Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Tigers Lloyd McClendon Is Candidate for Marlins Job


By Sean Gagnier

UPDATE: McClendon has missed out on the Marlins job and will return to the Detroit Tigers next season and continue serving as the hitting coach.  

The Detroit Tigers didn't waste any time in getting the team ready for next season, announcing several roster moves and the return of manager Jim Leyland. Leyland said at his press conference that the entirety of his coaching staff would be invited to return next season, with one change.

The invitation to return was extended to all of Leyland's coaches, but it was explained that there would be one change. Rumors are that the change will involve third base coach Gene Lamont, who is oft-criticized for his choices at that location. A replacement candidate for third base coach could be current first base coach Tom Brookens.

However, there may be more than just the one coaching move come next season. After a disappointing season in Miami, the Marlins have fired manager Ozzie Guillen and are now looking for his replacement. Apparently the "all-Latin team" went out the window when the Marlins record went south, and Miami has interviewed Tigers hitting coach Lloyd McClendon for the vacancy.

McClendon reportedly interviewed with the Marlins on Oct. 30. He makes sense for the under performing team, as he helped to turn Austin Jackson into a solid leadoff hitter and oversaw a Triple Crown winner. But McClendon isn't the only candidate by far; the Marlins are also looking at Larry Bowa, currently of MLB Network, and Mike Redmond, currently manager of the Single-A Dunedin Blue Jays. Miami was also considering Bryan Price, but he has since withdrawn his name.

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Tigers manager Jim Leyland set to return in 2013



By Sean Gagnier

Tigers manager Jim Leyland is slated to return for his eighth season as manager of the Detroit Tigers, according to Tom Gage. The contract extension through 2013 announcement could be made as early as today.

It was no secret that both sides wanted to try this again. General Manager Dave Dombrowski repeatedly said that he would love to have Leyland back, if he wanted to come back. And Leyland continually said that he wanted to manage more, but wanted to see how things went.

Well, the love birds have finally gotten back together. No information regarding the length or value of Leyland's new contract have come out yet, but reports are that the two sides have a deal done.

While it may not always be easy to agree with the calls that Leyland has made this season, it is hard to argue with the results. Under his management, the Tigers have gone to three postseasons, won back-to-back AL Central titles and been to the World Series twice. The outcomes of those Fall Classic's was not what was hoped, but it is hard to complain about being one of the last two standing.

If Leyland can keep his team playing like they did in the American League Championship Series next season, then things will be great for Detroit. His coaches will come back with him. We see no reason why they shouldn't. Back-to-back AL Central titles and an AL Championship speak a bit to not breaking up the team.

Detroit Tigers tapped as World Series Favorites for 2013

By Sean Gagnier

Yes, that's right. The team that got outright trounced in the World Series and embarrassed on national television for four straight game apparently tests well in Las Vegas.

2012 was a year of extremely high expectations. Hell, even the Tigers' American League Championship feels empty. This team looked like world beaters, and they still do, not to mention they will add Victor Martinez next season, a guy who hit .400+ with RISP in 2011.

So while it may be too soon for most Tigers fans, it's never too early in Vegas. According to the betting service Bovada, the Tigers are 6-to-1 favorites to win the World Series next season. They are closely followed by the Yankees (not sure why, as there will be a lot of movement in the Bronx this off season) at 7-to-1 and the San Francisco Giants to repeat at 10-to-1.

Looking toward next season, it isn't out of the question, or even the least bit naive to say that the Tigers could win their third straight American League Central crown. The division will be just as bad, as if Detroit can actually put together a season where they appear to actually care about playing competitive baseball then it should be a cakewalk.

That being said, if you were a betting man, why not slap down a dollar on the new-to-the-AL Houston Astros to win the whole thing. Worst that happens is you're out a dollar; best case scenario, you win $150.

