Detroit Tigers
Moderator: Cueball
-
Kansas City Kid
- BANNED FAT RETARD
- Posts: 714
- Joined: Thu Jan 12, 2006 1:51 am
Kansas City Kid wrote:Rack the Royals for sacking up in the three game sweep including coming from 6-0 down today! Tigers will get swept by the Yanks!
I'll give the Royales with Cheese some props. You have to think they played for their manager...Buddy had to be smiling after they stuck it to his former team. Definitely ending the season on a sour note but they still got in. Only 8 of 30 teams can say that each year...still a great accomplishment for a team that was an absolute joke a few years ago.
I'm wondering if Johnson goes for the Yankees in Game 3. The Tigers at least have the benefit of having a deeper rotation...just no lights out #1s like Santana or Halladay. Stealing a game at THE Stadium would be huge for the Tigers...wouldn't want to return home down 0-2. I'm curious how Leyland will lay out his rotation with Bonderman starting today and using Rogers in relief. Rogers has a decent career record at Yankee Stadium...he would've been ideal for Game 1. Starting the young stud Verlander in Game 1 should be interesting.
-
WolverineSteve
- 2012 CFB Bowl Jeopardy Champ
- Posts: 3754
- Joined: Tue Mar 29, 2005 5:13 pm
- Location: The D
I'm a bit disappointed with the way the rotation has been set up by Leyland. If the Yanks sweep, Bonderman will not pitch in the post-season. Not that I think it will happen, but Bonderman is no worse than second as far as Tiger starters go. I know he had to try to win the division the last day, but he could have done it another way IMO. Having lost the division anyway, now the Tigs trot out Robertson and Verlander in the Bronx. Robertson is much better than his .500 record. He has gotten the worst run support I can remember for a Tiger pitcher. Wang gives the Tigers hitters fits, especially if he gets his breaking stuff over early in the counts. I'd like to see the free swingers take a pitch or two and try to get into good hitting counts. If they get behind Wand will K a dozen or so on low-outside junk. If Nate gets rolling early It'll be a good sign. Hopefully we can get 7 strong out of him and clean it up with Zoom and Jones. For the Tigers to go anywhere in the playoffs the must limit Rodney, Grilli, Miner, and Walkers action.
Game 1 offensive hero prediction...Carlos Guillen.
Go Tigers.
Game 1 offensive hero prediction...Carlos Guillen.
Go Tigers.
"Gentlemen, it is better to have died as a small boy than to fumble this football."
-John Heisman
"Any street urchin can shout applause in victory, but it takes character to stand fast in defeat. One is noise --- the other, loyalty." Fielding Yost
Go Blue!
-John Heisman
"Any street urchin can shout applause in victory, but it takes character to stand fast in defeat. One is noise --- the other, loyalty." Fielding Yost
Go Blue!
Gotta love the underdog role...it's the Yankees versus those other guys.
The Yankees are always favored in every series because they have the better team on paper. Let's get it on the field and we'll see it how it goes. The Yanks won 4 of 6 in the regular season. I still contend their starting pitching is vulnerable. I like what the Tigers have on their side although they have less experience. Just gotta point to the Marlins and their kids who stared the Yankees in the face a few years ago and took 'em down. I don't think it'll just take pitching alone to win the series. The Tigers can hold their own offensively. Much like the pitching staff, their lineup isn't dictated by one guy. This team won as a team with different contributors every night. This team can start fresh after that bad finish to the season and put the pressure on the Yankees with a Game 1 victory at THE Stadium.
Keys:
Robertson needs to get ahead in the count...don't let the Yankees draw walks or jack up the pitch count to get him out of the game early.
Use the defense behind him...Robertson isn't a strikeout pitcher and he just needs to make the Yankees get themselves out.
Be patient with Wang...he tries to get batters to chase his sinker and offspeed stuff, lay off the junk and get into fastball counts.
Gotta pizza and a fridge full of beer...I'm jacked up. Let's do this!
