years. Still, he has been a regular starter for 4 seasons now, and he is holding a career 4.50 ERA. He’s also in his prime. At this point, I’m comfortable with asking him to be a #5 starter.
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thanks
My pessimism is ruining it for me, too. I’m just usually not this pessimistic; I’m usually bursting with hope. And this year I’m not. So I’m bummed out. I also know that over the course of the year I usually get whipsawed back and forth, hope and despair, hope and despair, many times, and I’m expecting that to happen again. I can’t wait for spring training, to get excited about the overlooked up and comers, the best shape of their life guys, and feel that optimism again.
About your pitching analysis — no disagreements, really. That still looks like a decent staff, though, more than a good one. If the starters were the only problem, I’d be optimistic. We’ve won many division titles, even championships with two good pitchers and a bunch of filler. With Liriano and Baker at their best, they could be competitive. Just not with this offense, probably. Is there any real reason to think at this point that Valencia, Casilla, and Revere will be good hitters next year? I’m not saying it couldn’t happen — two strong weeks in spring training, and I’ll be salivating like a puppy. I just wouldn’t pick them as more likely to break out than any of a thousand other guys at this point.
But who knows. Valencia did have one good year, and there’s that Sean Burroughs guy as a possible comeback story. Casilla has done well, in flashes. Getting 600 at bats out of Carroll seems unlikely, but who knows. It could happen. I’m not ruling it out. Last season used up a lot my optimism, but it always springs back. Spring training will be a real breath of fresh air this year. So many feel good stories and reasons for hope will emerge then. If Morneau starts hot, I’m going to get really, really excited, I promise. Because with Mauer and Morneau bashing, and Liriano at his best, this team could scare people again. They’re only one year from a division title; it’s not like the Pirates or something. It could happen. There, that better?
Injuries are part of the game
But no one expects all but two players on your team to get injured in the same year.
"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot
"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot
by cmathewson on Jan 25, 2012 10:18 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Agree Somewhat
But Don’t you mean 2011 AL Central Champions banner?
Anyway, here is how I see the teams in 2012:
Tigers = Could be underwhelming on offense, but pitching is still a good bet, unless if the Tigers get some key injuries.
Royals = Could sneak into first in a weak division, this is a young team that has a year under its belt and could truly surprise this season.
Indians = Ok offense, but pitching could be a problem. They could regress this season.
White Sox = Clearly rebuilding and will fight to stay out of the cellar.
Twins = Will have a better season this year. We might not contend at the end, but we still have some good trade chips in which to improve our minor league system, and I am not talking about Denard Span. Overall we will have a much better year than last season even if Mauer and Morneau don’t step up.
I'm a proud fan of the Minnesota Twins and Dallas Cowboys!
"Life is precious and time is a key element. Let’s make every moment count and help those who have a greater need than our own." – Harmon Killebrew
I would like to see Dallas vs the Giants on Thanksgiving, Make it happen NFL!
If the Tigers sign Roy Oswalt
I will cry, uncontrollably, into my pillow, every night.
Remember, remember the seventh of November.
If a AL Central team signs Oswalt
It will be the Twins after breaking their self imposed salary cap.
I'm a proud fan of the Minnesota Twins and Dallas Cowboys!
"Life is precious and time is a key element. Let’s make every moment count and help those who have a greater need than our own." – Harmon Killebrew
I would like to see Dallas vs the Giants on Thanksgiving, Make it happen NFL!
The Tigers got 99 problems
but a Prince ain’t one
Remember, remember the seventh of November.
by Go Twins! on Jan 24, 2012 11:27 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Nice.
"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any one of us." -Kirby Puckett
"Tell Gardy there's nobody around to protect him now." Ozzie Guillen
by less cowbell, more 'neau on Jan 25, 2012 8:59 AM EST up reply actions
For one thing, Prince Fielder will be making $25 million a year in 2018, 2019 and 2020.
