Detroit Tigers Report: Are the Nightmares of 2008 in the Past?

The Tigers’ 2007 season was a debacle, finishing below perennial cellar-dweller Kansas City in last place in the AL Central Division. Ownership opened up the coffers and spent money only to watch this team fall apart.

What had to be most concerning was that a promising young pitching staff turned into an unmitigated disaster.

Young starters Justin Verlander, Jeremy Bonderman, and Nate Robertson all regressed after showing earlier promise. And 2007 turned into a nightmare for Dontrelle Willis.

The Tigers still have talent on their roster. They may even have enough talent to challenge in the topsy-turvy AL Central. But in order to do that, they must hope last year's failures were just a bump in the road and not a trend.

Starting Pitching

As was already mentioned, the Tigers’ season is dependant upon this group finding its form. Most importantly, this group needs to find the strike zone.

There are some great arms here, but these guys have to learn that there is more to pitching than merely having “great stuff.”

The entire starting rotation had an alarming propensity to issue the free pass. Even Armando Galarraga, who turned out to be the one surprising bright spot (13-7, 3.73 ERA), walked 61 in 178.2 innings.

The chances are that Verlander will rebound. The Tigers’ hope is that he is closer to the Rookie of the Year pitcher he was in 2006. He can be absolutely dominating when he throws strikes.

Detroit added Edwin Jackson from the Devil Rays. Given his wildness issues, he should fit right in on this pitching staff.

Once thought to be the jewel of the Dodgers system, Jackson’s head has let his arm down. He did win 14 with the Rays last year, but was erratic down the stretch of the season.

Willis has now posted two straight bad seasons after being one of the best in the big leagues with the Marlins. He’s still only 27, so it’s hard to give up on him. But these struggles are beginning to look more like a trend than an aberration.

Bonderman, Robertson, and Zach Minor will all fight to be in the rotation. Bonderman is returning from a blood clot condition in his arm, so his return to form is no sure thing.

Minor started out like a man on fire, only to come down to earth with a near-7 ERA in his last five starts. Robertson is probably a long-shot for the rotation after getting hammered for most of 2007.

Bullpen

Tigers fans bid a happy adieu to former closer Todd Jones. This year’s closer job will be a battle in spring training (and maybe beyond) between newly-acquired Brandon Lyon and Fernando Rodney.

Lyon was the Diamondbacks closer who saved 24 games last year, but lost the job after getting bombed in the second half of the season. Rodney got a look as a closer last year, but was extremely erratic.

Joel Zumaya could also be in the mix if he proves he has sufficiently healed from shoulder surgery. Zumaya had a 100 m.p.h. fastball before getting injured, so the guess is that the Tigers will tread lightly with him while he tries to get his strength back.

Lefty Bobby Seay, Freddy Dolsi, Scott Williamson, Clay Rapada, Juan Rincon, and Chris Lambert are part of a host of career minor leaguers and re-treads trying to make the major league roster.

There is not much to get excited about in this group unless Zumaya can regain his form. There is an alarming lack of depth as well.

Infield

The Tigers are blessed with one of the finest-hitting first basemen in the league in Miguel Cabrera. The question mark on him is, “how much does he care?” and, “will he push himself away from the buffet table?”

If he does, he is capable of hitting 40 home runs and challenging for a batting title. Even an out-of-shape Cabrera will drive in over 100 runs.

Placido Polanco is a solid second baseman. He lacks power and speed, but has great bat control and will hit at or near .300. Polanco won a Gold Glove in 2007, but he is 34 years old now, so those days are probably behind him.

Many Tigers fans will be happy to see Edgar Renteria and his big fat contract (amongst his other big fat physical attributes) go. Adam Everett’s glove will be improvement at shortstop.

However, those same fans will not be so happy when they see Everett handle the stick. Does the term “banjo hitter” mean anything to you?

Compounding Everett’s bad bat with Brandon Inge’s bad bat at third could be a recipe for disaster. The team will improve defensively on the left side of the infield in 2008, but their lack of production at the plate will be more than noticeable.

Outfield

Center fielder Curtis Granderson is a tremendous athlete with a great blend of speed and power. He has 145 extra base hits in the past two years despite dealing with some minor injury issues in '08.

Granderson’s stolen base numbers will never put him in an elite class, but that is largely due to skipper Jim Leyland’s brand of baseball. Granderson is the engine that makes the Motor City club go.

Carlos Guillen will make his fourth position change in two years, this year being inserted into left field. Guillen is still a decent hitter, but age and injuries (pinched nerve, back) are beginning to take a toll.

Guillen has pop in his bat for a shortstop. But as an outfielder, his power numbers are below average. His batting average has been in a steady decline since topping out at .320 in 2006.

Maglio Ordonez will again man right field. He has produced 20-plus homers and 100-plus RBI for nearly all of his 12-year career (except for injury-plagued 2004 and 2005 seasons).

Ordonez again was challenging for a batting title in '08 until he slowed down late in the season. He should continue to hit, but you have to wonder at what point he will break down giving his past history and age (35?).

Wilkin Ramirez is an interesting outfield prospect to keep an eye on. He probably will not make the opening day roster, but could have an impact given his speed and power potential.

Catcher

Gerald Lair will be given the job at catcher after being acquired from Texas. He has some power, but the Rangers’ organization gave up on him after failing in a starting role.

Matt Treanor was brought in to add depth. But after offseason hip surgery, it looks like his claim to fame will be limited to being the husband of Olympic volleyball gold medalist Misty May-Treanor.

Designated Hitter

The team will try to get one more year out of Gary Sheffield. Once one of the most feared hitters in the league, Sheffield might need a wheel chair to get to the batter’s box at age 40.

There is a possibility that reserve outfielder Marcus Thames might start taking some of Sheff’s at bats. Thames is only a career .241 hitter, but did hit a remarkable 25 homers in 316 at bats.

Prediction

This team has a number of power arms on the pitching staff. That could lead to big things if a few of them learn the old real estate adage, “location, location, location!”

The Tigers also have at least four guys capable of putting up big power numbers, and a fantastic center fielder. Unfortunately, age started to creep up on them last year, and now they are one year older.

There are just too many question marks on this team to consider them a contender. They are the wild card of the AL Central, which means they can finish anywhere from first to fifth.

My bet is somewhere closer to the bottom of the division.