Detroit Tigers --Another Year, More of the Same

**Cincinnati_Kid** · May-27-16, 10:33 AM

I agree with everything above, but Sanchez. He looks like a shell of himself, don't know what has happened to him, and pretty sure, he doesn't either.. Greene might be suitable enough to go back into the rotation. Pelfrey seems to be suffering from just "bad luck"

**emu steve** · May-27-16, 11:39 AM

Originally Posted by softailrider

What your saying is the team lost looks good on paper, I agree with that. I've felt the same way since March. Don't know what that translates to, hopefully that means they can compete up until the end.

If we can find a way to get Andrew Miller [[reliever) out of NYY and say Shields out of S.D. without giving up too much batting we could contend.

We could raid the farm system but there isn't too much there and what is there we restocked less than 12 months ago...

I know folks hate the 'we are one [[or maybe two, max) players away from contending' talk but we are.

We have a very nice bunch of position players. NO changes required there. Some, e.g., McCann, Upton, etc. need to get their stroke back but it should happen.

It is simply the pitching which needs to move from a minus to at least 'neutral'.

**401don** · May-27-16, 12:14 PM

Originally Posted by emu steve

If we can find a way to get Andrew Miller [[reliever) out of NYY and say Shields out of S.D. without giving up too much batting we could contend.

We could raid the farm system but there isn't too much there and what is there we restocked less than 12 months ago...

I know folks hate the 'we are one [[or maybe two, max) players away from contending' talk but we are.

We have a very nice bunch of position players. NO changes required there. Some, e.g., McCann, Upton, etc. need to get their stroke back but it should happen.

It is simply the pitching which needs to move from a minus to at least 'neutral'.

A little greedy aren't we? The Tigers payroll is already about twice anybody else in the division and you want to add 30 million more for Shields and Miller? It would be nice to win it at least somewhat honestly.

**Cincinnati_Kid** · May-27-16, 01:27 PM

Originally Posted by emu steve

If we can find a way to get Andrew Miller [[reliever) out of NYY and say Shields out of S.D. without giving up too much batting we could contend.

We could raid the farm system but there isn't too much there and what is there we restocked less than 12 months ago...

I know folks hate the 'we are one [[or maybe two, max) players away from contending' talk but we are.

We have a very nice bunch of position players. NO changes required there. Some, e.g., McCann, Upton, etc. need to get their stroke back but it should happen.

It is simply the pitching which needs to move from a minus to at least 'neutral'.

McCann never had a stroke... He's a decent catcher that can't hit consistantly. Now Upton is another story... I tend to agree with 401don, Tigers can't afford any more big salaries, unless they're able to move some, which is highly unlikely.

**Smirnoff** · May-27-16, 07:38 PM

They will be in last place soon after the all-star break.....just like last year.

Total Payroll: Rank 4th highest with $196,586,403

**emu steve** · May-29-16, 11:26 AM

Originally Posted by Smirnoff

They will be in last place soon after the all-star break.....just like last year.

Total Payroll: Rank 4th highest with $196,586,403

Such negativity.

This team has much more potential than last year's team which was depopulated with nothing of IMMEDIATE return[[ i.e., Fulmer, Boyd, Norris, etc. weren't ready and Jordan Zimmerman wasn't even a dream...) after Cespedes, Price, etc. were dealt...

Not sure I like the 2016 'pen but there are a lot of excellent and HEALTHY position players [[think Miggy and V-Mart).

**Cincinnati_Kid** · May-29-16, 06:34 PM

Well....that bullpen gave another game away, after Pelfrey got into trouble in the 7th. He pitched pretty good up to that point.

**emu steve** · May-29-16, 08:29 PM

Originally Posted by Cincinnati_Kid

Well....that bullpen gave another game away, after Pelfrey got into trouble in the 7th. He pitched pretty good up to that point.

Hate to blame Kinsler, an all-star talent, but his miscue turned the game upside down.

