Detroit Tigers Ongoing 2016 Thread

[Howie115]

I am also looking forward to the possibility of Porcello and Scherzer taking both CY Awards.

I'm predicting these top three for the AL Cy Young:

1. Zach Britton
2. Rick Porcello
3. Justin Verlander

While that's not necessarily the way I see it, I think that's how the vote will go. It's tough to overlook the season Britton had. Perfect in saves (47-for-47), 0.54 ERA and a 0.84 WHIP. He will get a lot of 1st and 2nd place votes, while the starter votes get split up a lot among Porcello, JV, Kluber, and Aaron Sanchez.

JV finished ahead of Porcello in many categories (ERA, WHIP, Strikeouts), but not by a lot in ERA or WHIP. Because they were close, I think Porcello's 22-4 record will carry more weight than it should (he got almost 3 runs per game more support than JV, and had a better bullpen backing him). Porcello also led the majors with a superb 5.91 K/BB ratio, thanks to walking only 32 batters all year.

 

[Iffster]

More than just an award riding on the CY vote for Verlander. Up until this season, his HOF chances were dwindling fast. He was basically living off one super season and a couple of good ones. He had not produced much since turning 30 and it looked like his chances at the HOF were shrinking every season. A CY Award would really boost his appearance as a serious name to consider down the road. (Of course, he has several more years to go).

Unfortunately....being on a non-playoff team and up against a twenty game winner and super closer (both on playoff teams) hurt his chances.

 

[Howie115]

More than just an award riding on the CY vote for Verlander. Up until this season, his HOF chances were dwindling fast. He was basically living off one super season and a couple of good ones. He had not produced much since turning 30 and it looked like his chances at the HOF were shrinking every season. A CY Award would really boost his appearance as a serious name to consider down the road. (Of course, he has several more years to go).

Unfortunately....being on a non-playoff team and up against a twenty game winner and super closer (both on playoff teams) hurt his chances.

I would argue 2012 was a GREAT season, not just good. 17-8, 2.64 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 239 Ks, MLB-leading 161 ERA+, and he finished 2nd to David Price in the CY vote. But I get your point. If JV's ERA and WHIP were way ahead of Porcello's, the wins would carry less weight. But because JV was only .07 better in ERA and .01 better in WHIP, the +6 in wins for Rick will put him over JV. Just IMO.

Also, the Cy Young Award is not the MVP. A team's finish should have nothing to do with it.

 

[Lions=TeHsUcKs]

McCann is not as bad a hitter as his .221 average showed, but I'd still like to see a lefty backup C to spell him and keep him to about 125 games. Not Salty, though. I know some of you hate him, but it won't bother me much to keep Iggy at SS. If you go out and get a slight uptick in offense/power but someone who plays marginal defense, you'll lose more games than you gain.

Barring injuries and assuming Zimmermann gets back to somewhat "normal" performance levels, I think the rotation is pretty much set as well: Verlander, Fulmer, Norris, Zimm and Boyd. The bullpen is where the bulk of the changes need to be. F-Rod is in an option year. He saved 44 games in 49 chances, which isn't bad, but he's clearly on a downturn in his career (3.24 ERA, career-low 8.0 K/9). I think Alex Wilson and Kyle Ryan fit their roles well, and Bruce Rondon was a surprise (2.97 ERA, 11.1 K/9). Setup relief was atrocious. Anyone and everyone we used in that role is expendable, IMO.

I would go after Matt Weiters, A bullpen arm and a true CFer

 

[Lions=TeHsUcKs]

Question, who do you guys think should be traded? JD or Upton? I feel as though both have fallen off defensively from last year especially JD whom has been one of the worst fielders in all of the majors. I state I want a true Cfer because I feel like Maybin is trending to being a good corner OFer with a weak arm. His arm was amongst the worst in the MLB and I feel like the -35 runs differential in the defensive outfield were one of the major reasons the Tigers missed the playoffs.

I also would like the mention that Iggy needs to learn how to field to his right. One of the reasons is because of Castellanos and the other is because he was -18 run differential in that category. If he were just league average or slightly below average, he would have been far and away the best fielding SS in the majors from all metrics. He was elite in going to his left and balls dead on.

 

[Iffster]

The entire outfield sucks defensively. Finding a good hitting, good fielding centerfielder would help a lot. No help in the free agent market. Cespedes and Dexter Fowler might be free agents if they opt out of contracts...but neither is a top flight defensive player (Fowler use to be).
I suppose they could not pick up Maybin's option and attempt a trade for a defensive-oriented CF. But the problem is....what do they use as trade bait? Or they could keep Maybin and trade the also not-so-hot defensively JD Martinez. I guess you could get a quality outfielder back in return for him (although he would actually be a one year rental to the team that trades for him). Upton....I hope he wins the MVP award in 2017 and gets out of town, ASAP.

 

[Iffster]

Question, who do you guys think should be traded? JD or Upton? I feel as though both have fallen off defensively from last year especially JD whom has been one of the worst fielders in all of the majors. I state I want a true Cfer because I feel like Maybin is trending to being a good corner OFer with a weak arm. His arm was amongst the worst in the MLB and I feel like the -35 runs differential in the defensive outfield were one of the major reasons the Tigers missed the playoffs.

I also would like the mention that Iggy needs to learn how to field to his right. One of the reasons is because of Castellanos and the other is because he was -18 run differential in that category. If he were just league average or slightly below average, he would have been far and away the best fielding SS in the majors from all metrics. He was elite in going to his left and balls dead on.

You can't trade Upton...he can opt out after next year. If he doesn't, he has (I think) 4 more years at $22mil each. If he hits like he did in April, may, and June...all year in 2017....you are stuck with him. No one will touch his contract.

