Official Detroit Tigers Thread

[BadBoysAreBackIn08]

I decided to make this so that we (Tigers Fans) have our own place to talk about the Tigers.

[DisgruntledLionFan#54,927]

Jones and Rodney are horrid, Monroe can't hit his way out of a paper bag, Grilli flat out sucks, Polanco has the largest head in the history of the Earth and I cannot believe Neifi Perez still has a roster spot on this team.

[sa_butta]

Can we get someone to close a fucking game. Against the Rangers in the 9th inning
Rangers 7 Tigers 1. WTF??

[samikeyp]

Jones and Rodney are horrid

Amen.

If they could get a decent closer, it would be over.

[DarkReign]

Jones and Rodney are horrid, Monroe can't hit his way out of a paper bag, Grilli flat out sucks, Polanco has the largest head in the history of the Earth and I cannot believe Neifi Perez still has a roster spot on this team.

Holy shit! 1 sentence and accurate as hell.

Perez hasnt been horrid this year, though.

[jochhejaam]

Holy shit! 1 sentence and accurate as hell.

Perez hasnt been horrid this year, though.

He's batting .183 (11 hits in 60 at bats). That's rough.

[DarkReign]

He's batting .183 (11 hits in 60 at bats). That's rough.

Oooo....man, my bad.

Yuck. I take it back.

[Vizzini]

Oooo....man, my bad.

Yuck. I take it back.


NO! I have hated on Neifi too, but he gets a free pass for the rest of the regular season b/c of the double play he started in Verlander's no-hitter. W/ Guillen having a bad hammy and not being the best fielder in the first place, Verlander would've never gotten the no-hitter if Neifi wasn't playing short.

[DarkReign]

NO! I have hated on Neifi too, but he gets a free pass for the rest of the regular season b/c of the double play he started in Verlander's no-hitter. W/ Guillen having a bad hammy and not being the best fielder in the first place, Verlander would've never gotten the no-hitter if Neifi wasn't playing short.

'Tis true.

But .183....ouch!

[jochhejaam]

NO! I have hated on Neifi too, but he gets a free pass for the rest of the regular season b/c of the double play he started in Verlander's no-hitter. W/ Guillen having a bad hammy and not being the best fielder in the first place, Verlander would've never gotten the no-hitter if Neifi wasn't playing short.
Yeah, I forgot about the over the back toss to start that d.p., that was worth looking the other way for awhile.

I actually thought he was batting higher than .183. Doesn't seem like he's hurting the team too much in spite of that.

[DisgruntledLionFan#54,927]

His average is .175 now.

I'm guessing he'll be in the .140-.150 range by season's end.

[Horry For 3!]

Tigers need to start producing runs against Slowey. I have Andrew Miller on my fantasy team

[Vizzini]

Nice win for the Tigs today. It sucks to be Scott Baker tonight, but sometmes you can't even make one mistake in the Big Leagues and still get the win. Bondo showed up when his team needed him, and Jones was suprisingly effective in the 9th.

[DarkReign]

Nice win for the Tigs today. It sucks to be Scott Baker tonight, but sometmes you can't even make one mistake in the Big Leagues and still get the win. Bondo showed up when his team needed him, and Jones was suprisingly effective in the 9th.

All after getting their asses handed to them in the first two games.

Tigers need to play on the road every game.

So far, theyre 2-4 on this homestand. Pathetic.

[jochhejaam]

Nice win for the Tigs today. It sucks to be Scott Baker tonight, but sometmes you can't even make one mistake in the Big Leagues and still get the win. Bondo showed up when his team needed him, and Jones was suprisingly effective in the 9th.

In spite of an ERA that's close to 6, Jones has saved 20 of 24.

Horrible ERA, but effective in save opportunities.

[John Rocker]

http://i.a.cnn.net/si/images/baseball/mlb/players/6310.jpg

"You hang it, I bang it" -Casey Blake

[Melmart1]

BUSTED!!!

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20070706&content_id=2070598&vkey=pr_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb&partnered=rss_mlb

[FromWayDowntown]

Given Neifi's numbers, he either needed to double the dosage or quickly find some non-stimulants.

[Melmart1]

Yeah, that's what I was thinking. He has been horrible this year.

I bet E20 could out-hit him, as long as it was only in batting practice, everything was tossed underhanded and he could use a corked bat.

[jochhejaam]

BUSTED!!!

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20070706&content_id=2070598&vkey=pr_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb&partnered=rss_mlb
Tough luck for Neifi, good luck for Tiger fans (at least this one).
Now we can plug Infante's .301 BA into the lineup more often.

[Johnny_Blaze_47]

I feel really bad for all you Tigers fans.

Seriously, how will you guys replace all those RBIs?

[DarkReign]

I feel really bad for all you Tigers fans.

Seriously, how will you guys replace all those RBIs?

:lmao

Neifi Perez using "performance enhancing drugs" is the Oxymoron of the Century.

[Johnny_Blaze_47]

:lmao

Neifi Perez using "performance enhancing drugs" is the Oxymoron of the Century.

Just think what might have happened if you had missed those 6 RBI...you might have only beat the Royals by five on May 6.

(Damn, in trying to make this joke work, I had to dig through a lot of fucking box scores to find the games in which Neifi Perez drove in runs - and he drove in FOUR that day).

How the hell did the Royals find a jersey large enough to fit the pitching machine?

[Marklar MM]

I saw this on the ESPN boards, but had to elaborate.

Today is 7/7/07
Pudge wears #7
Game winning hit was hit #7 for the Tigers.

[DisgruntledLionFan#54,927]

Slow start with the bats, shaky BP, devastating loss of Neifi Perez for 25 games, numerous injuries to the pitching staff and yet the Tigers are only a half game out of having the best record in baseball at the AS break.

[jochhejaam]

Slow start with the bats, shaky BP, devastating loss of Neifi Perez for 25 games, numerous injuries to the pitching staff and yet the Tigers are only a half game out of having the best record in baseball at the AS break.
Entering the break with 5 straight wins against the Indians and Redsox, best opposition in the American League.

First sweep against the Sox at home since 1992. :clap



Granderson seemed to be doing his best Rip Hamilton imitation coming off the field after today's win. He shouted out a "yessir" with each high 5 he gave a teammate.

[DisgruntledLionFan#54,927]

After the AS break, things get interesting for the Tigers: 17 out the last 20 July games are on the road and 4 out of the 6 series are against above .500 teams.

