Dombrowski fashioned a team this season that was built for injury and disappointment. He knew coming into the season that Adam Everett, Gerald Laird, Scott Sizemore, and Austin Jackson were unproven MLB hitters. Jackson turned out to be a gem, but the other three were dreadful. Laird spent most of the season below .200. Everett was released after a month, and Sizemore found himself in Toledo by May. Those four comprise 44% of the starting lineup. Dombrowski also had to know that Carlos Guillen could not be counted on to stay healthy. After playing 151 games in '07, Guillen's appearances dropped steadily each season -- 113 games in '08, 81 games in '09, and 68 in this year. Ultimately, Dombrowski had four "reliable" starters in his opening lineup: Maggs, Inge, Damon, and Cabrera. Strikeout King and Damon typically stay healthy, while Maggs and Cabrera put up consistently good numbers and stay healthy (at least in recent seasons).
The roster was a gamble, but don't get me wrong... I don't blame Dombrowski entirely. This was the last year of his penance for the dreaded contract extensions. Dontrelle Willis, Nate Robertson, and Jeremy Bonderman all received over $10million each from the Tigers this year. In fact, they likely have at least one check still coming. So Dombrowski's hands were tied, and when things blew up (Guillen's repeated injuries, Everett's errors, Magg's broken ankle), Dombrowski's rookies came to the rescue.
DD can feel both shame and pride in the results. Shame in that he put himself in this mess with those dreaded contract extensions and pride that he drafted most of the rookies.
Going into the 2011 season, the rookies will play a significant role. But they're certainly not all keepers. Who should stay and who should go? The only sure-fire keeper is Austin Jackson. After that, it's a crapshoot. Let's start with the biggest conundrum:
Brennen Boesch
His perplexing numbers speak for themselves.
Before All-star break: .339 BA, 12 HR, 49 RBI
After All-star break: .167 BA, 2 HR, 17 RBI
We all kept waiting for him to break out of his slump, but it never happened. I wanted the Tigers to send him to Toledo in August, but that didn't happen. The kid stayed in the bigs and suffered through the humiliation of having managers intentionally walk Cabrera just to pitch to Boesch. If you've read this blog throughout the summer, you know how much I hoped this kid would succeed. The Tigers desperately need a power-hitting lefty, but I fear they may have killed his confidence. We can all hope he rebounds next year, but my guess is he'll open the season in Triple-A.
Will Rhymes
Busta Rhymes answered the call at 2B and made folks wonder why he wasn't the opening day pick instead of Sizemore. Rhymes showed a more adept glove and a knack for big hits. He doesn't have power, but he knows how to lay down a bunt. He worked well batting behind Austin Jackson, and he gives the Tigers an option at 2B if they want to move Guillen elsewhere. I'll be surprised if he isn't on the opening day roster in 2011.
Danny Worth
This kid's season was cut short by a major injury in early August, but he did fill in perfectly for the disappointing Adam Everett. Worth provided decent hitting (.255) with superior fielding at the shortstop position. I'd imagine Worth's defensive acumen would've guaranteed him at least a backup role next season, but the major injury hurts his chances. Whether he makes the squad in 2011 depends on his performance in Spring Training.
Casper Wells
Incredibly, Casper Wells picked up where Boesch left off. With Boesch struggling in the 2nd half, Wells received the call and delivered some massive hits. For the season, Wells is batting .353 with 4 HR and 17 RBIs in just 33 games. With such a small sampling, he hasn't guaranteed himself anything for 2011, but his numbers certainly help his cause. My guess is he and Boesch will battle for the left field position in Spring Training. Leyland will ride whoever is hot.
Scott Sizemore
I certainly wouldn't write this kid off just yet. He may turn out to be a serviceable second baseman. He's got good bat speed, but he just didn't show enough behind the plate or with his glove. He's hitting .234 with almost no power - 3 HR, 14 RBI. He posted Inge-like strikeout numbers with 1 strikeout for every 3.8 at-bats. Not good. Without his bat, he'll have trouble sticking in the bigs because he's not a world-beater in the field.
I'd be surprised if Sizemore starts anywhere other than Toledo next year, but he will get the call-up at some point.
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