Tigers Weekly 2004 Season

Off-Season Report

Hey everyone!  I know it's a bit out of season, but
there have been some things going on in the Tigers
organization that should be brought to attention.  It
looks like Ilitch is starting to spend a little cash,
and Dombrowski is starting to do what he was brought
to Detroit to do.  Now the Tigers probably won't be
winning the Series next season, but their record
should see a considerable improvement (heck, not
losing a hundy would be a major improvement...at least
a twenty game swing).  The first step to winning,
however, is making the effort to win.  With these
acquisitions, it looks to me like the organization is
trying to move in the right direction.  These aren't
blockbuster additions, but they should make the team
better in each respective area.
 
New Subscribers:  Even in the off-season, we picked up
a new reader.  Now he is destined to receive weekly
e-mails for six months, whether he likes it or not! 
Please welcome: 
 
Nate "Who's Naughty on this Plane?" Cooper
 
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Undy Five Hundy:  With the turn of the year we reset
the index, and so at 0-0, the undy-five-hundy index is
back at zero!  The Tigers have not been over
five-hundred, I think, for all three years that I've
done the Weekly (the last three seasons).  Even if
they're sub-five-hundred for most of this season, I'd
love to see them get out of the gate quickly and make
some noise around the league.  Looks like the Tigs
will be opening at Toronto and then are home to face
the Twinkies.  Historically that's bad news, but these
are the new 2004 Tigers!  A whole new roar.  The
tenative schedule can be viewed here:
(Link Removed: The webpage no longer exists)
 
Looks like the interleague schedule consists mainly of
NL East teams, but we have series against Colorado and
Arizona (it seems like we play the D-Backs every
year).  IF the Tigers are in the hunt, then September
looks good.  It's all division opponents plus
Baltimore and Tampa Bay.  But with the way Baltimore
has been dealing (signing Tejada and Javy Lopez) they
may well be in the hunt for the AL East.  Time will
tell.  Normally organizations can't be turned around
overnight.  
 
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The Acquisitions...
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We'll do this in numerical order, using the scorebook
as our ordering.  Trust me, from high school ball I
have plenty of experience with the book.  
 
-SP- Jason Johnson
Old Team:   Baltimore Orioles
The Deal:   2 years, $7M
The Stats:  Last year Johnson was 10-10 with an ERA of
4.18 (not too shabby for an AL pitcher).  Reading his
bio, it seems he lost a lot of low scoring ball games.
Unless the offense sees significant improvement, I'd
tell him to expect the same. 
The Scoop:  I think this is a spectacular move for
D-Town.  They didn't have to spend an arm and a leg,
and they get a guy who's got a nice upside and
experience.  Hopefully he can be solid for a few years
and help these young guys develop into major league
pitchers.
 
-RP- Al Levine
Old Team:   Tampa Bay / Kansas City
The Deal:   1 year ????
The Stats:  Levine finised the season with a 2.79 ERA
and a WHIP of 1.35, with hitters batting .251 against
him.  His K/BB ratio is about one.  Levine has a
career 3.75 ERA.
The Scoop:  If Al lives up to his resume, then the
Tigers should be pleased with him.  The bullpen, which
showed flashes of skill last season, could use a
solid, steady arm.  A good move.
 
-C- Mike DiFelice
Old Team:   Kansas City Royals
The Deal:  1 year, $650K
The Stats:  Last year with KC DiFelice hit .254 and
knocked in 25 runs.  He nailed 16 guys on the bases,
while 37 were successful running against him.
The Scoop:  Well, he's basically going to be Inge's
backup.  With this signing, we can definitely take
Pudge out of consideration.  It's a decent move made
out of neccessity.
 
-2B- Fernando Vina
Old Team:  St. Louis Cardinals
The Deal:   2 years, $6M
The Stats:  Vina saw limited time last season (61
games) due to injuries.  He hit only .251 last season,
but is a .284 career hitter.  In 2001 and 2002 he won
the Gold Glove and stole 17 bases each season.  His
numbers were down last year, but that could be due to
the injury.
The Scoop:  This could be a fantastic move for
Detroit.  Vina is a gamer, and he'll do anything to
get on base.  He leans in to a lot of pitches to get
to first, but I don't believe he wears armor.  If
that's true, then I respect him.  If he does wear it,
I guess I'll have to get used to it.  The improved
defense should make Vina worth all he was signed for. 
 
-OF- Rondell White
Old Team:   New York Yankees / San Diego / Kansas City
The Deal:   Two years, $6M
The Stats:  White is only 31 years old, and he's
coming off his first year as an All-Star.  He hit .289
and collected 22 HR's.  
The Scoop:  When I heard the name "Rondell White" I
wasn't too excited.  But checking out his stats is
kind of encouraging.  I guess he's going to have to
make me a believer, and until I see some production
from R.W. in a Tigers uniform I'll be the man's
Doubting Thomas.  
 
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Toolie's Trashtalk...
 
I just couldn't resist writing a little update, what
with all the wheeling and dealing going on.  For once
the off-season is somewhat exciting.  And the Tigers
are still looking to add a shortstop.  Rich Aurilia of
the Giants is the biggest name out there.  I'd be
suprised if the Tigers get him, but they've still got
some cash to spend, so we'll see where they go with
it.  
 
That's all I really feel like writing right now.  I
just thought that everyone should know about the moves
the Tigers have made and that we should expect to see
vast improvement from the team this year.  Last year I
managed to attend seven games.  I'll see if I can
eclipse that this season.  Maybe if they have Pat
Sheridan bobblehead day, that will get me to an extra
game.  
 
The next time you'll hear from me will be in late
March (I promise).  Have a great 2004 and keep the
faith!
 
I'm out...
 





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