[jochhejaam]

^^ Interestingly enough, we've done better on the road (best road record in the majors) than at home, so hopefully it won't be too bad.

Road - 27-15
Home - 25-19

[jochhejaam]

Adding to the Tiger trivia, if Granderson had gotten one more stolen base (he has 9, and hasn't been thrown out) he would have been only the 4th Major League Player since 1957 to have at least 10 doubles, 10 triples, 10 homeruns and 10 stolen bases before the All-Star break.

24 - Doubles
15 - Triples
12 - Homeruns

[tlongII]

Tigers are at the M's for 4 games right after the ASG. Should be interesting.

[jochhejaam]

Tigers are at the M's for 4 games right after the ASG. Should be interesting.
Should be. With Boston, Cleveland and the Angels playing so well, you tend to forget about the Mariners, but I see they have a better record than all of the National League teams.

[jochhejaam]

In the FWIW dept., the Tigers have moved up to the top of Fox's Power Rankings.

Yes, Detroit is now top dog. What earned them the edge over Boston? Their recent play, their stronger run differential and their slightly tougher schedule to date. Neifi Perez has been hit with a 25-game suspension for using a banned stimulant. We’ll be frank about this: not having Perez on the active roster is a good thing for the Tigers. <--Most if not all Tiger fans felt that way when they found out about the suspensions.



http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/powerRankings

[DisgruntledLionFan#54,927]

Should be. With Boston, Cleveland and the Angels playing so well, you tend to forget about the Mariners, but I see they have a better record than all of the National League teams.


Boston isn't playing well at all. I believe they are under .500 in their last 35-40 games.

Seattle is good, but they need the back of their rotation to step up big for them to be a major player in the playoff hunt.

[Burn531]

WTF happened there? The ump misses both calls at 2nd base and the M's take the lead. Shit!

[DisgruntledLionFan#54,927]

Beltre touched 2nd and Guillen tagged him on his 3rd attempt after he slid past the bag.

Should be 2-2. M's got a freebie.

[tlongII]

M's win 3-2! You better not let the M's have the lead after the 6th inning. Our bullpen is nails!

[DarkReign]

Beltre touched 2nd and Guillen tagged him on his 3rd attempt after he slid past the bag.

Should be 2-2. M's got a freebie.

That was some real tee-ball umpiring there. What a schmuck.

[tlongII]

That was some real tee-ball umpiring there. What a schmuck.

I agree. It was a joke when the ump ruled that Beltre never touched 2nd base and called him out to end the inning!

[DarkReign]

I agree. It was a joke when the ump ruled that Beltre never touched 2nd base and called him out to end the inning!

Agreed. The whole thing was botched. Guillen tagged him, that was obvious. He touched 2nd base, that was obvious. The third run should have never scored.

The "make-up call" was he didnt touch second, and it ended the inning.

1 game of 162. Today is another day. BTW, the M's bullpen is every bit as good as advertised.

[tlongII]

Agreed. The whole thing was botched. Guillen tagged him, that was obvious. He touched 2nd base, that was obvious. The third run should have never scored.

The "make-up call" was he didnt touch second, and it ended the inning.

1 game of 162. Today is another day. BTW, the M's bullpen is every bit as good as advertised.


I agree. The Tigers basically got screwed there. Should have been tied 2-2 after the inning. Who knows what would have happened after that? Pudge getting tossed didn't help Detroit's cause either. Looking forward to another good game tonight. :smokin

[tlongII]

Great win by the M's last night! Johjima with the grand salami to give us a cushion that was needed and JJ struck out the side in the 9th. Terrific catch of a foul ball by Inge too.

[jochhejaam]

Tigers pounded Seattle 11-7 to gain a 2-2 split on the road, and Verlander's record is now 11-3. Nice.


Marcus Thames has 5 HR's, 3 Doubles and 13 RBI's in his last 11 games. Right on time to fill in for the slumping Craig Monroe.

Carlos Guillen is one of the best hitting Shortstop's in the game and one of the worst when it come to fielding. He has 18 already this year and finished with 25 or so last year.

[tlongII]

Can we give Jeff Weaver back to you?

[DisgruntledLionFan#54,927]

No, but thanks for Guillen.

[jochhejaam]

Can we give Jeff Weaver back to you?
I hope he gets it back together, he was probably the best player on the team when we first traded him away, not sure what happened to him. He fell apart after the '05 season
Head case?

[tlongII]

No, but thanks for Guillen.

Losing Guillen was stupid. Fortunately we have Betancourt. I hope we see you guys in playoffs!

[DisgruntledLionFan#54,927]

This is why you should take what "experts" say with a grain of salt:

Granderson was a mini-topic on ESPNews and they were talking about why Grandy has 16 triples this year. Kruk was explaining that it's because Curtis has finally learned to use the huge outfield in Comerica Park.

That would be great except 11 of Grandy's 16 triples have come on the road this year. Even the replay they showed while talking about him was from Safeco for fuck's sake..

Solid point, Kruk.

[tlongII]

This is why you should take what "experts" say with a grain of salt:

Granderson was a mini-topic on ESPNews and they were talking about why Grandy has 16 triples this year. Kruk was explaining that it's because Curtis has finally learned to use the huge outfield in Comerica Park.

That would be great except 11 of Grandy's 16 triples have come on the road this year. Even the replay they showed while talking about him was from Safeco for fuck's sake..

Solid point, Kruk.

I wonder if Kruky has ever hit a triple in his life? :lol

[Marklar MM]

he had 34 triples.

[tlongII]

he had 34 triples.

Amazing. I didn't think that fatass could run.

[DarkReign]

Beautiful win tonight.

[Burn531]

Beautiful win tonight.

Last years team won games like this one.

[tlongII]

M's are up 2-0 right now and Felix is dealing!

[Marklar MM]

The Tigers now have the best record in baseball.

[jochhejaam]

The Tigers now have the best record in baseball.
Their pitching, especially the bullpen, is rounding into form. Jones has been excellent, with 24 saves in 28 save situations and 7 straight outings (8 total innings with 94 pitches thrown) without giving up a run.


Granderson's a future HOF.

[Vizzini]

Granderson's a future HOF.

He is a great player, and seems to be getting beter everyday, but lets wait another 10 years before we start throwing Cooperstown into the mix. Though, I am anxious to see how Cameron Maybin's arrival in a year or two will play out. Who gets moved and where in the outfield will they go? Will Maggs be all but done by then, or will it be leftfield? Granderson and Maybin, and don't forget this name, Gorkys Hernandez, will make up a damn good outfield in about three or four years.