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/how-will-prince-fielder-age/
He’s probably not gonna be quuuuuuite worth it.
(I get that this was talking about his year. But please. The Tigers are going to own the Central for the next few years.)
That’s not a given. By any means. Players who are as large as Fielder tend to decline much sooner than more fit players. The Tigers have 65 million dollars tied up in Justin Verlander, Miguel Cabrera, and Prince Fielder. They have no payroll flexibility going forward. I’m going to go out on a limb and just say that the Tigers won’t win the Central in 2012.
by Brady Eyestone on Jan 25, 2012 12:09 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
They are the favorites
But it’s not a slam dunk. If fielder has an OPS+ as good as Martinez had last year (132), they are about as good as they were last year. That’s still the best team in the division.
But it’s not a slam dunk. Last year, they had very few injuries relative to everyone in the division. They are not a particularly young team. And they are S-L-O-W. Odds are, Verlander will not have another career year. I for one would be worried about his innings load last year (250) and his pitches per start (he frequently went over 125). I wouldn’t be surprised by a dead arm this year. And I think the bullpen is more vulnerable this year. It is highly unlikely they run away with it.
"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot
Obviously they are the favorites. I won’t disagree with that, but it seems everyone on the blogosphere is ready to go start 2013 already.
They still have so many issues.
by Brady Eyestone on Jan 25, 2012 12:38 AM EST up reply actions
If Fielder's only as good offensively as VMart...
he’s had a pretty lackluster year. Fielder wRC+ last 3: 160, 137. 162. VMart last year 130. Fielder’s walk-heavy skill set is undervalued by OPS.
If the Tigers don’t run away with it, it’s unlikely to be the Twins competing with them. Not impossible IF everything breaks right, but I would steer well clear of any such wager.
by tobynotjason on Jan 25, 2012 1:50 PM EST up reply actions
What's not a given?
I’m confused. My POINT was that players like Fielder tend to decline quickly, so at least it ain’t gonna help them much (to the contrary, monetarily) by the last third of the contract… so I’m not sure why you’re telling me “Players who are large as Fielder tend to decline much sooner…”.
But barring major injury he should post very good to great lines from 2012-2015, when Cabrera goes, and I think it’s very, very likely that the Tigers will dominate the Central in 2012.
by tobynotjason on Jan 25, 2012 1:44 PM EST up reply actions
In the year 2018
The Twins will have a chance! Mauer will still only be 63, and global warming will mean Target Field is tolerable in April, May, and September! The dominance of big-market TV contracts will be neutralized by the Great Nanobyte Plague of 2017, which continues to disrupt all high-def sets in NY, BOS, LA, and TEX! (Nanobytes being only effectively neutralized by a low-frequency pulse wave that comes from the stink of lutefisk, we will emerge unscathed.) Hope springs eternal!
Steve Goodman lives.
by twinsbrewer on Jan 25, 2012 1:22 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Had to Rec this
Hopefully we will be in the glow of several World Championships by the time 2018 rolls around.
I'm a proud fan of the Minnesota Twins and Dallas Cowboys!
"Life is precious and time is a key element. Let’s make every moment count and help those who have a greater need than our own." – Harmon Killebrew
I would like to see Dallas vs the Giants on Thanksgiving, Make it happen NFL!
I agree Tigers are not perfect
I have had these concerns before about the White Sox and they always fell short of how good they should be, so there’s hope.
However, if the Tigers look at the Twins lineup like you just did their’s, you see:
Mauer: great, when healthy
Morneau: great, before getting hurt again
2B: ?, at best
Carroll: ok fielder and meh hitter
Danny V: could turn the corner and be a threat, could have his head ripped off by Gardy and traded for beans (and not the kind with pork)
Revere: see all the complaints about Jackson, except zero power and zero arm
Span: nice player
Willingham: ok player
DH: see second base.
if the Twins can get Oswalt and another decent reliever… the pitching staff is actually pretty strong. Until then… the staff is basically hinging on Liriano not sucking (and I don’t like those odds one bit, I rather trade him for beans, the kind with pork)
so as you can see, the Twins ain’t exactly pretty, especially if Mauer or Morneau aren’t 100%
The only good thing about all of this… at least Prince didn’t sign with the White Sox
REPORTER: What do you think is happening to the team?
