SB Nation User Blog: BigAl

Game 55: Tigers (23-31) at Mariners (20-35)

BigAl — Sat, 31 May 2008 17:03:57 -0000

The Mariners' Carlos Silva was knocked out of the box during 7 run 1st inning, as the bats carried the Tigers to a 7-4 win Friday night in Seattle. Nate Robertson was the beneficiary of a Detroit offensive explosion for the 2nd straight start, winning his 3rd game of the season. It was also Detroit's 4th consecutive win over the hapless Mariners.

This afternoon, the Tigers hope to keep the streak alive, sending Justin Verlander (2-7, 5.16) to the mound. Verlander has pitched much better as of late, though his record has yet to reflect it. He ERA has dropped nearly a point over his past 3 starts, allowing only 4 runs in 19 innings. Verlander's pitching to his immense capabilities would go a long way towards the Tigers turning their season around.

Facing Verlander is Seatle's own pitching phenom, Felix Henandez (2-5, 3.60), aka King Felix. In his last 6 starts, King Felix has a 5.54 ERA while walking 21 batters in 37.1 innings. He's struggled as much as the Mariners have this season.

The bigger news coming out of Seattle was the announcement there will be more changes in the Tigers' everyday lineup, as decided by both Jim Leyland and Dave Dombrowski.

1. Miguel Cabrera has been moved down to 6th in the batting order. (This is Leyland playing head games with Cabrera, essentially demoting him in an attempt to light a fire under his ass.)

2. Carlos Guillen will add another position to his resume, as he will share time in left field (!) with Marcus Thames. He'll continue to play 3rd as well. (I feel for Guillen, as this will be his 3rd position change in less than a year. Why he's not DHing at this point is beyond me. This move reeks of desperation.)

3. Brandon Inge will play more at both 3rd base and catcher. (2 things seem to be at play here. The Tigers want Inge's glove in the lineup, as it sure as Hell isn't because of his bat. They must also think Pudge Rodriguez is playing too much.)

4. Dontrelle Willis will start a game in the Oakland series, going 4-5 innings, then be replaced by Armando Galarraga. (The Willis to the pen experiment wasn't going to last long, as his sizable contract pretty much demands the D-Train starts. This piggybacking of starting pitching has the whiff of desperation to it. It also removes an arm from the bullpen.)

The Tigers haven't given up on the season yet, as these moves attest. If they work, and the Tigers start winning, great! But if they don't? Detroit's brass will have some tough roster decisions looming on the horizon.

Game 54: Tigers (22-31) at Mariners (20-34)

BigAl — Fri, 30 May 2008 23:12:47 -0000

The Tigers long west coast swing continues tonight, as they head to Seattle's Safeco Field to take on the last place Mariners in the opener of a 3 game series.

The teams just played a little more than a week ago at Comerica, resulting in a Tigers sweep of the sad sack Mariners. Not much has changed for Seattle since being thrashed by the Tigers, as they still have the worst record in the AL.

As for the Tigers, they are coming off of a much needed win, after losing a pair of walk off heartbreakers to the LA Angels. Despite recent player promotions, roster shakeups and rumors of trades, the Tigers continue to plod along at 9 games under .500, 8 games back in the Central.

Headed to the mound for the Tigers is Nate Robertson (2-5, 5.88), the man rumored to be on the trading block if Detroit doesn't improve soon. Robertson did win his last start, snapping a personal 3 game losing streak, as he was the beneficiary of Tigers' 19 run attack in a victory over the Twins.

Carlos Silva (3-4, 5.14) will face the Tigers tonight. Silva lost to the Tigers 10 days ago, during the aforementioned sweep. He lasted only 4 innings, giving up 7 runs and 9 hits in a 12-8 Detroit victory. Silva was shelled in his most recent start as well, giving up 7 runs and 11 hits in 6 innings in a loss to the Yankees.