Full Odds:

Detroit Tigers............................6/1
New York Yankees..................7/1
San Francisco Giants...............10/1
Texas Rangers.........................12/1
Washington Nationals.............12/1
Los Angeles Angels................12/1
Philadelphia Phillies................14/1
St. Louis Cardinals..................14/1
Cincinnati Reds.......................14/1
Atlanta Braves.........................14/1
Los Angeles Dodgers..............18/1
Tampa Bay Rays.....................20/1
Boston Red Sox.......................22/1
Arizona Diamondbacks...........25/1
Baltimore Orioles.....................25/1
Milwaukee Brewers.................25/1
Oakland Athletics....................25/1
Chicago White Sox..................28/1
Pittsburgh Pirates.....................30/1
Toronto Blue Jays....................35/1
Seattle Mariners.......................40/1
Miami Marlins..........................40/1
New York Mets.......................40/1
San Diego Padres.....................60/1
Minnesota Twins.....................66/1
Chicago Cubs..........................75/1
Cleveland Indians....................75/1
Colorado Rockies....................75/1
Kansas City Royals.................75/1
Houston Astros......................150/1

Monday, October 29, 2012

What do the Detroit Tigers do to improve their pitching for 2013?

By Sean Gagnier

Even as the Detroit Tigers watched the San Francisco Giants celebrate their World Championship at Comerica Park, questions arose as to what happens for 2013. One of those questions could be, how to the Tigers improve their pitching?

There are several options but two stand out more than any other.

General Manager Dave Dombrowski could make a move to resign Anibal Sanchez and keep him in Detroit for the long term. While that could be the preferred option, it could prove to be an expensive one. Sanchez, despite not receiving much run support in Detroit, posted a 2.15 ERA and 44 K's in his last eight outings and has said that he is open to returning to Motown.

That being said, Detroit will not be the only team pursuing Sanchez this off-season. Teams such as the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox and Kansas City Royals will be in the hunt for Sanchez's services, which could drive his salary up quite steep.

Sanchez is 28 years old and only has a career record of 48-51, but ESPN's Buster Olney reports that he could get a contract worth anywhere from $30 to $60 million. If those figures are accurate, the Tigers could very well let Sanchez walk, seeing as he is slated to be the fourth starter behind Justin Verlander, Doug Fister and Max Scherzer.

The other option open to the Tigers would be the trade route, and despite popular thoughts by fans, Rick Porcello remains a viable trade asset for Detroit. Porcello is a solid ground ball pitcher and could bring a decent return, either in the form of a starter or bullpen help.

As a ground ball pitcher Porcello is well suited for a National League club, instead of the one he currently plays for that has very poor infield defense. A ground ball pitcher is only as good as his infield defense, and well...look who is in the infield for Detroit.

Porcello still is well regarded among other general managers and appears to be a fit in Minnesota, San Diego or Pittsburgh. A trade of Porcello for Joel Hanrahan or Aaron Crow could very well be a realistic possibility.

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Who Closes for the Detroit Tigers in 2013?

By Sean Gagnier

The World Series is over and congratulations are in order to the San Fransisco Giants. Their pitching staff dominated the Detroit Tigers all series.

As the depression of being swept out of the fall classic subsides, the Tigers will have to look at themselves and see where they need improvement. And anyone with eyes can see that the biggest area in need of improvement is the closers role.

Jose Valverde may have been perfect in 2011, but he was anything but that in 2012. And in the 2012 postseason, he was the epitome of worthless. He was so bad that Manager Jim Leyland turned to lefty-specialist Phil Coke to serve as his inpromptu-closer for the length of the postseason.

Valverde has without a doubt seen his last game in a Tigers uniform, but while his departure will certainly come as a relief to many Tigers fans, it also leaves a void at the back end of the Detroit bullpen. Who should fill it? There are several in-house options to consider as well as a free agent and one on the trade market, here they are.

Free Agents

Rafael Soriano - New York Yankees, signed through 2013 (3yrs/$35M)
  • 67.2 IP / 2.26 ERA / 42 SV / 1.167 WHIP / 9.2 SO/9
  • While Soriano may not be a free agent quite yet, all indications are that he will opt out of the final year of his contract with the Yankees and will test the free agent market. And that market could become very lucrative for him.
  • After the season ending injury to Mariano Rivera it was up to Soriano to take over the closers role, and he did an exceptional job. His 42 saves are the second most of his career and his WHIP among the best in the league
  • Upside: Soriano is an elite caliber closer who could come in and immediately have an impact for the Tigers.
  • Downside: He will cost a pretty penny. Soriano isn't opting out of the final year of a $35M deal to get less money and with the Yankees competing with several other teams for his services, his contract will certainly balloon out of the Tigers price range. 

