LF is a problem, but they have Thomas, Thames and Rayburn and will live with it.
They'll have a ton of needs if they lose Everett, Polonco, Rodney and Lyons, plus, the situation with Inge's knee and Miggy's off field issues. They are already going to cut bait with Huff as well as Washedupburn. Magglio recovered his average and was hitting bullets, but not much earlier in the year... so one more year at a ton of $$.
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I think Santiago fills in nicely for Everett. He hits for average, has more power and is an above average fielder. Scott Sizemore should make the club next year and replace Polanco. I am actually at a game right now in the AFL watching Sizemore and this kid is going to be special. Rodney is gone and I think we have a good shot at keeping Lyons. Perry and Lyons should be a nice set up/closer combo for next season.
Magglio was pretty much the hottest hitter in the second half of the season. Understandably so, he had some major issues outside of baseball to deal with. Think about how well you'd perform at your job if your wife had cancer.
Inge's knee will be fine with rest. I think Dom will be watching Cabby like a hawk this offseason and throughout next. It seems like he may have an alcohol problem from the reports I've seen. If he can get treatment for that, just imagine what kind of player he'd be.
Starting pitching will be fine with a rotation of Verlander, Porcello and Jackson. If we can add a vet in the offseason to fill in 4th spot I would be comfortable with Bonderman taking over the 5th. It looks like his velocity is back and with a full offseason to rest he should finally be ready to join the rotation full time in the Spring.
You seem to be more optimistic than I am. I agree that Santiago is on par with Everett, but I liked how they platooned because of the RH/LH thing.
He also seems to be the most logical guy to return.
Lyons could come back, but do you really see him as the quality closer that Rodney was? I like Perry, but he isn't ready for a bigger role yet. That is what the Tigers did to Zumaya and he imploded.
Rodney will cash in, probably in the NL.
I reallllly liked Polanco and hope he'd come back one more season, if anything to give Sizemore a chance to get broken in at the ML level. Putting that kind of pressure on a kid.. like Sparky did to a kid named Pitaro if I remember, after the Tigers parted ways with their 15 year all-star.
I feel bad for Magglio, but there are many people that have personal issues to deal with and not have 20MM to sit back on. I know that is tough medicine, but professional sports is a bottom line business. I hope his wife recovers, but he is no different than the next door neighbor that is unemployed and has the same thing happen to his wife... except the financial security.
Jury is out on Inge. He may have to have surgery or not... just the same, the Tigers need him to produce like he did this season up to the All Star break. I gave him a pass because of his knee, but he fell back into those poor plate habits that made him a .220 hitter to begin with... and that had nothing to do with his knee.
Dom better watch Miggy. That is the franchise commitment there, and he is walking a fine rope right now.
Still not confident with our pitching. Starting pitching seems to be okay if they can get some stability from the back end of the rotation and have some middle help from guys like Miner, Fein, Seay and Ni. Pretty weak if you ask me.
I am just afraid that, like 2006, the Tigers will raise fan expectations for the next season and be a disappointment- mostly from losing key players and not having the depth in their system to compensate. This winter's roster decisions will be key to maintaining at least with Minnesota and Chicago, since Cleveland probably will not be able to recover from their fire sale just yet.