If you would have previewed this series before the season, you would have anticipated this being a highly hyped meeting of a pair of playoff contenders. What we actually have this weekend are 2 teams who have have failed miserably up to this point of the season.

It's safe to say the loser of this series will be in rough shape. Or I should say, in rougher shape than than the other.

Short hops:

Fox Sports hack Dayn Perry thinks Justin Verlander isn't earning his paycheck.

Tigerblog takes a look at the Tigers' Jekyll and Hyde act. They are great in their wins, yet worse than awful in their losses.

Take 75 North has a been running series of fascinating posts determining at which positions the Tigers have a "high need" and which seem to be in good shape, system wide. Today's post looks at 3rd base .

Is Nate Robertson soon to be on the block?

BigAl — Fri, 30 May 2008 19:24:37 -0000

Jayson Stark claims in his latest "Rumblings and grumblings" column the Tigers are telling teams "they might have a left-hander available in a few weeks."

As Stark notes, the available left hander sure wouldn't be Kenny Rogers or Dontrelle Willis. The Gambler won't be traded for obvious reasons (age, only on a 1 year deal, would likely retire if dealt), and the D-Train's control issues, let alone his expensive multi-year contract, make him essentially untradable.

Thus, if you do the math, Nate Robertson is the unnamed left hander on the trading block. Why would the Tigers think about trading someone they signed to a multi-year contract just this past off season? There could be a few reasons...

1. The Tigers believe Armando Galarraga is the real deal.

To me me, this seems like a big jump to make, as Galarraga has never been this good. Do you believe the small sample size of 8 2008 starts, or his past track record of mediocrity? To trade one of your starters because Galarraga is on a hot streak is short sighted lunacy.

2. Dontrelle Willis is ready to rejoin the roation.

Nah, I don't believe that either. But Willis to the rotation is going to happen sometime soon. Having $9 million a season mop up man isn't exactly fiscally responsible, or what the Tigers expected to get out of Willis.

If the D-Train does come back to the rotation, someone has to be removed. If still pitching well, it won't be Galarraga. Obviously, it won't be Justin Verlander or Jeremy Bonderman. The Gambler is pitching better than Robertson. Nate could be, and should be, the odd man out.

3. Robertson is the Tigers most tradable pitching commodity.

This is the most likely reason. Consider the following facts: Robertson is left handed, locked into a relatively affordable 3 year, $21million contract, is capable of winning in double digits, is rarely injured and should give your team around 200 innings. That sounds like a fairly marketable pitcher to me in today's starting pitching starved MLB.

But what could a 4 or 5 rotation guy, an average (at best) starting pitcher like Robertson return on the open market? It depends on how desperate teams are at the deadline. Thing is, I'd assume the return would be prospects. With their payroll, should the Tigers be trading capable major league players for prospects?

My thinking is the Tigers would have to be much farther out of 1st place than their current 8 games to be sellers at the trade deadline. After decidedly going all in payroll-wise, saying the time to win is NOW, to suddenly be sellers rather than buyers, the Tigers would be giving up on the season.

With a $138 million payroll, it would be the ultimate admission of failure.

The next meeting of the "Cult of Clete" will not be held in Toledo

BigAl — Thu, 29 May 2008 18:16:51 -0000

The Tigers continue to tweak their 25 man roster, in the hope something will click, and turn around what's been a lost season. What's the latest move?

The suddenly scuffling Matt Joyce has been sent down to Toldeo , while ByB reader favorite, Clete Thomas, has been recalled to the big club. Thomas played fairly well in his first go-round with the Tigers, hitting .295 while replacing the then injured Curtis Granderson in center.

Joyce had shown big time power, with 5 home runs in 18 games, but was 1-17 with 7K's (including the dreaded golden sombrero on Tuesday) in his last 5. Joyce was visibly struggling as of late, as the league began to develop a book on him.

Yesterday's announcement by the Marlboro Man naming Marcus Thames the full time left fielder, and also factoring in the call up of the left hand hitting Jeff Larish, left Joyce without a job in Detroit. The Tigers obviously decided they'd rather Joyce get regular at bats in Toledo, and the faster, more versatile (Having the ability to play CF, for example) Clete Thomas was a better defensive option coming off the bench.

