Wow, good news travels fast. As I was trying to watch SuperBad last night, my cell phone begins to go crazy. My one friend is practically yelling into the phone and all I can make out is him screaming, "Are you ready to get Miggy with it?"
Absolutley confused at this point, I switch over and talk to my brother who actually could tell me details of the trade between the Tigers and Marlins. So the Tigers get Dontrelle Willis AND Miguel Cabrera for 6 minor leaguers. Giving up studs Andrew Miller and Cameron Maybin does hurt a little for Tigers fans, but not giving up 1 major league starter in this trade? Dave Dombrowski works his magic again.
Let's look at the Tigers projected lineup:
1. Curtis Granderson- He's still getting better
2. Placido Polanco- Whatever you need him to do, he does it
3. Miguel Cabrera- Might be an MVP candidate now that he plays with a winning team and plays in a winning atmosphere
4. Magglio Ordonez- A-Rod put up crazy numbers to win the MVP last year, Mags wasn't too shabby though
5. Gary Sheffield- Injuries kept him down last year, he wants retribution
6. Carlos Guillen- When you have him batting sixth, yikes
7. Edgar Renteria- Oh yeah, another pickup for Dombrowki
8. Ivan Rodriguez- Pudge is slipping a bit, but doesn't need to be the offensive force he once was, not with this lineup
9. Jacque Jones or Marcus Thames- You're not exactly pitching around these guys either
Who wants to take an estimate on opposing pitchers ERA's against the Tigers lineup?
With that lineup, the pitching doesn't need to be lights out. Justin Verlander is an ace. He's just filthy. Nate Robertson shows signs somedays, and then flops on other days. Jeremy Bonderman needs to stay healthy. Dontrelle Willis just needs to pitch like he always has. Kenny Rogers also needs to stay healthy and provide the leadership he has. Looking at that starting 5, there are 3 lefties, which can only be an advantage. The guys in the bullpen took a beating last year, primarily because many of them had to change roles due to all the injuries. If Joel Zumaya is able to pitch at all this year, that's just icing on the cake.
The Tigers had an amazing run in 2006. 2007 saw injuries and the red hot Indians. 2008 looks to be a fun year in Motown.
So Santa, about those season tickets.................................PLEASE!>
wow everone is talking about the line-up but the staff will be tuff also. maybe the tigers stay healthy and win what they should already have06'or maybe the sox beat them in postseason. Im sure glad we dont have to play in the central!!!
Yeah you must be jacked up about this... it is a big move. I talked about it some on my page in responding to you... but seriously, Cabrera is just going to be better with this lineup, though Hanley and Uggla are no pushovers either. I think it favors Dontrelle more... putting him as a 3 or 4 guy... he should settle down and may be able to get back on track. It is good to be a Tigers fan... that's for sure.
Health will be the key as always ohio. If Bonderman and Rogers stay healthy, the guys in the 'pen won't have to switch around their roles this year. That killed us last year. LOL....Francona said the same thing about not playing in the Central.
I'm surprised to see some people not feeling great about D-Train Kp. I think you're right, he doesn't need to be the ace of this staff, he can relax and know he will have some run support.
Mr. Artie Moreno please hire a proven winner Mr. Dombrowski look what he has done in Detroit. Twittle your thumbs and nothing Imagine D-Train/Cabrera in a Halo's lineup, well I could dream cant I.....
I love how the sole Boston fan who posted on this blog is unable to finish a comment without referencing the Red Sox. You just couldn't resist, could you, ohiosoxpatsfan? Typical.
There are only a couple of minor caviats to the Tigers' 08 roster--Miguel Cabrera is a defensive downgrade from Brandon Inge at the hot corner. I personally think Leyland should put Cabrera at first base and move Guillen to 3rd. Lesser of two defensive evils. Also, Gary Sheffield is in an unquestionable decline. But those are just details.
They've got an unbelievable lineup, an unbelievable rotation, and I think their bullpen is the best in baseball when everybody's healthy. 2008 will definitely be the year of the Tiger.
that offensive lineup is insane & if they stay healthy they should be able to slug their way into the playoffs. but how is every postseason won? pitching, pitching, pitching. if not, the yankees would win every year. 2 years ago the staff was great, last year it was garbage (other than Verlander). Bonderman is a headcase, & Nate is a 5th starter at best. I think if Rogers can stay healthy he should do fine. That should leave them with Verlander, Willis, Rogers, & Bonderman as 4 potentially solid starters. I think there are a ton of "if"s with Rogers & Bondo though. Anyone who thinks Bondo's solid didnt watch him give up 5 runs in the 1st inning of every start for the entire 2nd half of last season. and then theres always the bullpen, which at times is great, & at times is awful. hopefully Jones can drag 1 more season out of that dead arm of his.
Has Carlos played 3rd before 85? That's a tough position to learn if he's brand new to it. I like Cabrera at third ( his offense will make up for his defense in ways Inge could only dream of) Guillen at first and Brandon to back up Pudge.
Can't argue too much with that LCW. Pitching is so vital, hopefully the bullpen can actually stay in their designated roles in 2008 and not have to survive all the injuries like they had to in 2007.
Congratulations Hoit, you've gotta be thrilled. My concern would be for Grangerson. With all that base running he is going to do he'll have to sit one game out of every eight to keep from wearing all the tread off his wheels.
Born and raised in the great state of MEE-CHI-GAN. Had a one year stint in Indianapolis where I grew to love all things Hoosier and watched the Colts bring home a Super Bowl trophy. My primary teams remain the Tigers, Pistons, Lions, Red Wings, and Wolverines and I wouldn't trade any of them. Still follow NASCAR, but it's not the same without the black number 3. My favorite sport by far is college basketball. I'll watch pretty much any game between November-Febr uary and March is the pinnacle of it all with the MADNESS. It can't be beat.
