jhendricks316's Blog
I typically reserve my views for close friends, family, or sometimes Facebook, but this "issue" is actually bothering me.
Those who aren't true Tigers fans (and some who are casual fans) really struggle when they try to figure out what's wrong with the Tigers.
Well, I can help you with a few things:
1) I actually think that the injuries are one of the few areas where we can all agree on. Of course, injuries are unplanned and it'd require a team to rely on underdogs to come through.
Victor Martinez's injury is a gray area. It's easy to argue that without the Martinez injury, then the Tigers wouldn't have Prince Fielder.
Alex Avila is better offensively than Gerald Laird (over a whole season). The catcher position for the Tigers is not a place for injuries. I was honestly overjoyed when Laird left the first time around.
We miss Andy Dirks. We weren't expecting a ~.300 average from him. Austin Jackson also had a hot start. He just returned, and Quintin Berry was a nice call-up. However, is there a place for him in the near future?
The Tigers need Doug Fister. Generally, people over-estimate the worth of Justin Verlander. Someone might say, "what's wrong with Tigers' pitching, they've got Verlander?" Well. I'm sorry to break the news to you: HE ONLY PITCHES EVERY 5th day, not every game. That's ~33 out of 162 starts. We need MORE than Verlander!
Regarding our other starters, Scherzer is an on/off guy. Consistency is always an issue. He can also get caught up in inefficient outings. 5 innings is inexcusable when you throw 120+ pitches.
I don't know what to think about Porcello. He can be frustrating to watch as well, but he is still relatively young.
Lastly, guys are finally catching up with Smyly. Adjustments are starting to be made, and he needs to counter.
2) There's a "revolving door" at 2nd base. I blame Leyland, in part. Ryan Raburn had the starting job, yet WE ALL KNOW that he's a second-half hitter. The result... a sub-.200 average. It's the same for Danny Worth; he's also struggling to bat .200.
I'd trust Ramon Santiago with a consistent role. I believe that his average is low because he doesn't have a chance to get into a rhythm. Santiago could, in my opinion, carry a regularly higher average than Raburn or Worth. He has added benefits too; he's a switch hitter, and he can bunt. He plays both middle-infield positions.
You can see Raburn all over the field, but no one will ever praise him for his defense. (I am suddenly reminded of the 2009 AL Central Playoff Tiebreak...)
3) The offense has under-performing parts. In an already poorly constructed lineup, Delmon Young is not performing well enough now to be in the 5-spot. I think he'll get it together, but I feel like the best product isn't always being put on the field.
Brennan Boesch's approach can be frustrating. He looks like he is trying to play hero every at bat. He is extremely aggressive, and it hasn't been the same since his rookie year tear.
4) Perhaps we can also agree on the bullpen. We thought that we had it all together when we signed Dotel. But, I am going to wait it out before I see the effects.
I like Benoit's start this year, compared to last year.
I enjoy Valverde as a person, but he can be too theatrical at times. He has gotten himself into trouble when he "goes for the strikeout". I am not totally dissatisfied with his performance. Like Verlander, his stats last year are incomparable. It is hard to emulate such great achievements.
I think that's it for now, I mean, since they're performing so lowly, we can wait it out and expect things to fully click. Then, I will be happy again.
To close, CAN WE WIN ON NATIONAL TELEVISION? Detroit hasn't had many opportunities, recently as a whole, and a positive image is necessary somewhere. Sure, there was the recent walk off on "Baseball Night in America" two weekends ago, but before that, there was only the massacre of the White Sox (last year's Labor Day weekend).
# 2
DetroitStyle @ Jun 10
1) Other than Victor and Fister, there have been no major injuries to the Tigers. Jackson's only been out for a little bit and Avila's been playing all year already. Injuries are in no large part to blame for their struggles.
Santiago on the other hand is a career backup and has been struggling like the rest of the team not named Fielder and Cabrera (and Jackson). He's a small improvement over what we have but he's should not and cannot be an everyday player.
