Detroit TigersFor the past two years, the Tigers have tantalized numerous pundits - myself included - into thinking that they could challenge the Indians in the Central, only to disappoint in grand fashion. GM Randy Smith gambled this winter in trading for 2-time MVP Juan Gonzales in hopes of finally making a move on the Tribe, and in the process, save his job.
There will games this year when the Tigers absolutely pummel their opposition. No team has more potential 30 home run hitters that the Tigers. First baseman Tony Clark, third baseman Dean Palmer and Gonzales have each done it several times. Left fielder Bobby Higginson and second baseman Damian Easley have each hit as many as 27 in a season. Centerfielder Juan Encarnacion hit 19 in his second season last year and has the tools to steal 30 bases to go along with 30 homers. Shortstop Deivi Cruz might not be able to crank 30 bombs but 20 is certainly within his capability. And between Brad Ausmus and Robert Fick behind the plate, the Tigers could get 25-30 from their catching. But the Tigers only have one position player (Higginson) who has a career on base percentage over .360 (.364). So they might hit 5 or 6 homers in a game and still lose because no one is getting on base ahead of those homers. The Tigers have a reasonably deep bench with veteran outfielder Luis Polonia, ex-home run phenom Karim Garcia and Gregg Jeffries, but none of those guys solve the on base problem. This wouldn't be a big problem necessarily if they played in a park like Coors that favors the hitters. But Comerica Park, their new digs, plays like an extreme pitchers park, so unless the can consistently hit homers - a real long shot - this team is gonna get shut out more than a few times, along with absolutely pulverizing someone on occasion. GRADE: 45
The Tigers are a good defensive team. Brad Ausmus is very good behind the plate at both receiving and throwing out baserunners. Deivi Cruz is a very good shortstop and Easley is above average at second. Tony Clark, who's tall enough to play power forward, is an accomplished fielder and great at snagging errant throws. Encarnacion has good range in center and has an exceptional arm. Higginson is above average in left and Gonzales, although doesn't have great range, has a decent arm. Dean Palmer is the only below average defender in the starting lineup. GRADE: 60
There was a time when the Tigers looked like they were gonna develop a strong starting staff. But injuries and trades have decimated those plans and left them with little. Hideo Nomo was let loose from Milwaukee and signed with the Tigers this winter. After his rookie year, things began to fall apart for him, but he managed to pull things back together last year and regain his form as a solid starter. CJ Nitkowski was drafted by the Reds as the next Frank Viola; they're both lefties from St Johns. He's been traded a few times and now hopes to establish himself in Detroit. Jeff Weaver debuted brilliantly last year but slumped in the second half as batters adjusted. It's just a matter of time before his stuff and makeup make him a top of the rotation starter. Dave Mlicki and Dave Borkowski will round out the rotation. Both can be good, but not much more than #3 starters. GRADE: 45
The Tigers bullpen has some potential. Todd Jones is still the closer, although he's always in danger of losing it to set-up man Matt Anderson. Jones did manage to save 30 of 35 opportunities last year, but the Tigers want Anderson and his 100 mph fastball to eventually take over the role. Both guys struggle with control. Also in the bullpen is Danny Patterson, who came over with Juan Gonzales in the deal with Texas. His control is pretty good, but doesn't' possess the intimidating velocity of the other two. Journeymen Jim Poole from the left side and Doug Brocail from the right side round out the bullpen. GRADE: 45
Randy Smith had an excuse for losing when he was the GM in San DIego. His boss, Tom Werner, the man who brought you Roseanne signing the national anthem, didn't know much about baseball and publicly demanded that Smith hold a fire sale. However, he's been given pretty close to carte blanche in Detroit and hasn't produced a winner yet. His job may be on the line if they don't do something this year. He's figured out the defense and the power part of the equation in putting a team together but the on base and the pitching still elude him. It's been a while since Detroit got the better end of a trade as well. In all likelyhood, Detroit will have a new GM next year. New manager Phil Garner was in a similar situation to Smith in his old job. In Milwaukee, he had a built in excuse for not winning: his teams never had a whole lot of talent. WHile he's not heading up the 1927 Yankees here, he's got more to work with. his job is not at stake if the Motor City Kitties don't win, but his reputation could certainly take a hit if they don't at least improve over last year's showing. garner does get his players to play hard for him and he's a decent game tactician. However, his handling of pitchers has been just short of draconian. It's probably not a coincidence that the Brewers had more pitchers go on the DL than any other team during Garner's tenure. GRADE: 40