Detroit Tigers Ongoing 2014 Thread

[burfboy]

Detroit Athletic Co.


Kirk Gibson's 1984 World Championship ring.

 

[Howie115]

good bye to Prince and his epic postseason .194 BA (28 for 144) with 5 HR and a whopping 11 rbi in 164 appearances at the dish. Hello to Ian Kinsler and his .311 BA (38 for 122) with 4 HR and 20 RBI in 148 trips to the dish in the postseason.

Leave it to adrian to be the voice of reason regarding the Fielder deal. The guy was good-to-great in the regular season here over two years, but not good enough to justify the huge contract. And he was completely absent in both post-seasons.

Even with my lack of confidence in the kid at third the infield got waaaaay better when Jhonny and Prince moved on. No more slow rollers up the middle. No more three hoppers thru the hole to left, it's gonna be nice to watch.

That's where Nicky C. will be helped some at third -- having Iglesias to his left. That's a luxury that Cabrera didn't have for most of the season. People whined about Cabrera's lack of range on the bouncers that went to LF for base hits, but let's not forget that Peralta was half of that equation.

 

[jalopy]

That's where Nicky C. will be helped some at third -- having Iglesias to his left. That's a luxury that Cabrera didn't have for most of the season. People whined about Cabrera's lack of range on the bouncers that went to LF for base hits, but let's not forget that Peralta was half of that equation.

Castellanos isn't on the team for his glove. He may be a slight upgrade over Miggy (especially injured Miggy) but the kid can hit. Anyone questioning that he can hit at the MLB level just hasn't seen him play. That isn't to say he won't have his ups and downs but I expect him to hit .280 with 20-25 home runs. Maybe not good enough yet to take over the cleanup role but I expect him to be hitting fifth by the All-Star break.

 

[broncosmitty]

I could see Nicky developing into a player that can provide that type of offense. Don't see it this season though. Its possible he could hit over 30 doubles. Id take that from a rookie. The power will come with time, but Comerica is a lot bigger than Toledo, Erie, Lakeland and Fifth/Third. The 25 homer ceiling seems rather high to me.

 

[jalopy]

Yeah, my projections might be a little ambitious but a lot depends on where he hits in the line-up. I don't think this offense will be as good as last year but I think they will be a lot more consistent (less shutouts).

 

[broncosmitty]

Yeah, should be a lot less feast or famine.(Less waiting for the long ball anyway.) Im hoping to see base running again for the first time in years. Maybe even some run manufacturing. Where d'you see Nick in the lineup? Right now, Im assuming sixth against lefties, seventh against righties. With Hunter at 5 and Kinsler at 2. (I could see Dirks, Avila and NC thru the same spots in the order.)

 

[burfboy]

I think the Tigers will score more runs this season.....way better base running, speed and a different Manager.......

 

[Howie115]

Even though he's not ideal, I'm guessing Ajax still bats leadoff. He was doing a decent job drawing walks in the first two months last year, but after the injuries hit, it seemed like he came back a less patient hitter. And I can't see any justification, from a statistical standpoint, to hit Kinsler at leadoff over Jackson. Looking at career numbers:

Ajax: .278 BA / .344 OBP / 63 walks per 162 games
Kinsler: .273 / .349 / 70 walks per 162 games

Over the last three seasons, Kinsler's OBP is .342 -- right about where Ajax is. And his stolen base success rate has sharply declined since he reached age 30. 21 SB / 9 CS in 2012, 15 SB / 11 CS in 2013. That's horrible. Are you really gonna take a chance sending a guy who's only a little over 60% success rate with Cabrera coming up in a batter or two?

With this in mind, I'm kind of seeing a couple scenarios, but I could be wildly off base:

Vs. RHP:
1. Jackson, CF
2. Dirks, LF
3. Cabrera, 1B
4. Martinez, DH
5. Hunter, RF
6. Kinsler, 2B
7. Avila, C
8. Castellanos, 3B
9. Iglesias, SS

Vs. LHP
1. Jackson, CF
2. Hunter, RF
3. Cabrera, 1B
4. Martinez, DH
5. Kinsler, 2B
6. Castellanos, 3B
7. Davis/Dirks, LF
8. Holaday/Avila, C
9. Iglesias, SS

 

[gvsulaker82]

You taking even money bets against the Tigers winning the division again this year?

Ive said numerous times the tigers are clear front runners in their division, are you betting against or for?

 

[gvsulaker82]

Corner turning time for Ricky this year. No more outings like his against the Angels last year and he's looking like a legit #4. Which would be nice since he's definitely getting paid like a legit #4.

Rick had several disastrous outings and if you factor those out he had a nice year.

 

[gvsulaker82]

Anybody else get the feeling that the left side of our infield is going to lead the AL in errors this years despite being improved?

You betting money against the tigers winning the division this year?