The Yankees are always favored in every series because they have the better team on paper. Let's get it on the field and we'll see it how it goes. The Yanks won 4 of 6 in the regular season. I still contend their starting pitching is vulnerable. I like what the Tigers have on their side although they have less experience. Just gotta point to the Marlins and their kids who stared the Yankees in the face a few years ago and took 'em down. I don't think it'll just take pitching alone to win the series. The Tigers can hold their own offensively. Much like the pitching staff, their lineup isn't dictated by one guy. This team won as a team with different contributors every night. This team can start fresh after that bad finish to the season and put the pressure on the Yankees with a Game 1 victory at THE Stadium.
Keys:
Robertson needs to get ahead in the count...don't let the Yankees draw walks or jack up the pitch count to get him out of the game early.
Use the defense behind him...Robertson isn't a strikeout pitcher and he just needs to make the Yankees get themselves out.
Be patient with Wang...he tries to get batters to chase his sinker and offspeed stuff, lay off the junk and get into fastball counts.
Gotta pizza and a fridge full of beer...I'm jacked up. Let's do this!
Whether or not the game tonight should've been called is a dead issue now...both teams get to have an extra half-day rest and the starting pitchers can have a normal routine leading into the game. However, having to prepare on one night to pitch then not actually play and then go back the typical regiment a pitcher goes through on a start day isn't that normal...at to the fact it's the postseason. Most things pretty much all favor the Yankees...including the benefit of having a guy like Mussina going that has so much experience with situations like this. Meanwhile, Verlander has more time to think about his start and not get the chance to just go out and play. I'd imagine it's better for some to just get out and play and work any nerves out on the field instead of sitting and waiting and becoming a nervous wreck. My concern is how Verlander will throw with not only this matter of the game being moved to tomorrow but also he's not started in 10 days. The last time he skipped a start, returned with two brutal starts back-to-back against Chicago and Boston. He started the season 14-4 and closed with a 3-5 record since mid-August.
As for the rest of the team...I think way too much is being said about Leyland's hit-and-run call in the second inning. He's trying to get things going for this team and to get them on the board early. Pudge shows bunt on the first pitch to put it in the Yankee defenders heads to watch for a possible sacrifice...although Pudge isn't a great bunter. You just have to credit whomever called for that low inside slider that Pudge could put a bat on and lead to Ordonez being thrown out at third. The first three in the Yankees order were the key to the attack...9 for 15 with a home run, 3 doubles, 6 runs scored and 5 RBI. The Tigers top three performed well also...7 for 14 with a home run, 2 doubles, 2 runs scored and 3 RBI...the killer was the 3 LOB for Polanco, who is the team's best man with RISP. Giambi reached base all 4 times up including getting hit by Robertson twice and hit the key 2-run homer to make it 5-0 when later the Tigers would get it back to 5-3 in the 5th. The worst thing in the world to do with that lineup is put guys on base instead of forcing them to earn their way on with a base hit. The Yankees were able to get the hit needed to bring in the runners in scoring position. Abreu lucked out the second 2-RBI hit when he snuck a ball by Polanco. I give the Tigers credit for answering in the 5th when things were looking glum being down 5-0 and Wang seemingly in control.
One big advantage the Tigers will have is the back end of their bullpen is fresh. Verlander hasn't gone more than 5 innings in his last 3 starts. They need to get at least 6 strong from him to get to possibly 2 innings of Zumaya and Jones to close. I really don't want to see Rodney out there late considering whenever he puts men on base, they eventually come around to score. On the other side, the Yankees 'pen prior to Rivera in the 9th was very shaky. The Tigers had opportunities to get back in the game after Torre took Wang out of the game. The key tomorrow will be to get to Mussina early and work up his pitch count to force Torre to use his suspect bullpen. They can pretty much just stay even with the Yankees for 6 innings and then when the bullpens come in, the Tigers have the advantage and hopefully they can push across the difference-making runs in order to even the series going back to Detroit on Friday and Saturday. With this being a shorter series...going down 2-0 is pretty much curtains. Just look at the Twins and they lost their two games at home. They'll be hard pressed to take both games in Oakland to bring the series back to the dome for Game 5 and possibly a start out of Santana.