[DarkReign]

He is a great player, and seems to be getting beter everyday, but lets wait another 10 years before we start throwing Cooperstown into the mix. Though, I am anxious to see how Cameron Maybin's arrival in a year or two will play out. Who gets moved and where in the outfield will they go? Will Maggs be all but done by then, or will it be leftfield? Granderson and Maybin, and don't forget this name, Gorkys Hernandez, will make up a damn good outfield in about three or four years.

Maybin is an awesome prospect, no question. But all this talk about he is going to inherit CF is ridiculous. Maybin is going to LF or RF......CF is officially and convincingly taken for the forseeable future.

Granderson is an AllStar.

Mags will be a DH in 09, the same year Maybin and Hernandez will come up.

[tlongII]

M's are up 2-0 right now and Felix is dealing!

Never mind. :dizzy

[Vizzini]

Maggs coming up big, Santana going 8 strong and still getting the loss, Jones with another one run save, and these wins will loom large in September when the division will be on the line.

[DarkReign]

This series has been some of the best baseball I have seen since last year's playoffs. Everyone on both teams are completely in the game. The pitchers especially, but even the two managers are pulling some real unorthodox stuff trying to advance runners.

With all the subsitutions and such, youd think it was a National League game.

[DarkReign]

Oh yeah, HELLUVA catch my Marcus Thames.

[Marklar MM]

Oh yeah, HELLUVA catch my Marcus Thames.

about 11 hours late... :blah

[DarkReign]

about 11 hours late... :blah

I knew that dickhead.

BTW,

SWEEEEEEP!

[DarkReign]

Ugly game, but a W is a W.

How Granderson wasnt an AllStar is beyond me. Dont get me wrong, I understand the logjam at CF in the AL, but cmon! This kid is the shit!

[Marklar MM]

Ugly game, but a W is a W.

How Granderson wasnt an AllStar is beyond me. Dont get me wrong, I understand the logjam at CF in the AL, but cmon! This kid is the shit!

U should go join the great Granderson vs. Sizemore debate on the ESPN MLB boards...its is grand.

[DisgruntledLionFan#54,927]

Nice work by the bullpen tonight.

[DarkReign]

Two UGLY games in a row for the bullpen.

This must be addressed.

[knicksr1]

Its pretty funny how they lose series to the Royals and the goddamn WHITESAWXX!!

[Hawks09]

Well they have really slowed down lately. Cleveland is only 1.5 GM.

[UV Ray]

If/when Rodney and Zumaya get back, will it be enough to remedy the bullpen problems or should the Tigers be seriously looking to make a move? Rodney's inconsistency is spooky and Zumaya's form is an unknown. Anyone have an update on Zumaya?

[Marklar MM]

If/when Rodney and Zumaya get back, will it be enough to remedy the bullpen problems or should the Tigers be seriously looking to make a move? Rodney's inconsistency is spooky and Zumaya's form is an unknown. Anyone have an update on Zumaya?

Tigers have scouts in I believe Texas, Arizona, and other places.

Zumaya should be pitching in August from all accounts I am hearing. Rodney will be sooner.

No matter what, getting these boys back will HOPEFULLY be the end of Jason Grilli.

On a side note...Please cut Grilli and bring Capellan back up.

[DarkReign]

WTF was that yesterday?

TFost said it best...."WhiteSox win on a walkoff BUNT."

[jochhejaam]

Come on out to the ol' ballpark, and bring the family with ya, as the Detroit Tigers introduce their new mascot!


http://imagecache2.allposters.com/images/pic/GB/MP0360~Kitten-Posters.jpg

[Vizzini]

Come on out to the ol' ballpark, and bring the family with ya, as the Detroit Tigers introduce their new mascot!


http://imagecache2.allposters.com/images/pic/GB/MP0360~Kitten-Posters.jpg


Yup, they have looked completely neutered this past week, but they are still in first place, and if Rodney and Zoom can come back, they might be able to shitcan that worthless peice of a crap Grilli and bring some stability to the bullpen. They have played horribly, and yet would still be in the playoffs if the season ended today.

[DarkReign]

:vomit:

[DisgruntledLionFan#54,927]

I don't think Grilli could get me out at this point.

In 37 appearances, he has given up 2+ earned runs ten times.

Dude has got to go...

[DarkReign]

Well, I guess we should take solace that this will be their worst road trip of the entire season, hands down. Seeing as every game started at 10pm, I havent had to watch very long to know the outcomes.

If they bring the losing home with them, I'll be worried. FRod and Zoom better hurry their shit up. This bullpen is literally killing this team.

[UV Ray]

This crap is almost unbearable. I was thinking about flying in for the Yankee series later this month, but I'm having second thoughts.

[DarkReign]

This crap is almost unbearable. I was thinking about flying in for the Yankee series later this month, but I'm having second thoughts.

I would too, seeing as how the Yanks are playing in comparison to the Tigers.

:vomit:

[BeerIsGood!]

The Rangers are trying to help you guys out, but you're gonna have to win your games too... :lol

[UV Ray]

I would too, seeing as how the Yanks are playing in comparison to the Tigers.

:vomit:

Yeah, that too.

[UV Ray]

I would too, seeing as how the Yanks are playing in comparison to the Tigers.


OTOH, seeing the Yanks lose is such a beautiful thing.

[Burn531]

:lol What a dumb ass.


Detroit's Neifi Perez suspended for 80 games after 3rd positive test for stimulant

August 3, 2007

DETROIT (AP) -- Tigers infielder Neifi Perez was suspended for 80 games Friday after testing positive for a third time for a banned stimulant.

Perez was suspended for 25 games on July 6 when he tested positive for a second time. Under baseball's labor contract, a player who tests positive for the first time is sent for counseling.

Perez has been the only player suspended by baseball for stimulants since baseball banned them before the 2006 season.


http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=Avm.lAGSK1cnAgX.v75nuEQ5nYcB?slug=ap-tigers-perezsuspended&prov=ap&type=lgns

[jochhejaam]

Detroit's Neifi Perez suspended for 80 games after 3rd positive test for stimulant.

A close friend of Neifi's, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, has reported that Neifi is addicted to Red Bull.

[jochhejaam]

We are now tied with Seattle for the Wild Card spot, 1/2 game ahead of the Yankees.