For those interested, the next "Cult of Clete" meeting will take place Friday night in the ByB game thread...

Jim Leyland has spoken: We'll see more of Thames and Granderson

BigAl — Thu, 29 May 2008 03:53:27 -0000

Before tonight's Angels game in SoCal (I'm sick and tired of the Angels constantly changing their damn name, I expect them to be the Burbank Angels soon), Jim Leyland gathered the media, and decreed the following to be so.

Marcus Thames is the full time left fielder:

I've always been a fan of Thames. I've said it over and over again, Marcus Thames will go yard 40 times if given 500-600 at bats. You can book it. He may only hit .210, but Thames will go deep often enough for it not to be an issue.

The Tigers really don't have any pure power hitters, save for Thames. If there is one thing he can bring to the table, it's Ruthian power. Say what you will, but a modern day Rob Deer/Dave Kingman type still has value. Thames' 40 home run power in the everyday lineup is the Tigers best option to try and jump start a moribund offense.

Thames' 2 home runs tonight said volumes about the Marlboro Man's decision. Specifically, that he made the correct one.

Curtis Granderson will play more often against lefties:

I know Granderson often struggles against left handed pitching. Hell, I know he's struggling, period. But he's an extremely talented ballplayer, and will get better. Granderson is not going to hit .241 all season.

Ask yourself this. Even against left handed pitching, is Curtis Granderson one of your 3 best outfielders? Your best centerfielder? Of course he is, so he should be playing every day, whatever side the pitcher throws from be damned. In other words, it's about time!

Carlos Guillen will sit for a couple of games:

Well, Guillen doesn't want to actually sit...because...well, you know...he hurts in a certain...Hell, I'll just say it.

Guillen will stay off of his hemorrhoid riddled rear end for a few days, OK?

As I said, this Tigers season has been a pain in the ass. But in Guillen's case, it's more in the literal sense...

Game 53: Tigers (21-31) at Angels (32-22)

BigAl — Wed, 28 May 2008 22:44:26 -0000

The Detroit Tigers season of doom continues tonight, as the most disappointing team in professional sports faces California/Anaheim/Los Angeles in game 3 of what has turned into a nightmare of a series. A nightmare for both the Tigers, and for the fans...

Last night, the Tigers' bullpen wasted an excellent outing by Jeremy Bonderman. Fransisco "The Caped" Cruceta allowed 2 runs in the 8th, and Aquilino Lopez the game winner in the 9th. The game ended in the bottom of the 9th, on a Gary Matthews Jr run scoring single. The 3-2 win was the second consecutive soul-crushing walk off victory for the Angels over the staggering Tigers.

Not all the blame can rest on the bullpen, as the offense was just as culpable, managing all of 3 hits. Both runs scored on Miguel Cabrera's 8th home run of the season. Just how bad was the offense? After the homer, the next 12 Tigers were retired. After a Brandon Inge single, the final 11 Detroit batters went down in order.

Just how bad were the Tigers offensively? Matt Joyce's night says it all. Moving up to 2nd in the order, Joyce wore the golden sombrero, striking out 4 times.

The Tigers try to salvage the final game of the 3 game series by sending Armando Galarraga (3-2, 3.70) to the mound. Though he's 2-1 in his last 4 starts, Galarraga has disturbingly walked 10 batters in his last 2 starts. Despite their recent record, the Tigers starting pitching has been quite good. We'll see if Gallaraga can continue the string of quality starts.

Galarraga definitely has his work cut out for him, as the Angels have the AL leader in wins, Joe Saunders (8-1, 2.31), facing the Tigers. Considering the Tigers are facing a very hot pitcher, I'm not expecting much from the their anemic, all or nothing, offense.

