Tigers Weekly 2007 Season

2007 Season Preview

The calendar has turned from March to April and that
means one thing... it's Baseball Season.  Last year
the Tigers surpassed even the brightest optimist's
expectations, earning their first winning season since
1993, their first playoff appearance since 1987, and
their first American League pennant since 1984. 
Baseball fans across the world witnessed the Tigers'
dispatching of the Yankees and the sweep of the A's. 
Unfortunately the world also saw some of the worst
fielding ever in the World Series as errors played a
huge role in the 4-1 series loss to the Cardinals. 
The Tigers' performance in the World Series was
extremely disappointing, but looking at the year as a
whole, a Tiger fan can feel nothing but extreme pride
in their ball club.  At a time where the Red Wings and
Pistons are gearing up for extensive playoff runs,
I've been seeing far more people on campus donning the
Olde English D.  

I'm ready to go.  I plan on writing the Weekly again
all year, though I have never been more busy.  It
should be a fun year for all Tigers fans as the club
is among the elite in the best division in baseball. 
As always you are encouranged (and implored) to write
in with your comments and questions.  The Weekly is
only as good as the Readers Write In section.

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Comings and Goings...
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Not much to this section this season.  There were only
three big moves.

OUT:  Jamie Walker parlayed his solid year into a fat
contract with the Baltimore Orioles.  

IN:  The Tigers traded three pitching prospects to the
New York Yankees for hard-swinging Gary Sheffield. 
The move adds a feared bat to the middle of the
line-up and should help the rest of the hitters see
better pitches.  I like the move especially since
Sheffield likes the management.  I've never cared for
some of Sheff's antics, but I was always thrilled to
have him on my fantasy team.  He should be a good one.
Also, the Tigers have signed Jose Mesa for one year
to work as a middle-late innings worker.  Mesa is most
famously known for blowing Game Seven of the 1997
World Series (Marlins def. Indians 4-3).  Thankfully
he won't be in a position to collapse on the Tigers. 
He will miss the first two games of the season to
serve a suspension for hitting a batter last season.

Contract Extensions:  Gary Sheffield, upon being
traded here, signed an extension that will keep him a
Tiger through 2009 (I think).  Jeremy Bonderman,
Carlos Guillen, and Brandon Inge all signed four-year
deals.  The following players, who are not yet
free-agent eligible, signed without going to
arbitration:  Nate Robertson, Fernando Rodney, Omar
Infante, Craig Monroe.

Rule V Draft:  The Tigers selected one player in the
Rule V draft, Edward Campusano out of the Brewers
organization.  There were no prospects taken from the
Tigers organization.  However, Campusano will undergo
Tommy John surgery and miss this season.

http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=200703
26&content_id=1860912&vkey=spt2007news&fext=.jsp&c_id=det

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The Roster...
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Here was the roster as it was set a week before the
season...

Rotation:
Kenny Rogers  (L)
Jeremy Bonderman  (R)
Nate Robertson  (L)
Justin Verlander  (R) 
Mike Maroth  (L)

Bullpen:
Chad Durbin  (R)
Jason Grilli  (R)
Wil Ledezma  (L)
Jose Mesa  (R)
Fernando Rodney  (R)
Joel Zumaya  (R) 
Todd Jones  (R)

1B  Sean Casey
2B  Placido Polanco
3B  Brandon Inge
SS  Carlos Guillen
C   Ivan Rodriguez
LF  Craig Monroe
CF  Curtis Granderson
RF  Magglio Ordonez
DH  Gary Sheffield

Reserves:
Marcus Thames  (OF)
Omar Infante   (IF, CF)
Neifi Perez    (IF)
Vance Wilson   (C)

However, two players ended up on the DL to start the
year.  Kenny Rogers had to have surgery to remove a
blood clot in his pitching shoulder.  Sadly, The
Gambler is expected to be out until the middle of the
season.  Vance Wilson is starting on the DL, but he
should be back soon.  To compensate for these
injuries, Chad Durbin (last year at Toledo) moves into
the fifth starter role and lefty Bobby Seay takes his
place in the bullpen.  Mike Rabelo will fill the
vacancy as the back-up to Pudge.