[Burn531]

Is anyone doing anything different to break this slump? I think I'll change my avatar or maybe not shave until they start winning some games.

[DarkReign]

Is there an icon for "choke"?

[Burn531]

When is Grilli going to be released?

I hope soon.

[DarkReign]

GRAND SLAM!

O...wait....

[Burn531]

Maggs for MVP!!

[Marklar MM]

Maggs needs 6 rbi to tie A-Rod.

[DarkReign]

Cameron Maybin is officially a Detroit Tiger.

Added to the active list today. Will play in the Yankees series.

Lets see what this young man is all about.

[DarkReign]

BTW, helluva game yesterday.

[Burn531]

Sweet. :elephant

[Marklar MM]

According to Jason Beck:

Maybin is starting in left field tonight.
He will wear #4.
He will bat 2nd in the lineup.

This is according to 1270 WXYT.

[jochhejaam]

According to Jason Beck:

Maybin is starting in left field tonight.
He will wear #4.
He will bat 2nd in the lineup.

This is according to 1270 WXYT.
Twenty year old Cameron Maybin, making his Major League debut in Yankee Stadium no less, strikes out his first 2 times up...think he's a bit nervous?

[Marklar MM]

Twenty year old Cameron Maybin, making his Major League debut in Yankee Stadium no less, strikes out his first 2 times up...think he's a bit nervous?

Overall not the best, but he did almost hit a home run to right field. Not to mention that he did just as well as everyone on the team outside Raburn from a batting standpoint.

[ABDENOUR POWER]

Why do the Tigers have to suck again?

[DarkReign]

Maybin looked OK.

First hit, first HR, first HBP.

[DisgruntledLionFan#54,927]

I need a recap of what's happened since the 1st of the month.

Judging by their record, I would assume the whole team is playing like shit, no?

[Marklar MM]

I need a recap of what's happened since the 1st of the month.

Judging by their record, I would assume the whole team is playing like shit, no?

Lets see. The bullpen has blown a good 10 games, the starters can't seem to get past 5 innings, there is a team wide flu bug which has kept Polanco out of the lineup for a week or so now, Sheffield has a hurt shoulder but is still playing, Inge can't hit to save his life and is always a rally killer, the team is getting hits but never when they are needed such as when there are risp, probably some more stuff as well.

Positives are Raburn's play so far and Rodney being dominant since his return.

[jochhejaam]

Lets see. The bullpen has blown a good 10 games, the starters can't seem to get past 5 innings, there is a team wide flu bug which has kept Polanco out of the lineup for a week or so now, Sheffield has a hurt shoulder but is still playing, Inge can't hit to save his life and is always a rally killer, the team is getting hits but never when they are needed such as when there are risp, probably some more stuff as well.

Positives are Raburn's play so far and Rodney being dominant since his return.
Another positive (they have been few and far between) has been the hitting of Ordonez, who has the 2nd highest RBI total in the Majors since the All-Star break (39). That puts him 2nd in the Majors with 109.

I believe they'll turn it around and make the playoffs.

[DarkReign]

This is only my third year of really watching baseball on an almost daily basis.

But these are some of the worst efforts at the plate that I have seen from this current Tigers roster. The lineup has way too many strikeout machines.

BTW, I am going to steal a good observation from Drew Lane (from Drew & Mike) he made this morning about Maybin.

Looks like a load of talent that isnt even close to ready for the big leagues.

[AFBlue]

Wonder if the call-up for Maybin is a bit premature. Maybe they saw the success (power-wise) that Upton is having in his call-up from AA ball to Arizona that they decided to take a shot.

Agree with DR about this kid being far from ready. I hope it doesn't hurt him long-term.

[Marklar MM]

Zumaya is back.

[jochhejaam]

Zumaya is back.
And he got a hold.

Just like old times with the Bullpen, Zumaya then Rodney with the holds, and Jones with the save.

The rookie Jarrjens pitched a Gem, giving up 1 hit in almost 7 innings.

Nice win.

[Marklar MM]

Was a bit nice to see 4 hits total in the game, with 3 of them being home runs.

[DarkReign]

:vomit:

[DarkReign]

Eat, Pete and repeat...

:vomit: all over themselves. Again. They deserve nothing.

[DisgruntledLionFan#54,927]

Get ready for some Lions cornbread, DR.

:lol

[SrA Husker]

Alright Tiger fans, is Craig Monroe any good or not?

[K-State Spur]

If the Cubs play Monroe over Murton, this is a bad move.

Even when Monroe is playing well, Murton > Monroe.

[Burn531]

Monroe's a pretty good left fielder with an accurate arm. The plate is were he has sucked the most this year.


BTW today's game :shootme

[Thunder Dan]

Quote from Granderson after the game:
"We get the pitching one night, and we don't get the hitting. Then, we have the pitching and not the hitting," Curtis Granderson said. "We just have to put it together."

[jochhejaam]

Alright Tiger fans, is Craig Monroe any good or not?
He was good last year, but horrible this year.

[jochhejaam]

Monroe's a pretty good left fielder with an accurate arm. The plate is were he has sucked the most this year.


BTW today's game :shootme


Hindsight's always 20/20, but you don't bring Zumaya out for the 10th, that should have been Rodney's inning.

Robertson must be having flashbacks to last year when he usually got little or no run support for much of the season.

[Marklar MM]

The positive from this game...a starter went more than 6 innings outside Jurrjens.

[Marklar MM]

Damn man. Tigers win at 3:30 in the morning in the bottom of the 11th on a 3 run walk-off homer by Carlos Guillen. WOOHOO.

[DarkReign]

Well, I just woke up.

[Thunder Dan]

Damn man. Tigers win at 3:30 in the morning in the bottom of the 11th on a 3 run walk-off homer by Carlos Guillen. WOOHOO.

did you see highlites? was anyone there?

[Marklar MM]

did you see highlites? was anyone there?


I stayed up through the whole darn thing :) and I would say that probably half of the stadium was filled at 3:30 am.

[jochhejaam]

I stayed up through the whole darn thing :) and I would say that probably half of the stadium was filled at 3:30 am.
That's crazy! I was at home and went to bed at 2:15.

Tough crowd. :dizzy

After winning for only the 11th time in the last 33 games, I still have to say, Nice Win!

Granderson's 21st triple of the season gives him the most by a Tiger since some dude by the name of Ty Cobb (?) hit 20 in 1917.


