951 replies to this topic

[RockyMountainWingGal]

Verlander got screwed in two starts by rain delays, pitched 8 incredible innings with 11 K's against the Yankees and threw 133 pitches giving up two runs before Cruz let everyone know he hit a 100 MPH pitch out. One start gave the Tigers a huge win in a swing game and the other kept their season alive. Not to mention, Verlander was pitching against the two best offenses in the AL. If you look at ERA, then sure Verlander maybe didn't dominate in that regard, but to call his playoff starts "meh" is really false if you watched the games.

Besides, it's not like Cabrera shows off in batting practice and then doesn't hit during the games. He was the Tigers best hitter by far in the ALCS, doing it injured to boot. I can't believe someone is calling out the Tigers two best players for performance. This season is over in April without those two.

^^this

I actually thought JV was pretty good in the POs. The two complete games he played the Tigers won - the only thing that matters. I think the Tigs had a good chance of winning either of the two rainout/delay games - could have/should have beat Sabathia in the original game 1 (like he did later), and Tigs had bases loaded against Wilson when they called the rain delay...
Cabrera did what he needed to do in the ALCS - the hitting top to bottom just wasn't there.

Scherzer *almost had game won game 4 won before giving up a late HR, then pretty much stunk in game 6...unfortunate to not have JV going two full starts instead....baseball gods said no.

All in all they got beat by a team that was playing better in October, and a team that went to the WS last year.

Still a great season, beat the Yanks in the POs, had our chances...

Couldv'e/Shouldv'e won one of the OT games...but didn't.

Texas went all the way to the WS last year and got smoked - Tigs should take note and try their hardest to get back and do better...

Look forward to next season...

[Hockeytown0001]

Well that was an insane finish last night. I'd hate to be a Rangers fan right now, having been only one out away from the World Series championship twice in one night only to have it slip away both times.

[GoWings1905]

That was the best game I have ever seen in my life. I would have been in the hospital if the Tigers were involved.

[NeverForgetMac25]

A game for the ages, regardless of which of the 30 teams you're a fan of.

[Travis]

To the surprise of no one, the Tigers exercise their club option on Papa Grande for 2012 at $9mil.

Pricey, but I'm totally okay with it.

[rwfan007]

Glaring needs for next year: a second baseman, preferably one that can hit leadoff, a #5 starter, and a few good middle relief arms out of the pen. I am not even going to speculate as to a lineup for next season, but our top 4 SP are going to be pretty good, with JV, Fister, Scherzer, and Porcello. I heard the 2B market is pretty lean this winter, so a trade is not out of the question. I like our middle of the lineup with some combo of Boesch, Cabby, Victor, Peralta, and Avila. Looking forward to next March already!

[cusimano_brothers]

Easily one of the most entertaining WS in a long time; talk about a team of destiny! As far as the notion of "one pitch away", I offer the book One Pitch Away: The Players' Stories of the 1986 League Championships and World Series by Mike Sowell; that entire postseason was downright spooky.

[darkmanx]

Cards deserved that WS. No one gave them a chance against Philly, Brewers and people were saying Rangers would beat them in 4 or 5 in the World Series. Im glad they won, and I hope Pujols stays in St Louis, he needs to be one of those types of players who play their entire career with one team.

[cusimano_brothers]

Thanks, Dad!

[darkmanx]

Guy bet when the Cards were 4.5 out of the Wild Card race and he cashed in $375,250. Unbelievable.

[Travis]

Glaring needs for next year: a second baseman, preferably one that can hit leadoff, a #5 starter, and a few good middle relief arms out of the pen. I am not even going to speculate as to a lineup for next season, but our top 4 SP are going to be pretty good, with JV, Fister, Scherzer, and Porcello. I heard the 2B market is pretty lean this winter, so a trade is not out of the question. I like our middle of the lineup with some combo of Boesch, Cabby, Victor, Peralta, and Avila. Looking forward to next March already!

Yeah, the 2B slot leaves a lot to be desired. Too bad we couldn't have had the money available for Uggla last off-season. Kelly Johnson seems to be the best bet. Not a terrific second baseman, but has a strong bat. I'd really like to add speed at the position, but I don't think that's going to happen.

The agent for Aramis Ramirez has stated that he will not be returning to the Cubs. I smell a starting 3rd baseman.

[GoWings1905]

Yeah, the 2B slot leaves a lot to be desired. Too bad we couldn't have had the money available for Uggla last off-season. Kelly Johnson seems to be the best bet. Not a terrific second baseman, but has a strong bat. I'd really like to add speed at the position, but I don't think that's going to happen.

The agent for Aramis Ramirez has stated that he will not be returning to the Cubs. I smell a starting 3rd baseman.

Agreed and I hope so very badly with Ramirez. Third base is just as much of a need for the Tigers as second, but the market for second baseman is average at best. If Ilitch is indeed set on spending for another "big bat" like he mentioned during the season, Ramirez appears to be the ideal fit. Avila and Peralta are bound to regress and Young is rather inconsistent. I don't think Ramirez will sign for only two years when Castellanos is ready, but I don't care about that too much. The Tigers are very close to being a championship team and should do whatever possible to win now besides something stupid like trading Turner.