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ESPN Picks the Tigers...
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Sports Illustrated picked Cleveland to win the AL
Central this season, but ESPN (the website) has thrown
their confidence behind the Tigers.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/preview07/columns/story?
columnist=stark_jayson&id=2819259

...although Baseball Tonight has 4 of 5 of their
"experts" (Gammons, Phillips, Kurkjian, and Ravech)
taking either the Red Sox or Yankees to win the AL. 
Kruk took the Tigers.  Typical.  Of course, Gammons
took Boston.  

While exciting, we should remember two things.

1)  Last year the "Experts" were dead wrong in their
predictions in just about every playoff series.  

2)  Injuries can drastically change the course of a
season.  Already the Tigers will be without Kenny
Rogers for half the season.

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World Series Wrap...
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The biggest criticism I heard after Game Five of the
World Series was that Leyland pitched Verlander
instead of Kenny Rogers.  I just cannot see the logic
in these complaints.  

Suppose that you DO pitch Kenny Rogers in Game Five. 
Already you've given a vote of no-confidence to Justin
Verlander.  Now suppose that the Tigers win this game.
Here comes Game Six, and you have to either pitch
Verlander or pitch Bonderman on short rest.  Then you
are faced with Verlander or Robertson on short rest in
Game Seven.  Almost assuredly you would be pitching
Verlander at some point, so why shake his confidence? 
The ramifications of such a move could have negative
effects for the following year and beyond.  I fully
support Leyland's decision to start Verlander in Game
Five.

The errors committed by our pitchers were quite
annoying to stomach.  I still feel like the Tigers
were the better baseball team, but the Cardinals
played much better in those five games.  I have no ill
feelings toward that team.  The Tigers couldn't have
beaten the Mud Hens the way they played.  Congrats to
the Cards.  They are a classic MLB organization.  

Finally, no championship has come to a major Detroit
team without some hardship first (recently, anyway). 
The 1968 Tigers lost the AL pennant to Boston on the
last day of the season in 1967.  The 1983 Tigers
finished in 2nd place in the AL East, six games behind
Baltimore.  The Bad Boys won their back-to-back titles
only after the famous "Bird stealing the in-bound" and
a seven-game loss to the Lakers in the finals.  The
Red Wings didn't earn their first modern-day Cup until
they went through their own trial by fire (bounced by
San Jose in the first round in 1994, swept by New
Jersey in 1995 Stanley Cup finals, six-game loss to
Colorado in 1996 conference finals).  The Lions were
spanked by Washington in the 1991-1992 NFC
Championship before... descending into mediocrity and
then to futility.  Darned Lions.  If the Tigers are to
win the Series in the next couple of years, then 2006
will become their stepping stone.

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Down on the Farm...
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Gary Sheffield was acquired this off-season at the
expense of three minor league pitchers, most notably
the highly touted Humberto Sanchez.  It was a rare
role reversal as the Yankees looked to stock their
system and it was the Tigers dealing from a surplus of
talent and taking on salary.  Thankfully the cupboard
is not bare as Dombrowski has been stocking the
organization with up-and-coming talent ever since his
arrival in 2002.  For a look at the future, check out
this article, which chronicles the top prospects from
Toledo all the way down to West Michigan.  

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/news/article.jsp?ymd
=20070319&content_id=193834&vkey=news_milb&fext=.jsp

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You're Blind, Ump-ress...
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A female umpire called a spring training game between
the Cubs and the Diamondbacks this past Thursday.  

http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/story/10089915

She may one day ump in the major leagues.  The only
thing that would be weird at first would be watching
her argue with players and managers.  I'm sure she
won't take crap from anyone, but it will certainly be
a sight to see.

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Poll Question...
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Let's have some pre-season predictions from the peanut
gallery!  At the end of the season, the person who is
closest to the truth will receive a heart-felt "Good
Job."  What more incentive could there be?  My
predictions in the next issue.  

