Ron Gardenhire next Tigers Manager

[Mitchrapp]

I figured a 100 loses this season was a no brainer. A couple ex Twins won't change that.

 

[turok]

The right side of the Tigers' IF/OF looks to be an improvement, Center about the same, or possibly being better, and Left likely a liability overall...unless LF is manned/platooned by Maybin or Demeritte (and one or both can hit for decent average, since Travis is the only one w/power). 3B looks to be the worst overall, while C should improve the most, this being based solely upon the terrible trio that the Tigers trotted in and out of there last season, mainly on offense. As well as Reyes, and Demeritte have hit so far, Maybin, (a single and BB in 16 PAs) Jones, and Stewie (a single and 2 BBs in 17 PAs) have been AWOL..,JaCoby b/c only 6 PAs in 3 games.

Others who have not been very productive so far this spring are Jeimer Candelario (2 hits a single a homer, 0BBs in 20 PAs) Dawel Lugo (2 singles, a homer, 0BBs in 16 PAs) Derek Hill (2 singles a homer 0BBs in 13 PAs) and Harold Castro (2 singles a double, and a BB in 15 PAs) Still too early yet to guess on those who might make the team, and who won't...the rest having not played enough yet to see how productive that they have been, or are hitting for average or better.

For the most part, and despite the new additions, this team looks to be typical of those of the past, unwilling or unable to coax walks, or play small ball (bunting, stealing, hit and run, sacflies) very effectively. Maybin looks to be the most plate disciplined of their 4 signings, but that's really not "saying" much.

In the past, the Tigers BP and bench have consistently been lacking, and both will impact how many more or less games that the '20 Tigers team wins or loses this season. Who will become the setup guy? Who will be their LTOGY? (Or does being a LHed RP carry far less importance/significance now?)

 

[turok]

Of their position players, likely Reyes, maybe one or both Castros, and perhaps Jones, Demeritte, and Goodrum might survive to '21. I don't believe that Greiner, Candelario, Stewart, or Lugo will, unless say Stewart hangs on by being Mr. 26 if he demonstrates at least somewhat of an uptick in his offense this season. Jones MUST pick up where he left off, having successfully tweaked his batting mechanics, before sustaining a season-ending injury last year. ex-Royal and non-rostered ST invitee Frank Schwindel is 5 for 14 with a double, 2 homers, and a BB, but he is strictly a DH/1B, and the Tigers have both positions covered with the contracts of Cabrera and Cron. He will likely be going to Toledo, with only a chance of being called up to the big club if either Miggy or CJ become injured...or later if Cron becomes trade bait and departs before the July deadline.


The Tigers utterly lack primetime-ready positional prospects, and of those in the minors, Paredes, Gibson, Cameron, Rogers, Clemens, Deatherage, ect...any would need to have truly breakout and injury-free seasons to get called up before the trade deadline and later roster expansion. (unless the team sustains a or some season-ending injury or injuries to a key positional player or players). Only Greene has truly distinguished himself so far, but he is very likely @ least another season away from getting his cuppa joe in the majors. Whoever they pick @ #1 prolly isn't gonna be the next Kaline, as far as being in the majors starting next season.


The Tigers rotation looks to be initially comprised of Matt Boyd, Spencer Turnbull, Daniel Norris, Jordan Zimmermann, and Ivan Nova....but it is conceivable that the Tigers could release Zimmerman, if he performs poorly enough, but he would need to REALLY suck, given Chrissy's propensity for squeezing every nickel out of his franchise. I have a feeling that Nova won't pitch very well for the team, and he might even surpass Zimmerbum on Tigers fans' shitlists.