As for the rest of the team...I think way too much is being said about Leyland's hit-and-run call in the second inning. He's trying to get things going for this team and to get them on the board early. Pudge shows bunt on the first pitch to put it in the Yankee defenders heads to watch for a possible sacrifice...although Pudge isn't a great bunter. You just have to credit whomever called for that low inside slider that Pudge could put a bat on and lead to Ordonez being thrown out at third. The first three in the Yankees order were the key to the attack...9 for 15 with a home run, 3 doubles, 6 runs scored and 5 RBI. The Tigers top three performed well also...7 for 14 with a home run, 2 doubles, 2 runs scored and 3 RBI...the killer was the 3 LOB for Polanco, who is the team's best man with RISP. Giambi reached base all 4 times up including getting hit by Robertson twice and hit the key 2-run homer to make it 5-0 when later the Tigers would get it back to 5-3 in the 5th. The worst thing in the world to do with that lineup is put guys on base instead of forcing them to earn their way on with a base hit. The Yankees were able to get the hit needed to bring in the runners in scoring position. Abreu lucked out the second 2-RBI hit when he snuck a ball by Polanco. I give the Tigers credit for answering in the 5th when things were looking glum being down 5-0 and Wang seemingly in control.
One big advantage the Tigers will have is the back end of their bullpen is fresh. Verlander hasn't gone more than 5 innings in his last 3 starts. They need to get at least 6 strong from him to get to possibly 2 innings of Zumaya and Jones to close. I really don't want to see Rodney out there late considering whenever he puts men on base, they eventually come around to score. On the other side, the Yankees 'pen prior to Rivera in the 9th was very shaky. The Tigers had opportunities to get back in the game after Torre took Wang out of the game. The key tomorrow will be to get to Mussina early and work up his pitch count to force Torre to use his suspect bullpen. They can pretty much just stay even with the Yankees for 6 innings and then when the bullpens come in, the Tigers have the advantage and hopefully they can push across the difference-making runs in order to even the series going back to Detroit on Friday and Saturday. With this being a shorter series...going down 2-0 is pretty much curtains. Just look at the Twins and they lost their two games at home. They'll be hard pressed to take both games in Oakland to bring the series back to the dome for Game 5 and possibly a start out of Santana.
-
WolverineSteve
- 2012 CFB Bowl Jeopardy Champ
- Posts: 3754
- Joined: Tue Mar 29, 2005 5:13 pm
- Location: The D
What a day for the Tigers. They were very economical making the most of the few run scoring opportunities they created.
Verlander hung tough and but for the one bad ptch to Damon, he had a solid outing, piching out of several jams.
Zumaya is a bonafied stud. Consistantly spotting the 100-103 mph heater. He is the closer of the future.
Todd Jones pitched a wonderful 9th. He threw about 20 pitches or so and only 2 or 3 were balls.
Heading to Motown tied up is exactly what we had hoped for. The Tigs have the best road record all year, but having a chance to play two at the CoPa will be great. The piching favors Detroit in games 3 and 4 IMO. The Unit is hittable and has a bulging disk in his back. Rogers needs to start strong and hopefully give us 6 plus innings. A win would give Bonderman a chance to close out the series...but let's not get ahead of ourselves.
GO TIGERS!!!!
Verlander hung tough and but for the one bad ptch to Damon, he had a solid outing, piching out of several jams.
Zumaya is a bonafied stud. Consistantly spotting the 100-103 mph heater. He is the closer of the future.
Todd Jones pitched a wonderful 9th. He threw about 20 pitches or so and only 2 or 3 were balls.