One more thing, Cameron Maybin is the fastest player in MLB.

[jochhejaam]

I can't remember the last time we won't consecutive games.

[DarkReign]

I can't remember the last time we won't consecutive games.


Good observation. They finally won two in a row. Lets see if they can take 3 of 4 from the Yanks.

[Thunder Dan]

I stayed up through the whole darn thing :) and I would say that probably half of the stadium was filled at 3:30 am.


that's crazy. Though if I were a Tiger's fan and I had tickets against the Yankees on a Friday night, I would have stayed...nothing better to do.

[Marklar MM]

Good observation. They finally won two in a row. Lets see if they can take 3 of 4 from the Yanks.

They didn't win two in a row. :depressed Won the first game, lost the second, won the third.

[DarkReign]

They didn't win two in a row. :depressed Won the first game, lost the second, won the third.

Snap! Youre right. My chronological-bad.

[jochhejaam]

Good observation. They finally won two in a row. Lets see if they can take 3 of 4 from the Yanks.

Your wish has been granted, Tigers are all over the Yanks 16-0 after 7 1/2.

[Marklar MM]

Game over. 16-0 Tigers.

[SrA Husker]

Thank you, Detroit.

Courtesy, Baseball fans everywhere.

Fuck the damnyankees.

[jochhejaam]

Tigers outhit the Royals 16-6, and still lose 6-3.

[K-State Spur]

If the Royals can get Hochevar or Lumsden back on track and see one of the two realize their potential, KC could be a darkhorse in the Central sooner rather than later.

[Marklar MM]

What is wrong with that lineup? Hint hint...a .260 career average (batting under .150 this season without me lookin it up) hitting 3rd, and two guys who are career .240 hitters in the 8/9 spot.

Granderson, CF
Polanco, 2B
Perez, LF
Ordonez, RF
Guillen, 1B
Rodriguez, C
Casey, DH
Inge, 3B
Santiago, SS

[Marklar MM]

Royals got some lucky breaks though. Tigers were obviously hitting the ball...just right at people.

[FreshPrince22]

3.5 games back and Cleveland/Seattle aren't losing.... not looking good.

[Marklar MM]

3.5 games back and Cleveland/Seattle aren't losing.... not looking good.

Seattle lost yesterday, and are losing today. If anything, they are not gaining games. Cleveland on the other hand...just won't lose.

[DarkReign]

Nate Robertson has lost whatever it wa she had last year.

Miller is no Verlander. Not even close.

Drubin has been surprisingly good.

Grille, now settled back in his role, has performed well. Hes a guy who cannot inherit other people mistakes. He can manage his own, but he cannot come in with runners on and get that needed out. But he can come in when Nate shits the bed and goes 4 and give 4 quality innings.

[DarkReign]

The friend I was watching this game with said something interesting...

When the team gets 16 hits and only 2 runs, its the managers fault. hes playing station-to-station, not calling hit'n'runs, steals, sac bunts, etc.

And he was right. Pudge put down a sac bunt and that was the only runs scored by the Tigers.

[Burn531]

The friend I was watching this game with said something interesting...

When the team gets 16 hits and only 2 runs, its the managers fault. hes playing station-to-station, not calling hit'n'runs, steals, sac bunts, etc.

And he was right. Pudge put down a sac bunt and that was the only runs scored by the Tigers.

They didn't score after the sac bunt though. Casey grounded out to 1st and Inge bounced out to the pitcher.

Granderson 2B, Guillien's Sac Fly, and Polanco's single was how they scored last night.


On another problem when is Pudge going to be knocked out of the 6th spot in the lineup? He's been a strikeout machine in the 2nd half. Offers very little to the offense and swings at every thing.

Also Timo Perez batting 3rd last night was a joke. He leaves 5 on base. Why isn't Thames playing everyday? Timo Perez? Get the fuck out of here with that bullshit Leyland.

[jochhejaam]

The Good News
Mariners lost their 5th straight today.

The Bad News
Tigers are losing, Yankees and Indians are winning.

The first 7 batters have reached safely for the Royals in the first inning.

[DisgruntledLionFan#54,927]

Turn out the lights...

[DarkReign]

I would say thats just about it. Looks like the Indians win the division, and its between the Yankees and Mariners for the Wild Card.

What a terrible way to go out, again, at the hands of the fucking Royals.

[DarkReign]

Yay, we didnt get swept by the fucking Royals!

Dear God.

[jochhejaam]

Seattle, Cleveland and the Yankees all lost, and how do we respond? By blowing a 7-0 lead!

[jochhejaam]

With 2 outs and no one on base the Tigers get 5 hits and 4 runs in the bottom of the 9th to beat the BlueJays 5-4!

[jochhejaam]

Tigers are not out of this, they just need to win like 9 out of 10. A tall order, but not beyond the realm of possibility.

[resistanze]

Taking out Halladay with one out left seemed like a smart idea.

[Marklar MM]

Taking out Halladay with one out left seemed like a smart idea.


Smartest idea of the game...

Taking out Halladay with one out left, and replacing him with a right handed reliever. Here is a little information about the 1st batter he faced.

.342 against righties
.157 against lefties

You would think he would have put in a left handed reliever since Granderson can't hit em this year.

[Whisky Dog]

Tigers are not out of this, they just need to win like 9 out of 10. A tall order, but not beyond the realm of possibility.

It appears that they may just be done because the cruelty of the schedule led them right into the 2nd half buzzsaw that is

http://www.deafcelebration.com/images/TexasRangers_NewLogo.jpg

[Melmart1]

Second half of the doubleheader starts in 20, but I will be gone to a live baseball game. The bullpen got depleted pretty bad in the first game, Detroit better hope that this Jar Jar guy or whatever his name is that is starting can eat up several innings.

GO RANGERS!!!

[dallaskd]

wax.

[jochhejaam]

It appears that they may just be done because the cruelty of the schedule led them right into the 2nd half buzzsaw that is

http://www.deafcelebration.com/images/TexasRangers_NewLogo.jpg
I didn't realize until a Tiger announcer mentioned that they are something like 15-4 over the last 3 weeks.

Ah well.

[KEDA]

I will be in Detroit for a conference and I will be going to Comerica, so I hope the Tigers are still in the hunt by the time I get there!

[resistanze]

Smartest idea of the game...

Taking out Halladay with one out left, and replacing him with a right handed reliever. Here is a little information about the 1st batter he faced.

