In case you didn't hear, the Tigers just acquired Miguel Cabrera and Dontrell Willis.
This means the Tigers' lineup is now:
- Curtis Granderson
- Placido Polanco
- Carlos Guillen
- Magglio Ordonez
- Miguel Cabrera
- Edgar Renteria
- Gary Sheffield
- Ivan Rodriguez
- Jacque Jones
Just looking at that gives me chills.
Two MVPs, in Maggs and Cabrera. Granderson, who last year had 20 steals, 20 home runs, 20 triples, and 20 doubles—which is a record. Polanco, who never strikes out.
Guillen, who should stay healthy with the move to first base, and have a great average.
Renteria, who is one of the best SS in the league. Sheffield, who still is feared by every pitcher in the league. Pudge, a gold glove catcher with a decent average.
Finally, Jacque Jones, who has decent speed and hits for average.
The Tigers' pitching staff is also amazing:
Justin Verlander, who has a 100-mph fast ball and the best right-handed pick off in the league. Kenny Rogers, who has great stuff and knows how to work it. Jeremy Bonderman—lots of strikeouts and lots of wins.
Willis, who should return to 2005 form with the help of Chuck Hernandez. Nate Robertson, who has great stuff when he is able to control it. And Chad Durbin, a converted reliever who has held down the fifth spot in the rotation.
T
odd Jones is coming back to close games—he had 38 saves last year. Zumaya is hurt, but will come back with a vengence the second half of the season. Fernando Rodney, like Roberstson, has great stuff when he controls it. Jason Grilli, Bobby Seay, and Tim Byrdak are all great middle relievers.
With all these parts coming together, the Tigers—a year away from World Series disaster—look like the new favorites to win the Series this year.
Think about this: They should put up even more runs than they did last year—when they averaged almost six runs per game.
Scary.
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