Heading to Motown tied up is exactly what we had hoped for. The Tigs have the best road record all year, but having a chance to play two at the CoPa will be great. The piching favors Detroit in games 3 and 4 IMO. The Unit is hittable and has a bulging disk in his back. Rogers needs to start strong and hopefully give us 6 plus innings. A win would give Bonderman a chance to close out the series...but let's not get ahead of ourselves.
GO TIGERS!!!!
"Gentlemen, it is better to have died as a small boy than to fumble this football."
-John Heisman
"Any street urchin can shout applause in victory, but it takes character to stand fast in defeat. One is noise --- the other, loyalty." Fielding Yost
Go Blue!
-John Heisman
"Any street urchin can shout applause in victory, but it takes character to stand fast in defeat. One is noise --- the other, loyalty." Fielding Yost
Go Blue!
Listened to the entire game on the radio in the office and caught the bottom of the 9th on the way to the Joe. I haven't been so proud of a Tigers team as I was yesterday...absolutely clutch performances all around. Major props to the bullpen, Granderson, Thames and Guillen. Like Leyland said, I hope this proved to everyone that they belong. When all the pieces are in place and working, this team can be special. Can't go too overboard with one win but this was the perfect way to split those games...win the second game and in the fashion they did. They carry all of the momentum into tonight. There was a buzz in the D last night when I went to the Wings game. People weren't all the up for the season opener...a lot of energy was from the Tigers game that had end just hours before. The three loudest ovations last night were for Lidstrom skating on the ice for the first time as captain, Yzerman coming out and dropping the ceremonial first puck and then when Bud Lynch announced the score from the Tigers game. The city is feeling it...tonight and tomorrow will be unbelievable from an emotion and excitement standpoint. It's unfortunate that Game 4 is at the same time as Michigan-Michigan State but there's no way I miss that baseball game...I'll check the football game during commercials. I'm hoping there isn't a giant letdown on the way and they come in tonight flying sky high and get to Johnson quickly.
GO TIGERS!
GO TIGERS!
-
WolverineSteve
- 2012 CFB Bowl Jeopardy Champ
- Posts: 3754
- Joined: Tue Mar 29, 2005 5:13 pm
- Location: The D
Ernie got a nice inning to call.
Rack the Tigers!!
Bonderman with a chance to close it out today. I like our chances vs. Wright.
Rogers was brilliant. Leyland must pull out all the stops to win it in 4. I'm talking the shortest possible leash on the pitchers. Use everybody necessary to close it out. Win Saturday and game 1 isn't unitl Tuesday, we can reset the rotation for the ALCS.
Go Tigers!!
Rack the Tigers!!
Bonderman with a chance to close it out today. I like our chances vs. Wright.
Rogers was brilliant. Leyland must pull out all the stops to win it in 4. I'm talking the shortest possible leash on the pitchers. Use everybody necessary to close it out. Win Saturday and game 1 isn't unitl Tuesday, we can reset the rotation for the ALCS.
Go Tigers!!
"Gentlemen, it is better to have died as a small boy than to fumble this football."
-John Heisman
"Any street urchin can shout applause in victory, but it takes character to stand fast in defeat. One is noise --- the other, loyalty." Fielding Yost
Go Blue!
-John Heisman
"Any street urchin can shout applause in victory, but it takes character to stand fast in defeat. One is noise --- the other, loyalty." Fielding Yost
Go Blue!
Zumaya throws to just one pitcher...I think he's available for at least an inning today. The bullpen is in good shape for this afternoon's game...Jones can definitely throw for a third straight day. When you consider, if they do win today...they'll probably have a few days off before the start of the ALCS...I say roll those dice and finish it today. They're playing with fire with they don't do put these guys away today. Having to travel and play tomorrow night is something I think they want to avoid. They can't look at this 2-1 series lead as having two chances to win the series...they have to look at today as being the now or never game.
