I really don’t think they’ll rush out to trade anyone for the sake of saving a few million, so i’m not worried about that. I am slightly worried about them giving up on Granderson because he “can’t hit lefties” or about them trading one of the wrong guys to plug a couple short term holes.

At least Dombrowski’s being diligent and exploring his options. I’ll give him that.

At least they’re giving me reading material with all the trade rumors that (in all likelihood) wont amount to anything. There’s no way Mike Illich is this desperate to cut 3 or 4 million off the payroll after letting Ordonez’s option vest just a couple months ago.

The Metrodome effect — I really only noticed this year against, I believe it was the Pirates, where it was truly a huge issue. I know some of your younger Tigers struggled with it too. However, I don’t think it was a HUGE factor. If you build your team around the premise that the Dome’s ceiling will create troubles for opposing teams, then you’re going to have other issues. Then again, Terry Ryan did an amazing job building a team that utilized the domes astroturf and its new grass too. Truthfully, Bill Smith has ginormous shoes to fill. Granted, he already has all of Ryan’s player development, scouting, and team building in place, but Smith still hasn’t called any shots that have helped the team yet. Specifically noting how the Young – Harris for Graza – Bartlett trade hasn’t panned out (YET), he signed over-the-hill veterans, and is winning with Ryan’s talent pool. It will be interesting to see the next few years when Smith’s “players/prospects” start playing a more predominant role. One plus that Smith has is a larger payroll than Ryan ever was allowed.

Also, are you at all worried about losing the Metrodome effect? I know i can’t say anything objective in support of this theory, but i think that dome provided more value (in terms of balls lost in the roof, misplayed balls through the infield, etc) than just about any player on the Twins not named Joe Mauer. Of course, that’s probably just me being a bitter Tigers fan, and to be fair, Terry Ryan always did a fantastic job of tailoring his team to the ballpark. It’ll be interesting to see if Smith can sustain the low payroll success.

“Lynn Henning of the Detroit News says that there is “no way” Jarrod Washburn is brought back to Detroit for 2010, nevermind being offered arbitration.
Washburn went 1-3 with a 7.33 ERA after being acquired from the Mariners at the trade deadline and battled injury issues. It’s no surprise that the Tigers aren’t keen on bringing him back, but the lefty won’t have a problem finding a landing spot. Henning also names Aubrey Huff as someone certain not to return to Detroit.”

“Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski expects Scott Sizemore (ankle) to be ready for spring training.
Sizemore fractured a bone in his left ankle during a collision at second base during Thursday’s game in the Arizona Fall League. However, because it is considered a “nondisplaced” fracture, the team believes he will recover in six weeks and be able to resume off-season training. “It’s a setback in that he won’t be playing in the Arizona Fall League, which has another month to go, but the recovery should only take about six weeks,” said Dombrowski. “He’ll probably be in a walking cast. He’ll be fine in a very short time.” The 24-year-old is expected to compete for the starting second base job should the Tigers let Placido Polanco walk.”

Other than that, the majority of the hitting prospects are busts, or they give up on them. Ortiz was something similar, Garret Jones wasn’t doing anything for years and would not count on him repeating that. Morneau, Kubel, Cuddyer and Mauer are all in-house hitters, but Morneau stinks in the second half, Cuddyer isn’t reliable, and Kubel JUST broke out. I think the Tigers are able to content each year because they have spent what it takes, but they will fall into oblivion if they can’t figure out how to restock their minors.

A man for the big occasion, it would seem.

We all are Grey, heh.

Yah, a miserable hack. All I can say in defense is it took about 15 secs to write.

@Grey: Looks like a Yanks-Phillies series, I’m excited, sorta……………..

Hamels 4.1 IP 3 ER, sounds like all too many of your starts for me this year.

and giles didn’t even make BA’s 1999 top 100 list putting up those numbers at 2B…. am i missing something? even if he were extremely old for his level, you’d think he’d make it, especially since he did in 2000 and 2001

I was thinking maybe 2 but you are probably right. Buddy was saying “What about snowouts?”