64 replies to this topic

[dhsdawg06]

With the trades of Curtis Granderson and Edwin Jackson, along with the departures of Placido Polanco, Fernando Rodney, and Brandon Lyon and the addition of Jose Valverde, the Tigers will have a much different look this year. At first I was thinking it was going to be a long season. However, looking over the roster I see a team who could fly under the radar and possibly contend in the weak Central all season.

Assuming Bonderman stays healthy, the 1-4 of the rotation looks like it could be one of the best young rotations in all of baseball. The bullpen looks solid with a bunch of good young arms. The key to the season to me will be the health and production of a few offensive players, namely Ordonez, Guillen, and Inge. If all 3 of those can even show glimpses of what they can do when at their best, this could be a solid season. If all 3 struggle like they did for long stretches last year, then this is a team that can finish 4th.

My outlook- I think 75 wins is the low mark for a team that's still pretty talented. 90 seems to be the high mark. If they go 82-80 I'll be happy. Just too many questions to overcome to think they should contend this year, but a winning season, plus all the money coming off the books in 2011 should mean that they contend in 2011 and beyond.

I know I'm not the only Tiger fan around these boards, so I'd like to see everyone else's opinion of what this season holds.

[doughash]

To count on Bonderman to be a reliable starter is being overly optimistic.

I think Scherzer will more than adequately replace Jackson.

Need Porcello to avoid a sophomore slump.

We're really going to miss Polanco in the 2 hole.

[ramoth]

Having lost their closer, lead-off hitter and two good young pitchers I'm not expecting much from the Tigers this season.
I'll be more than happy with 82-80 because I don't expect them to win that many.

[dhsdawg06]

The thing is, I think they got upgrades for both Rodney and Jackson with Valverde and Scherzer. Losing Granderson will hurt, but really he wasn't a great lead off hitter the last 2 years. His OBP kept dropping, he couldn't hit lefties, and he struck out way too much. He was great on defense, could steal a few bases, and his power was coming along, but I think we all got wrapped up in how great a guy he was and overlooked some of the things that he just wasn't improving on. I'm interested to see how Austin Jackson does. I'm not expecting anything huge out of him, but that speed can only help.

The biggest loss is of course Polanco. Not sure how they'll replace a Gold Glove second baseman and perennial All-Star. They say Scott Sizemore is ready and will be a good one, but I would've liked to see them bring Placido back another year or 2.

I'm also not banking on Bonderman being healthy or good, but IF, and it's a big if, he's healthy and can regain his 2006-07 form, he could be a very good number 4 pitcher on this team. Same with Galarraga. I'm not betting on either one, but I hope one or both can step up and be decent.

I think this is a team that could end up losing 90 games, but for some reason I just look at them and see .500. With a few breaks and a few players stepping up, they're contenders. Need Ordonez to regain some power, Guillen and a couple of pitchers to stay healthy and bounce back, and Cabrera to keep his head on straight.

[ramoth]

I like the chances of a Gallaraga rebound much better than Bondo.

Rodney had 37 saves in 38 chances, pretty hard to upgrade that. I couldn't care less about his era what is important is whether or not he closes out the game.

[Bandido]

A lot of unanswered questions about the Tigers in 2010. I'm not really counting on Ordonez bouncing back as he's getting up there in years, but he might have another year or two left in his tank. ............ Miggy is Miggy, you know he'll put in a solid 30+ 100+ .320 year, but he has that potential to explode and up those numbers even higher. To me Verlander bounced back so well last year that this year he could put everything together and have an awesome year.
Mostly ifs and buts for this years Tigers teams so we'll have to see how things shake out.

[Louden Swayne]

Granderson will be sorely missed. He brought more to the team than his OBP or leadoff capability. Pitching should be the strong suit of the team, but who is going to HIT? Had lots of problems scoring runs and have added nothing to help, and lost alot.

[Maltese Falcon]

The biggest weakness may be Miguel Cabrera going out and getting smashed after night games that are followed by day games. Look for Miggy to be DH'ng or riding the pine for most Sunday afternoon games this season.

[Champ101]

definetly goin to be a rough season..... especially wit loses of curtis granderson and placido polanco, miguel and ordonez are goin to need to step up for this year, ill say third in the Divison behind the twins and white soxes followed by the idians and the roylas prlly around 80 wins this season.. but i wanna see a gold glove go to my boy Brandon Inge down at third base

[ramoth]

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4884753

Very glad to see the Tigers signed Verlander to a long term contract.

[dhsdawg06]

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4884753

Very glad to see the Tigers signed Verlander to a long term contract.

Easily the best move they've made in a while. Hopefully the contract gives JV an incentive to keep working hard and not become complacent. For this team to have any shot at contending(which I still say they have) they need him and Porcello both at their best.

[fortfan]

+1 on signing Verlander to the long term deal!

Now they need to go out and get a hitter...whether it is Johnny Damon or someone else......with Scott Sizemore and Austin Jackson in the starting lineup, it remains to be seen if they will consistently hit major league pitching.

[Hayes Cooper]

They offered Damon something today but haven't heard if he will take it or not. The Braves are trying to get him to.

[dhsdawg06]

They offered Damon something today but haven't heard if he will take it or not. The Braves are trying to get him to.

Reports are that the Tigers first deal was 1 year, 7 million. They then upped it to 2 years, 14 million. The Braves deal is reportedly 1 year, 4-4.5 million, but with a lot of deferred money.

The Tigers are thought to be the front runners.

[roarintiger1]

I hope the Tigers' can win games by scoring three or fewer runs....there's gonna be a lot of those.

[ramoth]

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4935454

Tigers picked up Damon for one year, $8 million.

[dhsdawg06]

All of a sudden I don't think the offense looks too terrible, assuming everyone plays the way they're capable.

Damon, Ordonez, Cabrera, Guillen, and Inge(when healthy and hitting homers) are a nice start to an offense. Hopefully Jackson/Ramirez/Wells(whoever wins the CF job) and Sizemore can just be solid and Everett and Laird don't suck again.

Still a lot of ifs about this team, but if even half are answered positively then they can compete in the Central.

[ramoth]

Inge has a habit of fading at the plate the second half of the season. The last three years or so he has become an automatic out down the stretch.

[fortfan]

Looks like Austin Jackson will be the everyday centerfielder and will also lead-off, leaving Damon to bat 2nd.

[dhsdawg06]

Inge has a habit of fading at the plate the second half of the season. The last three years or so he has become an automatic out down the stretch.

He's always had a low average and for the most part been an automatic out. However if he can stay healthy and give the team 20 homers and 75 RBI's, I think we can forgive the .240 average and high strikeout total.