This post-season has provided many revelations to Tiger fans. We spent weeks watching the Tigers compete with the AL Central, pummeling them into submission. It was easy to overlook Tiger deficiencies when they're in the midst of a 12 game win streak.
Now, though, they're facing the very best. Dave Mayo posted on mLive prior to the ALCS that the Rangers are a 5-tool team. That has held true. They hit for average and power. They've got team speed. They can defend. And they can pitch. They've got arms to handle innings 1-9. If a starter gets knocked around? No worries. The 'pen can pitch 7 shutout innings, no problem.
Yeah, they're a strong team, built for playoff success. The Tigers? Not so much.
That's not a horrible slight. The Yankees, with their massive payroll, aren't built for playoff success any more than the Rangers. In fact, the Yankees and Tigers are quite similar. While the Tigers have slightly stronger starting pitching, the Yankees have slightly stronger bats. It's a decent balance and explains why the ALDS could've gone either way.
Yet, the Rangers proved through five games to be the superior team in most facets of the game. Now, this is sports, and, of course, anything can happen in Games 6 and 7. The Tigers may catch fire. Who knows? But if the Tigers are to build for long-term success, they need some alterations. And I think Dave Dombrowski knows clearly what to address when he heads to the Winter meetings in December.
The good news is that the starting pitching definitely stepped up in the clutch. Even if Max gets bombed in Game 6, that does not discount his stellar performances to date. I think it's safe to say that the Tigers move forward next season with JV, Fister, Max, and Porcello. The last two exhibited a ton of inconsistency, but they also exhibited serious moxie. The fifth starting spot is up in the air.
In the field, the Tigers are set at every position but 2nd base. Carlos Guillen's big contract comes off the books, and I doubt the Tigers re-sign him, unless it's a minor-league contract. Guillen may just retire after multiple injury-plagued seasons. Santiago is a fine 2nd baseman, but he's more valuable as a utility infielder. He doesn't mind the role, and his bat seems to be fine playing every 2 or 3 days.
I'd love to see an opening at 3rd base, but Inge has one more year on his contract. After his heroics in the playoffs, I can't imagine Dombrowski replacing him. It's possible the Tigers may re-sign Betemit as insurance. Betemit may not draw a ton of interest elsewhere, and the Tigers could use his switch-hitting ability. He's failed in the playoffs, but he was excellent in the regular season. He hit .292 with 19 RBIs in just 40 games with the Tigers. With Inge, Don Kelly, and perhaps Betemit, third base is set.
In the outfield, the Tigers have options. Delmon Young and Austin Jackson will return in left and center, respectively. And Boesch will likely be the first choice in right field. Backing up those fellas will be Don Kelly and Andy Dirks. No need to break the bank for a free agent at these spots.
As for catcher, the Tigers desperately need a backup to Avila. And that player is not Victor Martinez. V-Mart's bat is way too valuable to risk his body to injury by playing catcher. V-Mart should spell Cabrera at 1st base, and that should be his only spot in the field. Emergency catcher perhaps. But if V-Mart could spend ample time at 1st, that would give Miggy some rest after playing every-single-friggin-day.
Offensively, the Tigers are mostly set, with one gaping hole. Leadoff.
Austin Jackson and his strikeouts are not cutting it. That may just be the Tigers' biggest deficiency when compared to these other teams. Austin provides incredible defense and, for that, he deserves a spot on the team. But he's a true #9 hitter.
So, the Tigers need a 2nd baseman, a backup catcher, a leadoff hitter, and a 5th starter.
Ideally, the 2nd baseman can also be the leadoff hitter. There are capable options out there. I dug through the list of 2012 free agent 2nd baseman, focusing on on-base percentage and stolen bases. The top option is Brandon Phillips. He hit .300, with 18 HR, and 82 RBI. 14 stolen bases, and a .353 on-base percentage. The bad news is that the Reds have a $12M club option to retain him. They'll likely use it.
Another option is Omar Infante. He had a down year after his first All-star season, hitting just .276 with a weak .315 OBP. He's not a base-stealing threat, with just 47 for his career. Yet, his OBP for '09 and '10 averaged .360. That's solid. He's not an ideal lead-off hitter, but he'd be an upgrade from Jackson.
Perhaps the cheapest option is to take a flyer on 36 year old Orlando Cabrera. He could platoon with Ramon, should the Tigers opt to keep him. Cabrera's best days are behind him (only 8 stolen bases in '11), but he may fit in a limited role. It wasn't long ago ('08) that he hit .281 (.334 OBP) with 18 stolen bases. Perhaps he could regain the magic for another season.
Better options exist for trade, but the Tigers don't have many pieces to offer in exchange. Would they be willing to part with a starting pitcher? Doubtful. Or a prospect like Jacob Turner? Perhaps. But their minor league system is not deep. DD will likely focus on free agents.
The 5th starter spot is where I think DD has best chance to make a splash. With Maggs' and Guillens' salaries coming off the books ($23M!!), the Tigers should have money to spend. The best candidate in my opinion, is the first name on the free agent list - Mark Buehrle. He's a lefty and still somewhat young (32). He plays for the rival ChiSox, but, with Ozzie Guillen gone, perhaps Buehrle wants a change of scenery. Management sorta gave up on the Sox last season. That might sway him to sign with a different team. The Tigers desperately need a lefty starter. Buehrle would give the Tigers a very strong staff, perhaps the strongest in the AL, if Fister and JV continue their run of form.
If not Buehrle, there are other options, but none as enticing. Sure, CJ Wilson (who we saw with the Rangers) is a free agent. But I can't imagine him leaving. Former Tigers Edwin Jackson and Freddy Garcia are available. They'd likely be better than Penny. So, my guess is we'll see DD make some deal. The only question is how BIG a deal.
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