Rogers was the best I've ever seen him throw...probably other than his perfect game. When many thought power pitching was the way to beat the Yankees...it's the old fart that throws junk that made that murder's row 'n Cano look very ordinary. The crowd was outstanding...it'll only be louder and crazier today. Everyone senses this is something special everyone is witnessing...Bonderman and the boys are going to be willed to victory today as much as they are just going to try to beat the Yankees for a third straight game. I've got a feeling that the TV networks have a voodoo doll of Bonderman today...they don't want to see their marquee attraction go down.
Bonderman just needs to keep his emotions in check today. When he gets too wound up, he gets into trouble. It was funny seeing Rogers get so jacked up yesterday and gut it out against the Yankees. Bonderman today has the over-powering stuff that can beat the Yankees but he's just got to keep grounded and just let his pitches do his talking. The defense has done well behind him. Use both sides of the plate, get ahead in the count and use that filthy slider to put guys away but most importantly, don't overthrow and get the ball up in the zone. I think lightning can strike a third time today...they just need to stay within themselves and keep things simple. This is looking like the team that was the best team in baseball back in the first part of the season. Whatever they're doing, just keep doing it.
Go Tigers!
Rogers was the best I've ever seen him throw...probably other than his perfect game. When many thought power pitching was the way to beat the Yankees...it's the old fart that throws junk that made that murder's row 'n Cano look very ordinary. The crowd was outstanding...it'll only be louder and crazier today. Everyone senses this is something special everyone is witnessing...Bonderman and the boys are going to be willed to victory today as much as they are just going to try to beat the Yankees for a third straight game. I've got a feeling that the TV networks have a voodoo doll of Bonderman today...they don't want to see their marquee attraction go down.
Bonderman just needs to keep his emotions in check today. When he gets too wound up, he gets into trouble. It was funny seeing Rogers get so jacked up yesterday and gut it out against the Yankees. Bonderman today has the over-powering stuff that can beat the Yankees but he's just got to keep grounded and just let his pitches do his talking. The defense has done well behind him. Use both sides of the plate, get ahead in the count and use that filthy slider to put guys away but most importantly, don't overthrow and get the ball up in the zone. I think lightning can strike a third time today...they just need to stay within themselves and keep things simple. This is looking like the team that was the best team in baseball back in the first part of the season. Whatever they're doing, just keep doing it.
Go Tigers!
-
Screw_Michigan
props to the tigers for the win and completely dominating the yanks. they would have swept if nate robertson didn't pitch game 1. he's the only weak spot on a pitching staff that is looking like the white sox of last year's playoffs.
NO PROPS to the tigers for acting like they fucking won the world series. carrying leyland off the field? running around the field pouring champagne on fans? jesus fucking christ, 19 years of futility, but have some perspective, fellas.
NO PROPS to the tigers for acting like they fucking won the world series. carrying leyland off the field? running around the field pouring champagne on fans? jesus fucking christ, 19 years of futility, but have some perspective, fellas.
-
Screw_Michigan
Screw_Michigan wrote:rack that as well. i couldn't believe that when ALCS tickets went on sale, there were still tickets available the next day. should have ponied up myself.Shoalzie wrote:All I can say is...I've got tickets for Game 4.
RACK the Cats!
I bought two tickets for the third home game of the ALDS...assuming they would've won the division and they'd host Game 5. Obviously, that didn't happen and I got refunded. I bought two tickets for the 2nd home game of the ALCS on a whim...just in case they somehow beat the Yankees. Low and behold, they did and I'm out about $200...but I'll have a great time. I'll go with either my girlfriend or my dad (if he's able to make it into town next weekend). I put my application in for World Series tickets...we'll see what happens with that.
Screw_Michigan wrote:NO PROPS to the tigers for acting like they fucking won the world series. carrying leyland off the field? running around the field pouring champagne on fans? jesus fucking christ, 19 years of futility, but have some perspective, fellas.