Pelfrey would have been out of trouble if Ian had gotten a single out on a routine ground ball...

All of those 7th inning runs were unearned...

**401don** · May-29-16, 09:04 PM

Originally Posted by emu steve

Hate to blame Kinsler, an all-star talent, but his miscue turned the game upside down.Pelfrey would have been out of trouble if Ian had gotten a single out on a routine ground ball... All of those 7th inning runs were unearned...

We also found out why Maybin hasn't been a regular in centerfield the past few years and hasn't been his bat. He took bad routes on 3 balls this series that turned into hits. That play today was brutal and his arm is weak to boot.

**softailrider** · May-29-16, 10:06 PM

Originally Posted by 401don

We also found out why Maybin hasn't been a regular in centerfield the past few years and hasn't been his bat. He took bad routes on 3 balls this series that turned into hits. That play today was brutal and his arm is weak to boot.

He's no Mickey Stanley that's for sure.

**Cincinnati_Kid** · May-30-16, 01:53 AM

Originally Posted by softailrider

He's no Mickey Stanley that's for sure.

LOL, bring back Austin Jackson..

**emu steve** · June-01-16, 04:35 AM

After last night [[and many other nights) it's getting to be: "It's [[Andrew) Miller Time".

Time to trade for Andrew Miller and move Rodriquez up to the 8th inning and move down some of the relievers who are not getting it done...

**401don** · June-01-16, 07:25 AM

Originally Posted by emu steve

After last night [[and many other nights) it's getting to be: "It's [[Andrew) Miller Time".

Time to trade for Andrew Miller and move Rodriquez up to the 8th inning and move down some of the relievers who are not getting it done...

There are so many lousy overpaid pitchers on this team signing another 10 million dollar closer is not going to solve anything.

**emu steve** · June-01-16, 01:44 PM

Originally Posted by 401don

There are so many lousy overpaid pitchers on this team signing another 10 million dollar closer is not going to solve anything.

It is hard to put a happy face

on the Tigers' pitching this year, but Tony Paul did provide a possible bright light in his article.

Few doubt Zimmerman or Verlander.

Many are very excited about Fulmer's future.

Many are excited by Norris' potential as well... [[emphasis below mine):

"Consider what ESPN's Keith Law -- who supposedly hates the Tigers, if you ask any Tigers fan -- told me Monday: "Fulmer and Norris are above average or better starters. You can build a rotation around those guys."
He's not as sold on Boyd, but he'd be your No. 5, and has three pitches these days, and figures to give you a better shot every fifth day than, say, Mike Pelfrey."

http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2016/05/31/paul-tigers-must-move-kids-into-rotation-vets-bullpen/85188234/

Have to admit I did NOT like selling off Cespedes, Price, Soria last year but the players we got back are uuuuuuuuuge. Fulmer and Norris should be pitchers for years and Jones could be a good position player as well...

**emu steve** · June-01-16, 02:06 PM

I might add parenthetically, IF Fulmer continues to pitch well AND Norris contributes as a #4 starter, then the starters might be solid enough that beefing up the 'pen would be a realistic strategy or hope.

Obviously, if the starters fail, then bad starters and bad 'pen then it is all over...

**emu steve** · June-02-16, 04:56 AM

Changes coming with Sanchez sent to the 'pen and Lowe struggling badly.

We'll see if Zimmerman, JV, Fulmer, Pelprey, Norris, Greene, etc. can get it done.

Also will see if Sanchez can work his way back. Ditto Lowe.

http://www.detroitnews.com/story/spo...lpen/85263466/

**Lombaowski** · June-03-16, 01:45 AM

Originally Posted by Smirnoff

They will be in last place soon after the all-star break.....just like last year.

Total Payroll: Rank 4th highest with $196,586,403

They aren't gonna be in last place this year with the Twins in the division. Good rant though.