Trade Market

Chris Perez - Cleveland Indians, signed through 2015 (arbitration eligible, $4.5M)
  • 57.2 IP / 3.59 ERA / 39 SV / 1.127 WHIP / 9.2 SO/9
  • Cleveland is starting a new era under Manager Terry Francona, and Perez showed that he was one of the most outspoken and driven members of last season's Indians club. However, Cleveland has it's eyes on their closer of the future in Vinnie Pestano. While Perez gives the Indians passion and energy, he could also bring them solid prospects in return.
  • The Indians like Perez, the only way they part ways with him is if they believe Pestano is ready to take over the mantle of being the closer. And that has yet to be seen.
  • Upside: Perez would bring a fire and passion to the Tigers that has appeared to be missing since the loss of Victor Martinez. He is unconventional, but his style of pitching would fit well in the cavern that is Comerica Park.
  • Downside: Pestano doesn't appear to be ready to become the closer just yet, but if the Indians do decide to go with him, they will want quite a bit in return for Perez and they would be insane to trade him within the division.
In-House 

Phil Coke - Detroit Tigers, signed through 2015 (arbitration eligible, $1.1M)
  • 54 IP / 4.00 ERA / 1 SV / 1.648 WHIP / 8.5 SO/9
  • Coke was not the picture of consistency during the regular season, but when Valverde imploded in the postseason, Leyland turned to Coke and he delivered. In his 10 innings pitched in the 2012 postseason, Coke allowed just one run.
  • Upside: Coke being a lefty, would be something different than most closers. He has shown that when the pressure is on him he is capable of producing and giving maximum effort. The guy sprints to the mound from the bullpen every single time his name is called and he refuses to give less than 100 percent, that's something you look for in a closer.
  • Downside: The postseason is one thing, the pressure and adrenaline could have helped him, but it remains to be seen if he can take his playoff success and translate it into regular season consistency. If Coke pitches the way he did during the regular season then he is not closer material, but if the Tigers get the postseason Coke, then they would have found themselves something special.
Al Alburquerque - Detroit Tigers, signed through 2017, $495K
  • 13.1 IP / 0.68 ERA / 0 SV / 1.050 WHIP / 12.2 SO/9
  • Alburquerque possesses a devastating slider and a decent fastball to keep batters honest, but he has yet to complete a complete season after two injuries cut his 2011 and 2012 short. In 2011, Alburquerque was struck in the back of the head by a fly ball during batting practice and missed the final several months of the season. In 2012, he suffered a knee injury and was unable to return to action until late in the year.
  • When healthy and on, Alburquerque is close to unhittable. However, his durability has to come into question as well as his relative inexperience. But if Alburquerque is capable of producing the same way he did to close out the season this year, next season, then he could be a very interesting candidate.
  • Upside: His pitches have great movement and he doesn't appear to be phased with runners on base. Detroit has Alburquerque signed long term, meaning that if he does have what it takes to close games, the Tigers could use the money they save on him for other pieces.
  • Downside: Alburquerque has yet to complete a season and is for all intents and purposes still a rookie. Handing the ball to someone as inexperienced as Alburquerque could prove costly to the Tigers if he isn't entirely ready for the pressure of the closers role.
Bruce Rondon - Toledo Mud Hens, Triple-A
  •  (A+, AA, AAA) 53.0 IP / 1.53 ERA / 29 SV / 1.094 WHIP / 11.2 SO/9
  • From scouting reports and other outlets it is apparent that Rondon possesses an impressive fastball, upper-nineties, and several decent off-speed pitches. Rondon was good enough in 2012 to progress from High-A Lakeland to Double-A Erie and on to Triple-A Toledo all while serving as the closer.
  • Upside: Rondon has a devastating fastball that could overpower many major league hitters, and being an unknown rookie could benefit him against batters who have not yet seen him. If he can improve his change-up, Rondon could be a very good closer for years to come.
  • Downside: Much like Alburquerque, Rondon being a rookie is dangerous for the Tigers. His inexperience and complete lack of time in the major leagues could lead to him playing a role in the bullpen in 2013, but keep him from assuming the closers role for several years.

