That the Tigers got swept by Cleveland during the weekend is inexcusable, and yet not a total shock. The team’s starting pitching is bipolar. Two of spring camp’s starters have been traded, two have spent time in the minor leagues, and the other two — Justin Verlander and Jeremy Bonderman — have won 16 games, 11 of them by Verlander.
The bullpen is on fumes, there’s no RBI bat at shortstop, the starting catcher who pretty much has replaced the incumbent catcher (batting .185) is two years out of college.
There are rookies in center field and in left field.
And people think this team is a contender, that it can match Minnesota’s overall talent, or that it stacks up against the White Sox’s rotation, which is only the most important part of any team?
The problem is being a game and a half back in the AL Central and more then halfway done with the season going into the deadline as sellers doesn’t do a whole lot for the fan base as a whole. Now despite the fact that they Tigers have a very difficult schedule the second half of the season the division could still fall into their laps and as we all know if you can make it to the playoffs anything is possible. Just ask the 2006 St. Louis Cardinals.
Henning however does make some good points later on in his column stating that Dombrowski is really in a tough position because he could make a trade now to obtain a top of the line starter and shortstop but could greatly impact the health of this team in the future. I was never in favor of the Tigers trading away top prospects for Cliff Lee, especially since he could be had in the offseason when the Tigers will have over $50MM to work with. Instead, the Tigers should roll the dice on a Ted Lilly or Cliff Lee and see what happens with that. If nothing happens, no worries they can go Christmas shopping this coming December.
Let’s say they do become sellers at the deadline, who could go? Henning suggests that Damon could be sent packing. Henning believes their would be a market for Damon however Tiger’s fans shouldn’t expect a top prospect in return. Another possible candidate could be Jeremy Bonderman. This may be a little more difficult for the Tigers to pull off however since he hasn’t pitched well in recent outings but could be very much coveted this offseason and may obtain that lopsided contract that the Tigers wouldn’t match.
All in all the Tigers I believe are going to go into the deadline as conscientious shoppers. Like I said they will most likely go after a reliever or starter that would mortgage too much on a future Tigers team.