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Originally Posted by Fool Inc.
Third? The Tigers was 7 games under their Pty. Record last year and had 27 blown saves in 2004. The offense for the first time in a long was productive and for a good part of the season was one of the best in the majors.
This off season the Tigers picked up Percy and now Fransworth to join UU, Walker, and Rodney turning a once horrible pen into one that is solid and the rotation is better simply because Cornejo and Lowe will not be in them. Kinding aside the young rotation will improve simply because everyone will be one year older and one year wiser.
On the other side of the game the Tigers got Maggs to kick Higgy out of the outfield starting spot, making this the best Tiger time in 10 years  More importantly are the other two signings the Tigers got this year. Vance Wilson and Ramon Martinez both supply what the Tigers were in great need of last year. Defense and depth.
So a team that was very unlucky improved tenfold, more than any other team in the central, but you say they will still finish third. I say second or first. |
I get critical of the Tigers, but that's only because I'm sick of seeing them suck. I like the Ordonez deal, if for no other reason than it gets Higgy out of the lineup. IIRC, the Tigers had a tough Aug/Sept last season, and otherwise could've flirted with .500.
With the additions this offseason, I tend to agree with your analysis. If they had Urbina the last month of the year last year, they would've finished much better, IMO. I think 2nd isn't out of the question, but 1st might be a reach. Again, I hope I'm wrong about that.