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Detroit Tigers Will Have Work Cut Out for Them in Arbitration

By Sean Gagnier
It may be early, the Tigers aren't dead yet in the World Series, but looking at a 3-0 series deficit, it couldn't hurt to look to the 2013 season.

First off, the Tigers already high payroll could get much higher next season, with nine players eligible for salary arbitration.

Arbitration Eligible Tigers
Includes player's 2012 salary
  • Max Scherzer, $3.75 million
  • Rick Porcello, $3.1 million
  • Ryan Raburn, $2.1 million
  • Phil Coke, $1.1 million
  • Don Kelly, $900,000
  • Alex Avila, $510,000
  • Doug Fister, $507,500
  • Brennan Boesch, $502,500
  • Austin Jackson, $500,000
Most of the eligible players are well deserving of a pay raise, but there are several that the Tigers should be kicking to the curb quickly following the World Series.

Of the nine players eligible for arbitration, Raburn does not deserve a pay raise at all, in fact he probably should have to pay Mike Illich for being as bad as he is. No chance he is back with the team next season.

With Detroit likely picking up the $6 million option on Jhonny Peralta, they will have no need for Kelly and will likely cut him.

Boesch more than likely has seen his last game in a Tigers uniform. He did not follow up his good 2011 season with a equally impressive 2012 season, and has been left off all three Tigers postseason rosters. If that isn't a sign that Detroit is ready to part ways with Boesch, then nothing is. Not to mention the glut of outfielders the Tigers have right now.

Scherzer will see yet another big pay raise; last season Scherzer saw his salary grow from $600,000 to $3.75 million. If things hold like they did last season, Scherzer could be bringing in quite a bit more money next year.

Like Scherzer, the other Tigers eligible for arbitration, aside from Raburn, Boesch and Kelly, will all likely see a bump in pay and return to the club next season without any incidences.

With Raburn, Boesch and Kelly being shown the door, Detroit will add to it's payroll without adding a single player. That doesn't bode well for being active with free agents.
 
Savings: $3.5 million


 Free Agent Tigers
  • Jose Valverde, $9 million
  • Delmon Young, $6.75 million
  • Gerald Laird, $1 million
  • Anibal Sanchez, $8 million
First off, Valverde will never play for the Tigers again. Even before his garbage postseason, he signed with agent Scott Boras, one of the two agents who drive up player contracts to ridiculous sums. Then Valverde tried to blow the Tigers postseason twice in the American division and league championship series. and for some reason Leyland decided to waste a bullpen spot with his arm in the World Series.

Valverde will be on the first plane out of Detroit in the off-season and will never come back. 

Delmon Young may have been named the ALCS MVP, but that doesn't make up for a horrible regular season and his bat, when hot, in no way comes close to making up for his defense in left field, if you can even call it that. Young's -29 RAA is one of the lowest in the entire league, meaning that when he plays left field, Young gives up 29 more runs than an average player. And even his bat doesn't save him, Young boasted a -9Rbat, runs batted in by position. So not only can he not field, he can't hit. Wave g'bye to Young this off-season.

Laird has struggled in the postseason offensively, and didn't have the best year at the plate during the regular season, but he has served as a solid backup for Alex Avila all year. With Victor Martinez returning next season, the Tigers would have three catchers on the roster, but it also depends on how they plan to use Martinez.

The only problem with using Martinez, Laird and Avila, is that Martinez is owed $13 million next season. While that is quite a hefty sum, if he can produce with RISP like he did in 2011 then he will be worth every penny.

That being said, we would prefer to see Martinez used as the DH on a daily basis next season and see Laird return at $1 million or a little more. Martinez is too valuable to this team to put him behind the plate and risk him getting hurt or wearing out what little is left of his knees. By resigning Laird, all three catchers could work with the pitching staff and if absolutely necessary Martinez could serve as the emergency catcher. Laird works well with Scherzer and Porcello, while Avila tends to work better with Verlander and Fister. Why break up the band now?

