The Eye of the Tiger: A Detroit Tigers Franchise (MLB 2K12)

[TheNumber35]

I'm getting really excited for to start playing, so I figured I would get a head start on my dynasty page...so without further ado:

2011 Season Recap: The Detroit Tigers had a very successful 2011 season going 95-67 and making it to the ALCS before falling to the Texas Rangers in 6 games. Detroit took some strides on the offensive side of the ball last season with the resurgence of Jhonny Peralta, hitting .299 with 21 HR and 86 RBI and playing what many considered to be Gold Glove defense at the shortstop position for a team that desperately needed good shortstop defense. Alex Avila also made heavy contributions in his breakout season; Avila hit .295 with 19 HR and 82 RBI and he also was the starter at the All-Star game for the American League.

Steady as always was Miguel Cabrera, Cabrera hit .344 (which led the American League last season) with 30 HR and 105 RBI in the middle of the lineup. This production was due in large part to the protection offered from recently arrived Victor Martinez, who hit .330 with 12 HR and 103 RBI behind Cabrera.

The pitching took a huge step forward behind MVP and Cy Young winner Justin Verlander. Verlander dominated hitters last season, going 24-5 with a 2.40 ERA, 250 Ks in 251.1 innings and a miniscule .92 WHIP. Behind Verlander, there was Doug Fister who stepped up late for the Tigers after being acquired from Seattle via trade. Fister started 11 games for the Tigs in 2011, going 8-1 with a 1.79 ERA and he stabilized the rotation a little behind Verlander.

Key Offseason Moves:
Signed C Gerald Laird
Signed 1B Prince Fielder
Acquired RP Collin Balester from Nationals for RP Ryan Perry
Signed RP Octavio Dotel

Let Go: 2B Carlos Guillen, OF Magglio Ordonez, 3B Wilson Betemit, RP Joel Zumaya, 2B Will Rhymes, SP Brad Penny

Projected Lineup:

1. CF Austin Jackson
2. RF Brennan Boesch
3. 1B Prince Fielder
4. 3B Miguel Cabrera
5. LF Delmon Young
6. C Alex Avila
7. SS Jhonny Peralta
8. DH Ryan Raburn/Don Kelly
9. 2B Ryan Raburn/Ramon Santiago/Brandon Inge (Position Battle)

Projected Rotation

1. Justin Verlander
2. Doug Fister
3. Max Scherzer
4. Rick Porcello
5. Jacob Turner/Duane Below/Andy Oliver (Position Battle)

Bench

Ramon Santiago
Don Kelly
Gerald Laird
Andy Dirks

Bullpen

Closer: Jose Valverde
Setup: Joaquin Benoit
Setup: Octavio Dotel
MR: Daniel Schlereth
MR: Phil Coke
LR: Collin Balester
LR: David Pauley

[Zombeels]

Planning on making any big trades or signings?

[TheNumber35]

Quote: Originally Posted by Zombeels

Planning on making any big trades or signings?

Barring any injuries, I don't think I want to tinker with this team too much...unless I can get some more speed from somewhere without sacrificing too much for it. Perfect example would be if I could get something for Delmon Young that makes sense. I love Delmon but he is just far too slow for my liking, and his defense is suspect at times...plus we have enough power to be ok without him if I can get a good defender who can run and do the little things in LF...overall I love the way this team is composed and don't want to make a deal for the sake of making one

[TheNumber35]

Preseason Award Predictions

AL MVP: Miguel Cabrera, 1B, Detroit Tigers

Cabrera is bound to get more to hit this season with Prince Fielder in the same lineup as him, and his numbers should at least see a little increase from last season, when he finished in the top 5 for the MVP race.

NL MVP: Matt Kemp, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers

Kemp was the runner up in the MVP race last season and it seems like he is poised to continue his success this season. Kemp could very easily jump ahead of Braun and the other candidates this season if he gets any production in front of him from his teammates.

AL Cy Young: Dan Haren, SP, Los Angeles Angels

Haren had an excellent year in 2011 and suffered from a lack of run support from his team. That shouldn't be a problem this season as the Angels have added Albert and are getting back Morales this season, plus an offense that can produce should equal a better record for Haren.

NL Cy Young: Josh Johnson, SP, Miami Marlins

Johnson is an excellent pitcher and has proven he is among the best in the game...when healthy. That's been the problem with him throughout his career but this offseason he has worked countless hours on strengthening his right shoulder, and it has me believing he can last the whole season.

