Detroit Tigers
2010 Record: 81-81
751 RS, 743 RA, Pythagorean Record: 82-80
Manager: Jim Leyland
GM: Dave Dombrowski
Free Agents:
Joaquin Benoit, RP (3, $16.5MM); Brandon Inge, 3B (2O, $11.5MM; $5MM Club Option); Victor Martinez, C (4, $50MM); Magglio Ordonez, OF (1, $10MM); Brad Penny, SP (1, $3MM); Jhonny Peralta, SS (2O, $11.25MM; $6MM Club Option).
Minor League FA:
Al Alburquerque, P; John Bale, P; William Bergolla, 2B; Argenis Diaz, SS; Scot Rucker, P; Ramon Garcia, P; Mariano Gomez, P; Enrique Gonzalez, P; Victor Moreno, P; Alex Nunez, OF; Chris Oxspring, P; Timo Perez, OF; Josh Rainwater, P; Omir Santos, C; Max St. Pierre, C; Scott Thorman, 1B; Clay Timpner, OF; Brandon Tripp, OF.
Rule V Pick:
None
Trades:
Received Kevin Eichhorn (P) and Ryan Robowski (P) from the Diamondbacks for Armando Galarraga (P); Received a player to be named later from the Red Sox for Brent Dlugach (SS).
Waiver Claims:
None
Players Lost:
Jeremy Bonderman, P; Eddie Bonine, P; Billy Buckner, P; Tyler Conn, P; Erik Crichton, P; Johnny Damon, OF; Robinson Diaz, C; Alexis Espinoza, OF; Adam Everett, SS; Casey Fien, P; Alfredo Figaro, P; Jeff Frazier, OF; Carmelo Jaime, 2B; Brandon Jones, OF; Tyson Kendrick, C; Ryan Ketchner, P; Gerald Laird, C; Henry Mejia, P; Zach Miner, P; Chris Nicoll, P; Jesus Petit, OF; Arturo Santana, C; Jay Sborz, P; Bobby Seay, P; Chris Sedon, 2B; Chao-Ting Tang, OF; Londell Taylor, OF.
Top 15 Prospects
1. Jacob Turner, RHP
2. Nick Castellanos, 3B
3. Andy Oliver, LHP
4. Daniel Schlereth, LHP
5. Chance Ruffin, RHP
6. Casey Crosby, LHP
7. Daniel Fields, OF
8. Gustavo Nunez, 2B
9. Drew Smyly, LHP
10. Francisco Martinez, 3B
11. Charles Furbush, LHP
12. Avisail Garcia, OF
13. Josue Carreno, RHP
14. Brayan Villarreal, RHP
15. Casper Wells, OF
If there is one thing Detroit does with prospects, it is getting them to the Majors fast. Jacob Turner is the next pitcher on the fast track; I wouldn’t be surprised to see him as a September call up. Andy Oliver was the last example and will be the first guy called if there is an injury. Nick Castellanos will take more time than the others; he’s raw but should be a solid Major Leaguer. Dan Schlereth figures to be a regular in the bullpen.
2010 Review:
It was a mixed season for the Tigers; they played well, just not well enough. The team was in contention for most of the season, but fell off at the end.
One big disappointment was pitcher Rick Porcello; it appears that the Tigers rushed him. The good news is he’s still young enough that he can rebound. The question becomes will he do it as a Tiger? I’m not saying they’ll trade him yet, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it eventually happened.
The bright spot for the team has to be Austin Jackson. Many were upset when the Tigers moved fan-favorite Curtis Granderson before the season. Jackson was expected to start the season in the minors, but broke camp with the team and put up a great rookie season.
You can’t talk about the 2010 Tigers without mentioning Armando Galarraga’s almost-perfect game. As we’ve all heard, Galarraga was robbed of a perfect game on what would have been the final out; the umpire called Lou Marson safe when he was clearly out. Galarraga’s season was nothing to write home about, but this start will always stick out.
2011 Preview:
It’s obvious that Detroit is making their move to win this season. Joining star Miguel Cabrera is catcher Victor Martinez; Martinez probably can’t catch every day, but he’s worth more on the Tigers than playing against them. They also re-signed DH Magglio Ordonez to a one year deal.
On the pitching front, they bring in Brad Penny for a back of the rotation spot; the front is set with Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer at the front. Scherzer tweeked his mechanics last season and saw immediate results. Porcello is all but guaranteed another crack at the rotation and the final spot will be competition (Oliver, Ryan Perry, and Phil Coke will get a shot).
From the Bloggers:
Prediction:
2nd Place