It was a little overboard but it was spontaneous. They've got a few days to enjoy this win and then focus on Tuesday and Game 1 vs. Zito. Should be interesting to see how Leyland arranges the rotation. Does he go with Robertson in Game 1 to stay with the order he's got or go with Verlander. To me, I'd go Verlander in Game 1/5, Rogers in Game 2/6, Bonderman in Game 3/7 and Robertson in Game 4. The A's have the pitching to go head-to-head with the Tigers...could be some low-scoring games. Another interesting thing is the series will be 2-3-2...if the Tigers can win one in Oakland, they'll have a chance to end the series in Detroit and now have to fly back out to Oakland a 2nd and 3rd time.
-
WolverineSteve
- 2012 CFB Bowl Jeopardy Champ
- Posts: 3754
- Joined: Tue Mar 29, 2005 5:13 pm
- Location: The D
Alexis "frickin" Gomez. Are you kidding me?
It's gotta be your year when you put in Alexis Gomez and he goes yard for the eventual winning runs.
Rack the Tigers!
Leyland is the man.
It's gotta be your year when you put in Alexis Gomez and he goes yard for the eventual winning runs.
Rack the Tigers!
Leyland is the man.
"Gentlemen, it is better to have died as a small boy than to fumble this football."
-John Heisman
"Any street urchin can shout applause in victory, but it takes character to stand fast in defeat. One is noise --- the other, loyalty." Fielding Yost
Go Blue!
-John Heisman
"Any street urchin can shout applause in victory, but it takes character to stand fast in defeat. One is noise --- the other, loyalty." Fielding Yost
Go Blue!
-
MgoBlue-LightSpecial
- Eternal Scobode
- Posts: 21259
- Joined: Wed Jan 19, 2005 2:35 pm
MgoBlue-LightSpecial wrote:Shoalz, I read in a few posts back you've got a girlfriend now.
How does the cousin feel about this? Or are those two people one and the same?
They're two different people since you asked.
Sore subject...I got the "let's just be friends" line when I talked to her on Monday so we're kind of done after only one month. At least I've still got the Tigers.
-
WolverineSteve
- 2012 CFB Bowl Jeopardy Champ
- Posts: 3754
- Joined: Tue Mar 29, 2005 5:13 pm
- Location: The D
This was the intention when the thread began. I remember we had a Tiger thread last year, but who would have thought the season would be unfolding this way?Shoalzie wrote:It's pretty cool to have a single thread to document the Tigers journey through this year. It's definitely a season for the archives...RACK our Tigers!
I re-read most of the thread the other day, definately paints a picture of the season. There were some very bold predictions in May by some in here that have come to fruition.
Bring on the NL Champs!!
Go Tigers.
"Gentlemen, it is better to have died as a small boy than to fumble this football."
-John Heisman
"Any street urchin can shout applause in victory, but it takes character to stand fast in defeat. One is noise --- the other, loyalty." Fielding Yost
Go Blue!
-John Heisman
"Any street urchin can shout applause in victory, but it takes character to stand fast in defeat. One is noise --- the other, loyalty." Fielding Yost
Go Blue!
-
BlindRef
- Fuck State
- Posts: 892
- Joined: Sat Jan 15, 2005 4:12 pm
- Location: Annearbour Meeeechigan
- Contact:
Can I just tell you how much I hate Ticketmaster today.
I logged in at 10. I got two SRO seats for $75 a piece. I hit submit...
I waited while the screen said "please wait to enter your credit card"
5 minutes later, the page went all "CANNOT FIND PAGE" on me.
Tickets gone.
gone.
Fuck
I logged in at 10. I got two SRO seats for $75 a piece. I hit submit...
I waited while the screen said "please wait to enter your credit card"
5 minutes later, the page went all "CANNOT FIND PAGE" on me.
Tickets gone.
gone.
Fuck
Those who stay will be champions.
That sucks BR...my advice in the future is set up an account with them ahead of time and log onto your account whenever you try to buy tickets to something. It'll have your credit card stored in your account and you'll be able to breeze through the checkout.