Short hops:

In the local sports scene, the Tigers are currently 3rd in a 3 horse race. The Red Wings are 2 wins away from winning the Stanley Cup, while the Pistons are 2 wins away from advancing to the NBA Finals. I'll be like many Detroit sports fans tonight, likely not tuning in the Tigers till the Red Wings and Pistons playoff games have concluded. So let me say...

GO WINGS!

GO PISTONS!

GO TIGE...Uh...try not to embarrass yourselves, OK?

Answering the Detroit Tigers burning questions: Panic in Detroit edition

BigAl — Wed, 28 May 2008 20:07:24 -0000

In my effort to keep you, Ian's faithful readers, amused in his absence, I'll cross post the occasional Tigers piece from my blog, the wonderful (Well, I think it is!) The Wayne Fontes Experience. Here's the latest...

The Tigers are another losing streak, have just lost a pair of gut punch games and are still in last place. Sounds like a good time for a round of burning questions...

We've been witness to 2 consecutive walk off losses for the Tigers, dropping them to 10 games under .500. The last few nights sure sucked, haven't they?

It's the worst I've felt about the Tigers since their pitchers were throwing the ball all over the good earth in the 2006 World Series. But at least that implosion was happening in the WORLD SERIES. Those heady days sure feel as if it's been longer than only a season and a half ago.

I know I've asked this before, but it's worth asking again. Is there anything the Tigers can do?

Not a damn thing. This is our Detroit Tigers, an older team saddled with mostly untradable long-term contracts, for better or for worse. We've seen little in the way of better, and as bad as the season has gone, I doubt we've seen the worst.

Worse than this?

Let's not forget the Tigers are on the first leg of a 3 city, 9 game road trip. The Angels and A's are good teams, and the M's are as bad as the Tigers, but will be at home. The Tigers' season could essentially be over in a little more than 10 days.

A bad road trip, and it's off to an awful start, would crush the Tigers' chances. The only reason they aren't already 10+ games back in the Central is only in thanks to the utter mediocrity of the division.

7.5 games back isn't season ending, but if something doesn't turn around soon...God forbid someone in the Central gets hot...Well, I'd rather not think about it.

Why can't the Tigers make a few trades, unload a couple of older players?

Who would you suggest trading? Gary Sheffield? Always injured and still owed $14 million for next season does not make for an attractive trade target.

Edgar Renteria? First off, the Tigers would never give up on Renteria 50 games into the season. Not going to happen. But for the sake of argument, do you seriously want to play Ramon Santiago every day? If he and Brandon Inge end up as the left side of the infield, it'll be the 1960's all over again. Remember .200 hitting 3B Don Wert and .135 hitting SS Ray Olyer? In 2008, you just can't carry a pair of good field-no hit players as your starters for an entire season. Inge and (I know he's hitting .353, but Santiago is a career .235 hitter) Santiago are excellent defensively, but couldn't hit Paris Hilton's weight.

Brandon Inge? .220 hitters with a superiority complex and owed $19 million aren't much in demand.

Magglio Ordonez? He's the most tradable commodity, but he's also the Tigers best offensive player. Think the offense is struggling now? Think of it without your number 4 hitter. Gives you the willies...

Ok, I get it. Trades are out of the question. So what can the Tigers do?

It's not difficult to figure out. Jim Leyland can only keep penciling in those under performing players in the lineup every day, and hope a roster full of athletes with excellent offensive track records finally start producing. It's not what people want to hear, but it's the truth.

But I can't handle the truth!

Get used to it. This is our Detroit Tigers, the good, the bad, and the ugly. (My apologies to Sergio Leone...)

There's a rising cry for the Tigers to fire someone, anyone. Fans want a head on a platter. Even the once untouchable Jim Leyland is under fire. Anybody going to get the ziggy?

Nope. Ilitch has the utmost trust in Dave Dombrowski. Dombrowki loves Jim Leyland, having been to a pair of World Series' together. Leyland is uber-loyal to his coaches. Who's going to fire who? No one is in jeopardy. Not yet, anyway.