.342 against righties
.157 against lefties

You would think he would have put in a left handed reliever since Granderson can't hit em this year.
Yup, another John Gibbons classic. I'm waiting for Halladay to pitch a perfect game in the ninth to see Gibbons take him out when he finally walks a batter :lol

[DarkReign]

Yesterday, barring a Cleveland/Yankees collapse, was the end.

Too many injuries, too many mistakes, too many off games by starting pitching.

2 guys in the top 5 batting average, 3 good starters and no playoffs.

I have only watched baseball for 4 years (about). I realized that I dont hate baseball, I hate bad baseball. Its very, VERY nice to actually watch good baseball in Detroit.

All I have ever asked from our local teams is to be competitive. I will watch, I will attend, I will support a team that is consistently competitive (every team has their off years). 3 out of 4 sports teams being very much competitive is not too shabby.

BTW, fuck the Lions. Until Ford dies, that team doesnt exist to me.

[BUMP]

the Rangers actually have a chance to break the .500 mark which would be absolutely incredible. there was a time where we were the worst team in baseball and were 20 games under. :clap :clap

[jochhejaam]

Detroit's bigs showed up tonight.

Verlander ups his record to 17-5, and has a chance to win 20.
Sheffield 2 run homer
Ordonez 3 run homer, now has 132 rbi's.
Jones strikes out the side in the 9th.

Considering the injuries that have plagued the Tigers this year it hasn't been a bad year at all.

If we go 15-2 the rest of the season, and sweep the Indians, we're in...

[Thunder Dan]

Detroit's bigs showed up tonight.

Verlander ups his record to 17-5, and has a chance to win 20.
Sheffield 2 run homer
Ordonez 3 run homer, now has 132 rbi's.
Jones strikes out the side in the 9th.

Considering the injuries that have plagued the Tigers this year it hasn't been a bad year at all.

If we go 15-2 the rest of the season, and sweep the Indians, we're in...


the Indians just have to go .500 and they are in. Tigs are done in the Central, best bet it the Wild Card

[DarkReign]

the Indians just have to go .500 and they are in. Tigs are done in the Central, best bet it the Wild Card

Exactly. It would take a Cleveland meltdown (similar to the Tigs metltdown last year) and a hige Tiger run to even sniff the division.

Wild card is the best bet and the Yankees are playing out of their minds.

*sigh*

[Burn531]

I say be competitive and try to win 90 games the rest of the way. Maybe they get lucky and get the wild card or scare the hell out of Cleveland and let them choke.

[Thunder Dan]

according to baseballpropestus.com they have a 2% chance at the Central and a 10% at the Wild Card.

[jochhejaam]

according to baseballpropestus.com they have a 2% chance at the Central and a 10% at the Wild Card.
Tough odds.

Yanks lost today, now the Tigers need help from the RedSox against the Yanks (sweep), and their own sweep of the Twins. That would put them 1/2 game behind with 12 to play.

Unlikely, but possible.

[Lp26]

The Red Sox blow.

[DarkReign]

The Red Sox blow.

Red Sox won! Thank Jim50 when he shows.

[jochhejaam]

Yanks lose, Tigers win, 2 1/2 back with 14 games left.

[DarkReign]

Cleveland lost, Tigers up 4-2 going into the ^8.

Win this, enter the Indians series only 4.5 back.

Better yet, Sox continue their ass-kicking of the Yanks, and they end the day only 1.5 out of the WC.

[Marklar MM]

Red Sox blow another one. They should have swept this series, yet find a way to blow 2 of the games in the late innings.

[jochhejaam]

Tigers have won 10 of 12, but haven't picked up much ground.
Still, overall, it's been a good year, especially considering their pitching staff has put in a combined 397 days on the DL.
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070914/SPORTS0104/709140331/1129/rss15

[Marklar MM]

Oh well. Get healthy and come back next year.

[John Rocker]

"You hang it, I bang it" -Casey Blake

http://www.bestsportsphotos.com/images/baseball/blake-casey-cvi-1.jpg

[Marklar MM]

"You hang it, I bang it" -Casey Blake

http://www.bestsportsphotos.com/images/baseball/blake-casey-cvi-1.jpg


I seriously knew that he was going to hit a home run. Just for kicks, I checked his baseball reference to see where he has played throughout his career just before that homer.

[jochhejaam]

Tigers starter Rogers pitched an excellent game. Tigers reliever Zumaya sucked.

eos

[Thunder Dan]

Casey Blake has 17 homers and I think 4-5 of them are game winners. He has 2 this week, one in April and another against the Tigers in Detroit in July. It's strange because the guy is the definition of average.

[midgetonadonkey]

Tigers have a great chance of catching up with the Yanks. Hopefully they pull ahead and get those fucking Yankees out of the WC.

Fuck the Yankees.

[Thunder Dan]

Tigers have a great chance of catching up with the Yanks. Hopefully they pull ahead and get those fucking Yankees out of the WC.

Fuck the Yankees.

I would love to see October without the Yanks. I'm so sick of hearing about The Yanks and the Sox all day everyday on ESPN. Baseball Tonight is 85% those teams and 10% Cubs and 5% others.

That said, as an Indians fan I don't want the Tigers in because I never want to see Placido Polonco (or however you spell it) again. That dude pisses me off. He kills the Tribe. I don't mind Maggs, but Polonco kills me. It seems like all he does is get on base.

[Marklar MM]

I would love to see October without the Yanks. I'm so sick of hearing about The Yanks and the Sox all day everyday on ESPN. Baseball Tonight is 85% those teams and 10% Cubs and 5% others.

That said, as an Indians fan I don't want the Tigers in because I never want to see Placido Polonco (or however you spell it) again. That dude pisses me off. He kills the Tribe. I don't mind Maggs, but Polonco kills me. It seems like all he does is get on base.

Don't feel bad about Polanco...he does that to everyone.

[Thunder Dan]

While I'm talking Tigers: why does Sheffield hit 3rd? It seems like they would be better served hitting Maggs 3rd and Sheff 4th, or Guillen 3rd and Sheffield 5th. It's a pretty strong lineup, but there is a big hole with Sheffield hitting .260 at 3rd.

[DarkReign]

Well, if that game doesnt sum-up the entire season, I dont what does.

This one is on Zumaya. Sorry bud, but if your best fastball is 97 after injury, then youre screwed. All he has is a lightning fastball and a curve.