**emu steve** · June-03-16, 04:20 AM

Originally Posted by Lombaowski

They aren't gonna be in last place this year with the Twins in the division. Good rant though.

Yep.

Anyone who picks the Tigers last in the AL Central should be the unlucky winner of a 4-month supply of Prozac.

Prescriptions for Prozac should be soaring in the twin cities... They are having a BAD season.

**softailrider** · June-03-16, 06:49 AM

Still very early, they could get hot and turn things around.

One bright spot to this is that there are some cheap tickets floating around for these home games.

**emu steve** · June-03-16, 08:06 AM

Originally Posted by softailrider

Still very early, they could get hot and turn things around.

One bright spot to this is that there are some cheap tickets floating around for these home games.

Agree. I feel more optimistic than during other parts of the season to date.

We have some players who need to turn it around. Just think of what this season COULD OR WOULD have been with 'typical' performances from say J Up, Sanchez, and Lowe.

For our optimists, if we get/continue to get, what we are hoping for from Fulmer, Norris, Boyd, etc. we will do well.

As everyone knows, Tigers need to develop pitching from their farm system [[including trades such as the minor leaguers got last year from Mets and B. Jays).

We started the season with Zimmerman, Verlander and Sanchez. Sanchez has become a question mark, but if Fulmer becomes a #2 quality pitcher and Norris or Boyd can be say a #4, we will be fine for years with a young staff [[JV is the 'old man' on the staff; Zimmerman is 30.).

Happy to see some kids aged 23, 23, and 25 [[Boyd is the 25 year old).

A Zimmerman, JV, Fulmer, Norris, and Boyd rotation would be 30, 32, 23, 23 and 25. No gray beards.

**sirrealone** · June-03-16, 09:40 AM

Originally Posted by emu steve

We have some players who need to turn it around. Just think of what this season COULD OR WOULD have been with 'typical' performances from say J Up, Sanchez, and Lowe.

As soon as they start returning to form, they'll just get replaced by other guys that'll start slumping. That's the way that this team has worked for a few seasons now, which ends up to perpetually spinning their wheels.

**emu steve** · June-05-16, 03:52 PM

Originally Posted by softailrider

Still very early, they could get hot and turn things around.

One bright spot to this is that there are some cheap tickets floating around for these home games.

The AL Central is wide open.

This could be a FUN season after some frustrating stretches...

**Cincinnati_Kid** · June-05-16, 05:23 PM

Originally Posted by emu steve

The AL Central is wide open.

This could be a FUN season after some frustrating stretches...

It is wide open, Cleveland is in first place at the moment, could all change in a week or two.

**401don** · June-05-16, 06:30 PM

Things are definitely looking up. Can't believe they closed an 8 game gap with the Sox in about 2 weeks. Greene looks great in late relief. He has a terrific fastball & slider and very mediocre off-speed stuff. With his blister tendencies it would be crazy to move him back to starting, especially the way A. Wilson and Lowe have been pitching. I'm glad Martinez finally spoke up about not liking the 2 hole. Maybin is better there and it moves Upton down another notch to no. 7.

**emu steve** · June-05-16, 11:57 PM

Originally Posted by 401don

Things are definitely looking up. Can't believe they closed an 8 game gap with the Sox in about 2 weeks. Greene looks great in late relief. He has a terrific fastball & slider and very mediocre off-speed stuff. With his blister tendencies it would be crazy to move him back to starting, especially the way A. Wilson and Lowe have been pitching. I'm glad Martinez finally spoke up about not liking the 2 hole. Maybin is better there and it moves Upton down another notch to no. 7.

I'm going to offer Brad, free, unsolicited advice on making Maybin work even better at the #2 spot...

When Kinsler gets to first to start a game, have Maybin BUNT him to second.

LET, the opposing team WALK Miggy to set up runners at 1st and 2nd for V-Mart with one out.

There is the risk of a DP, but also the possibility of a big inning...

"Hit them early and often..."