https://totallytigers.wordpress.com/2020/09/13/reality-is-in-charge/
REALITY IS IN CHARGE.
Totally Tigers
There is no denying it.
The Tigers have one of the worst starting staffs in baseball. But in 2020, should that really be the case? What didn?t happen the way we would have liked?
The trades of 2015, cutely referred to as part of a reboot by Dave Dombrowski so as not to ruffle the feathers of the fan base, brought the Tigers three pitchers. Stars left Detroit that day, in the form of David Price and Yoenis Cespedes in exchange for Daniel Norris, Matthew Boyd and Michael Fulmer.
Three pitchers who, as we sit here today, will probably not be here when the team contends again. And it?s not because contention is so far away, it is because all 3, Norris, Boyd and Fulmer, look like they will have very little impact on any future success.
You might have envisioned that, when they all arrived in Detroit, they would have the potential to anchor the starting rotation for years to come. We hoped, anyway.
But it hasn?t worked out.
It?s another reason why you must neutralize your expectations when it comes to prospects in your own system or when they are acquired from another.
What were the chances that they would all have high impact on the team? What were the odds that they could all be plugged into the starting rotation together some day?
Likely? Probably not? One or 2 of them would be a victory.
Fulmer has had the most success with the Tigers, having won a Rookie of the Year award and earned an All-Star Game appearance. But big injuries have ravaged his career since and he now spends his time pitching the first 3 innings of games in 2020, just trying to get back into the swing of things after returning from TJS.
Matthew Boyd has had marginal success and for the last year or so, he was the ace of the staff. My feeling is that when Boyd is your ace, it?s a sure sign that there isn?t anyone else.
And for Daniel Norris, it has been a frustrating ride for him in Detroit, with so many injuries and ailments (including cancer) that have hindered him and his progress. And it has only been this year that he has been healthy and things have calmed down.
But still, this is a long reliever in the pen at best, as he has had little success as a starter when he was considered to be the big prize from the David Price trade.
It?s not the pretty picture we had envisioned when the Tigers received 2 young pitching prospects in the Price deal and 1 highly sought-after pitcher from the Mets for Cespedes.
All 3 have been mentioned often in trade scenarios; inside of five years after receiving them.
So look where we are today. All the big expectations for the Tigers revolve around 3 pitchers; 2 who have made it to the bigs and 1 who will probably show up in 2021.
Casey Mize and Tarik Skubal have earned mixed reviews during the season of weird in 2020. When I say that this has been a season of opportunities, I am sure both Mize and Skubal would agree with me.
Yes, they have had their struggles, but they have also shown that they have big league pitching talent.
The third pitcher, Matt Manning, will not make his debut this season due to an injury but he is the next pitcher expected to plug his name into the starting rotation next season.
Big expectations? You bet. Should we be more guarded? Of course.
Mize and Skubal are on pitch count limitations and have been shielded from any late game, high stress innings. Oh, and yes, they have had shorter appearances because they were getting hit around; all part of the maturity process in the big leagues.
With only a couple more weeks or so left in the season, time is running out on the auditions for Mize and Skubal; time in the rotation that should prove to be very valuable heading into next season.
But nothing is guaranteed as we have learned with Norris, Boyd and Fulmer ? once 3 young prospects expected to make meaningful contributions in Detroit.
Certainly, all of us who are excited about the prospects of Mize, Skubal, Manning and even Alex Faedo could eventually have our expectations dashed by who knows what.
So it goes in sports, where fans constantly dream but reality is still in charge.
