2005 Record: 71-91, 4th in AL Central
There’s reason for optimism amongst the Tigers and their fans heading into this season. GM Dave Dombrowski has a fine mix of veterans and rising young stars, and has a new manager, Jim Leyland, in the dugout to guide them.
Yeah, Alan Trammell probably bore too much of the blame and Leyland has been out of the game since 1999 when he managed the Rockies for a season. But Leyland does bring with him a nice little résumé and there should be some initial excitement, on the part of the players and fans, with him in the dugout.
With Kenny Rogers joining the pitching staff in the offseason, Detroit will have three left-handers and a pair of righties in the rotation. Rogers’ much publicized exit from Texas notwithstanding, Rogers could become a second pitching coach for younger southpaws Mike Maroth and Nate Robertson. However, despite pitching in the more friendly confines of Whatever Incorporated name is on the new stadium in Detroit, I don’t look for sub-4.00 ERA’s from any of those three.
Right-handers Jeremy Bonderman and Justin Verlander are both just 23 entering the season. Bonderman was putting together a fine season last year before succumbing to some elbow tendonitis and only making one start after late August. Verlander’s in camp trying to nail down the #5 slot in the order, and the reviews have so far been mixed as you’d expect from a youngster. Roman Colon, Wilfredo Ledezma and Chad Durbin are the best bets in the call-up pool should Detroit need them, though young Joel Zumaya could see some action later this season.
With Troy Percival’s elbow finally giving out, the Tigers went shopping for a closer and found Todd Jones. A genuinely great guy, Jones is coming off a career year setting personal bests in ERA (2.10) and WHIP (1.03) with 40 saves as the Marlins’ closer. That ERA is about half what it was entering his 13th season last year. Even though he’s pitching in a nice big park, you can’t expect him to repeat in that column.
The primary setup roles should be filled by Fernando Rodney, Franklyn German and Jamie Walker, with Walker the left-hander of that trio. The three combined for an ERA below 3.50 last season. Chris Spurling is a middle relief candidate along with Jason Grilli and Colby Lewis. Matt Mantei is also in camp but has already found the trainer’s room with a strained oblique. Reports are this was his last go and will retire if he doesn’t make the Tigers roster. Considering he’s earned about $30 million over the course of his oft-injured career, enjoying his retirement should be easy.
The offense is where I look for the biggest improvement on this team. Detroit averaged about 4½ plate crossings per game last year, good for 11th in the AL, and I can see that inching up maybe a quarter this year, or roughly 40 runs over the course of the entire season. Depending when they score those extra 40 will go a long way to determining if this is another low 70s win team, or upper 70s as some predict.
Ivan ‘Not So Pudge Anymore’ Rodriguez is back behind the plate after suffering through one his worst seasons offensively. Another .290 OB% season would not bode well for the Tigers’ attack, or my projections they will score more runs this time. At least we know Pudge will hit better than his backup, Vance Wilson.
The infield should find Chris Shelton, Placido Polanco, Carlos Guillen and Brandon Inge around the horn most of the time. Shelton found his way into the lineup for good last June and is a 25-HR threat. Polanco has long been overlooked by many and finally made everyone stand up and notice after hitting .331 last year with a career high .830 OPS. Both of those numbers should remain career high’s. Guillen needs to beat his injury-riddled past and stay in the lineup at least 125 games this year.
Inge might be a real key to this puzzle. Moving down to third base full-time last year, he got off to a good start before fizzling out. Infield backups include Carlos Peña at 1B, plus some DH time, and Omar Infante for the middle of the diamond.
Curtis Granderson is having a nice spring and should be the club’s regular center fielder. Possessing 20-20 talent, Granderson should be flanked by Magglio Ordoñez in right and Craig Monroe in left most of the time. However, with Monroe nursing injuries this spring and Ordoñez having missed more than a season’s worth of games the last two years, that plan isn’t written in stone. Backups Nook Logan, Marcus Thames and Ryan Ludwick could see more action than you might think.
Da’ Meat Hook, er, Dmitri Young could also play a little outfield though he’s a defensive liability and would be better suited being planted in the DH slot.
Yes, just two seasons removed from an embarrassing 43-win season in 2003, there is reason for optimism in Motown entering 2006. But optimism alone won’t push the Tigers ahead of the White Sox and Indians. A best case scenario this time would have Detroit finishing third in the AL Central.
Key Performer(s): Jones’ ability close games out could mean the difference in an 80-win season or yet another 90-loss campaign.
Camp Question(s): Can Verlander earn a spot in the rotation and how will the outfield look on Opening Day?
My Play: The o/u lines are a little high as far as I'm concerned with 78½-79 the current range. Yeah, if everything went just right and Leyland squeezed every little bit he could out of the team, seeing Detroit approach 80 wins isn’t out of the question. But I’m going under right now.
