https://totallytigers.wordpress.com/2021/11/22/pipeline-problems-2/
PIPELINE PROBLEMS.
Totally Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are spending this off-season on free agents and trades as they try to fill the many holes they have. Catcher?. Starting pitchers?..shortstop?. outfielder?.
So what else is new? For decades, this has been their m.o. .
Yes, this is a team that has improved over the last year but when you scratch just below the surface, there?s not a whole lot there.
Certainly there?s no depth.
But will there ever be?
How many years has this team not had a decent catcher, shortstop, centerfielder?.? Heck, they didn?t even have a full-time first baseman anywhere on their roster or in the minors for the 2021 season.
And this is the most concerning issue for the organization. An issue that is going to shorten their life span and keep them from being consistently competitive if not addressed quickly.
The lack of player development.
For decades, the Tigers have had a highly unsuccessful program to develop and promote solid players. Dave Littlefield, VP Player Development (and recently demoted) held the position for 7 years. Before him, there was Glenn Ezell who lasted 3 years and left the Tigers in the middle of the draft. There is some controversy as to whether he resigned or was fired.
And from 2010 until 2014, I can?t find any documentation that proves someone else was assigned that job. After Ezell left, Dave Dombroski said that Al Avila would take over that slot until they found someone new.
But did anyone within the Tigers establish anything within that field that could be considered decent quality? How many solid players with lasting careers did they bring through the system?
I count only two. Nick Castellanos and Justin Verlander.
Two successful home-grown players since 2004.
