The Tigers have a lot of holes, but unlike all the "experts", I don't think they're that far off from being an elite team. If I was the GM of the Tigers, this is the team I would field for opening day next year.
Starting for the 2009 Tigers
Catcher- Russel Martin
How they got him? The Tigers traded a bad contract, Nate Robertson, and a third baseman, Carlos Guillen, to the Dodgers for Russel Martin. The relationship between the Dodgers and Martin is struggling, and they might be willing to trade him to get a veteran third baseman with a little pop in his bat.
First Base-Miguel Cabrera
Second Base-Placido Polanco
Shortstop-Alex Cora
How they got him? Free Agency. He would most likely split time with Ramon Santiago. Plus, the Tigers have enough force in their lineup that they don't need a huge bat here. They just need good fielders and that is exactly what Santiago and Cora are.
- B/R Ticket Guide
Third Base- Brandon Inge
Left Field-Raul Ibanez
How they got him? They didn't sign him to a small contract, money wise, but he'll be a starter in left field for the Tigers for two to three years.
Center Field-Curtis Granderson
Right Field-Magglio Ordonez
Designated Hitter- Gary Sheffield
Starting Pitchers
1) Verlander
2) Bonderman
3) Gallarraga
4) Garcia
5) Willis
Set Up Men: Joel Zumaya and Fernando Rodney
Closer: Jason Isringhausen
Bull Pen: Denny Reyes (Signed from Free Agency), Zach Miner, Bobby Seay, Macay McBride
Bench: Matt Joyce, Ryan Raburn, Ramon Santiago, Dusty Ryan
After these signings and trades, will their payroll go down? No, but they would have spent their money smarter.
True, in my scenario, they are relying on Willis to be DECENT, and for Garcia, Zumaya, and Rodney to be healthy. But, let's say Willis is awful, move Miner to the rotation and bring a decent Freddy Dolsi to the pen.
Anyways, are these moves the perfect moves, maybe not, but they probably are the smartest moves.
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about 1 month ago
Go ahead and leave a comment, and let me know what you think.
about 1 month ago
no pitching 4th place
about 1 month ago
They didnt have pitching last year.....it is highly unlikely verlnder will have another awful year w/ a new picthing coach, and gallaraga emerged as a 15 win canidate. w/ bonderman back, that is three 15 game winners right there......plus, if willis can at leat go around 10 wins and no more than 12-13 losses, and garcia being around .500, their picthing could be quite good. dont 4 get that they got a new pitching coach....
about 1 month ago
Cora is actually a free agent.
And I don't think the Dodgers would want a bad contract if they were to trade Martin, which is highly unlikely.
about 1 month ago
Hey Josh,
Nice article - I hope that it all comes true! I like Santiago at SS, I'm not sure if Cora is an upgrade.
I hadn't heard of Martin or Isringhausen. What do you know about them?
I'll add you as a fan! Please return the favor. Thanks!
about 1 month ago
Wow, I didnt realize that Cora was a Free agent. Thanks, I changed that part of my article. Anyways, Paul, there are rumors that Dodgers may be looking to move Martin, but it might be unlikely. However, they do need a 3rd baseman because they don't have one. They are thinking about having Loney at 3rd and Garciaparra at 1st, but the Tigers could trade Guillen to the Dodgers and Guillen could be their every day third baseman. Isringhausen is a free agent and he could be a good closer. Dave Dobrowski has been reported saying that they're not going to get a big time closer, so Isringhausen is probably the next best option.
about 1 month ago
And just let me say that all my ideas are from rumors and things I heard, there just my ideas...
about 1 month ago
I can't see this as a playoff roster.
Worse yet, I can't see the Dodgers HANDING Russel Martin to the Tigers for next to nothing. If the market for Martin is an aging and weak third basemen, plus a useless starting pitcher, there will be 20 teams lining up for him.
Also, I see that you are defending Verlander, that he can't possibly be as bad. That is legitimate and understandable. However, can Gallarraga be as good? I'd say AT BEST this evens out.
Lastly, I wouldn't say the signing of Ibanez would be the 'smartest'. Consider first that the Tigers are essentially set offensively. Little regression can be expected team-wide and as a consequence, they should have one of the top 3 or 4 offensive clubs in the league. Adding Ibanez would mean they are a lock to be one of the top 2. Not a HUGE upgrade, definitely not warranting the cost.
The 'smartest' move, would be to go after a Juan Rivera, a much cheaper option with a lot more upside.
Decent idea.
about 1 month ago
Josh, while I think the Dodgers GM Colletti is an idiot, I don't think he is as stupid as the proposed trade would make him out to be.
Placing faith in rumors of the quality of proposing the Dodgers trade Martin for a handful of beads are about as practical as trying to recycle toilet paper.
Nowadays there are plenty of fools who, at three in the morning after finishing that second bottle of tequila, come up with some amazing concepts. Then the next day, there are others who try and give these twisted thoughts credence. Please don't fall into that trap.
6 days ago
Terribly unrealistic. Yeah, the Dodgers are gonna trade the best catcher in baseball for a guy who can't play defense any where and the worst starting pitcher in the game. Keep dreaming.
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