Jobu’s MLB Rankings for 2010: Detroit Tigers
2009 Campaign: 86-77, 2nd place, AL Central
The Detroit Tigers came so heartbreakingly close to reaching the playoffs last year that it makes me cringe when I think about how their fans must have reacted to a one-game playoff, extra-inning defeat at the hands of the Minnesota Twins (which was one of the best “regular season” games of all time). In doing so, they became just the 4th team in Major League history to have a 7 game divisional lead on Labor Day and squander it away. So, heartbroken and weary, the Detroit Tigers entered the offseason earlier than they would have liked, at which point management had to make some tough decisions (like trading Curtis Granderson to the Yankees) because of weighty contracts that were previously given to guys like Nate Robertson and Dontrelle Willis.
Key Arrivals: OF Johnny Damon (FA), LHP Phil Coke (trade w/ Yankees), OF Austin Jackson (trade w/ Yankees), RHP Max Scherzer (trade w/ Diamondbacks), LHP Daniel Schlereth (trade w/ Diamondbacks)
Key Departures: OF Curtis Granderson (trade w/ Yankees), 1B Aubrey Huff (FA), RHP Edwin Jackson (trade w/ Diamondbacks), RHP Brandon Lyon (FA), INF Placido Polanco (FA), RHP Fernando Rodney (FA), LHP Jarrod Washburn (FA)
2010 Outlook: As mentioned above, the Tigers tied up some money in risky contracts, and it hasn’t really paid off for them to this point. However, even though they lost some key components in Granderson, Jackson, Washburn, and Rodney, they did stockpile some young pitching talent. Max Scherzer has some serious potential and Phil Coke will have another opportunity to prove himself in a market that is a little less demanding than New York. The acquisition of the noodle-armed Johnny Damon is actually commendable; Damon will provide some punch as #2 in the lineup, and will definitely help set the table for sluggers Magglio Ordonez and Miguel Cabrera. As for the pitching, any team that can go with Justin Verlander and Rick Porcello in the first 2 games of a series has an excellent chance at 2 W’s off the bat. Put behind them young fireballers like Scherzer, Armando Gallaraga, and Jeremy Bonderman, who will finally be back to 100%, and things aren’t looking as bad as they could be in the motor city. The Tigers also have a bullpen with tremendous ability, although the closer role is still undefined. The rocket armed Joel Zumaya may step up and grab it, and if that’s the case, he’ll be set up by a surplus of young talent including Phil Coke, Ryan Perry, and Daniel Schlereth (son of ex-NFLer Mark Sclereth).
Jobu Says – Tigers take my cigars but leave plenty of rum. Where there’s smoke, there’s fire. Two Jobu’s has Detroit clawing for playoff spot in a contested division. (Remember, for more on Jobu rankings, click here.)
