At least the Tigers have announced that they would not be re-signing Valverde or our favorite anti-semite Delmon Young. (Loved that throw from left field by the way . . .) A little speed could help that lineup. Might prevent them from hitting into so many double plays. That being said, Fielder and Cabrera will never be fast and it is unlikely that whoever replaces Young at DH (most likely Martinez if he comes back I assume) will be a great baserunner. Those guys definitely clog up the base paths. Jackson is fast in the lead off spot and maybe the young guys (Dirks, Garcia, et al) will add a little speed and reduce the double plays. Defense, especially at the corner infield spots, will likely leave something to be desired. All that being said, the AL Central seems to be one of the easier divisions to win, so I would guess we will be seing your 2013 Detroit Tigers in the postseason again next year. (I believe Vegas agrees.)
I have been waiting for the day when there is no more Delmon and no more Jose. To be fair to Delmon, as mediocre as he is all year, he stepped up in the post-season last year and this. HOWEVER that does not warrant keeping him and Victor Martinez will be back and full time DH next year. Also, with Rafael Soriano on the market I'm HOPING the Tigers make a serious, serious play for him. The Valverde and DY money will help.
Yes, AL Central is maybe the easiest division so so they should be in the post-season, I'm thinking, the next couple of years for sure. Dirks playing regularly will help with speed; I'm also hoping they dump Peralta and replace him with somebody who can move a little bit. Doesn't have to have a ton of power, just good D and some speed. That would give them Jackson, Dirks, Infante and this hypothetical new SS who can run, then let's say Alvisail Garcia wins a corner outfield spot; suddenly they have five guys in the line up who can run instead of 2 or 3 depending on the platoon situation...
At least the Tigers have announced that they would not be re-signing Valverde or our favorite anti-semite Delmon Young. (Loved that throw from left field by the way . . .) A little speed could help that lineup. Might prevent them from hitting into so many double plays. That being said, Fielder and Cabrera will never be fast and it is unlikely that whoever replaces Young at DH (most likely Martinez if he comes back I assume) will be a great baserunner. Those guys definitely clog up the base paths. Jackson is fast in the lead off spot and maybe the young guys (Dirks, Garcia, et al) will add a little speed and reduce the double plays. Defense, especially at the corner infield spots, will likely leave something to be desired. All that being said, the AL Central seems to be one of the easier divisions to win, so I would guess we will be seing your 2013 Detroit Tigers in the postseason again next year. (I believe Vegas agrees.)
ReplyDeleteI have been waiting for the day when there is no more Delmon and no more Jose. To be fair to Delmon, as mediocre as he is all year, he stepped up in the post-season last year and this. HOWEVER that does not warrant keeping him and Victor Martinez will be back and full time DH next year. Also, with Rafael Soriano on the market I'm HOPING the Tigers make a serious, serious play for him. The Valverde and DY money will help.
ReplyDeleteYes, AL Central is maybe the easiest division so so they should be in the post-season, I'm thinking, the next couple of years for sure. Dirks playing regularly will help with speed; I'm also hoping they dump Peralta and replace him with somebody who can move a little bit. Doesn't have to have a ton of power, just good D and some speed. That would give them Jackson, Dirks, Infante and this hypothetical new SS who can run, then let's say Alvisail Garcia wins a corner outfield spot; suddenly they have five guys in the line up who can run instead of 2 or 3 depending on the platoon situation...