Detroit Tigers 2013-14 Off-season thread

[RandyTiger]

Originally Posted by Tram2Whitaker

Unfortunately, since I live in Michigan I am technically "in market", and cannot use this. The thing is, except for a couple of the Fox saturday games, all Tiger games are on cable. To get FSD, I have to get Premium Tier Digital cable, which starts at $59.99 a month + taxes and such, then goes up after 6 months. Since Tigers games are the only thing I'd watch, it is not worth the hassle or money.

From a quick look at the MLB Audio front page, the blackout only applies to live games - you can listen to them 90 minutes after the game. I imagine MLB.TV is the same (you'd have to check out the FAQ's and terms of service for both about that to be sure).

Alternatively, you could check the homepage for 97.1 The Ticket/WXYT 1270, there is a button on the homepage that say "listen live" that might be worth checking into. (Wasn't aware of this until I looked, I'll add it to the post about means.)

Don't give up hope until you check everything out.

[RandyTiger]

It's never good news when a manager is cagey and non-committal about a player's injury, which is precisely how Ausmus is regarding Iglesias. Rumor has it that Jose may be out for significant time, possibly until the ASB, and the Tigers may be looking for a short-term replacement.

Don't know about you, but that makes me nervous. While I think Suarez/Perez/Lombardozzi combo would work defensively, the question remains as to what kind of production they'd get out of those three. Then again, Iglesias isn't exactly Miggy in terms of production, either. And if they traded for a replacement, who would they give up for a short-termer? Bad idea. I say go with Lombo/Suarez/Perez and work like mad to get Iglesias fit.

Jason Beck, the MLB Beat reporter that covers the Tigers, has an article on the situation in his blog. Must read for serious and dedicated Tiger fans.

Lynn Henning of the Detroit News has his own take on the situation.

[RandyTiger]

Tigers 14, Astros 3. [Boxscore]

Summary: Tigers roar, Astros wilt.

Pitching: The staff did a good job today, limiting the visitors to 6 hits and 2 walks.

Scherzer started the game, and in a 33-pitch (32 strikes!), 4.2 inning effort, he yielded 3 runs on 5 hits (1 HR), with 6 strikeouts. He was credited with the win.

Interesting thing was that in the 2nd inning, Max gave up 3 straight hits (triple, single, single), and then decided he had enough of these guys and proceeded to get 3 straight strikeouts. Vintage! It was almost like he was playing with them. Was he? Who knows...

ST Line: 3-1, 2.51 ERA, 0.70 WHIP, 14/1 K/BB's in 14.1 IP. Pitches-strikes: 92-84.

Hardy finished off the 5th and worked the 6th, issuing 1 walk and striking out 2. Out of his 12 pitches, 8 were for strikes. Boy's looking great at this point.

ST Line: 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 0.78 WHIP, 4/4 K/BB's in 9.0 IP. P-S: 55-39.

Krol worked the 7th, and issued a walk. Out of his 7 pitches, 3 were for strikes.

ST Line: 1-0, 5.40 ERA, 1.60 WHIP, 4/3 K/BB's in 5.0 IP. P-S: 45-33.

Marinez came on for the 8th, gave up a double and got a whiff. All of his 6 pitches were for strikes.

ST Line: 0-1, 6.23 ERA, 1.62 WHIP, 4/2 K/BB's in 4.1 IP. P-S: 36-26.

Putkonen closed out the game with a perfect 9th. He only needed 3 pitches, and all were for strikes. Efficient. I like that!

ST Line: 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 0.50 WHIP, 9/0 K/BB's in 8.0 IP. P-S: 45-45. (No Typo!)

Offense: The Boys hammered out 18 hits (8 extra bases) and collected 5 walks on 6-17 RISP hitting, stranding 8. These kids are simply roaring right now.

Here's who did what:

Martinez, 1-3 (.306), 1 Run scored (5).
- Single and run scored in the 1st.

(Note: Caught 3 innings as part of a plan to use him for that position in NL parks.)

Avila, 1-3 (.321), double (2).
- Double in the 5th.

