Detroit Tigers Ongoing 2016 Thread

[Howie115]

Only place i see tigers needing to invest $ is catcher... mccann is a backup at best... he is a total liability in the lineup. He makes avila look like babe ruth.

??????

Avila = .213, 7 HR and a whopping 11 RBI in 209 PA; 1 whiff every 2.78 PA
McCann = .221, 12 HR, 48 RBI in 373 PA; 1 whiff every 3.42 PA

McCann has thrown out base stealers at 41% and 45% rates in his two full seasons. Avila's rate was 27% last year, and his career high is 32%. The only thing Avila does better is draw walks and (for now) handle pitchers.

Also, McCann was clearly not right when he came back from that early ankle injury this past season. He hit about .150 in his first 100 at-bats. Throw that out, and he hit about .250 the rest of the way. He'll never be a great hitting catcher, but he's better than he showed in 2016. And on defense, he's well ahead of Alex at this stage of his career.

 

[Howie115]

Maybin was perfect in the 2 hole.. power doesn't concern me at all... injuries do so having a competent backup would be a good idea... but maybin was great this year.

He was awful on defense.

Yeah, he was great when he played...which was 92 games. At the plate, Maybin benefitted from two things: (1) realizing he's not a power hitter, which goes back to his last hitting coach in the NL, and (2) batting in front of Miguel Cabrera. (Remember Torii Hunter's .315 average the first year he hit in front of Miggy?)

On defense, he gets lousy jumps and has an average arm. Much like Gose, he makes up for most of his lousy jumps with speed.

 

[Marlins2003]

??????

Avila = .213, 7 HR and a whopping 11 RBI in 209 PA; 1 whiff every 2.78 PA
McCann = .221, 12 HR, 48 RBI in 373 PA; 1 whiff every 3.42 PA

McCann has thrown out base stealers at 41% and 45% rates in his two full seasons. Avila's rate was 27% last year, and his career high is 32%. The only thing Avila does better is draw walks and (for now) handle pitchers.

Also, McCann was clearly not right when he came back from that early ankle injury this past season. He hit about .150 in his first 100 at-bats. Throw that out, and he hit about .250 the rest of the way. He'll never be a great hitting catcher, but he's better than he showed in 2016. And on defense, he's well ahead of Alex at this stage of his career.

McCann is not a catcher that can't be replaced or improved on. The Tigers need to keep looking at the position because he isn't really even a league average catcher.

 

[Marlins2003]

Fact is this team as is would have won the central or easily made the playoff if they could have beaten the indians... take away the head to head matchup and the tigers had the better record. Literally the indians kept the team out of contention by themselves.

 

[Howie115]

Btw Vice I think I have to give you credit. Verlander was a stud this season! I think you were one of the few that thought he'd be 100% back after his struggles when many of us were doubting him.

Yep, Vice got that one right. I believe my assessment last year was, "Verlander will be an All-Star a couple more times before his career is over, but his Cy Young days are behind him." I'll be happy to be proved wrong on that last statement.

 

[Marlins2003]

Tigers don't have any major changes needed. This same team could easily end up winning the division next year with a little better injury luck. Indians aren't beating the tigers 14 times out of 18 again next year.

 

[Marlins2003]

Depth should be the focus for avila... unless chapmen falls into his lap.

 

[Howie115]

Depth should be the focus for avila... unless chapmen falls into his lap.

Chapman, Meloncon and Jansen are all FA closers this year, if the Tigers want to go that route.

Also, I hate signing middle relievers to big $$$ (a la Mark Lowe), but jeez, setup relief was SOOOOO bad for the Tigers this past season.

 

[Howie115]

McCann is not a catcher that can't be replaced or improved on. The Tigers need to keep looking at the position because he isn't really even a league average catcher.

Not arguing that. Just stop with the Avila comparisons. McCann is no worse than AA's equal at the plate, he has a superior arm, and is a much faster baserunner.

 

[Voltaire26]

Not arguing that. Just stop with the Avila comparisons. McCann is no worse than AA's equal at the plate, he has a superior arm, and is a much faster baserunner.

