Mid-season grades.
Outfield - A
Didn't envision such strong performances by two rookies here. Boesch would be ROY if the voting was done today. 5 tool player. Jackson is making everyone forget about Granderson. He could be a fixture here in CF for a long time. As for Magglio, well he's being Maggs. What more could you ask for? Despite last nights heroics, Damon needs to light a fire under his ass. I understand that he DH's often, but he gets games in the OF too.
INFIELD - B
This grade is inflated by Cabrera's mighty bat. Inge has been hitting much better of late, and Guillen's bat is also showing signs recovery. His defense leaves something to be desired. Absolutely no hitting from C and SS.
Defense - C
How is this? On paper they looked really solid, but the stat's say these guys aren't getting the job done. Fortunately it hasn't cost them many games.
Starting rotation - C
Way too inconsistent after Verlander, although I do like what I see from Scherzer and Galarraga this past month. Will the real Bonderman ever show up?
Bullpen -A
If I have to explain this grade, you haven't been watching. Like Yogi Berra said - "If you ain't got a bullpen, you ain't got nothing." Losing Zumaya was a blow, but maybe Perry will fill the slot this time around. I couldn't say anything bad about Valverde. Well maybe his eyeglasses are kinda weird.
Bench - C
Not a great bench, not a bad bench, We could use a really good PH.
Coaching - A
OK. I'm a Leyland fan, no secret there. So maybe my grade is a little high, but on some nights we have 5 rookies in the line-up, and we are in first place. Think hard about that for a while.
I hoping that Dombrowski takes a run at Cliff Lee. If only to keep him from the Twins. We have an advantage in that we have more farm talent to trade then they do. I also believe Illitch will pony up to keep him here. A lot of money and a couple of prospects, but this guy would be worth it. I still see them acquiring a SS too.At any rate Dombrowski has set this team up to be competitive in the Central for the next 5 years.
Nice post Paul ... :up
I agree with most of it.
I too hope they make a run at Lee.
If you recall, when the Cabrera deal went down, you heard NOTHING from the Tigers till the very last minute.
DD. does his work very quietly.
Lee, Verlander and Scherzer would be very formidable and throw Porcello in there when he gets back.
I look for Bonderman to leave at the end of the year, I really like him, but he's just not got it done consistently.
For that matter the Starters have not got it done consistently.
Don't know if Damon will be back next year or not, with the diminished role of DH and spot OF'er.
I would like to see him back.
Jackson and Boesch have been GREAT.
Here's hoping they can do it year in and year out.
Jackson was in a slump for awhile went from around a .370 avg to just above .300, went on the DL and came back hitting better.
The AS break will do him good.
I was to see if his avg. picks up after the break, he looks like he could be a .320 hitter in the long run.
Tigers STILL cannot hit when they play a good/great pitcher.
Over all, I give them a
B+.