Collins, 3-5 (.286), triple (2), HR (2), 3 runs scored (7), 1 RBI (3).
- Single and run scored in the 1st; Triple and run scored in the 2nd; Solo HR to Left-Center in the 7th.

Hunter, 2-3 (.367), double (4), SB (2), BB (3), 1 run scored (4), 3 RBI (6).
- 2-RBI Double and run scored in the 1st; RBI ground-out in the 2nd; single and SB in the 3rd; BB in the 5th.

Miggy, 1-4 (.406), 1 run scored (7).
- Single and run scored in the 2nd.

Kinsler, 3-3 (.323), 3 runs scored (8), 2 HR (2), BB (3), 4 RBI (5).
- RBI Single and run scored in the 1st; 2-run HR to Left-Center in the 2nd; Solo HR to LF in the 4th; BB in the 6th.

Perez, 0-1 (.167), 1 run scored (4).
- Pinch-runner (Kinsler, 6th inning), run scored in the 6th.

Jackson, 1-3 (.469), BB (3), 1 run scored (11).
- Single and run scored in the 1st; BB in 6th.

Albernaz, BB (1), 1 run scored (3).
- Pinch-runner (Jackson, 6th inning), run scored in the 6th; BB in 8th.

Castellanos, 2-4 (.447), double (6), 2 runs scored (8), 1 RBI (16!)
- RBI Double and run scored in the 1st; Reached on E5 and run scored in the 2nd; single in the 4th;

Worth, 3-4 (.276), triple (1), BB (3), 3 RBI (6).
- RBI single in the 1st; RBI triple in the 2nd; RBI single in the 6th; BB in 8th.

Lombardozzi, 1-4 (.222), SF (1), 2 RBI (5).
- RBI single in the 1st; SF RBI in the 6th.

Next game: Sunday, March 16, Tigers (9-7, 4-2 Away) @ Nationals (SS) (9-8, 7-2 Home), 1:05 Eastern.

Probables: Verlander (0-0, 0.00 ERA in 3.2 IP) vs. Zimmerman (1-0, 0.00 ERA in 9 IP)

- Detroit Radio: 97.1 The Ticket.
- Washington TV: MASN.

[RandyTiger]

Note on the post timing of game summaries: due to the fact that some stats are not updated until early morning, summaries won't be posted until around 3 or 4 A.M. Eastern, no matter what time the games take place.

(If I'm lucky enough, day games might have a chance at getting in by evening, but that's dependent upon stats availability.)

[RandyTiger]

Do any of you play fantasy baseball? If so, what site(s) do you use? I'm thinking about trying my hand at it, just for fun.

[RandyTiger]

The Tigers have announced that SS Jose Iglesias will begin the season on the DL list, and will be seeing a specialist in Colorado on Tuesday for another option.

Edit: Anthony Fenech (Det. Free Press) on Twitter said:

Dombrowski said he is content with their internal candidates at SS, but "we will keep a pulse on what's going on outside the organization."

Good, that's exactly what I wanted to hear - stay with the internal guys. No sense in pissing away another prospect on a short-term loan, especially since the organization isn't that rich in talent anymore.

[RandyTiger]

Tigers 2, Nationals 1. [Boxscore]

Summary: Pitching, speed help Cats edge Nats.

Pitching: The corps was spectacular in this one, limiting the Nats to 3 hits and 2 walks. Here's how they did in turn:

Verlander was super-efficient, throwing just 27 pitches (23 strikes) to go 5 innings, yielding a single and walk while striking out 4. (Interesting to note that he tossed 4 2/3 hitless innings before yielding that single.)

(There's some confusion here about how many pitches he actually threw on the mound. Game log records 27 total pitches, reporter accounts say 49. Whatever the case, he threw an additional 16 in the bullpen, so he either had 43 or 65. I have no idea who's right at this point, it's FUBAR'd. I've contacted one the beat reporters for clarification.)

JV was pleased with his off-speed stuff, and I don't think there's any doubt he'll be ready for the regular season.

