SB Nation User Blog: handsomerob1

Year-(Almost)-End Review

handsomerob1 — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 18:35:24 -0000

It's been a while since I've posted on BYB (the beginning of the Rally Megan Fox was the last game thread I remember), but I've been watching this team closely throughout the year. This is a fairly young team other than a few exceptions, and they have played some pretty damn good baseball this season. Leading the division for as long as they did with teams on their tail the whole time is an accomplishment in itself, even if it isn't rewarded with jewelry and a parade. Call it a moral victory, but this team is better off in the future because of it. There's a lot of young talent on this team, and even the horses are still in their 20s. There's a lot to be excited about at the CoPa in the coming years, even if Sunday was the last time we see the home whites this year. Win or lose tonight, I think this has been a good season for the Tigers.

What do you think?

Aaron Curry invites leukemia patient to NFL draft

handsomerob1 — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 21:20:41 -0000

Aaron Curry invites leukemia patient to NFL draft

I really like this story. Though I'd rather see the Lions take Stafford #1 overall, this shows the kind of character guy the Lions would get if they took Curry.

Sources tell TSN Johan Franzen and the Detroit Red Wings have agreed to a long-term contract...

handsomerob1 — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 15:39:30 -0000

Sources tell TSN Johan Franzen and the Detroit Red Wings have agreed to a long-term contract extension.

Sources say the deal is believed to be a long one, upwards of nine or 10 years in order to keep the salary cap hit to a manageable level for the Red Wings.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=274629

Renteria Signed by Giants

handsomerob1 — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 22:50:41 -0000

I was browsing ESPN.com today and saw that the Giants signed Edgar Renteria to a 2-year deal worth $18.5 million. Here's the link: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3744796

My first reaction to this was "Why didn't the Tigers offer Renteria arbitration?" Although hindsight is 20/20, all signs pointed to Edgar not accepting arbitration, resulting in the Tigers getting 2 future draft picks. The obvious downside to that would have been Edgar accepting arbitration and getting a one-year deal in the $9 million neighborhood. I don't believe the rumors milling about that the Tigers are too cash-strapped to be paying Renteria $9 million next season. If this were the case, why are they looking into Jack Wilson for $6 million? With a $130+ million payroll, is that $3 million really a huge difference? I, along with most fans, have no idea how tight the Tigers' budget truly is. Maybe that $3 million really is worth saving. However, for what Jack Wilson brings to the table (average-at-best behind the plate, slightly above average in the field), I don't see the benefit in paying him that much money. He makes quite a bit more money than Ramon Santiago will while producing similar, if slightly better numbers.

I have faith that Santiago can serve as a stopgap for a year or two until Cale Iorg is ready to be the guy. I don't understand what Dombrowski has against the guy, but hopefully he knows something I don't. The only thing DD has questioned publicly is Santiago's durability. I don't know if Santiago has a history of getting hurt when playing frequently, but let's face it: the injury situation probably can't get much worse than last year. The only drawback that comes with Santiago at short is a starting left-infield of Santiago and Brandon Inge. Though the two of them should be great defensively, the question marks with both of these guys have always been their production behind the plate. I've already hinted at the fact that Santiago isn't a great hitter (.250 career average, roughly), and Inge is about the same, with slightly better power numbers. My hope is that Inge, happily (hopefully...) playing as the starter at third, reverts back to his 2006 form. If not, we could be in another frustrating season from an offensive standpoint.

Overall, I think the Tigers made a mistake by not offering Renteria arbitration. They would most likely be looking at two more draft picks to use in this upcoming year, plus $9 million off the payroll (coming from Renteria's contract). What do you think? Did DD and the front office make a mistake? Are the Tigers in greater financial trouble than we think? Is Jack Wilson really that much better than Santiago? Hit the comments with your thoughts.