Mikes 2003 Tigers Thoughts First and foremost; If I had a nickel for everytime someone asked me what my thoughts were on the Tigers this year; I'd be pretty rich. My common response to everyone usually revolves around: they will be lucky to win 50 games. How can a team that loses 109 games last year, and loses their top two offense "stars", both starting aces, and starting closer expect to get better? I am curious; but im guessing Fick and Simon accounted for probably close to 20 percent of their entire offense (which isnt much) last year. Weaver and Redman? Both proven pitchers; a solid 2 in weaver and someone who could be top six 4 or 5 man, both gone. But anyways: here's my take on it all: Best Move by Tram: Not too toot my own horn here; but I called for this move about a year ago to date. Benching Easley; moving Santiago to Second, and Starting Omar Infante at short is the best thing they could do. If a team has excellent quickness up the middle; they will win many games alone on that. With a middle consisting of of Infante, Santiago, and Andres Torres in CF; not only do they have a young solid core of players ( all around age 22-23) but all three guys are sooooooo quick and fast; opposing teams will see many easy hits gobbled up with their quickness. My one concern revolves around the time it will take Ramon to turn the double play quickly. Playing short all his life; he has some experience; but it will still take him time. Finally all 3 have potential to bat 270-285 this year; and with their speed; any one of them could rob 30-40 bases. (Expect one to snag 50 with Gibby's tuteliage and some solid patience at the plate) 2nd Best Move by Tram: Sending Higgy back to right. He was a great outfielder in RF back in the days before he moved to left. His arm and accuracy assured few people tried to go from first to third on a single. Plus he's more at home there; as opposed to left where he often looked lost. I also believe by being in a comfortable position again; his stroke will come along with it. I Expect Higgy to start off really hot; batting over .300 until he gets traded sometime in June. As good as Higgy has potential to be; a 11 million dollar a year guy who isnt a fan favorite anymore has to go. Also; if he has some good trade potential; expect this to speed up rebuilding by a year. Things Tram has to do: Make Munson his starter at 3b. Eric has 30-35 home run potential, and at 25 lots of upside. He need to face big league pitching daily. Tram has to realize they will not win this year; and get his youngin's all the AB's as possible. As much as Illitch and Dumbo are pulling Tram's ear to start Deano (in hopes of he getting some trade value), its important Eric learns all he can about the hot corner. I feel he is more critical to this teams future than any other player. Him and Pena can form quie a 4-5 pop and cause much damage in the long run with their power potential. Try to find a solid utility player. Shane Halter is not this guy. They tried last year by going out and getting Craig Pauquette, but that backfired. This forced them to get no-hit Truby, and the tigers would have been better off just letting the pitchers bat last year and DH for Chris Truby. When the Tigers traded for Juan Gonzalez, they traded away Frank Catalanato, and have yet to have another utilty player that good. Build the bullpen first. I will make the bold claim that a solid bullpen is better for a team than a solid starting rotation. In today's game; pitchers only need to make it 5 good innings, and thats not asking too much for them to do. The set-up is probably the most important bullpen spot, even ahead of closer; because often times in those 7-8th innings teams try to relax a bit with a few run leads. I like what the tigers have with German and Anderson. Too Bad they want to trade Anderson. A guy like German can come in in the 7th and go two solid innings, and let matt close it out. Mix in guys like Danny Paterson and a former starter; and we are looking at a decent bull pen. Adding vets like Steve Sparks and Steve Avery could mean having the right pitchers for the right times. Also; having a good bull pen allows you to keep the young guns fresh all year round; espically if they dont have to pitch more than 5 or 6 innings a game. Start the season off hot. Nobody expects 35-5. But 0-12 wont cut it either. If the tigers can go 7-13 or better the first 20 games; tram will be successful. Simply by keeping a team near .500 after 20-25 games goes a long away to building team confidence. Tram and Gibby need to find ways to keep attendance up this year; that is a major key to rebuilding. Stay true to his rotation: Mike Maroth, Andy Van Hekken, and Adam Bernero are all young; but have taken a few bumps and can deal with them. All three( barring injury) should start and end the season in the starting rotation. They will make mistakes; lose many games, and have high ERA's, but come next year they will be ready to roll Things Tram has done wrong already; Naming Bonderman to opening day roster: bad move. Appointing this 20 year old as the number 2 starter; horrible move. (See: Rosie's future? Horrible broadcasting; and big injury jumpkicking somebody in a fight) He has amazing stuff, probably best on the team, and could develop one of the best sliders in the game. But he's 20 years old. He needs to start at double-AA and learn and develop there. Tram is rushing him in hopes of succeeding this year; and not realizing the long range troubles of this. Dmitri Young. Where will he play? What will be his role? I would like to see him in LF; but Tram in intent on start Kingsdale there ( I dont even know who that is to be honest with ya). I think he's another player like Higgy(Dmitri that is); a solid vet who if starts hot should be shipped out on the first train to help rebuilding. He's a very solid player and if healthy; there is no reason shouldnt put up those big numbers, and so he needs to play every day. What it all adds up to: It all depends. I fully expect the Tigers to come roaring out of the games in April and May ( as opposed to last year). I then expect the Tigers to do the smart thing and not change rebuilding plans in order to win 75-80 games this year. ( I think if the Tigers keep the guys like Higgy and Dmitri Young; they have a solid shot at 75 + wins. ) But this is the wrong strategy for them. instead of trying to squeeze out 10-15 more wins with these players; the tigers should deal them and plan for 3 years from now; when their core are all 27-28 and experienced veterans. Getting rid of Higgy/Palmer/Easley/and Young allows for the young'ins to learn quickly. Then three years from now; expect the tigers to shell out 30-40 million dollars on 2-3 players and go from there. But if the tigers dont trade those players away; expect rebuilding to become a 6 year plan. I think dumbo and mike respect tram and gibby's knowledge enough to sacrafice the now for the future. By choosing to play young, I would consider anything more than 62 wins a success. 63-99 may not look great on paper; but with their age and experience; 63-99 now will easily be 88-74 2 years from now.
