Re: Detroit Tigers, Volume 2 - The Charlie Gehringer version
A few things here.
Morris got 66.7% of the vote this year, his 13th on the ballot. Next year's class essentially consists of Bonds, Clemens, Biggio, Piazza, Schilling, and Sosa (and I think I'm missing one more). Biggio appears to be a near-lock, but the rest of them are likely to create the mother of all firestorms when it comes to the HOF. The year after? Maddux and Glavine, both mortal locks. It is my belief that although Jack Morris has two years left of HOF eligibility, next year is really do-or-die for his candidacy, as he's not going to get votes with both Maddux and Glavine sitting there. It's going to be close, but the steroid argument surrounding Bonds, Clemens, and company just might help Morris and push him over the top. I'm guessing that next year, Jack Morris gets the call.
Alan Trammell is Veterans' Committee bound, IMO. He got 36.8% this year, his 11th. He's got four years to more than double his vote total. I think he gets a VC nod, but he better pack a big lunch, because it's going to be a while for him.
Now. For the issue immediately in front of us. The Tigers and the Cubs appear to be deep into talks regarding one Matt Garza. Sounds good, he would fill our rotation nicely. But here's the problem. The bidding apparently starts at Jacob Turner and another prospect (the Cubs allegedly want Nick Castellanos, but I think by now Dombrowski has told Theo to go jump in Lake Michigan). Are we willing to give up our top pitching prospect plus another to make this trade? The team that gets Garza will have control over him for the next two seasons.
Thoughts?