AL Rookie of the Year: Matt Moore, SP, Tampa Bay Rays

Moore is the obvious preseason choice here as he was dominant in his appearances in the 2011 season and postseason. The AL is already scared of Tampa's rotation, and this guy only makes them scarier.

NL Rookie of the Year: Yonder Alonso, 1B, San Diego Padres

Alonso goes into camp as the starting 1st baseman of the Padres and already has big league experience in each of the last two seasons. So he finally could break through and hang around for awhile in the big league setting, and could be poised for an excellent rookie campaign.

[Zombeels]

are you planning on doing a simulation, or do you actually plan to play all of the games?

[TheNumber35]

Quote: Originally Posted by Zombeels

are you planning on doing a simulation, or do you actually plan to play all of the games?

I wanna get through the season playing all the games...I've tried the last two years but my xbox hard drive died for 2K10 and in 2K11 my franchise glitched midway through august. Here's to hoping that doesn't happen here

[TheNumber35]

Breaking News:

Tigers Right-Handed Pitcher Jacob Turner has officially won the 5th rotation spot, Ryan Raburn has won the everyday 2nd base job, and Andy Dirks is going to be the DH of the team on opening day.


In a tough battle throughout spring training, Turner shined, going 2-0 with a 1.79 ERA in his 3 starts and various appearances throughout camp. He impressed Jim Leyland with his command of stuff and ability to get outs. Raburn and Dirks were the favorites to win their jobs entering camp and pulled through.

The Tigers open the season at home against Boston with Justin Verlander facing off against Jon Lester in what should be an excellent pitching duel.

[TheNumber35]

Verlander Dominates as Tigers win on Opening Day

Justin Verlander gives Detroit 7 dominant innings and the offense comes alive late to spark a comeback against Jon Lester. Notes from this game: Prince Fielder gets his first hit as a Tiger, Andy Dirks and Ryan Raburn produced 4 hits, 3 runs, and 2 RBIs out of the 8-9 spots in the lineup after winning the jobs out of spring camp. Alex Avila strained his calf muscle sliding into third on a close play after a tag up...he will miss 2-4 weeks and his been placed on the 15 day DL. Detroit has purchased the contract of C Omir Santos and called him up to take Laird's roster spot.


Tomorrow's game: Josh Beckett (0-0) 0.00 ERA vs Doug Fister (0-0) 0.00 ERA

Boston Red Sox at Detroit Tigers
Apr 5, 2012	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Boston (0-0)	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	7	0
Detroit (0-0)	0	0	1	0	3	0	0	0	x	4	9	1
W: Justin Verlander (1-0) L: Jon Lester (0-1) S: Jose Valverde (1)

Boston Red Sox
HITTERS	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	HR	AVG
CF Carl Crawford	4	0	0	0	0	2	0	.250
2B Dustin Pedroia	4	0	0	1	0	1	0	.000
1B Adrian Gonzalez	4	1	1	0	0	2	0	.500
DH David Ortiz	4	0	3	1	0	0	0	.750
C Ryan Lavarnway	4	0	0	0	0	2	0	.000
3B Kevin Youkilis	4	0	1	0	0	2	0	.250
LF Cody Ross	4	0	1	0	0	2	0	.250
SS Brad Emaus	4	0	1	0	0	1	0	.250
RF Ryan Sweeney	3	1	0	0	0	1	0	.000

Detroit Tigers
HITTERS	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	HR	AVG
CF Austin Jackson	4	0	0	1	0	0	0	.000
RF Brennan Boesch	4	0	2	1	0	1	0	.500
3B Miguel Cabrera	4	0	1	0	0	1	0	.250
1B Prince Fielder	4	0	1	0	0	0	0	.250
LF Delmon Young	4	0	1	0	0	1	0	.250
SS Jhonny Peralta	3	0	0	0	0	1	0	.000
C Alex Avila	2	0	1	0	0	0	0	.500
C Gerald Laird	1	1	0	0	0	1	0	.000
2B Ryan Raburn	3	2	2	0	0	1	0	.667
DH Andy Dirks	2	1	1	2	0	1	0	.400

Boston Red Sox
PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Jon Lester	7.1	9	4	4	0	6	0	4.91
Arthur Rhodes	.2	0	0	0	0	1	0	0.00

Detroit Tigers
PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Justin Verlander	7.0	6	2	1	0	9	0	1.29
Joaquin Benoit	1.0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0.00
Jose Valverde	1.0	1	0	0	0	2	0	0.00