I'd bet on Leyland walking at the end of the season first, rather than anyone being canned. But that's a long ways off, and it's possible the season could still turn around. Seriously, it could happen!

In other news, Jeff Larish was called up to take Sheffield's place on the roster. Will he help?

He's a 25 year old left hand hitting 1st baseman who hits for power, and had put together a nice season in Toledo. It's time to see if he's ready. for that matter, the Tigers need a left handed bat, even if it's another 1B/DH type. If anything else, as I doubt he has a long-term future in Detroit, Larish can be showcased around the league. The Tigers may be able to trade him for help at another position of need.

Why doesn't Larish have a future in the the D?

1st base is taken for the next 8 seasons by a certain player who is making $150 million. The Tigers already have a pair of DH's in waiting, namely Guillen and Ordonez. (Let alone the fact Sheffield is still under contract.) Unless Larish can play corner outfield, or 3rd base, he has no position in Detroit. Larish's value to the Tigers is as trade bait.

Why not call up Mike Hessman? He leads the International League in HRs' and RBI. Plus he plays 1B and 3B, giving the Tigers more flexibility. Wouldn't he bring more to the team than Larish?

Larish has upside, that nebulous thing called "potential," while we already know what Hessman brings. The occasional home run, and not much else. Hessman is what he is, and that's a 30 year old 4A depth player. He's not a long term solution of any kind, and has little value in trade. The Tigers are better off with the much higher upside of Larish.

All this doom and gloom! Is there any good news?

Only if you are a fan of the Red Wings and/or Pistons. They are playing great! It's very possible Detroit will have champions in both the NBA and NHL.

God help the Tigers when the playoff runs end, as the entire focus will finally be upon them. Fans aren't going to be happy with what they see.

Injury news: Sheff to the DL, Guillen hurts where the sun doesn't shine

BigAl — Wed, 28 May 2008 00:56:37 -0000

Gary Sheffield and Carlos Guillen are both hurting , though only one will be going on the DL.

Sheffield left last night's game due to an oblique strain. It's serious enough to have sent him to the 15 day DL. (FINALLY!) Called up from Toledo to replace Sheffield is 25 year old, left hand hitting 1st baseman Jeff Larish, who had been pounding International League pitching to the tune of 16 HR's and 43 RBI, with a .274 average.

It's interesting to note than Mike Hessman, who has been up with the Tigers in the past, one of the last players cut in spring training, is more versatile in the field than Larish and is currently leading the IL in home runs, didn't get the call.

We know what Hessman can do, I'm curious to see what Larish brings to the team.

As for Guillen, let's just say he's invested in a rubber donut and an industrial sized tube of Preparation H!

I'll just let Jim Leyland tell the cringe inducing story...

“He can hardly move - he’s got hemorrhoids so bad,” Tigers manager Jim Leyland said Tuesday. “He’s been playing with hemorrhoids that probably need to be lanced. He probably shouldn’t have been out there (third base on Monday).”

Leyland said the hemorrhoids have been bothering Guillen for about four or five days, but they have gotten worse in the last few days. “He could hardly walk (Monday night),” Leyland said.

You could consider this a metaphor for the Tigers' 2008 season. It's been a pain in the ass for all of us...Some though, hurt more than others..

Game 52: Tigers (21-30) at Angels (31-22)

BigAl — Tue, 27 May 2008 22:48:15 -0000

The Tigers fanbase is revolting. They are quite unhappy with the team as well!

I'm sorry, it's an old joke, but I felt the need to add a levity to ByB after last night's true gut punch of a 1-0, 12 inning loss to the California/Anaheim/Los Angeles Angels. The Tigers wasted Kenny Rogers best outing of the year, unable to mount any semblance of an offense, and were shut out for the 8th time in 2008.

It was the sort of loss where we could look back in a few months, and say, "Remember Bobby Seay giving up the 4 pitch walk off walk to the Angels? That's when the season ended."

