The Winter meetings are over, and the Tigers definitely came out on top. A team that was already among the top in offensive production and won the world series back in 05 added to its impressive roster a Miguel Cabrera and a Dontrelle Willis. What does this do to the Teeny Tigers that could? It makes them instant World Series contenders, if they weren't already.
Just loot at this lineup:
1) Curtis Granderson, CF. Remember how everyone thought it was so cool that MVP Jimmy Rollins had that crazy line of his of 20/20/20/20 (Home Runs/Doubles/Triples/Stolen Bases?) Yeah...Curtis Granderson did that too last year.
2) Placido Polanco, 2B. Finished with a .341 Batting Average and a (that's right folks) 1.000 Fielding Percentage. The man didn't make an error the entire season, and offensively was only topped at his position by Chase Utley.
3) Magiggilez Magoo, RF: He was also impressive, and the hands down 2nd place MVP in the AL short of A-Rod. He was the AL batting champion, 28 homers, and 139 RBI. He's hot stuff.
4) Miguel Cabrera, 3b: A 4 time all-star at the young age of 24, routinely rakes around 30 jacks and a 300+ BA. Some complain that he's getting chubby, but reports from the winter meetings say he's lost at least 15 pounds so far, and is determined to get back to prime condition.
5) Gary Sheffield, DH: I hear this guy's pretty good. A 9 time all star who, last year in one of his worst years, still hit 25 home runs for a .266 average, in just 133 games. Hell, he even stole 22 bases, 2nd most in his career.
6) Carlos "The Dwarf" Guillen, 1b: After being moved from SS to 1B near the end of last year, Guillen said he wouldn't be comfortable with the switch unless they hired someone good to replace him. Apparently Guillen was comfortable with Renteria, so don't expect any lingering discontent. Do expect another ~280, 20 home run season from Guillen, who will probably improve on his power due to him being 32 and moving into a less physically demanding defensive position.
7) Edgar Renteria, SS: Renteria, hit by the injury bug and limited to 124 games, still hit .332 with 12 homers and 11 sb in that time. Renteria hasn't had a history of injury, so expect a similar line through next year.
8) Pudge, C: You know your team is pretty good when an almost-lock Hall of Famer is batting 8th, not to mention Pete Rose's pick for best defensive catcher of all time. His production is waning, as he's hitting 37 this next year as a catcher, but he'll still hit around ~280 with at least 10 jacks in about 120-130 games.
9) The rest: The Left Field spot remains up for grabs, as Jacque Jones, Ryan Raburn, Marcus Thames and even Brandon Inge fight to not be traded and platoon for a role. These fellas are all solid, and would bat over 9th on most teams.
The only big question mark on the team is the bullpen. With both the setup man and the closer with over 4.00 ERAs, the Tigers need some help. Fortunately, they can trade 2 of the above 4 mentioned Left Field platooners for some middle relief help and not at all be hampered.
On another note, don't expect the A's to make any sort of a move until after Johan gets somewhere. Odds are that the Red Sox will rein him in eventually, at which point the Yankees will probably push hard for Haren, along with other SP deprived teams. Also expect Beane to look for a similar package to whatever Johan gets, since this is a really harsh Starting Pitcher Free Agent Market (it's depressing when Carlos Silva is the cream of the free agent crop.)
On a tertiary note, the Giants are inquiring about Hideki Matsui. This seems good. If the Giants could trade one of their Lincecum/Cain duo for Hideki Matsui and Jose Tabata, they should pull the trigger. Although I wouldn't trade straight up for Matsui (maybe Lowry or Jonathan Sanchez, but not just Lincecum/Cain,) these are the kind of lines Sabean should look towards for hitting.
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8 comments:
I'll comment in pertinent part on each of the three issues you raise. The first one is regarding the Tigers. I agree. They'll be Grrrrrrrrreeeeaaat!!!! The only thing is the pen. Rodney is a big key or they need to find someone else to set up a closer who has mediocre numbers. Zumaya's out for a half-season. And who knows what they'll get out of him when he returns.
I think both the Red Sox and the Yankees balked at the price for Santana. I know it's naive to think that way at this point. But I don't think either wanted to pay three prospects. I heard the Yankees turned down Hughes/Cabrera/Jeff Marquez and a fourth prospect for Johan. This isn't even Alan Horne who could be decent.
I do think the Matsui deal makes sense. But let me get this straight. The Yanks won't trade for Sanchez OR Lowry straight up. I heard Shelley Duncan and Matsui for Sanchez and Lowry. The Yankees also won't get Cain or Lincecum. Lowry's a guy I was familiar with a few years ago when he was on my Roto Team. Right now though, he has a 1:1 K/BB Rat which I don't like. I do like the fact he's left handed in Yankee Stadium. Matsui comes with a little baggage in that he has a no trade. In addition, his knees are starting to balk. I'm a huge fan of his but would be a fan of upgrading the staff in some way.
Yes, it is depressing when Livan Hernandez, Carlos Silva, and Kyle Lohse, all average #4 starters could get $10 million per for three years. It's a by-product of teams not pocketing their revenue sharing $$ and actually putting it to good use on players. Well, there are a few exceptions. Look @ the most anonymous team in the NL. FLORIDA!!!!!
Rodney tends to blow a lot of things, but the Tigers still have a lot of chips. I think if the Tigers approached the A's and offered Thames for Duchscherer, it would be wise for the A's to take the deal, and a good shoreup for the Tigers.
The Twins do seem to be asking a lot, but I think the Red Sox are in a better position to pay it. Plus if the Sox can make that deal, it forces the Yankees to get rid of some of their chips to keep up. It's almost a deal you make to cripple your opponent more than help yourself.
More later.
Lowry isn't anything spectacular. He'll get you double digit wins for a few years, but he'll do it with a mediocre ERA. He reminds me of Kevin Millwood or David Wells (albeit more athletic) as far as the stats go. I'll grant that Lowry has the potential to get better, but Matsui was raking in the 2nd half of the year last year, until his knee problems that is. From the All star break to August 27th, he hit .365 with 12 jacks. It's a question of Young pitcher with potential to be a #2 (I dont think he's an ace) or aging hitter with potential to carry a team with his bat. I'd take Godzilla for Lowry personally.
"Did you call Miguel Cabrera 'fat'? If you have a child someday, you’ll understand how it feels. But you obviously don’t have a child. I do. If your child goes down the street and somebody makes fun of him because he dropped a pass in a pickup game, or says he’s fat, and he comes home crying to his mom, you’d understand. But you haven’t had that."
This is why I don't read comments from Matt. Because it's garbage! Come after me! I'm 40!
I believe we need a moratorium on the euphemism "Jack", as in "Bubba had 32 jacks in only 220 plate appearances." It's not that you use it alot, it's just that even a little is way too much. I suggest working on some original alternatives. I don't know, "Bubba had 32 thumps? waybacks? longgones? justwatchits? in only 220... well you get the idea. You're a clever fellow.
Good point. As much as I love the jiggidy jack, I'll see how much Chris Berman I can channel for future postings.
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