MICHAEL RAY RICHARDSON: The ship be sinking.
REPORTER: How far can it sink?
MICHAEL RAY RICHARDSON: Sky's the limit.
by uofmike on Jan 25, 2012 12:19 AM EST via Android app reply actions
A little critical
Casilla is a fairly young and talented player at 2B. I’m hesitant to say it, but I actually think the Twins lineup is just as good if not better than the Tigers IF (and I mean IF!) Justin Morneau can somehow outproduce Miguel Cabrera.
by house412242 on Jan 25, 2012 12:39 AM EST up reply actions
ironically had the Morneau vs Cabrera debate yesterday
if Morneau is playing at the top of his game, there isn’t a single first basement I’d rather have, no matter how good Cabrera, Prince, or Pujols are. The same can be said for Mauer and catchers. I think Mauer is due for a solid season (I think his season 2 years ago was acceptable, so not as critical as most on Mauer). But I have zero faith in Morneau making it through the season or him playing at his very best. If both of them aren’t at the top of their games, I think this team is in a world of trouble.
REPORTER: What do you think is happening to the team?
MICHAEL RAY RICHARDSON: The ship be sinking.
REPORTER: How far can it sink?
MICHAEL RAY RICHARDSON: Sky's the limit.
by uofmike on Jan 25, 2012 12:50 AM EST via Android app up reply actions
I'd still rather have Pujols
But I’d take a healthy Morneau over Howard or Fielder. Teixeira and Cabrera are a push.
Agreed in spades v. Howard/Fielder.
I’d probably take Teixeira if I can quash my douche-detector sufficiently.
by tobynotjason on Jan 25, 2012 1:52 PM EST up reply actions
How is Pujols' defense at 1B?
Not that it’s incredibly important, but I’ve always thought Morneau’s defense was underrated.
Very good
He’d still be a third baseman if his shoulder wasn’t hosed.
"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot
Willingham is as good if not better than Cuddyer. And don’t forget about Doumit.
by Brady Eyestone on Jan 25, 2012 12:39 AM EST up reply actions
disagree
I know the numbers show Willingham is as good or better than Cuddyer, but I think Cuddyer is a better defender and if he didn’t have to spend all his time playing every position on the field… or half of them… for the last couple years I think Cuddyer’s numbers would be much better than Willingham’s. Didn’t Cuddy only have like 5 RBI in the first month? He carried this team last year.
I like the Doumit signing because of the potential and we no longer have to have Butera’s bat in the offense. But with his health issues and inconsistency I am not even considering him right now (much like Zumaya in the bullpen)
REPORTER: What do you think is happening to the team?
MICHAEL RAY RICHARDSON: The ship be sinking.
REPORTER: How far can it sink?
MICHAEL RAY RICHARDSON: Sky's the limit.
by uofmike on Jan 25, 2012 12:57 AM EST via Android app up reply actions
RBIs? You are well aware those are useless, right?
by Brady Eyestone on Jan 25, 2012 1:18 AM EST up reply actions
nope
was completely unaware
REPORTER: What do you think is happening to the team?
MICHAEL RAY RICHARDSON: The ship be sinking.
REPORTER: How far can it sink?
MICHAEL RAY RICHARDSON: Sky's the limit.
by uofmike on Jan 25, 2012 1:37 AM EST via Android app up reply actions
are hits without men on base useless too?
REPORTER: What do you think is happening to the team?
MICHAEL RAY RICHARDSON: The ship be sinking.
REPORTER: How far can it sink?