2) Raburn has panned out to be worse than anticipated. His fielding is awful as well. Being a second half hitter cannot be used as an excuse any more. He doesn't deserve to be on any major league team. The Tigers have no farm system either. Guys like Kelley and Worth should be career minor leaguers on any other team. Not starters on a major league club.
3) The offense all around is terrible. There's no patience at the plate, therefore no one gets on base. When players do get on base they don't score. The Tigers, during the previous Cleveland series left over 25 runners on base. They have to have the worst RISP average in baseball.
4) Valverde had a career year and is nothing but an average closer. But his meltdowns are of epic proportion. The rest of the bullpen stinks and is full of career minor leaguers as well. Ballester, Villarreal, and others they've sent down and called back up. Dotel has been struggling but is having a decent year, Coke is...well...Coke, and Benoit has been mostly solid. They need more performance from their relievers though when they have the lead.
Conclusion:
The Tigers put themselves in a corner. They have the worst farm system in baseball and a supporting cast coming off career years. Now that the supporting cast is having a below average year the team is imploding. As well, when minor injuries occur (i.e. Jackson, Dirks, Avila) they have no where to go. They have no trade bait either so making a deal most likely won't happen. This team is really a half minor league team. You can't win with that and you won't win with that. The only way they can crawl back is if more average players start having career years such as Dirks and Berry. The rest of the team needs to pull it together such as Boesch and Young. The bullpen also needs to pull it together for them to win.
This is the most frustrating and pathetic start to Tigers baseball since the late 90's.
Santiago on the other hand is a career backup and has been struggling like the rest of the team not named Fielder and Cabrera (and Jackson). He's a small improvement over what we have but he's should not and cannot be an everyday player.
2) Raburn has panned out to be worse than anticipated. His fielding is awful as well. Being a second half hitter cannot be used as an excuse any more. He doesn't deserve to be on any major league team. The Tigers have no farm system either. Guys like Kelley and Worth should be career minor leaguers on any other team. Not starters on a major league club.
3) The offense all around is terrible. There's no patience at the plate, therefore no one gets on base. When players do get on base they don't score. The Tigers, during the previous Cleveland series left over 25 runners on base. They have to have the worst RISP average in baseball.
4) Valverde had a career year and is nothing but an average closer. But his meltdowns are of epic proportion. The rest of the bullpen stinks and is full of career minor leaguers as well. Ballester, Villarreal, and others they've sent down and called back up. Dotel has been struggling but is having a decent year, Coke is...well...Coke, and Benoit has been mostly solid. They need more performance from their relievers though when they have the lead.
Conclusion:
The Tigers put themselves in a corner. They have the worst farm system in baseball and a supporting cast coming off career years. Now that the supporting cast is having a below average year the team is imploding. As well, when minor injuries occur (i.e. Jackson, Dirks, Avila) they have no where to go. They have no trade bait either so making a deal most likely won't happen. This team is really a half minor league team. You can't win with that and you won't win with that. The only way they can crawl back is if more average players start having career years such as Dirks and Berry. The rest of the team needs to pull it together such as Boesch and Young. The bullpen also needs to pull it together for them to win.
This is the most frustrating and pathetic start to Tigers baseball since the late 90's.
# 3
ImBaconBeckham @ Jun 10
You're forgot one of the most important reasons Detroit is under-performing...defense.
The Tigers outfield is a wreck outside of Jackson. Delmon Young's a butcher with limited range, Boesch is below average. Leyland seriously needs to think about giving Berry an everyday job on the corners and DH one of Boesch or Young until Dirks is back.
Then you got the infield, it's even worse than the OF. Cabrera is a 1B, Prince is barely a 1B. Second base rotating carousel isn't anything great. Peralta's below average at SS.
Detroit's team UZR is second to last in all of baseball and the worst in the AL by nearly 8 runs to the second worst team (Cleveland).
There's a reason Tigers pitchers outside of Verlander aren't doing too hot. Fister and Porcello are ground ball pitchers, they need good infield defense behind them to be effective.