Take 4-5 mph off his fastball, and his effectivness is significantly reduced. Time to learn how to pitch instead of throw. Going to need a third pitch if he cant consistently throw 98+.

Miner pitched well, Kenny had a gem. When the fuck is Leyland going to realize not to pitch to Peralta or Blake?! "I dont believe in any of that stuff!!" Well, there ya go old timer. Those two have killed the Tigers all season and they continue to do so.

Blake has been in a slide since the ASB and dropped in the batting order (picked it up lately), but finds a way to win the game. Peralta...fucking Peralta.

[Burn531]

While I'm talking Tigers: why does Sheffield hit 3rd? It seems like they would be better served hitting Maggs 3rd and Sheff 4th, or Guillen 3rd and Sheffield 5th. It's a pretty strong lineup, but there is a big hole with Sheffield hitting .260 at 3rd.

Sheff's batting .260 because he played a good 3 weeks with an injured shoulder before going on the DL. His avg. dropped very fast in those weeks.

You see what Magglio has done this year mainly because of Sheffield. He gets on base and with Granderson or Polanco setting everything up Magglio is able to drive them in. If Sheff wasn't injured the division and wild card races are a lot closer.


edit: Sheffield's batting .269. Not exactly .260.

[Marklar MM]

Sheff's batting .260 because he played a good 3 weeks with an injured shoulder before going on the DL. His avg. dropped very fast in those weeks.

You see what Magglio has done this year mainly because of Sheffield. He gets on base and with Granderson or Polanco setting everything up Magglio is able to drive them in. If Sheff wasn't injured the division and wild card races are a lot closer.


edit: Sheffield's batting .269. Not exactly .260.

If Sheff wasn't injured, the team would still be in 1st place.

[Lp26]

We're done. There's always next year

[jochhejaam]

If Sheff wasn't injured, the team would still be in 1st place.
If Sheff's not injured, we're a lock to win it all. :lol

Compared to the years before the Tigers run to the WS last year it's been a darn good year. Can't complain too much about still being in the playoff hunt in the middle of Sept.

Good job by the Indians, they've played terrific ball the last couple of months (or so).

I believe that of all the major sports, baseball has the fewest teams in the post season. How about expanding it to 6 teams in each league with the 2 top teams getting a bye in the 1st round?
They'd have to play a few more day/night doubleheaders to keep the playoffs from going too deep into the colder weather, but I think it's doable.

Mybe Illitch will make a run at ARod (goodby Inge) if he decides to opt out of his contract with the Yanks. Every Tiger fan needs to start buying lots of Little Caesar's pizza to help him bankroll the deal.

[DarkReign]

Well, all I have ever asked of pro teams is to be competitive. Not to be doormats (cough* Lions).

The Tigers, Wings and Pistons are anything but doormats. All are highly competitive and well above their league's average.

I tell ya, its just really nice to watch one sport all summer long and know the team actually has a legitimate chance. Its hard to make the playoffs in baseball and football. They were in the hunt until mid-September.

I cant bitch too much. The second-half collapse is disturbing, but that has more to do with injuries than anything else. Sheff/Rogers/Bonderman/Miller/Rodney/Zumaya all spent significant time on the DL during the second half. I dont think any team could overcome that many injuries to so many key players. The fact that the Tigers were still hanging on this late was pretty damn good in itself.

See ya next year! No interest in baseball from this point forward (i say that, but I'll watch).

[samikeyp]

So much for Bill Simonson's "triple title year" this year.

(Wings, Tigers, Pistons)

I really thought the Tigers though, were going to pull it off.

[Thunder Dan]

I'm a Tribe fan and hoped the Tigs would make it in as a Wild Card. I hate both the Yankees and the Red Sox. The Yankees are everything wrong with baseball and the world in general, and the Red Sox are everything wrong in the sporting world. Here is why

Yankees: people trying to outspend eachother for the only reason to outspend. In the real world this is what kills people's lives.

Red Sox: Red Sox "Nation" = nothing but a bunch of front runners and bandwagoniers. That is the worst part of sports- sticking by your team, then having everyone jump on the bandwagon once your team starts winning. This makes it impossible for real fans to go to games at a decent price and everything else. Red Sox nation is a bunch of horse shit because nobody gave 2 craps about that team until 2004 when they made it past the Yankees. Now since they did, they have to infest themselves into other people's stadiums, and claim to be the best fans in the world, when in fact they are nothing but a bunch of front runners. I remember going to Tribe games in 1995 vs. the Red Sox when they had Mo Vaughn and Jose Cansaco and there was no Red Sox nation then. I hate Red Sox fans, and I hate the Yankees.

[Kriz-Maxima]

The tigers are a good team, they will be back next year.

[DarkReign]

The (insert Detroit team here) are a good team, they will be back next year.

Find myself saying that alot as well.

[Flintstones32]

.

Mybe Illitch will make a run at ARod (goodby Inge) if he decides to opt out of his contract with the Yanks. Every Tiger fan needs to start buying lots of Little Caesar's pizza to help him bankroll the deal.

I actually think if we do go after Arod he should go to SS and keep inge at 3rd. Guillen can move over to first and we can get rid of casey.

[DarkReign]

I actually think if we do go after Arod he should go to SS and keep inge at 3rd. Guillen can move over to first and we can get rid of casey.

Thats the way I thought about it as well.

[Kriz-Maxima]

Find myself saying that alot as well.


Well Im not from Detroit, so this is not me being a homer.

[jochhejaam]

I actually think if we do go after Arod he should go to SS and keep inge at 3rd. Guillen can move over to first and we can get rid of casey.
Good idea, then we get rid of Casey's weak bat (heckuva nice guy, but...) and Guillen's weak glove.

[jochhejaam]

Nice pick-up for Detroit. It'll be nice to have a good fielding SS (NL Gold Glove winner in '02 and '03) in place of the error prone Guillen (moved to 1B).


Tigers deal two prospects to Braves for Renteria
Associated Press
Updated: October 29, 2007, 5:35 PM ET

DETROIT -- The Detroit Tigers filled their No. 1 need Monday, acquiring All-Star shortstop Edgar Renteria from the Atlanta Braves for two prospects.

Renteria batted .332 in 124 games with the Braves this year, finishing with 12 homers and 57 RBIs. Detroit went into the offseason needing to add a shortstop after deciding to shift Carlos Guillen to first base.

