Detroit Tigers: 5 Ways to Restore the Roar and Prevent Another 2nd Half Collapse

If you are a Detroit Tigers fan (God bless us) or even a follower of the game of baseball, you know one thing is certain: the Detroit Tigers always collapse in the second half of the season.

Ever since their World Series appearance in 2006, the Tigers have played more like the Chicago Cubs during the second half of the year. That even includes having the best record in baseball at the Midsummer Classic in 2007 and still failing to make the postseason.

Here are 5 ways in which the Boys of Summer in Detroit can get back to "Restoring the Roar" and getting postseason baseball back in the "D."


5. Get a Quality Outfielder

Trading Curtis Granderson for Austin Jackson could potentially be one of the worst trades for this franchise in the last 10-15 years. (Also throw in Jair Jurrjens for Edgar Renteria and one might have to exit to the bathroom.) Magglio Ordonez is not near the hitter he was last year although he has shown some signs of turning it around. Brennan Boesch has had a fine first half, but we all grit our teeth knowing what took place last year.

Possible Acquisitions: Ryan Ludwick (Padres), Carlos Beltran (Mets), David DeJesus (A's)


4.  Secure 2nd base Position

Will Rhymes? Scott Sizemore? Ryan Raburn? Rhymes was very poor at second base and Sizemore got shipped to the A's where he is now playing much better. Ryan Raburn is not a second basemen or an outfielder, but rather a perfect suitor for a National League team. He has been striking out at a record-setting pace, and with Guillen annually on the DL, this is a spot that the Tigers need to solidify.

Posssible Acquisitions: Orlando Hudson (Padres), Adam Kennedy (Mariners), Carlos Guillen (Double-A/Triple-A)


3. Get a Starting Pitcher

Verlander has been the best pitcher in baseball this year, bar none. Scherzer has the wins but is inconsistent to say the least. Porcello has actually pitcher pretty well this year and Penny has been a pleasant surprise. Coke, Oliver and Furbush have each had a shot at that fifth spot but, ultimately, none of them are going to cut it. The Tigers don't need an "ace" but someone that will eat up innings.

Possible Acquisitions: Hiroki Kuroda (Dodgers), Chad Billingsley (Dodgers), Wandy Rodriguez (Astros)


2. Get Inge Out of Lineup

I really can't be any more blunt. This guy has been with the Tigers for far too long and is not even remotely a good baseball player. His defense is ok, Yes, just OK. His offense is one of the worst in baseball. It's sad when Don Kelly being in the lineup makes me happy. Most likely a platoon of Kelly/Raburn/Santiago makes the most sense here.


1. Fire Jim Leyland

I can't stand the constant resting of the players. I can't stand him eating during postgame press conferences. I can't stand when he says it's a long season. I could go on and on and on, but the key is Jim Leyland has ran his course through the Tigers and it's time to get rid of Jimmy Smokes. Another failure to make the playoffs and Dave Dumbrowski might be on the unemployment line with him.

Thanks for reading and hopefully some of these issues are addressed. I'm looking forward to continuing a great second half of baseball with the Tigers having a half-game lead over the Cleveland Indians.