While Sanchez has yet to see any bump in run support moving from Miami to Detroit, he appears to like the club and the fans, but it has yet to be seen if that will turn into him resigning with the Tigers. With Detroit cutting ties to Valverde, Boesch and Young, there should be enough money to offer Sanchez a competitive deal to keep him in Motown.

He may not have had the best first few outings for Detroit, but Sanchez has shown that he is as capable a pitcher as any of the other guys on the staff. Sanchez will receive contracts worth absurd money, no doubt, but the Tigers will likely offer him something in the neighborhood of $9-10 million per season.

Savings: $15.75 million 

Total Savings: $19.25 million

What about the 'pen?

Phil Coke has shown that he is capable of handling the closers role in the postseason, why not keep him in that role? With Coke serving as the closer, the 7th and 8th inning roles could be left up to Octavio Dotel and Joaquin Benoit.

Moving Coke to the closer, leaves the Tigers in need of a situational lefty, which could be filled by Darin Downs. Continuing to use Al Albuquerque in tight situations would be a solid move and so would be moving Bruce Rondon up from the Toledo Mud Hens and into the Tigers bullpen.

Detroit made a good run in 2011, but was hampered by injuries. In 2012, an American League Championship is nothing to sneeze at, but the Tigers have no one to blame but themselves for under-performing in the World Series. If Detroit wants to stay at the top of the AL for a long time, they need to reward success while promoting young cheap talent from within.





Friday, October 26, 2012

Lamont's Call to Send Fielder in Detroit Tigers Loss to Giants Was the Right One

By Sean Gagnier

Yes, the Tigers are down two games in the World Series. Yes, they are struggling to score runs. And yes, I am not the biggest fan of Gene Lamont. But his call to send Prince Fielder home in the second inning of Thursday's Game 2 was the right call.

Everyone knows that Fielder isn't the best guy on the base paths, but he isn't completely incompetent either.

On the play, Delmon Young scorches a ball down the left field line that pulls the left fielder, Gregor Blanco toward the corner of the field. Before the ball reaches the left field corner however, it ricochets off a cutout and takes a weird hop into left field. At this point, Fielder is around second base and is looking to Lamont at third for direction.

Just as Fielder hits third and begins his sprint toward home, Blanco comes up with the ball and fires it over the cut-off man, where Marco Scutaro takes the throw and has to make a perfect throw to the outside of the line in order to both avoid hitting Fielder and give catcher Buster Posey a shot at tagging him out.

Here's where the defense of the call comes in. Lamont knows that this team is struggling to score runs and he knows that getting one there could give Detroit momentum, so he takes a gamble.

Keep these things in mind when thinking about this play. 1. Scutaro needed to make an absolute perfect throw to the outside part of the plate to even give Posey a chance. 2. Posey does not block the plate anymore after suffering a broken ankle blocking the plate a few years ago.

Now imagine that you're Lamont with Fielder charging to third base. You know both of those things and you know that your runner is a biggun who has an awful lot of kinetic energy heading toward the plate. Keeping those things in mind, sending the runner is the right move.

The blame, if there must be some assigned, lies with Fielder and Jhonny Peralta. Peralta was in the on-deck circle during this play. As the player on-deck, you are responsible for moving behind the plate and helping to tell the runner when and how to slide to avoid any tag at the plate.

Peralta moved to the plate too late and didn't give Fielder any signals on where the throw was coming from. Because of the lack of help from Peralta, Fielder opted for a hook-slide in the middle of the plate rather than a straight-slide on the outside part of the plate.

Sure, if Lamont holds Fielder at third then the Tigers have runners at second and third with no outs and Peralta at the plate. You would assume that at least one of the next two batters could at least lift a ball to the outfield to score Fielder, but that wasn't the case.

If Lamont holds Fielder and the Tigers fail to come up with a hit, likely as they only had two, then it becomes a mistake to have held Fielder. Either call is a good one for different reasons, but this is the World Series, you have to go big or go home.