2007 Baseball Season

[Hockeytown Red Wings 245]

I've given up...they had a lead through at least the middle of each of these games and choked them all away.

I'm pretty much just looking forward to getting everyone healthy and retooling for next season and a fresh start.

You can't play as bad as we had for 2 months and make the playoffs, no matter how much talent you have.

[GoWings1905 2,694]

I've given up...they had a lead through at least the middle of each of these games and choked them all away.

I'm pretty much just looking forward to getting everyone healthy and retooling for next season and a fresh start.

You can't play as bad as we had for 2 months and make the playoffs, no matter how much talent you have.

Perfectly said. Nothing was ever going to top the magical season from a year ago. Pretty much anything was going to be a letdown this year, even with high expectations, and a very talented team.

All-in-all though the Tigers still had a pretty good season this year, despite a considerable amount of injuries to key players, and playing in a very tough American League. That said, I can't help but be somewhat disappointed with how the first half went, and the major collapse after the all star break. There's a lot of talent in that dugout to not be playing in October. I truly believe, when healthy, the Tigers are the best team in baseball still. They could compete with any team, any night when they are going good. Sadly, they will have no chance to prove that, after playing downright awful baseball for two months now.

This season is all but done, unless a big-time miracle happens, but Leyland and Dombrowski will have this team ready to go next April. Only thing left to do is watch Maggs win the batting title.

[Lou_Siffer 1]

When its all said and done, the Yankees and Indians fully deserve those playoff spots over us. Yankees did what we couldnt do, kick KC's ass and also win a series against their top division foe on the road. And Cleveland just straight up was better and showed it the last few days. I'll root for them. Oh well, the way i look at is we hung on for as long as we could in what was destined to be a letdown year. Im still a little miffed that we didnt make any big bullpen move, as that might have been the difference in a few games, butl we most likely wouldve lost anyway.

Time to look at the offseason now. I seriously wish we hadnt signed Sheffield to that f***in extension...as next year we'll be paying 15 mill (or is it 16) to someone who will be getting a good number of days off...not including injury. I felt this was a mistake by DD all along,...we could do alot with that cash, but what can ya do. As for Pudge, ive went back and forth as to whether we should keep him. Its hard to imagine him not being here on one hand, but on the other, that is so much money. Because we have Sheffield theres a good part of me that thinks it might be best to let him walk and just go with a cheaper alternative like Jason Kendall. Stunk in Oak this year but got back to normal with the Cubs, so i think he'd be fine. Use the difference in money between him and Pudge towards a SS so you can move Guillen to 1st. I know theres no cap in baseball, but i still doubt Illitch is just going to toss money around like the Yanks. There has to be some sort of limit, and for the benefit of the team overall Pudge may have to be the casualty.

[GoWings1905 2,694]

When its all said and done, the Yankees and Indians fully deserve those playoff spots over us. Yankees did what we couldnt do, kick KC's ass and also win a series against their top division foe on the road. And Cleveland just straight up was better and showed it the last few days. I'll root for them. Oh well, the way i look at is we hung on for as long as we could in what was destined to be a letdown year. Im still a little miffed that we didnt make any big bullpen move, as that might have been the difference in a few games, butl we most likely wouldve lost anyway.

Time to look at the offseason now. I seriously wish we hadnt signed Sheffield to that f***in extension...as next year we'll be paying 15 mill (or is it 16) to someone who will be getting a good number of days off...not including injury. I felt this was a mistake by DD all along,...we could do alot with that cash, but what can ya do. As for Pudge, ive went back and forth as to whether we should keep him. Its hard to imagine him not being here on one hand, but on the other, that is so much money. Because we have Sheffield theres a good part of me that thinks it might be best to let him walk and just go with a cheaper alternative like Jason Kendall. Stunk in Oak this year but got back to normal with the Cubs, so i think he'd be fine. Use the difference in money between him and Pudge towards a SS so you can move Guillen to 1st. I know theres no cap in baseball, but i still doubt Illitch is just going to toss money around like the Yanks. There has to be some sort of limit, and for the benefit of the team overall Pudge may have to be the casualty.

I'm not sure what will happen this offseason, but I do know I am going to miss Sean Casey a ton.

You couldn't ask for a nicer guy, or better teammate in the clubhouse. I have even more respect for Casey now (if possible) for the way he has handled himself ever since his role has been reduced in the second half. The guy is a class act, and team player, unlike any other.

I know it is the right move and a business decision to let Casey go, but I wish him all the best and will be rooting for him wherever he ends up playing next. Hopefully, Leyland will play him the final ten games or so, with nothing on the line. Casey at least deserves that much.