Handling pitchers and game calling will come with experience (and support from the manager). He appears to have pretty decent natural abilities and the price of an improved catcher will put a serious dent in the Tigers budget. I know there will be changes, but I would change very little. Strengthen the bench and the bullpen. We have chosen to roll the dice with an unproven manager and very young starting pitchers (Boyd, Norris and Fulmer). Vmart must work on his speed (if that's even possible). I am comfortable with this team, the lone exception being Vmart (and only because of his speed).

 

[Iffster]

"unproven manager" ??????

The guy has 484 games under his belt and a .517 winning percentage. You may not like him, but he is not "unproven".

 

[Marlins2003]

"unproven manager" ??????

The guy has 484 games under his belt and a .517 winning percentage. You may not like him, but he is not "unproven".

My god... i am starting to agree with iffy...

 

[themuzzer]

I see you smitty.....Betting on Michigan on the spread.......For Shame!!!!!! Hang your head Bronco fan!!!! LOL....

 

[broncosmitty]

??????

Avila = .213, 7 HR and a whopping 11 RBI in 209 PA; 1 whiff every 2.78 PA
McCann = .221, 12 HR, 48 RBI in 373 PA; 1 whiff every 3.42 PA

McCann has thrown out base stealers at 41% and 45% rates in his two full seasons. Avila's rate was 27% last year, and his career high is 32%. The only thing Avila does better is draw walks and (for now) handle pitchers.

Also, McCann was clearly not right when he came back from that early ankle injury this past season. He hit about .150 in his first 100 at-bats. Throw that out, and he hit about .250 the rest of the way. He'll never be a great hitting catcher, but he's better than he showed in 2016. And on defense, he's well ahead of Alex at this stage of his career.

McCann is the starting catcher for awhile.

Didn't think it was something people needed to accept.

 

[broncosmitty]

I see you smitty.....Betting on Michigan on the spread.......For Shame!!!!!! Hang your head Bronco fan!!!! LOL....

Good to see you man.

People been worried bout you.

 

[themuzzer]

Good to see you man.

People been worried bout you.

I didn't have the guts to give the 29.5 points.....(That's a lot of points to give).....I took the over (53) and still won......That was just a butt whoppin.......

I'm doubling down and taking the Eagles strait up today......If you know my track record when I double down I usually lose so there's a good chance the Lions win today solely based on my bet.

 

[Howie115]

We shall see. Their payroll IS ridiculous for a mid-market team.

http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/2016/10/13/henning-tigers-fans-brace-severe-change/92024750/

 

[burfboy]

We shall see. Their payroll IS ridiculous for a mid-market team.

Henning: Tigers fans should brace for severe change

Lots info and options. .....what do u see as the best direction for the Tigers to go?

 

[Howie115]

Lots info and options. .....what do u see as the best direction for the Tigers to go?

Ideally, I'd like to see the Tigers unload Victor Martinez, move Castellanos to 1B, and have Cabrera be the DH for most games. But it's unlikely a contending team will take on two years and $36 million for a guy who hits well but clogs up the bases so much. And the Tigers are limited to AL teams only when it comes to trading V-mart.

I would also like to see the Tigers at least look at what teams would offer for Verlander ... as the article says, I could see a contending team like the Dodgers take on Verlander's hefty contract for three more years, with the hope that he gives them one GREAT year out of the three and helps them to a World Series. It would break my heart to not see Verlander reach 200 wins and 3000 Ks as a Tiger but let's face it...his value may never be higher than it is right now. To project him having another season like 2016 at age 34+ is optimistic.

And I think Avila has to see what level of young players the Tigers can get for J.D. Martinez ... another guy I'd hate to see go, but if he continues raking at the pace of 2015-16, he will command a 4-5 year deal north of $100 million. The Tigers have too many deals like that already.

I don't see Cabrera being traded. He is a meal ticket. People come to the ballpark just to see him play. With Verlander, it's only every fifth day, but Miggy is out there for 78-80 home games a year.

 

[broncosmitty]

Hopefully they don't trade JV for prospects.

If it's the Dodgers, send Iggy with him and get Seager.


"Changes are coming." - Big Al