"We were able to address our biggest need, heading into the winter, with one of the best shortstops in the game," Tigers president and general manager Dave Dombrowski said on a conference call.

The Tigers gave up right-hander Jair Jurrjens, who showed signs of promise last season, and minor league outfielder Gorkys Hernandez.

"We gave up a couple of good players, but in order to acquire a player like Edgar we knew we had to give up some talent," Dombrowski said.

With Dombrowski running the front office and current Tigers manager Jim Leyland in the dugout for the Florida Marlins, Renteria ended a thrilling World Series Game 7 in 1997. His hit with two outs in the bottom of the 11th inning gave Florida its first World Series championship with a 3-2 win over the Cleveland Indians.

"I'm real happy to be a Detroit Tiger player," Renteria said. "I know Dave and Jim Leyland and I think I'm going to be comfortable in Detroit."

Leyland said the Tigers are "thrilled to death" to add Renteria.

"He was a part of the biggest night of my life in 1997," Leyland said. "To be reunited with Edgar is a thrill."

The Braves were willing to part with Renteria because they have shortstop Yunel Escobar, who turns 25 later this week.

In exchange for the 32-year-old Renteria, Atlanta added a candidate for its starting rotation and a possible outfielder for the future.

Jurrjens started seven games in Detroit last year and was 3-1 with a 4.70 ERA. He was 7-5 with a 3.20 ERA in 19 starts for Double-A Erie.

Hernandez hit .293 with four homers, 50 RBIs and stole 54 bases in 124 games at Class-A West Michigan last season.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3085675



Career Stats: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/stats?playerId=3441

[JamStone]

Tough to let go of Jair Jurjjens, but for the short term, say for the next 2-3 seasons, it's the right move. Jurjjens really had his stock rise after a couple very strong outings. Renteria immediately upgrades the short stop position defensively, but he's not outstanding. Hopefully, his bat stays as hot as it was last season. Right now, I figure he'll be in the 6th spot after Guillen, with part time lead-off work against left handed pitchers, and possibly a fill-in 3-hole hitter if Sheffield has a day off or is injured.

Overall, I'm mixed over the trade, but I do like the fact that Dombrowski was proactive in doing something. He made the deal he wanted to make to improve the line-up. Whether it works out for the better, we'll have to wait and see these next few seasons. Maggs didn't really seem like a great acquisition his first couple years here. But, if healthy, Maggs has been a spectacular free agent acquisition. Just hope Renteria can continue to hit around .300 to .315 and force pitchers to not pitch around Maggs and Guillen.

[Reggie Miller]

Tough to let go of Jair Jurjjens, but for the short term, say for the next 2-3 seasons, it's the right move. Jurjjens really had his stock rise after a couple very strong outings. Renteria immediately upgrades the short stop position defensively, but he's not outstanding. Hopefully, his bat stays as hot as it was last season. Right now, I figure he'll be in the 6th spot after Guillen, with part time lead-off work against left handed pitchers, and possibly a fill-in 3-hole hitter if Sheffield has a day off or is injured.

Overall, I'm mixed over the trade, but I do like the fact that Dombrowski was proactive in doing something. He made the deal he wanted to make to improve the line-up. Whether it works out for the better, we'll have to wait and see these next few seasons. Maggs didn't really seem like a great acquisition his first couple years here. But, if healthy, Maggs has been a spectacular free agent acquisition. Just hope Renteria can continue to hit around .300 to .315 and force pitchers to not pitch around Maggs and Guillen.



I am assuming that Renteria's problems in Boston were problems with Boston, not the AL. If that is true, I am very happy about this trade.

Jurjjens would not have helped this team during this current window of opportunity to win a championship. Long term, I am a little bummed, but JJ is right handed, so I can live with the decision.

Hernandez may never be a major league starter. It's a little too early to say, but he strikes me as more of a natural athlete than a baseball player. He has virtually no power.

The beauty of this trade is that it adds an all-star calibre player without subtracting an everyday position player, and it makes Guillen more effective.

[jochhejaam]

The Tigers have expressed their interest in picking up a left fielder. Adam Dunn will be a free agent if the Reds don't exercise his $13 mil team option this year (the buyout is only 500k).
We could us a big left-handed bat in the lineup and he's averaged 40 hr's, 100 rbi's, 100 runs over the last 4 years.

2008 Lineup with Dunn

1. Granderson
2. Polanco
3. Ordonez
4. Sheffield
5. Dunn
6. Guillen
7. Renteria
8. Pudge
9. Inge

[Marklar MM]

The Tigers have expressed their interest in picking up a left fielder. Adam Dunn will be a free agent if the Reds don't exercise his $13 mil team option this year (the buyout is only 500k).
We could us a big left-handed bat in the lineup and he's averaged 40 hr's, 100 rbi's, 100 runs over the last 4 years.

He also averaged 180 strikeouts over that span. For comparison sake, Brandon Inge has averaged 125 strikeouts.

[jochhejaam]

He also averaged 180 strikeouts over that span. For comparison sake, Brandon Inge has averaged 125 strikeouts.
Not that we'll get him but, this past year Dunn had 101 walks (17 more than any Tiger) and 165 stikeouts to Inge's 47 walks and 150 strikeouts.
Dunn's OBP of .386 (for comparisons sake Granderson's was .361) would have been 4th on the Tigers (Inge's .312 was dead last among Tiger starters).

On a good hitting team like the Tigers it's not unreasonable to suggest that Dunn's rbi total would be more in the 120 range.

Aquiring Dunn may be little more than a pipe dream, but it would undoubtedly make them a better team.

[Reggie Miller]

Not that we'll get him but, this past year Dunn had 101 walks (17 more than any Tiger) and 165 stikeouts to Inge's 47 walks and 150 strikeouts.
Dunn's OBP of .386 (for comparisons sake Granderson's was .361) would have been 4th on the Tigers (Inge's .312 was dead last among Tiger starters).

On a good hitting team like the Tigers it's not unreasonable to suggest that Dunn's rbi total would be more in the 120 range.

Aquiring Dunn may be little more than a pipe dream, but it would undoubtedly make them a better team.

Dunn's strikeouts aren't a major concern if he bats fifth, as you projected. Obviously, I haven't been able to research this, but he tends to put the ball in play when he needs to do so. For example, a strikeout with two outs and no one on is no different than a screaming line drive at a fielder. Dunn strikes out a lot by gambling in those situations.

His reputation as a free-swinger is undeserved, but I think it may help to keep his price down.