FanHouse continues its 2009 MLB Preview with a look at the Detroit Tigers.
A preseason favorite to win the pennant a year ago, the Tigers collapsed under the weight of unreal expectations. Trading for Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis was supposed to put this team over the top, but in hindsight Detroit's lineup, while potent, was never as good as it looked on paper and the pitching and defense ranked among the worst in the league.
The Tigers finished the year 14 games under .500. Incidentally, they lost in a row to open the season. By stumbling out of the gate so badly, they guaranteed they'd never be a serious threat in the AL Central, which was unfortunate considering their roster was allegedly constructed to win now.
In addition to trading the farm for Cabrera and Willis (and signing both to lucrative long-term deals soon after), Dave Dombrowski also dealt Jair Jurrjens to Atlanta for what turned out to be one mediocre season of Edgar Renteria. Veterans nearing the end of their career (Todd Jones, Kenny Rogers, Pudge Rodriguez and Gary Sheffield) were put in critical roles and to a man flamed out. Toss in a handful of injuries (Jeremy Bonderman, Joel Zumaya and Carlos Guillen), a couple of key guys taking steps back (Justin Verlander, Magglio Ordonez) and one exploding gas can (Nate Robertson) starting 28 games and it's not a surprise that the Tigers finished dead last in their division.
| Lineup | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Curtis Granderson |
CF |
| 2. | Placido Polanco |
2B |
| 3. | Magglio Ordonez |
RF |
| 4. | Miguel Cabrera |
1B |
| 5. | Carlos Guillen |
LF |
| 6. | Gary Sheffield |
DH |
| 7. | Gerald Laird |
C |
| 8. | Brandon Inge |
3B |
| 9. | Adam Everett |
SS |
| Pitching Staff | ||
| 1. | Justin Verlander |
R |
| 2. | Jeremy Bonderman |
R |
| 3. | Armando Galarraga |
R |
| 4. | Edwin Jackson |
R |
| 5. | Rick Porcello |
R |
| CL | Fernando Rodney |
R |
In: Adam Everett, SS (free agency); Edwin Jackson (trade); Gerald Laird, C (trade); Brandon Lyon (free agency); Matt Treanor, C (free agency)
Out: Kyle Farnsworth (free agency); Freddy Garcia (free agency); Matt Joyce, OF (trade); Edgar Renteria, SS (free agency); Vance Wilson (free agency)
Storylines
Fixing the Defense ...
Most of last year's moves were intended to improve the lineup, but after recording the second most errors in the league, the Tigers took a different tack this winter, signing defensive whiz (and offensive black hole) Adam Everett to take over at shortstop and bringing Brandon Inge out from behind the plate to resume his Gold-Glove-caliber defense at the hot corner. Gerald Laird, a fine defensive catcher acquired from the Rangers, will take over behind the plate.
Searching for No. 5 ...
With Nate Robertson, Dontrelle Willis and Zach Miner all struggling early in the exhibition season, there's a surprisingly good chance that 20-year-old Rick Porcello, the team's best pitching prospect in a decade, will head north as the fifth starter despite not having a single inning of professional experience above Single-A. Even if one of the veterans reverses course and secures a job, there might be two spots open, at least early in the year, because of Jeremy Bonderman's health.
Closing Time ... Joel Zumaya is still considered the "closer of the future," but until he proves capable of staying healthy for consecutive months, Fernando Rodney and Brandon Lyon will get most of the save opportunities. Rodney saved 13 games for the Tigers last year and seems to have the best stuff for the job, striking out 10.9 batters per nine innings last season. Unfortunately, he also has serious control issues (6.7 BB/9), which may pave the way for Lyon, who saved 26 games for the D'backs last year, to take the job. One thing is for sure: This team won't be able to compete if they give away as many games as they did last year. Only the Mariners blew more saves in the AL.
Fluke or Real ...
Amid all the carnage last year, Armando Galarraga was one of the few shining beacons of hope, emerging out of nowhere to become the team's most reliable starter with a 13-7 record and 3.73 ERA. Trouble is, he doesn't miss a lot of bats, doesn't have outstanding control and gives up a good deal of home runs. Looking deeper, his success was buoyed by a .247 BABIP (batting average on balls in play), which could just as easily swing the other way in 2009. Maybe he won't completely collapse, but the odds are good that he'll be more of a middle-of-the-rotation innings-eater than an ace in the making.
2009 Outlook
Why You Should Watch: For one, because they'll put runs on the board. The top half of this lineup is as dangerous as any in the game, and that's especially true with Magglio Ordonez essentially in a contract year, considering he has a $18 million team option for 2010 at stake. Plus, the bottom half could be surprisingly productive, as well. Adam Everett is a black hole offensively, but historically Inge has been more productive when not also focused on catching duties -- he's a career .199 hitter when playing catcher but a .257 hitter at other positions.
What Defines Success: The Tigers have a lot of ground to make up after a fifth-place finish in 2008, but fortunately the rest of the division hasn't done much to improve. If the pitching is merely adequate, this lineup could still win a lot of games by itself. The size of the payroll suggests this team should set its sights no lower than the World Series, but a mere playoff appearance would likely appease restless fans and earn Jim Leyland an extension.
Related Links
- Better Know a Prospect: Detroit Tigers