 

[broncosmitty]

Question, who do you guys think should be traded? JD or Upton? I feel as though both have fallen off defensively from last year especially JD whom has been one of the worst fielders in all of the majors. I state I want a true Cfer because I feel like Maybin is trending to being a good corner OFer with a weak arm. His arm was amongst the worst in the MLB and I feel like the -35 runs differential in the defensive outfield were one of the major reasons the Tigers missed the playoffs.

I also would like the mention that Iggy needs to learn how to field to his right. One of the reasons is because of Castellanos and the other is because he was -18 run differential in that category. If he were just league average or slightly below average, he would have been far and away the best fielding SS in the majors from all metrics. He was elite in going to his left and balls dead on.

I don't see a market for Upton.

But I think that JD getting dealt makes a ton of sense longterm. Upton's stupid deal being a big part of that.

 

[broncosmitty]

Ausmus is back, back again.

 

[Howie115]

Ausmus is back, back again.

Yes, I heard that on the radio this morning. The Detroit News reports the Tigers will pick up the Year 4 option on Ausmus' contract.

 

[broncosmitty]

Did people really not think he was coming back?

 

[Howie115]

Question, who do you guys think should be traded? JD or Upton? I feel as though both have fallen off defensively from last year especially JD whom has been one of the worst fielders in all of the majors.

Among outfielders, J.D. is easily more tradeable. He is a bargain at about $9.5 million next season. Iggy and Castellanos are also both tradeable.

 

[Howie115]

Tigers biggest weaknesses that need to be addressed:

1. Bullpen
2. Team speed/baserunning
3. Outfield defense
4. Bench/organizational depth

 

[Iffster]

Ausmus back, Avila still there. I will be surprised if there are a lot of changes. One more year with the basic core of guys, then some contracts are of the books....Sanchez, Kinsler, JD, Pelfrey, F-Rod, Maybin.
I am sure there will be one at least one semi-big trade or signing. Avila has to show he is awake.

 

[burfboy]

Ausmus back, Avila still there. I will be surprised if there are a lot of changes. One more year with the basic core of guys, then some contracts are of the books....Sanchez, Kinsler, JD, Pelfrey, F-Rod, Maybin.
I am sure there will be one at least one semi-big trade or signing. Avila has to show he is awake.

Why JD or Maybin? I know they are not Gold Glove outfielders but their age and what they are making fits in pretty well. If they are traded are they traded is it for Replacements at their positions.? Certainly Bullpen help is needed and a backup catcher. Is Aybar liable to stay with the team as a bench player?

 

[Iffster]

Why JD or Maybin? I know they are not Gold Glove outfielders but their age and what they are making fits in pretty well. If they are traded are they traded is it for Replacements at their positions.? Certainly Bullpen help is needed and a backup catcher. Is Aybar liable to stay with the team as a bench player?

Aybar - free agent. Depending on what he is asking, he wouldn't be a bad signing.

Maybin - can't trade him, but if they have some plan to add a top of the line outfielder (I don't know who), not picking up his option would give them money to work with. A better defensive outfield would start with a better defensive CF. OR

JD Martinez - Yes...one more inexpensive year. And then will he re-sign? This winter we might find out. If there is a question about that, trading him now might be a good idea. But again - for who? Maybin could move to right IF they found a CF with a good glove.

Personally....if it can improve the team, moving JD is not a bad idea. I worry about ANOTHER long term deal with so many already looking like current or future albatrosses.

 

[broncosmitty]

Why JD or Maybin? I know they are not Gold Glove outfielders but their age and what they are making fits in pretty well. If they are traded are they traded is it for Replacements at their positions.? Certainly Bullpen help is needed and a backup catcher. Is Aybar liable to stay with the team as a bench player?

JD will be getting a huge deal after next season. We have to be maxed out on 100mil deals, Id think.

Seems the most likely to go to me.

 

[Howie115]

JD Martinez - Yes...one more inexpensive year. And then will he re-sign? This winter we might find out. If there is a question about that, trading him now might be a good idea. But again - for who? Maybin could move to right IF they found a CF with a good glove.

Personally....if it can improve the team, moving JD is not a bad idea. I worry about ANOTHER long term deal with so many already looking like current or future albatrosses.

JD will be getting a huge deal after next season. We have to be maxed out on 100mil deals, Id think.

Seems the most likely to go to me.

Yeah, if they can't extend JD to his/his agent's liking, I could see him being trade deadline fodder next season. As Iffy said, "If it can improve the team...." Or if it improves the team's future.

 

[broncosmitty]

Yeah, if they can't extend JD to his/his agent's liking, I could see him being trade deadline fodder next season. As Iffy said, "If it can improve the team...." Or if it improves the team's future.

Id really be surprised if he's resigned.

Without a huge franchise changing mega trade anyway. (Miggy or JV going.)

He could be a huge deadline guy. Not that I don't want him longterm. Just don't see how with all the other big contracts.

 

[Iffster]

Id really be surprised if he's resigned.

Without a huge franchise changing mega trade anyway. (Miggy or JV going.)

He could be a huge deadline guy. Not that I don't want him longterm. Just don't see how with all the other big contracts.

I wonder if Verlander and his agent might work on swinging a deal where he can get out of Detroit and to a better media oriented town like LA or NY. He has 3 more years and $94mil left on his contract. If he could work out a deal that would stretch out that money (plus some) over a longer period, plus get assurances of "personal appearance" deals...maybe a move to a coast??? I cannot see Hollywood Justin sticking to Detroit his entire career.
A Miggy trade? Sure would not seem likely....but I don't think he has any ties to Detroit. If something pissed him off....who knows.