Edited September 20, 2007 by GoWings1905

[Lou_Siffer 1]

I'm not sure what will happen this off-season, but I do know I am going to miss Sean Casey a ton.

You couldn't ask for a nicer guy, or better teammate in the clubhouse. I have even more respect for Casey now (if possible) for the way he has handled himself ever since his role has been reduced in the second half. The guy is a class act, and team player, unlike any other.

I know it is the right move and a business decision to let Casey go, but I wish him all the best and will be rooting for him wherever he ends up playing next. Hopefully, Leyland will play him the final ten games or so, with nothing on the line. Casey at least deserves that much.

Im not so sure Casey is leaving. Its already been mentioned by Leyland that Sheffield will be getting a good amount of days off, and the paper speculated that Casey could be a left handed DH option to replace him as well as spell Guillen at 1st. There does appear to be a role for him still there, if he wants to stay. If not, he'll probably go back to Pitt or Cincy...thats what my guess would be.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

I cant believe the Yanks. There gonna win the A.L. East, not even the wild card. Cant say I dont like it, as much as I hate the Yanks, I hate the Red Sox so much more.

This season definately sucked for me, both my favorite teams (Jays and Tigers) are gonna miss this year

[GoWings1905 2,694]

Im not so sure Casey is leaving. Its already been mentioned by Leyland that Sheffield will be getting a good amount of days off, and the paper speculated that Casey could be a left handed DH option to replace him as well as spell Guillen at 1st. There does appear to be a role for him still there, if he wants to stay. If not, he'll probably go back to Pitt or Cincy...thats what my guess would be.

That would be awesome if Casey stayed here.

I'm not for certain, but I would assume he would take a lesser role for a shot to win it all.

[BlakChamber 8]

Solution to Casey. Get A-Rod, move Guillen to first

I'm disappointed in this season, but not that badly. Considering the number of injuries the Tigers faced and how poorly they played at the end of July and August, its amazing they were able to stay in the playoff picture as long as they did. It's probably the best for the team if they have October off giving them an extra month to rest and recover. Come back to spring training healthy and ready for another run.

The last time the Tigers had back to back winning seasons was 87 and 88. Even with the disappointment of missing the playoffs this year, we're witnessing the rebirth of baseball in Detroit. It's a good time to be a Tigers fan

[Guest jaytan]

I gave up after the Indians sweep. Even if the Tigers manage to back into the playoffs, they don't deserve it at this point. Still, if you'd have told me in 2005 that the Tigers would still be in the hunt in mid-September, I'd have laughed my butt off.

[Guest DetroitIan]

I gave up after the Indians sweep. Even if the Tigers manage to back into the playoffs, they don't deserve it at this point. Still, if you'd have told me in 2005 that the Tigers would still be in the hunt in mid-September, I'd have laughed my butt off.

Amen to that. No matter how this season ends, it's still a major success when comparing to any years between 1990-2005. This season could have been a hell of alot worse. But now, Detroit actually has a baseball team. So even if we dont get into the post-season this year. We will be right back contending next year. So for anyone that's been a Tigers fan all these years, we all know things could be sooooooooo much worse.

[BlakChamber 8]

So for anyone that's been a Tigers fan all these years, we all know things could be sooooooooo much worse.

Amen to that.

[Lou_Siffer 1]

Here's the new look i'd like to see for the lineup:

SS - Renteria

2B- Polanco

CF- Granderson

RF - Ordonez

DH- Sheffield

1B- Guillen

LF- Raburn

C - Kendall

3B - Inge

We keep the 13 or whatever million for Pudge and use that towards signing Renteria and Kendall. This would be sick! If we keep Pudge, then the SS of choice is Eckstein....as it would be highly unlikely theyd spend the money to get Renteria if Pudge is still being paid top dollar. But theres no doubt Renteria/Kendall > Pudge/Eckstein..and it would probably cost roughly the same. No need to sign a LF, Raburn's perfect to hold the job down till Maybin is ready.

Edited September 20, 2007 by Lou_Siffer

[Guest DetroitIan]

Here's the new look i'd like to see for the lineup:

SS - Renteria

2B- Polanco

CF- Granderson

RF - Ordonez

DH- Sheffield

1B- Guillen

LF- Raburn

C - Kendall

3B - Inge

We keep the 13 or whatever million for Pudge and use that towards signing Renteria and Kendall. This would be sick! If we keep Pudge, then the SS of choice is Eckstein....as it would be highly unlikely theyd spend the money to get Renteria if Pudge is still being paid top dollar. But theres no doubt Renteria/Kendall > Pudge/Eckstein..and it would probably cost roughly the same. No need to sign a LF, Raburn's perfect to hold the job down till Maybin is ready.