MICHAEL RAY RICHARDSON: Sky's the limit.
by uofmike on Jan 25, 2012 1:38 AM EST via Android app up reply actions 1 recs
haha
a little from column A and a little from column B
REPORTER: What do you think is happening to the team?
MICHAEL RAY RICHARDSON: The ship be sinking.
REPORTER: How far can it sink?
MICHAEL RAY RICHARDSON: Sky's the limit.
by uofmike on Jan 25, 2012 1:43 AM EST via Android app up reply actions
So, you bring up a useless stat to try to prove a point, then?
by Brady Eyestone on Jan 25, 2012 1:48 AM EST up reply actions
I agree to a certain extent
I think you may have oversimplified and sold some of the Tigers players short but I’m not any more scared of the Tigers than I was when they had Victor healthy a few weeks ago and no one considered Prince a realistic option.
They’re better than the Twins plain and simple and I have to agree I’d take the Tigers question marks over the Twins question marks any day of the week as others suggested. The Twins have just too many question marks surrounding health and performance for me to have any level of confidence.
Peyton's good but have you ever heard of Jeff George?
Also I'm super confused by the signing of Prince
This is a bit of a sidebar but this seems like a move that could screw the Tigers. They don’t have a great farm system as far as I’m aware. They have a ton of money tied up into 3 1B/DH types for the next 3 years that is gonna be a headache in another year right? Is there anyone of those guys that can play a position other than 1B/DH (keep in mind Martinez will be 34 coming off knee surgery and only caught 34 games in 2011)? I’m legitimately asking could any of them handle a corner outfield position?
They have some issues that could come up real quick and they’re locked in long term with a lot of big money players. I do’nt think they have the farm system to supplement these expensive players and I don’t know how they keep Martinez/Prince/Fielder in the lineup consistently come 2013/2014
Peyton's good but have you ever heard of Jeff George?
Cabrera is apparently going to be playing some 3B
He also played LF in his youth but that probably will not be happening.
Jack Morris ________
That makes me smile
Better work on our bunting.
"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot
How True
I rather have a solid farm system with $47 million tied up to Mauer, Morneau, and Roy Oswalt than have the current situation that the Tigers have with a somewhat depressing system. The good news is that they are ranked above both Cleveland and the White Sox.
I'm a proud fan of the Minnesota Twins and Dallas Cowboys!
"Life is precious and time is a key element. Let’s make every moment count and help those who have a greater need than our own." – Harmon Killebrew
I would like to see Dallas vs the Giants on Thanksgiving, Make it happen NFL!
Contracts
Morneau also only has two $14 Million years left on his contract too. I love having a much better farm system than Detroit. It would be great if we could acquire some talent at the deadline if things don’t go according to plan. What’s really hard to believe is that the Twins had a higher payroll than the Tigers last season.
True
But you could argue that as a weakness for every team in the history of baseball. Even the 1927 and 1998 Yankees lost games. Heck, the Twins could likely beat up on the 2012 version of the Yankees in one game, and do so at Yankee Stadium, yet the Yankees end up celebrating Championship number 28 after winning 120 regular season games and going 11-0 in the playoffs.
I'm a proud fan of the Minnesota Twins and Dallas Cowboys!
"Life is precious and time is a key element. Let’s make every moment count and help those who have a greater need than our own." – Harmon Killebrew
I would like to see Dallas vs the Giants on Thanksgiving, Make it happen NFL!
Disclaimer
I hope and pray that the Yankees lose 120 games this year and the following 90 years in a row., but the chance of that happening is worse than an entire rotation pitching five straight perfect games. This is knowing that there have been only 20 perfect games in baseball’s modern history.
I'm a proud fan of the Minnesota Twins and Dallas Cowboys!
"Life is precious and time is a key element. Let’s make every moment count and help those who have a greater need than our own." – Harmon Killebrew
I would like to see Dallas vs the Giants on Thanksgiving, Make it happen NFL!
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