ST Line: 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 0.58 WHIP, 6/3 K/BB in 8.2 IP.

Reed handled the 6th, walking the first batter he faced, who then stole second. A few outs later, the runner scored on a passed ball by Bryan Holaday. Otherwise, he was flawless.

ST Line: 0-0, 2.00 ERA, 0.44 WHIP, 11/1 K/BB in 7.0 IP.

Coke performed in the 7th, giving up the Nats only extra-base hit, a double, and striking out one. He was credited with the win.

ST Line: 1-0, 5.14 ERA, 1.71 WHIP, 6/1 K/BB in 7 IP.

Rondon worked the 8th, allowing a single and striking out 1. His secondary pitches (such as the slider) are looking good; if they had been this good last year, he might be closing now.

ST Line: 0-0, 1.29 ERA, 0.71 WHIP, 7/0 K/BB in 7 IP.

Ortega finished off the game, striking out 1 to earn his first ST save in 2 opportunities.

ST Line: 0-0, 1 SV, 5.14 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 9/3 K/BB in 7 IP.

Offense: The last two games have spoiled me, I was expecting the Cats to rampage again. Alas, they only came up with 7 hits, 2 walks, and 6 steals in this one, stranding 8 on 1-11 with RISP.

Fun fact: The Tigers lead the Grapefruit league with 28 steals in 19 games. They had just 35 in 162 last season. Yowza! (Ausmus is quoted as saying he's only given 1 steal sign so far; all the others have been green lights.)

Here's the usual list of suspects:

Davis: 1-3 (.387), RS (5), SB (5).
- Single, SB (double with Kinsler), run scored in the 1st.

Kinsler, 0-2 (.303), HBP (2), SB (2).
- HBP and SB (double with Davis) in the 1st.

Lombardozzi, 1-1 (.250), RS (3), 2 SB (5).
- Single, 2 SB, run scored in the 8th.

Martinez, 1-2 (.316), BB (2).
- Single in the 3rd; BB in 6th.

The donkelly, 0-3 (.357), RBI (6).
- Ground-out RBI in the 1st.

Worth, 1-1 (.300), 2B (4), SB (1), RBI (7).
- RBI double and SB in the 8th.

Crowe, 0-3 (.154), BB (3).
- BB in the 8th.

Holaday, 2-3 (.185), SB (1).
- Single and SB in the 2nd inning; single in the 4th inning.

Carrera, 1-4 (.231).
- Single in the 7th.

Defense: Errors, 1: In the 9th, Worth (2) playing 1B.
DP, 1: In the 3rd inning, 5-4-3 (Castellanos-Kinsler, The donkelly).
Passed balls, 1: In the 6th inning, Holaday (2).

Next game: Monday, March 17, Nationals (10-9, 3-6 Away) @ Tigers (10-7, 5-5 Home), 1:05 Eastern.

Probables: T. Roark (1-0, 4.50 ERA in 8.0 IP) vs. Sanchez (0-0, 3.00 ERA in 9 IP)

- Detroit Radio: WXYT 1270.

[cephasjames]

Originally Posted by RandyTiger

Note on the post timing of game summaries: due to the fact that some stats are not updated until early morning, summaries won't be posted until around 3 or 4 A.M. Eastern, no matter what time the games take place.

(If I'm lucky enough, day games might have a chance at getting in by evening, but that's dependent upon stats availability.)

That's fine, Randy. Whatever you do, whenever you do it is fine. We just really appreciate that you put the time and effort into doing.

[RandyTiger]

Heard back from Anthony Fenech, one of the Free Press beat writers.

"I know Verlander threw 49 pitches yesterday. I would be very dicey with spring training stats, because often times they are not complete or 100 percent accurate."

There you have it folks - don't trust ST stats. Heh, I'll keep posting them anyway, gives us something to look at. Besides, good practice to get you lot used to seeing it in preparation for the regular season!

Only 14 more days until Tigers Opening Day!

GO CATS!