The Tigers' defense last year wasn't great, but it was at least acceptable. Their defense will not improve by much this year no matter what they do, because you simply cannot replace Prince and Cabrera, two of the worst fielders on the team. Speaking of those two guys, they need to hit more to offset the negative value they bring on defense. Those two should have OPS nearing 1.000. Yet, both are stuck around .900. Not bad by any means, but I think everybody expected far better.
It's not too late for Detroit to turn their season around, but they will have to score like crazy to overcome their weakness on defense and in the latter part of the rotation. They just haven't done that yet and even if they do, I don't know if it will be enough.
The Tigers outfield is a wreck outside of Jackson. Delmon Young's a butcher with limited range, Boesch is below average. Leyland seriously needs to think about giving Berry an everyday job on the corners and DH one of Boesch or Young until Dirks is back.
Then you got the infield, it's even worse than the OF. Cabrera is a 1B, Prince is barely a 1B. Second base rotating carousel isn't anything great. Peralta's below average at SS.
Detroit's team UZR is second to last in all of baseball and the worst in the AL by nearly 8 runs to the second worst team (Cleveland).
There's a reason Tigers pitchers outside of Verlander aren't doing too hot. Fister and Porcello are ground ball pitchers, they need good infield defense behind them to be effective.
The Tigers' defense last year wasn't great, but it was at least acceptable. Their defense will not improve by much this year no matter what they do, because you simply cannot replace Prince and Cabrera, two of the worst fielders on the team. Speaking of those two guys, they need to hit more to offset the negative value they bring on defense. Those two should have OPS nearing 1.000. Yet, both are stuck around .900. Not bad by any means, but I think everybody expected far better.
It's not too late for Detroit to turn their season around, but they will have to score like crazy to overcome their weakness on defense and in the latter part of the rotation. They just haven't done that yet and even if they do, I don't know if it will be enough.
# 4
jhendricks316 @ Jun 10
I don't like the way that the title was edited... I understand their struggles, and the reason behind them wasn't necessarily the purpose of this entry.
# 5
jhendricks316 @ Jun 10
Regarding the conclusion that DetroitStyle came to, I really do feel helpless when I watch them...
# 6
jhendricks316 @ Jun 11
In tonight's game @Reds, I think it's funny how some of our points are sticking up, and others are being challenged somewhat.
# 7
Eski33 @ Jun 11
As a life long Tigers fan you hit every point however let's keep it simple. They can't hit with people on base. They left 30 on base in a three-game series with the Royals. 30!!!!!!!!
Valverde is awful. When you bring in a closer you should feel confident. When Valverde comes in it makes things beyond interesting. There is never a 1-2-3 inning with this guy. And the theatrics are a joke.
Good thing is it is still way too early. Baseball is a 162 games but can feel like four different seasons based on how quickly things change. Also, the AL Central, though improved, isnt all that strong. With the Tigers' inconsistencies they are only five games out.
Valverde is awful. When you bring in a closer you should feel confident. When Valverde comes in it makes things beyond interesting. There is never a 1-2-3 inning with this guy. And the theatrics are a joke.
Good thing is it is still way too early. Baseball is a 162 games but can feel like four different seasons based on how quickly things change. Also, the AL Central, though improved, isnt all that strong. With the Tigers' inconsistencies they are only five games out.
# 8
TheTodd84 @ Jun 11
I agree with almost all of the comments on here, but I wanted to add a little tidbit that I think people are overlooking. The biggest problem with this team is their over-desire to win a world series. What I mean by that is this: The problem with this team is Mr. Illitch, the owner. Before you jump on me, hear me out on this one.
Dombrowski, when Mr I said he wanted to spend a bunch of money this past off-season, and Leyland, did not want Prince Fielder. Not because Prince is not a great player, but because they felt as though they could 4-5 good players for the same price of Prince. Also, Prince, clearly did not make us any better.
But, Mr. I insisted Dombrowski go out and get Prince, and he did. (I know through inside info because I am a grad student in Sports Admin at Wayne State, and through a class I took that was taught by a member of the Tigers front office, he said the decision to bring in Prince was Mr. I's.)
The other problem with this team is the loyalty. Mr I is too loyal to his crappy players, probably because he overpaid them. Take Brandon Inge, for example. Mr. I absolutely loved him, and that's why it took so long to get rid of him, despite his beyond awful batting average.