Just how bad was the loss? Check out the reactions in the game thread ...

BigAl (that'd be me!): Jesus, I hate this team.

rook34: This is what we have. For better, or for what it looks like, for worse.

The Walrus9: a rhyming word that starts with F

MackAveKurt: I’m really really disliking this year’s version of the Tigers.

I'll let rook34 have the last word on what was a very disturbing loss.

rook34: We’re one Bondo explosion from officially being back in a tailspin.

Indeed. Let's try an move on from this latest debacle, shall we?

Tonight, the man the Tigers send to the mound to stop the tailspin is Jeremy Bonderman (3-4, 4.58). He's facing the Angels Ervin Santana (6-2, 3.24 ERA).

I really don't have much to say about tonight, other than the Tigers, and the fanbase, could really, really, really use a win. Seriously, just win a damn game.

I'll let Todd Jones finish off today's game thread post, as he's quoted not wanting to get on Jim Leyland's bad side. Apparently Leyland's not in the mood to be trifled with...

“Look, this team needs to realize that this guy took on Barry Bonds. He’d run every one of us out of town. You’re just better off if you don’t cross him. And I think he relayed that message 100 percent. You just don’t mess with him. It’s not that hard. He doesn’t ask a whole lot.”

Short hops:

It's a day of mourning for this Detroit fan. As Mike reminds us at The Daily Fungo, 28 years ago today, the Tigers traded 1st baseman Jason Thompson. Mike, I feel your pain. The big 1st sacker was one of my all time favorite players too.

At Mack Avenue Tigers , in an attempt to beat blogger's block, Kurt's answering questions about the Motor City Kitties submitted by his readers. He's looking for more questions, so fire away!

Eno compares the Tigers' all or nothing offense to a pinata at Where Have You Gone, Johnny Grubb?

Game 51: Tigers (21-29) at Angels (30-22)

BigAl — Mon, 26 May 2008 20:15:02 -0000

After a 4-2 homestand (though losing 2 of 3 to the Twins left a sour taste in our mouths), the Tigers head out on a west coast road trip that could make or break their season.

The Tigers play 3 games each against the California/Anaheim/Los Angeles Angels, the Seattle Mariners and Oakland A's. We were witness to how awful the M's are, but the Angels and A's are fighting for 1st place in the AL West. No matter the teams you play, any west coast trip is fraught with danger. For a Tigers team struggling to right their ship, that last place I want them is on the left coast. Bad things happen out there man, bad things...

Unfortunately, the trip begins with what's not exactly a comforting pitching matchup.

Hoping to stave off bad things for the Tigers will be Kenny Rogers (4-4, 6.66) (6.66?! Talk about a bad omen...) Rogers is 3-1 in his last 5 starts, but his ERA has been above 6 for most of the season (it's actually gone up over his past 3 starts), and he has yet to pitch more than 6.2 innings in '08. Expect the Tigers' pen to get getting ready by the 5th inning.

Facing The Gambler is Jon Garland (5-3, 4.34), who always seems to be tough on the Tigers, as his career 13-6 record (8-2 since 8/04) against them attests. Garland has pitched well recently, as he's 2-0 with a 2.25 ERA for the month of May.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful Memorial Day! Oh yeah, one more thing. Go Wings! Go Pistons!

Short hops:

For the POV of the opposition, visit SB Nation's Halos Heaven.

The Freep's Tiger beat writer, Jon Paul Morosi , illuminates us to the fact acquiring high priced veterans isn't the only way to build a World Series winner. He thinks the Tigers may have made a few mistakes in putting together this season's roster. My thoughts? Duh!

At the News, Lynn Henning delves into the Tigers' pitching staff's biggest issue. They are issuing walks at a disturbing rate.

With MLB's amateur draft drawing near, Baseball America has posted their first mock draft. They have TCU pitcher Andrew Cashner going to the Tigers at 21st overall. Cashner fits the Tigers' mold: Big (6' 5"), with a high 90's fastball.