[RandyTiger]

The National Weather Service is forecasting severe weather for today's Nats-Tigers game - thunderstorms and showers with 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch of rain, with wind gusts up to 25. High around 81F

(Sounds a hell of a lot better than the unending cold and snow we've been suffering through here in the Michigan/Ohio region, I'll tell you that much. I'm fed up with this crap and more than ready for some warmer weather.)

Tomorrow has a 60% chance of precipitation, high near 79F.

Doubt there will be a game today.

[CONN CHRIS]

This winter has worn me down too Randy.

[RandyTiger]

I imagine it has, the NE has been hammered just as hard as we have, record snowfall and cold.

Gah, wish I was a Tiger beat reporter in Lakeland. At least it would be warm... and to see the Tigers play would be fantastic.

[David Watts]

Originally Posted by RandyTiger

Do any of you play fantasy baseball? If so, what site(s) do you use? I'm thinking about trying my hand at it, just for fun.

Ugh, I wished I would have known you were interested. I'm in a AL only league and we had to drop down to 8 teams this year from 10. We use Yahoo. I've played on both CBS and Yahoo and both provide a great service for free.

[RandyTiger]

Originally Posted by David Watts

Ugh, I wished I would have known you were interested. I'm in a AL only league and we had to drop down to 8 teams this year from 10. We use Yahoo. I've played on both CBS and Yahoo and both provide a great service for free.

I'm assuming it's too late now? :\

[RandyTiger]

Some news:

1. Brad Ausmus has announced the Opening-Day starter:

Justin Verlander!

2. Rajai Davis was scratched from today's game due to a tight hamstring. Raj indicated he could play, but Ausmus decided to err on the side of caution. Wise choice.

[David Watts]

Originally Posted by RandyTiger

I'm assuming it's too late now? :\

Yeah, it's too late. But, I will try and remember to seek you out next season.

[David Watts]

Originally Posted by RandyTiger

It's never good news when a manager is cagey and non-committal about a player's injury, which is precisely how Ausmus is regarding Iglesias. Rumor has it that Jose may be out for significant time, possibly until the ASB, and the Tigers may be looking for a short-term replacement.

Don't know about you, but that makes me nervous. While I think Suarez/Perez/Lombardozzi combo would work defensively, the question remains as to what kind of production they'd get out of those three. Then again, Iglesias isn't exactly Miggy in terms of production, either. And if they traded for a replacement, who would they give up for a short-termer? Bad idea. I say go with Lombo/Suarez/Perez and work like mad to get Iglesias fit.

Jason Beck, the MLB Beat reporter that covers the Tigers, has an article on the situation in his blog. Must read for serious and dedicated Tiger fans.

Lynn Henning of the Detroit News has his own take on the situation.

I wonder if this will lead the Tigers to sign Stephen Drew?

[David Watts]

Originally Posted by David Watts

I wonder if this will lead the Tigers to sign Stephen Drew?

I guess I should have visited the Detroit News before posting this ^. There is a piece there that states that Drew is not in the Tigers plans. Can't say that I'm disappointed.

[RandyTiger]

Originally Posted by David Watts

Yeah, it's too late. But, I will try and remember to seek you out next season.

Thanks.

Originally Posted by David Watts

I wonder if this will lead the Tigers to sign Stephen Drew?

They will not be signing Drew - that has been ruled out by Dombrowski, who prefers to stay with in-house candidates at the time being. He is, however, "keeping a pulse" on what's happening elsewhere. If the internal candidates can't do the job, you can imagine he will go looking.

It doesn't make sense to sign Drew, because he commands a high salary for very meager offensive output, not to mention, the Tigers would have to forfeit a draft pick to Boston if they signed him.

It makes more financial sense to stay in-house, the gloves the Cats have can handle the job. It's the offensive side that concerns them, but I think they'll be okay for the time being. They sure can't do much worse than Drew, anyway. [Drew's stats]

Edit: cross-post with DW.

[RandyTiger]

Injury update: Jose Iglesias confirms that he has been diagnosed with stress fractures in both legs, according to Jason Beck on Twitter. Jose also believes he'll be back to play later this season, and they will know more after tomorrow's visit with the specialist.