A.L. Central Discussion 2016

[Iffster]

The grass is always greener, man.

I envy teams that can sign non-reclamation project free agents.

I see your point. I just prefer creating something from (almost) nothing and seeing how it works, than going out and buying the "spiffy", already finished model. In the past I built plastic model airplanes. Now I see them already done (in wood, metal and plastic) and mounted on a pedestal for 3 times the price. What joy did the buyer get?

But yes....A bright and sparkly Wilson Ramos or Chapman or Cespedes would look nice at Christmas time. But Justin Upton and Jason Heyward looked nice too. Greener crab grass

 

[WiggyRuss]

Something else to note here. There are still trades that could theoretically be made. If the Tigers and/or Royals got hot during the next week, the likelihood of them making a move should go up quite a bit. Hellickson comes to mind.

did hellickson clear waivers? kinda surprises me

 

[Fountain City Blues]

did hellickson clear waivers? kinda surprises me

Well, the Royals being behind a couple teams could theoretically claim him. We'd have to see.

 

[dougplayer]

Sanchez sharp so far. 1 hitter through 2.
Good thing tigers didn't cut Sanchez. .right iffy???

 

[dougplayer]

Agreed....and I'll give credit to Dombrowski for over-selling a few Tiger "Prospects".

Still you got to like our chances

 

[dougplayer]

ESPN analyst Desmond Howard has michigan to win the big 10...just saying

 

[Iffster]

ESPN analyst Desmond Howard has michigan to win the big 10...just saying

Sorry doug....you know nothing about college football. Just sayin'

 

[Erie Warrior]

ESPN analyst Desmond Howard has michigan to win the big 10...just saying

I love Desmond, he is an Ohio guy, from Cleveland. Sadly, he doesn't know jack shit about college football, just like Doug.

 

[Fountain City Blues]

9 straight...

 

[dougplayer]

Love that scoreboard from last night...Looks like my vision is becoming clearer. Sanchez delivers

 

[Howie115]

trading away prospects hasn't been the problem for the Tigers, it's poor drafting.

Considering that most of the prospects Dombrowski traded away haven't panned out in the Bigs, I'd have to agree. As Iffy said, at least give DD props for overselling the value of said prospects. But he also gets part of the blame for drafting those guys in the first place.

 

[Howie115]

ESPN analyst Desmond Howard has michigan to win the big 10...just saying

LOL.... Howard is not the most objective analyst when it comes to Michigan football.

 

[WiggyRuss]

what is going on with Salazar?

mental or physical or both?

 

[Fountain City Blues]

what is going on with Salazar?

mental or physical or both?

I'd have to assume physical. The Tribe have plenty of time to figure out the issue and plenty of games to burn though. I wouldn't be too bothered by the Royals or Tigers if I were an Indians fan.

 

[WiggyRuss]

I'd have to assume physical. The Tribe have plenty of time to figure out the issue and plenty of games to burn though. I wouldn't be too bothered by the Royals or Tigers if I were an Indians fan.

if the Tribe was not playing I would be worried - but for the most part they are playing pretty well...

Salazar is a concern though- especially potentially in the playoffs. Ideally youd love to go Kluber/Carrasco/Salazar and maybe Bauer in a playoff series if you decide to go 4- and you gotta feel pretty good about that four-some if Salazar is pitching well.

I just hope he figures it out sooner than later- or the Tribe gives him some time to rest...i dunno...not ideal to see him getting hammered by a crappy A's offense.

 

[Howie115]

Well, if the Detroit Tigers are going to make any kind of serious push for a post-season bid, I think this 9-game stretch against bad teams (MIN, LAA, CHW) is critical. They really need to win all three series (minimum 6-3), but I would hope for 7 or 8 wins. If they can close out August being 4-5 games back of Cleveland, and 1 or 2 out of the Wild Card, I think they are legit contenders with the players they have expected to return from injuries in September. If they go 5-4 or worse in these 9 games, their chances for a playoff spot are pretty much nil.

 

[SlinkyRedfoot]

I see your point. I just prefer creating something from (almost) nothing and seeing how it works, than going out and buying the "spiffy", already finished model. In the past I built plastic model airplanes. Now I see them already done (in wood, metal and plastic) and mounted on a pedestal for 3 times the price. What joy did the buyer get?

But yes....A bright and sparkly Wilson Ramos or Chapman or Cespedes would look nice at Christmas time. But Justin Upton and Jason Heyward looked nice too. Greener crab grass

Oh, yeah. Ideally, I would want the Indians to be a hybrid. A team that operates how they currently do, focusing on drafting and developing, but have the cash so that when the right piece came available via free agency, they could be in the running.

Honestly, that's what scares me about the Cubs, as I think they are that type of hybrid under Epstein. I also think Cashman is heading in that direction. I thought the Red Sox were, but their hire of Dombrowski makes me skeptical.

 

[DirtDirtDirt]

Oh, yeah. Ideally, I would want the Indians to be a hybrid. A team that operates how they currently do, focusing on drafting and developing, but have the cash so that when the right piece came available via free agency, they could be in the running.

Honestly, that's what scares me about the Cubs, as I think they are that type of hybrid under Epstein. I also think Cashman is heading in that direction. I thought the Red Sox were, but their hire of Dombrowski makes me skeptical.

Thanks for Clint Frazier

 

[navamind]

More like Clit Frazier. Amirite?

 

[broncosmitty]

I see Salazar only walked 3 in 4 innings last night.

Oakland prolly got all those hits on account of him focusing on strikes.