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Detroit Tigers, Volume 6: The Al Kaline edition

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Re: Detroit Tigers, Volume 6: The Al Kaline edition

Leyland wasn't the "only" reason the Tigers lost... and the points made by J.D. are valid. BUT, his over-managing- especially with the pitching- was predictable and was countered effectly in 2006 by the Cardinals and especially in 2012 by SF. In many ways he was given a boy scout knife to a gun fight, but still chose to use the can opener instead.

One of the biggest pet peeves fans had was that he would "rest" too many star players during the season and lose winnable games with a soda pop lineup (with the ace on the mound.) He chose NOT to rest Cabrera and his injury pretty much gutted the Tigers offense.

I can't say that the Tigers will be better without him as all managers have their faults, but this team should have blown away the weak Central in the past and didn't. Now, teams like Cleveland and KC are much better- with better managers- and the window for making the playoffs is even slimmer than the 1-2 years that Hammer alluded to.

The Tigers offense was pretty much predicated on extra base hits. No speed and no creativity- and it was inflated against bad A.L. teams. The defense was okay (the Cabrera doubters saw his move the third as a mistake) but cracked at key times. The catching couldn't throw anyone out. This was a G.M. problem, not Leyland's, so he did what he could with what he had.
 
Re: Detroit Tigers, Volume 6: The Al Kaline edition

Agreed. AND... ( this is just my opinion but) if you go back a few years the tigers losses and red sox losses this post season, have come from a few differences that are notable between the leagues. Consider this. In the post season the pitching and more importantly the scouting, is so good that you cannot depend on simply hitting to win. Hitters are hitting what 200? Boston hit maybe 190 as a team for the alcs?

The tigers lost because, by using the running game aggressively it forced the tigers into errors that the batters could not make up for. Same for the red sox, and same for the 2006 series where the pitchers inability to field their position caused baserunners and forced extra outs. But it all went back to the running game.
So for the tigers to actually win a world series they need to get faster and be able to put pressure on the other teams defense. Thus Ellsbury becomes very important and so does keeping jackson.
Second they need to improve the bull pen. Getting Rondon back and better will be real big, but they need at least one more reliable arm.. You have to ask yourself how they will handle left field which is a disaster, if they don't sign ellsbury.

BTW, Castellanos is a terrible outfielder, worse than Peralta by quite a bit.

I thought Wedge was recovered, and if he is, I'd think he would be good as well.
 
Re: Detroit Tigers, Volume 6: The Al Kaline edition

Thanks Iggy, wouldn't have finished in first place without you.
 
Re: Detroit Tigers, Volume 6: The Al Kaline edition

Tigers announce that they are not picking up the option on Veras and have let Downs and Tui go also.
 
Re: Detroit Tigers, Volume 6: The Al Kaline edition

Why are they clearing out these players (Pena, Veras, Downs, Tui), to make room in the payroll for some "big" acquisition?
 
Re: Detroit Tigers, Volume 6: The Al Kaline edition

Downs and Tui were claimed off waivers by other teams. Veras may be re-signed at a lower salary. They can do better defensively than Pena. His offensive production is duly noted.

As for Tui and Downs, no big loss. Tui hadn't hit since about June, and nothing in his history indicates any improvement. Downs had arm issues and was basically a 4-A pitcher.
 
Re: Detroit Tigers, Volume 6: The Al Kaline edition

all this makes me wonder if they have some minor league guys they are trying to bring up.
 
Re: Detroit Tigers, Volume 6: The Al Kaline edition

Looks like the rumor has Ausmus being selected as the new Manager.
 
Re: Detroit Tigers, Volume 6: The Al Kaline edition

streaker said:
Looks like the rumor has Ausmus being selected as the new Manager.
Click to expand...

The hot thing to do these days is hire a former player with no managerial experience. Might as well go with the trend.
 
Re: Detroit Tigers, Volume 6: The Al Kaline edition

Ausmus' candidacy is exceptionally interesting for three reasons: his lack of managerial experience; his lack of any previous working relationship with Dombrowski; and the Tigers' all-in desire to win the World Series next year, which will afford the new manager little if any time to learn on the job.

The St. Louis Cardinals, though, have thrived the past two seasons with manager with a similar background, Mike Matheny. The Cardinals came within a victory of reaching the World Series in 2012 and two victories of winning the World Series in 2013. Matheny replaced Tony La Russa, one of the most successful skippers in history.

In the first years of this century, Matheny and Ausmus were the best defensive catchers in the National League. Matheny, 43, has shown that an intelligent catcher knows so much about pitching, hitting and people that he doesn't need any managerial experience to manage successfully in the majors. Ausmus and Matheny have a commanding calm that works well in catching and managing.

Matheny had worked in the Cardinals' organization in the years before he was hired to manage. The Dartmouth-educated, quick-witted Ausmus hasn't been connected with the Tigers since he was their full-time catcher in 2000. After that season, GM Randy Smith traded him to Houston in a cost-cutting move.

Over the next six years, Ausmus and Matheny each won three Gold Gloves as that season's best defensive catcher in the NL. Ausmus concluded his 18-year career in 2010 with the Dodgers and is a special assistant with the San Diego Padres. He has been in spring training with them as an instructor the past two years.
Click to expand...

Quote above is from USA Today article at Brad Ausmus to be named Tigers Manager
 
Re: Detroit Tigers, Volume 6: The Al Kaline edition

Oh, boy. I don't know what to think. I tend to not like it, given the absolute absence of managerial experience. Yes, the baseball mind is nice, but there is something to be said for experience once the bullets start flying in the regular season.

His selection of the coaching staff is absolutely critical.
 
Re: Detroit Tigers, Volume 6: The Al Kaline edition

Hammer said:
Oh, boy. I don't know what to think. I tend to not like it, given the absolute absence of managerial experience. Yes, the baseball mind is nice, but there is something to be said for experience once the bullets start flying in the regular season.

His selection of the coaching staff is absolutely critical.
Click to expand...

I would have kept Jeff Jones over Gene Lamont, but let's see what he decides. Players still have to play, too. Let's hope Dombrowski makes some moves to help balance the offense.
 
Re: Detroit Tigers, Volume 6: The Al Kaline edition

Oh, and Dombrowski has made it public that he isn't interested in signing Peralta. Infante is also a FA, making interesting speculation on who the Tigers are pursuing as a closer and other positions. I think it is silly to think that Cano would come to Detroit... but we also said that about signing Fielder. I'd like to take a run at a true closer like Nathan, and the dream of landing Ellsbury and shift Jackson to LF.
 
Re: Detroit Tigers, Volume 6: The Al Kaline edition

Tigers do not tender offers to Infante, Peralta and Benoit. Looks like the purge is on.
 
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