I saw an ad on Fox Sports Detroit last night for the upcoming Tiger season. It was a series of time-lapse photos of Comerica Park, watching the ice and snow melt into Spring. The tagline said, "It's almost here."
As I walked past the five-foot high snow bank in -10°F this morning, I can honestly say that commercial is total BS. Spring is as distant to me as the Pulitzer Prize is to blogging. Yet, it is indeed true that catchers and pitchers report to Lakeland on Sunday. While we fend off frostbite and Seasonal Affective Disorder, the Tigers will spend the next seven interminable weeks playing ball in Florida.
Despite not playing since October, the team rarely spent much time out of the news. Recently, Michael Young of the Rangers demanded a trade, and Tiger fans around the world wondered how the former All-star would look in the old English D. Young's contract states that he can turn down a trade to all but 8 teams, and the Tigers aren't one of the 8 (are they ever?). With Dombrowski saying the Tigers are set at 2nd base, it's time to stop dreaming of a Michael Young trade. I admit I did entertain the thought. With Carlos Guillen's injury problems and Will Rhymes inexperience, I figured Young would be a definite upgrade. What team couldn't use a career .300 hitter with power, who's also a Gold Glove winner?
Yet, a closer look at his 2010 stats reveal a troubling trend. At home, Young hit .307 with 16 HRs. Away, he hit .260, with just 5 dingers. That's the way it's been most of his career. Perhaps DD was wise to avoid this costly mistake. Besides, I dig Will Rhymes and his funky hair.
In other Tiger speculation, I concocted my own trade scenario last week, after hearing of Andy Pettitte's retirement. Yankee fans' quickly coined the term "Sabathia and Hughes and then we lose." The quote, by the way, is a witty update on the classic Spahn, Sain, and pray for rain. Bottom line is the Yankees need pitching. While the Tigers do not have a glut of pitching, they do have a glut of right handers. I was thinking perhaps a Porcello for Granderson swap. The Yankees must be disappointed in Granderson after a meager .247 last season. And the Tigers are surely disappointed in Porcello after such a promising rookie campaign. I, for one, have little confidence that Porcello will regain that rookie sharpness, and the Tigers desperately need a corner outfielder. Leyland has tremendous faith in Ryan Raburn in left field... and Leyland and Raburn's mom are about the only true believers. I'm a fan of Raburn as a part-time player, but giving him the keys to left field is a recipe for disaster. Granderson is a far superior glove and bat. Can the Tigers afford to give up a pitcher for a bat, though?
Mrs. Nofrownmotown says no. She thinks the Tigers should only deal Porcello for another pitcher, and she's probably right. The Tigers' farm system isn't exactly stocked with strong arms. They've got Jacob Turner, Andrew Oliver, and... ??? Not exactly a King's ransom. (If interested, here's a list of the Tigers' top prospects.) Porcello needs to stay if only as another arm to test on the mound. There's a chance he could be great, and the Tigers can't afford to throw that chance away... at least not yet. So, my hopes of bringing back the great Granderson must wait.
At this point, it's doubtful DD will swing any more moves. Tiger fans can look forward to a starting rotation of Verlander, Scherzer, Porcello, Coke, and Penny. Not much margin for error. Like last season, there are a ton of question marks. Which Porcello will show up? Can Coke handle life as a starter? Can Penny stay healthy? And Scherzer is no sure-thing either. He had an absolutely dominant run of games after May. Can he do it for a full season? If everything pans out, this team will be in the playoffs. If not... at least Dombrowski will have a moderate payroll with which to make moves.
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