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Readers Write In...
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Chas "Grey Fox" Claus

Dear Mr. Editor -

With spring training getting underway within a week,
your faithful readers anxiously await our first issue
and hope that your being engaged to be married does
not get in the way of its publication.  Tigers Weekly
is our fix and, unlike Campus Comments, you have been
a wonderfully faithful editor.  As a fellow die-hard,
I would like to propose the following "Ten Questions
for the Editor," for answer/publication in the
kick-off issue.

TEN QUESTIONS FOR THE EDITOR...

1. Kenny Rogers outperformed everyone's expectations
last season, particularly in the playoffs.  Given his
age, as well as the fallout from "PineTarGate," is
there any chance that his 2007 will as-good-as or 
better-than his 2006?

TOOLIE:  Not anymore!  Kenny's injury gets me off the
hook on this question.

2. After losing Humberto Sanchez in the Gary Sheffield
trade, the Tigers' top two prospects in the farm
system remain pitcher Andrew Miller and center 
fielder Cameron Maybin.  What role, if any, do you see
these two playing for the major league franchise this
season?

TOOLIE:  I would think that Miller would have a larger
role than Maybin, if either have much of an impact at
all.  Given that there are many more pitchers than
outfielders and that Miller actually played a little
for the Tigers last year, it seems that he's got a
better chance of getting back here faster.  In the
long run, I think that Maybin is going to be a stud. 
The scouts love him.  One Tommy John surgery and
Miller could go the way of Kyle Sleeth (who is
actually back in action).  

3. Assuming that everyone stays healthy, the Tigers
have four obvious starting pitchers in Justin
Verlander, Kenny Rogers, Jeromy Bonderman, and 
Nate Robertson.  Who should/will the Tigers use most
in the #5 spot - Mike Maroth, Zach Miner, Andrew
Miller, or someone else?

TOOLIE:  My procrastination renders this question
irrelevant.  1) you assumed too much.  2)  The
rotation is now set.  See above.

4. An un-talked-about loss for the Tigers during the
off-season was left-handed spot-reliever Jamie Walker.
The Orioles overpaid him and gave him three years,
and God bless him for taking the opportunity of his
career, but who is going to take his place in that
role for the 2007 Tigers?

TOOLIE:  Much ado has been made about Fernando
Rodney's ability to get left-handed hitters out.  Last
season left-handers hit .202 off Rodney while
right-handers hit .192.  For now there is another
lefty (besides Ledezma, more of a long guy) in the
pen, Bobby Seay.  I'm not sure how Leyland will use
him, but the guess is he'll be facing some
left-handers as well.


5. Like Kenny Rogers, closer Todd Jones achieved more
than most fans expected last year.  By season's end,
do you expect him to still be the closer, or will
Fernando Rodney or Joel Zumaya have taken his place?

TOOLIE:  If Jones does well, he'll stay the closer. 
If the Tigers fall out of contention or if Jones
bombs, Zumaya is the likely candidate to take the
reins.  

6. Given the signing of Gary Sheffield, the Tigers now
have five outfielders who COULD be regular starters:
Sheffield, Granderson, Ordonez, Monroe 
and Thames.  Even if one of these guys rotates as the
DH, somebody is going to get left out.  Which one of
these five guys will see the most time on the pine?

TOOLIE:  I'm guessing Marcus Thames.  The regular
lineup will be Monroe-Granderson-Ordonez in the OF
with Sheff DHing.  Leyland has suggested that Omar
Infante will be the back-up in center-field and that
Monroe is pretty ensconced into the left-fielders
role.  On Monroe's days off I'd expect to see Thames
out there, like last year.  They tried Thames at first
base a little (makes sense, as Casey is left-handed)
but I don't think that took too well.  Any DL trip for
Casey would likely result in Shelton being called up. 

7. Assuming that the Tigers are in contention and in a
close race by the trade deadline, chances are that
Illich/Dombrowski will be willing to make a 
move.  What position do you see as the most probable
to need an upgrade: first/third base, left/center
field, relief pitcher, or something else?