I also think this team just is not very good. Plain and simple. Four or five guys had career years last year and pitchers have figured them out. The 1-4 hitters have been just fine, but the 5-9 hitters have been "corpses" as a local radio host often points out. The issue, as has been mentioned before, is the aggression at the plate and the reluctance to take pitches. It has gotten better lately, but it is still an epidemic with this lineup.
Conclusion: Mr I's desperation for a World Series, since he is in his early 80's, has cost this team dearly. While I love the addition of Prince Fielder, he was not the best decision for this team at the time. Four or five decent players to shore up 3rd, 2nd, and right field, as well as a utility guy would have been much more helpful. And I said 3rd because Cabrera was already serviceable at 1st last season.
Sure, injuries play a role, but the desperation to win and the disregard for the farm system has been a fatal mistake. You cannot blame injuries when teams like the Red Sox are decimated with injuries and still have guys like Nava, Middlebrooks, etc. hitting like hell. I know because the tigers lost 3 of 4 to the red sox at Fenway a couple weeks ago with Nava and Middlebrooks crushing us repeatedly.
I think the front office of this team needs a different outlook. I don't think the problem is Leyland... he won a world series with the Marlins, and so did Dombrowski. But, if changes must be made, then Leyland will be the fall guy, and that's a shame, but bring in Terry Francona.
Anyway, just my .02. This season has been so disappointing for me. I overestimated this team's ability like everyone else. But, I think it is time to blow the thing up if this team does not improve soon. Everyone is on the market except for A-Jack, Miggy, Prince, JV, V-Mart and Fister. No one else is safe, including the manager.
GO TIGERS!
Dombrowski, when Mr I said he wanted to spend a bunch of money this past off-season, and Leyland, did not want Prince Fielder. Not because Prince is not a great player, but because they felt as though they could 4-5 good players for the same price of Prince. Also, Prince, clearly did not make us any better.
But, Mr. I insisted Dombrowski go out and get Prince, and he did. (I know through inside info because I am a grad student in Sports Admin at Wayne State, and through a class I took that was taught by a member of the Tigers front office, he said the decision to bring in Prince was Mr. I's.)
The other problem with this team is the loyalty. Mr I is too loyal to his crappy players, probably because he overpaid them. Take Brandon Inge, for example. Mr. I absolutely loved him, and that's why it took so long to get rid of him, despite his beyond awful batting average.
I also think this team just is not very good. Plain and simple. Four or five guys had career years last year and pitchers have figured them out. The 1-4 hitters have been just fine, but the 5-9 hitters have been "corpses" as a local radio host often points out. The issue, as has been mentioned before, is the aggression at the plate and the reluctance to take pitches. It has gotten better lately, but it is still an epidemic with this lineup.
Conclusion: Mr I's desperation for a World Series, since he is in his early 80's, has cost this team dearly. While I love the addition of Prince Fielder, he was not the best decision for this team at the time. Four or five decent players to shore up 3rd, 2nd, and right field, as well as a utility guy would have been much more helpful. And I said 3rd because Cabrera was already serviceable at 1st last season.
Sure, injuries play a role, but the desperation to win and the disregard for the farm system has been a fatal mistake. You cannot blame injuries when teams like the Red Sox are decimated with injuries and still have guys like Nava, Middlebrooks, etc. hitting like hell. I know because the tigers lost 3 of 4 to the red sox at Fenway a couple weeks ago with Nava and Middlebrooks crushing us repeatedly.
I think the front office of this team needs a different outlook. I don't think the problem is Leyland... he won a world series with the Marlins, and so did Dombrowski. But, if changes must be made, then Leyland will be the fall guy, and that's a shame, but bring in Terry Francona.
Anyway, just my .02. This season has been so disappointing for me. I overestimated this team's ability like everyone else. But, I think it is time to blow the thing up if this team does not improve soon. Everyone is on the market except for A-Jack, Miggy, Prince, JV, V-Mart and Fister. No one else is safe, including the manager.
GO TIGERS!
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