I almost fully agree with everything there. Except for losing Pudge. He's the heart and soul of this team. And he's arguably the most reliable catcher in the game. I just dont wanna lose a team guy like Pudge. And what an arm. This dude throws runners out like it's going out of style. And as for Renteria, I think that would be a brilliant move. Guillen has clearly showed he can handle 1st base. So it would be a great signing. And correct me if im wrong, but couldnt we keep Pudge and still sign Renteria? There's no salary cap in baseball, and we have an owner like Ilitch who has deep pockets. So that sounds do-able. That would be fantastic.

[Lou_Siffer 1]

I almost fully agree with everything there. Except for losing Pudge. He's the heart and soul of this team. And he's arguably the most reliable catcher in the game. I just dont wanna lose a team guy like Pudge. And what an arm. This dude throws runners out like it's going out of style. And as for Renteria, I think that would be a brilliant move. Guillen has clearly showed he can handle 1st base. So it would be a great signing. And correct me if im wrong, but couldnt we keep Pudge and still sign Renteria? There's no salary cap in baseball, and we have an owner like Ilitch who has deep pockets. So that sounds do-able. That would be fantastic.

Its possible they could have both Renteria and Pudge, but thats up to good ol' Illitch! Renteria is having a monster year and is going to command alot of cash, so im just suggesting a cheaper alternative at catcher to offset that. If Pudge's salary is going to hinder any major signings, then he needs to be let go is all im saying. Another problem is we're going to definitely have to sign a couple good relievers, with one possibly being a closer if Jones isnt brought back. I also view Zumaya as a small question mark now. Im not sure what relievers are available but theres no doubt we're in dire need of a really good one! All of this is going to extend the payroll even more, I'd think there has to be some sort of limit that Illitch doesnt want to exceed. We'll see! Look at me, im already excited about the offseason and the regular season hasnt even ended yet!

[Guest jaytan]

Why would we want to lose Rodriguez? He's one of the most important players on the whole team.

[Lou_Siffer 1]

Why would we want to lose Rodriguez? He's one of the most important players on the whole team.

Its not about wanting to lose him, its about the need to spend for a good shortstop and top caliber reliever exceeding the need to keep Pudge at 13(?) million for another year. He is simply not worth that no matter what angle you look at it.

[Guest DetroitIan]

HUGE win tonight. If the Jays hold on to their lead against the Yanks, we will be 4.5 games back. So basically if we win the next 9 games, I think we're in the post-season! lol Not gonna happen. But I can dream dammit, I can dream.

[Kp-Wings 3]

With a disappointing loss to KC last night, and 5.5 games back from the wildcard, this team basically has no shot in hell of making the playoffs. Unless the Yankees downright suck the next few games, and the Tigers win every game from now until seasons end.

Nonetheless, things could have been so much worse. We still had a winning season, and there were some pretty great moments this season, such as Verlander's no hitter against Milwaukee. It was the inevitable post-championship run fallback that seems to be happening a lot in sports lately. I mean, look at St. Louis. They won the World Series, and they've been out of the playoff hunt since July.

It's still an exiting time for baseball, and if management can plug up a few holes in the offseason, this team will be back, and better then ever next season. I'm already looking forward to next summer.

[rwfan007 18]

we need to solidify left field, figure out the SS/1B thing with casey, guillen, and santiago, get the 5th starter if kenny re-signs, and get healthy... all of that is relatively easy this offseason, and we should be in really good shape going into next year.

[Lou_Siffer 1]

Theres no need to sign any left fielder for longer than one year though. So right there, you're options will be very limited as guys who are any improvement over what we have are probably looking for longer term deals. Just throwing Raburn/Thames out there is probably the best option. SS is the key position for this offseason for the positional players, and bullpen obviously on the pitching end. Santiago should not even be considered for the starting role imo. No way can you bank on his bat being over .230 for the long haul over the course of a full year.

However, unfortunately i learned that Edgar Renteria is actually still signed with ATL for a couple more seasons. I couldve sworn i seen a website list him as a free agent...but he isnt. The News did write a small piece about possibly trading for him though, as Atlanta has a young guy coming up. So he's still definitely an option.

[Guest jaytan]

The obvious solution would be to sign Barry Bonds to be DH and have Sheffield play outfield.

[timothy1997 0]

tigers for 2008 need to make a move for Renteria, move guillen to 1st base. Dump Casey. Sign (and I can't believe I am saying this) Barry Bonds.

[rwfan007 18]

no bonds... he is not going to be a tiger.

[Guest DetroitIan]

I got two words...A-ROD! Ilitch has the deep pockets!

[timothy1997 0]

I got two words...A-ROD! Ilitch has the deep pockets!

I wish. A-rod is going to the cubbies tho.