I did get one ticket for Game 1...Section 144...the left field corner. Couldn't get two seats so I had to at least try to get one ticket for me. I wanted to get tickets for Game 6...a game where the series could actually be decided but I really want to be able to witness a World Series game so I picked Game 1 to see all of the player introductions and pregame hoopla.
I did get one ticket for Game 1...Section 144...the left field corner. Couldn't get two seats so I had to at least try to get one ticket for me. I wanted to get tickets for Game 6...a game where the series could actually be decided but I really want to be able to witness a World Series game so I picked Game 1 to see all of the player introductions and pregame hoopla.
-
BlindRef
- Fuck State
- Posts: 892
- Joined: Sat Jan 15, 2005 4:12 pm
- Location: Annearbour Meeeechigan
- Contact:
Well the dream season is over. While I wish they would have played better in the world series, their youth combined with the week layover against a better prepared and more focused team was hard to overcome.
It is a little sad that its over, but man what a fun year.
I was 7 the last time we had a season like this...and I'll never forget the memories of this season. Watching the ALCS championship game with my father and hugging him for the first time since i graduated high school. Going to the games as people just started to realize that this team might be good. Being at the last game of the season when it felt like the whole season had gone for not.
Bless you boys....
Let's do it again next year.
It is a little sad that its over, but man what a fun year.
I was 7 the last time we had a season like this...and I'll never forget the memories of this season. Watching the ALCS championship game with my father and hugging him for the first time since i graduated high school. Going to the games as people just started to realize that this team might be good. Being at the last game of the season when it felt like the whole season had gone for not.
Bless you boys....
Let's do it again next year.
Those who stay will be champions.
It really was a lot of fun and I think this is only the beginning. I know a lot has been said about the close calls in '67 and '83 leading into championships the next year. Who is to say 2007 can't be the year of the Tiger?
The only key free agents are Walker and Casey. Sean was a gamer and if he wants to come back, I like his presence on the team and in the clubhouse. Walker is a long-time Tiger, I'd like him back too to be the situational lefty out of the pen. I think they could use another big stick in the lineup that is also patient at the plate and can do more than just hit home runs. The name of Mark Teixeira is popping up a lot in rumors and if there is a way to get him, I'd be all over that. I think there is talk of getting another shortstop and moving Guillen to first. I'd much rather keep Guillen at short and Casey at first and then find another bat to be the extra outfielder or first baseman but be primarily the DH. I hope they don't take a flyer on Bonds...I know he and Leyland have a past connection. They need someone who won't upset the apple cart. Find another veteran leader or up-and-coming star to fit in with the team. I'd be curious to see if Maroth can make it back next year and round out the 5-man rotation. I'd be fine with the same five guys next year. The bullpen is very good, maybe add another guy in middle relief. I mentioned they could use another bat but overall, this team looks good again for next year. Can't wait for next season!
The only key free agents are Walker and Casey. Sean was a gamer and if he wants to come back, I like his presence on the team and in the clubhouse. Walker is a long-time Tiger, I'd like him back too to be the situational lefty out of the pen. I think they could use another big stick in the lineup that is also patient at the plate and can do more than just hit home runs. The name of Mark Teixeira is popping up a lot in rumors and if there is a way to get him, I'd be all over that. I think there is talk of getting another shortstop and moving Guillen to first. I'd much rather keep Guillen at short and Casey at first and then find another bat to be the extra outfielder or first baseman but be primarily the DH. I hope they don't take a flyer on Bonds...I know he and Leyland have a past connection. They need someone who won't upset the apple cart. Find another veteran leader or up-and-coming star to fit in with the team. I'd be curious to see if Maroth can make it back next year and round out the 5-man rotation. I'd be fine with the same five guys next year. The bullpen is very good, maybe add another guy in middle relief. I mentioned they could use another bat but overall, this team looks good again for next year. Can't wait for next season!