There’s reason for optimism amongst the Tigers and their fans heading into this season. GM Dave Dombrowski has a fine mix of veterans and rising young stars, and has a new manager, Jim Leyland, in the dugout to guide them.
Yeah, Alan Trammell probably bore too much of the blame and Leyland has been out of the game since 1999 when he managed the Rockies for a season. But Leyland does bring with him a nice little résumé and there should be some initial excitement, on the part of the players and fans, with him in the dugout.
With Kenny Rogers joining the pitching staff in the offseason, Detroit will have three left-handers and a pair of righties in the rotation. Rogers’ much publicized exit from Texas notwithstanding, Rogers could become a second pitching coach for younger southpaws Mike Maroth and Nate Robertson. However, despite pitching in the more friendly confines of Whatever Incorporated name is on the new stadium in Detroit, I don’t look for sub-4.00 ERA’s from any of those three.
Right-handers Jeremy Bonderman and Justin Verlander are both just 23 entering the season. Bonderman was putting together a fine season last year before succumbing to some elbow tendonitis and only making one start after late August. Verlander’s in camp trying to nail down the #5 slot in the order, and the reviews have so far been mixed as you’d expect from a youngster. Roman Colon, Wilfredo Ledezma and Chad Durbin are the best bets in the call-up pool should Detroit need them, though young Joel Zumaya could see some action later this season.
With Troy Percival’s elbow finally giving out, the Tigers went shopping for a closer and found Todd Jones. A genuinely great guy, Jones is coming off a career year setting personal bests in ERA (2.10) and WHIP (1.03) with 40 saves as the Marlins’ closer. That ERA is about half what it was entering his 13th season last year. Even though he’s pitching in a nice big park, you can’t expect him to repeat in that column.
The primary setup roles should be filled by Fernando Rodney, Franklyn German and Jamie Walker, with Walker the left-hander of that trio. The three combined for an ERA below 3.50 last season. Chris Spurling is a middle relief candidate along with Jason Grilli and Colby Lewis. Matt Mantei is also in camp but has already found the trainer’s room with a strained oblique. Reports are this was his last go and will retire if he doesn’t make the Tigers roster. Considering he’s earned about $30 million over the course of his oft-injured career, enjoying his retirement should be easy.
The offense is where I look for the biggest improvement on this team. Detroit averaged about 4½ plate crossings per game last year, good for 11th in the AL, and I can see that inching up maybe a quarter this year, or roughly 40 runs over the course of the entire season. Depending when they score those extra 40 will go a long way to determining if this is another low 70s win team, or upper 70s as some predict.
Ivan ‘Not So Pudge Anymore’ Rodriguez is back behind the plate after suffering through one his worst seasons offensively. Another .290 OB% season would not bode well for the Tigers’ attack, or my projections they will score more runs this time. At least we know Pudge will hit better than his backup, Vance Wilson.
The infield should find Chris Shelton, Placido Polanco, Carlos Guillen and Brandon Inge around the horn most of the time. Shelton found his way into the lineup for good last June and is a 25-HR threat. Polanco has long been overlooked by many and finally made everyone stand up and notice after hitting .331 last year with a career high .830 OPS. Both of those numbers should remain career high’s. Guillen needs to beat his injury-riddled past and stay in the lineup at least 125 games this year.
Inge might be a real key to this puzzle. Moving down to third base full-time last year, he got off to a good start before fizzling out. Infield backups include Carlos Peña at 1B, plus some DH time, and Omar Infante for the middle of the diamond.
Curtis Granderson is having a nice spring and should be the club’s regular center fielder. Possessing 20-20 talent, Granderson should be flanked by Magglio Ordoñez in right and Craig Monroe in left most of the time. However, with Monroe nursing injuries this spring and Ordoñez having missed more than a season’s worth of games the last two years, that plan isn’t written in stone. Backups Nook Logan, Marcus Thames and Ryan Ludwick could see more action than you might think.
Da’ Meat Hook, er, Dmitri Young could also play a little outfield though he’s a defensive liability and would be better suited being planted in the DH slot.
Yes, just two seasons removed from an embarrassing 43-win season in 2003, there is reason for optimism in Motown entering 2006. But optimism alone won’t push the Tigers ahead of the White Sox and Indians. A best case scenario this time would have Detroit finishing third in the AL Central.
Key Performer(s): Jones’ ability close games out could mean the difference in an 80-win season or yet another 90-loss campaign.
Camp Question(s): Can Verlander earn a spot in the rotation and how will the outfield look on Opening Day?
My Play: The o/u lines are a little high as far as I'm concerned with 78½-79 the current range. Yeah, if everything went just right and Leyland squeezed every little bit he could out of the team, seeing Detroit approach 80 wins isn’t out of the question. But I’m going under right now.
Im watching you..... 
