( I only wish they'd sign her to a 10 year deal)Hope springs eternal. Or something like that. Whatever the hell that means I think it was created to describe my hopes for the 2009 Detroit Tigers season. For some reason, I've become increasingly optimistic about their chances this summer. Just one month ago I was Debbie Downer, and I could have taken up 3 hours of your time destroying their pitching, hitting, fielding, and General Managing. But just as the snow and ice is beginning to melt away, my cold and dark exterior has been lifted and I have become a beacon of hope for our hardballers.
It may be because I've read numerous optimistic and good-news stories about the Tigers in the past week. It may be because preliminary reports on the rehab of Jeremy Bonderman, Joel Zumaya, and Gary Sheffield have been glowing. It may just be because I want to believe they have a chance. It's quite inexplicable, but I think they have as damn good of a shot as anybody. Let's take a very early, pre-spring training look at the Tigers.
Notable Additions: RP Brandon Lyon, SP Edwin Jackson, C Gerald Laird, C Matt Treanor, SS Adam Everett
Notable Losses: SP Kenny Rogers, RP Todd Jones, SS Edgar Renteria, OF Matt Joyce, C Ivan Rodriguez
Prospective Starting Pitchers: Justin Verlander, Jeremy Bonderman, Edwin Jackson, Armando Galarraga, Dontrelle Willis, Nate Robertson, Zach Miner
Projected Starting Nine:
CF Curtis Granderson
2B Placido Polanco
DH Gary Sheffield
1B Miguel Cabrera
RF Magglio Ordonez
LF Carlos Guillen
SS Adam Everett
3B Brandon Inge
C Gerald Laird
Shockingly enough, that ain't bad! Look at the top 4 starting pitchers. They are actually good! And the defense is markedly improved this year. The left side of the infield is the best in the league, the infield as a whole is very good, Laird is a good defensive catcher, and Granderson is a great centerfielder. The corner outfield positions are a big question mark, and although I initially laughed at the idea of Guillen in LF, I've completely warmed up to the idea. He has good speed, a strong arm, incredibly high baseball IQ, and will work hard everyday to learn the position. I've convinced myself this team has a great defensive core.
The big fat elephant in the room remains the bullpen. It was the weak link last year, and besides Lyon, it hasn't been adressed in free agency. But upon closer inspection it won't be train-wreck terrible. Only 5 men can start, so they have Robertson, Willis, or Miner to add to the pen. They also have a few trade pieces depending on who makes the starting 5 cut. So they might not be done. And the players they have aren't bad. Joel Zumaya is supposedly 100% to start spring training. Fernando Rodney will be much more comfortable in the set-up role, as Captain Crooked Hat isn't made up to be a Closer. Freddy Dolsi looks to have a bright future. And the improved defense should help the starting pitchers to squeak out an extra inning.
While I'm not extremely confident in the bullpen, somehow I've become optimistic about this squad. I'm sure they will receive some heart-breaking injury news during spring training, or Joel Zumaya will blow out his shoulder waving to a girl or something, but now is the time for optimism. Like the weather, things are starting to look better for the Tigers.
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