TOOLIE:  They just gave a nice contract to Inge, so I
don't see any holes or needs in the field.  Perhaps
Monroe or Thames will be having a down-year and they
may get another outfielder.  As it looks now, a
starting pitcher may be in order.  Much will change by
that time, though.

8. The White Sox and Twins have been very good teams
over the past several seasons, and Cleveland seriously
underachieved last season, given their 
roster.  In your opinion, which of these teams poses
the greatest threat to the Tigers in the AL Central,
and how will the division standings look after 162
games?

Final Standings
DET - the real deal!  But no more injuries, please!
CLE - Wild Card, but pitching still not there
MIN - could finish #2, always surprising
CWS - on their way down
KCR - good seats still available

9. Despite the AL Central possibly being the strongest
division in MLB, the Royals may be the WORST team in
the world.  Is there any chance that 
the 2007 Royals will be worse than the 119-loss 2003
Tigers?

I don't know about that.  The Royals have a few decent
players.  Watch out for rookie sensation Alex Gordon,
3B.  He's supposed to be spectacular.  We all saw what
a pain the Royals could be on the last weekend of the
season in 2006 (though they were absolute pushovers
the rest of the season).  To do what the Tigers did in
2003 takes a combination of bad players and terrible
luck.  I hope, for the Royal's sake, they don't have
the same luck the Tigers had. 

10. The Tigers have what most fans would consider a
great opening schedule: TOR/KC/BAL/TOR/KC.  What
record can Tigers' fans reasonably expect out 
of these first sixteen games, and should there be any
sense of panic if the "D" comes out of this sequence,
with, say, a 6-10 record?

TOOLIE:  Each of these series is winnable.  Let's be
caution and say they open up 10-6.  6-10 is not
disastrous, but it would be considered a stumble out
of the gate.  Any worse than this would be a serious
cause for concern.  I would be shocked if they are any
worse than 9-7.  

That's all.

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Toolie's Trashtalk...

OK ESPN, if you want the privilege of Opening Day, a
night before everyone else starts, you should not be
putting this game on ESPN2, with the NCAA Women's
Final Four on ESPN!  This is Baseball Season!  
I saw some of a Sweet 16 women's game and there was
almost nobody there.  It was pretty pathetic
attendance for a big tournament game.  Look, women's
college hoops is nowhere near the draw that Major
League Baseball is.  It's nice, but I'm sure the
market does not dictate that game being on the main
station.  Maybe Pat Summitt started making threats. 
...later... good lord, now Jon Miller is plugging the
game.  Too bad it's a 20 point beat-down. 
Snooze-fest.  ...still later... are they seriously
flashing game stats on the screen?  The intersection
of MLB fans and NCAA Women's Basketball fans has to
consist of the sole element Dr. Kathy Andrews, my old
math professor at Hillsdale.  Now there was a sports
(and a Cards) fan.  

And the first game of the season is in the books. 
Mets 6 - Cardinals 1.  Monday the Tigers take on the
Toronto Blue Jays.  It will be Bonderman vs. Halladay
at Comerica Park.  Unfortunately I wasn't able to go
this year, but that's ok.  I've been two of the last
four seasons, which was very lucky.  Let someone else
have the fun.  I can't wait to get to the park for my
first game (definitely before April is over) and see
that American League Champioship flag flying in the
wind.  

Enjoy the season, everyone.  Don't hesitate to write
in with your thoughts and questions.  If 2006 was any
indication, there will be plenty to talk about this
year.  I'm not sure which day the Weekly will be put
out.  We'll have to see, and it could change in May.  

Detroit Tigers Fight Song

We're all behind our baseball team...
Go get 'em, Tigers!
World Series bound and picking up steam...
Go get 'em, Tigers!

There'll be joy in Tiger Town
We'll sing new songs,
When the Bengals bring the pennant home,
Where it belongs.

We're all behind our baseball team...
Go get 'em...
Detroit Tigers...
Go get 'em, TIGERS!!!!!

I'm out.
 





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Play Ball!

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