Ideally, you fill second base then with some speed and defense if Ramirez signs. I'm probably in the minority, but I could live with a Santiago/Worth platoon if Ramirez is at third. Definitely still need another arm (or four) for the bullpen and maybe a 5th starter to buy time for Turner or maybe Oliver next season. I wouldn't mind getting a backup catcher either even if Victor is healthy enough to catch. Let V-Mart hit the ball and find some other solid defensive catcher to rest Avila.

I'm also in the "give Grady Sizemore a shot" camp. Incentive laden deal, low-risk with the potential for major upside. We need an alternative for Jackson if he struggles again.

[Travis]

I'm also in the "give Grady Sizemore a shot" camp. Incentive laden deal, low-risk with the potential for major upside. We need an alternative for Jackson if he struggles again.

Not a bad call here. Even as I read your first sentence I was still in the 'Oh, hell no' camp - but if we could somehow get him for low-risk/high-reward then I would be interested.

Available 2B according to MLB Trade Rumors:

Clint Barmes
Orlando Cabrera
Robinson Cano (*)
Jamey Carroll
Alex Cora
Craig Counsell
Michael Cuddyer
Mark Ellis
Carlos Guillen
Bill Hall
Willie Harris
Aaron Hill
Kelly Johnson
Adam Kennedy
Jose Lopez
Felipe Lopez
John McDonald
Aaron Miles
Brandon Phillips
Nick Punto
Ramon Santiago
Drew Sutton
Omar Vizquel
Jack Wilson

* team option

In a perfect world, we take a run at Robbie Cano - but that's never happening. Jack Wilson is a strong fielder with little offensive upside, but could be a solid addition in a platoon with Ramon at the bottom of the order. Bill Hall is a million years old, but really fast - probably the speediest of the bunch. Cuddyer would be a welcome addition, but would cost us a first round draft pick.

Basically, a really wordy way of saying the 2B free agent class is less than stellar. I can't say I'm really excited at the idea of any of these guys. Especially because I'd love to see the Tigers add a speedster. I am, however, totally on board the Aramis Ramirez train.

[GoWings1905]

Wow, that's a very weak list. Johnson or Carroll would be my top two choices, but I would have a tough time getting overly excited for either. Although if you look around MLB, second base isn't a position with an abundance of highly talented players. I just don't want Rhymes or Raburn there ever again.

Another name that popped into my mind today was Chase Headley. I mentioned him when Inge got sent down and before the Tigers acquired Betemit. The asking price would be pretty high, but Headley with the Tigers would be sick. I honestly prefer him over Ramirez if the Padres don't want a ransom.

Edited by GoWings1905, 31 October 2011 - 10:46 PM.

[Travis]

Wow, that's a very weak list. Johnson or Carroll would be my top two choices, but I would have a tough time getting overly excited for either. Although if you look around MLB, second base isn't a position with an abundance of highly talented players. I just don't want Rhymes or Raburn there ever again.

Another name that popped into my mind today was Chase Headley. I mentioned him when Inge got sent down and before the Tigers acquired Betemit. The asking price would be pretty high, but Headley with the Tigers would be sick. I honestly prefer him over Ramirez if the Padres don't want a ransom.

A post at Bless You Boys discussed the idea of picking up Jose Reyes, moving Jhonny to 2B and then trading Jackson (and prospects) to San Diego for Headley, then signing an aging CF like Coco Crisp.

I'd honestly rather not get rid of Jackson because he is an absolute stud on defense. He's just being put into a position in the batting order that he shouldn't be. Headley would be a great acquisition, especially since he is better defensively than Ramirez and Castellanos might make a better corner outfielder. It'd be tough to part with whatever we'd need to in order to get him, though.

[Travis]

The Cubs have announced that Mike Quade will not return for the 2012 season. Here comes Ryne Sandberg! (probably)

[Travis]

So Free Agency officially starts at 12:01 am. My wishlist includes Aramis Ramirez (3B), Michael Cuddyer (2B), and Heath Bell (yeah right). I would be happy to see the Tigers pick up Javier Lopez (RP), and Ryan Doumit ©.

I think Pudge's return could be a very real possibility, which would be awesome. A back-up role for the guy who led the Tigers' turn around would be incredible.

[GoWings1905]

So Free Agency officially starts at 12:01 am. My wishlist includes Aramis Ramirez (3B), Michael Cuddyer (2B), and Heath Bell (yeah right). I would be happy to see the Tigers pick up Javier Lopez (RP), and Ryan Doumit ©.

I think Pudge's return could be a very real possibility, which would be awesome. A back-up role for the guy who led the Tigers' turn around would be incredible.

I really like this list a lot. I think it's unlikely the Tigers will get both Cuddyer and Ramirez with the money each will demand, but I do see Ramirez being a very possible addition. Doumit would be a great backup catcher for Avila. I will take any lefty not named Schlereth or righty named Perry for the pen. Add Grady for me and that would be a terrific off-season for the Tigers.

[Barrie]

Congrats to JV for winning the AL Cy Young award. No surprise there. They could have just skipped that, and gone on to the next award. We'll see now if he wins AL MVP

So today, completely out of no where, I had Chuck Knoblauch follow me on Twitter. My question is why?

[cusimano_brothers]

So today, completely out of no where, I had Chuck Knoblauch follow me on Twitter. My question is why?

He's looking for someone to play catch with; or, in this case, to shag his throws.

Edited by cusimano_brothers, 15 November 2011 - 08:32 PM.