Sorry had to...I express a concern about the team and you assume I think the sky is falling in detroit, just turning the tables on you to show how hypocritical you can be

 

[Howie115]

Corner turning time for Ricky this year. No more outings like his against the Angels last year and he's looking like a legit #4. Which would be nice since he's definitely getting paid like a legit #4.

Rick P. set to make $8 million, which is #3 money for about half of the teams in the league. But then Ricky Nolasco got $12 million a year for four years in Minnesota, and he's been no better than Porcello over the last four seasons (ERAs of 4.51, 4.67, 4.48 and 3.70) -- perhaps worse when you factor in NL vs. AL. So I guess the market for legit starting pitchers is up there.

 

[Howie115]

Sorry had to...I express a concern about the team and you assume I think the sky
is falling in detroit, just turning the tables on you to show how hypocritical you can be

You concerns about the loss of Fister from the rotation and Smyly from the bullpen are shared, Laker. Doesn't mean the Tigers can't/won't still win the division, but pitching depth is easily the biggest question mark.

 

[jalopy]

You betting money against the tigers winning the division this year?


Sorry had to...I express a concern about the team and you assume I think the sky is falling in detroit, just turning the tables on you to show how hypocritical you can be

I think perhaps you need a dictionary. I would start by looking up the word hypocritical. Nowhere on this thread or any other have I stated anything other than I unequivocally that I believe the Tigers will win the division in 2014. Even the quote you copied stated my belief that the left side of the infield be improved. As for me commenting on your opinions, I don't even know who you are (or care).

While you have that dictionary handy it might behoove you to look up the phrase "internet troll"

Enjoy the season

 

[jalopy]

You concerns about the loss of Fister from the rotation and Smyly from the bullpen are shared, Laker. Doesn't mean the Tigers can't/won't still win the division, but pitching depth is easily the biggest question mark.

Howie, there isn't anyway to look at it without coming to the conclusion that the team likely took a small step backward by trading Fister. Smyly hasn't proven he can last a full season or get through a batting order multiple times. The affect on the bullpen is less clear but Smyly's replacement(s) are unclear at this point.
I wouldn't consider the pitching depth a big question mark, though. Having Porcello and Smyly as your 4th and 5th starters is better than most teams currently have.

 

[Cleaves2000]

Awesome post,
I agree with most of your thoughts here, this is reality. But the other reality is that the tigers are still far superior to any team in the central. Also scherzer was a dback not a red I believe and he started his career 8-0 there if I recall correctly.

Lol oops yup youre right about max....must of had homer bailey on my mind since i think he is just like max....had em both on my team when they first came up.....loads of talent....but would get rocked here and there. Very inconsistent. Bailey will be a top pitcher in next 3-5 IMO.

 

[Cleaves2000]

Cleaves you say you are hesitant about signing miggy (a much better hitter than prince) but are upset the tigers traded fielders massive contract for kinsler? You should be ecstatic they got anything back. That contract is a disaster. I said it when the tigers signed him, I said it when the tigers traded him and still cant believe they received anything in return. Of course kinsler is not as good as fielder, that wasnt the point. Us tigers fans should be relieved that they unloaded that contract, prince has been declining already and the rangers are going to pay thru the nose. Maybe he has one or two good years left in him, but hes no ortiz.

I think we traded fielder too soon.....him and miggy shouldve gotten 1-2 more years.....prince blew it in the playoffs, but so did alot of other tiger players. If BP doesnt blow that game 2 lead, we might not even be talking about princes failure. I just felt in MLB teams get desperate at trade deadline.....and in the future when the tigers are out of it they couldve unloaded him....i just dont think this team got better....last years team was a bench and a bullpen away from winning it all IMO. One huge weakness was lefty BP help.....and coke is still here...

 

[Cleaves2000]

Seen today where they said miggy could bat 4th because lack of power on this team....putting hunter in the 3 hole since he had the 2nd most HR's last year from returning tigers. Ajax, kinsler, hunter, miggy, vmart.......vmart prefers to bat 5th the article said.

Still think detroit will win the central, but i dont think they got better....

Royals will be only team to contend...maybe sox if abreu hits like a monster and sale continues his dominance...injuns are a joke....got worse this offseason....and twins are still a few yrs away...

 

[jalopy]

I don't think Miggy batting 4th is a bad idea. Bad for Miggy's numbers but good for the team. It would mean him getting walked with 2 outs instead of 1 out more often. That would put more pressure on VMart and Nick C (I assume he hits 6th). I would even consider Castellanos hitting 3rd if he proves he is as good as I think he is.

 

[broncosmitty]

I think perhaps you need a dictionary. I would start by looking up the word hypocritical. Nowhere on this thread or any other have I stated anything other than I unequivocally that I believe the Tigers will win the division in 2014. Even the quote you copied stated my belief that the left side of the infield be improved. As for me commenting on your opinions, I don't even know who you are (or care).

While you have that dictionary handy it might behoove you to look up the phrase "internet troll"

Enjoy the season

Why are you compelled to be a dick? It's annoying as fuck.