Detroit Tigers 2013-14 Off-season thread - Page 2

cephasjames · 10-22-2013, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RandyTiger

Team's official Twitter feed is confirming Leyland is stepping down to take another position with the club.

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Watts

Detroit news---Ken Rosenthal is reporting that Jim Leyland is stepping down as manager of the Tigers. Say's it's time for someone younger to do the job. I have mixed feelings about this.

I think we got distracted by Coke

and forgot to state that Jim Leyland has officially stepped down as the Tigers' manager.

I will miss him. He may not have gotten the ring(s) that I hoped for but the man took a team that had 119 loses only ten years ago to four post seasons, three Central Division pennants, and two American League pennants in his eight years at the helm. That's pretty impressive.

And so now the question becomes: Who will take over?

David Watts · 10-22-2013, 10:35 AM

I'm really really worried that the Tigers are going to hire Dusty Baker. I think this would be a huge mistake. Of all those suggested so far, this is the guy I don't want. Manny Acta is a close second. I hope they find someone that is great at developing young talent, not someone with the reputation of destroying it.

CONN CHRIS · 10-22-2013, 11:05 AM

I wouldn't mind seeing Trammell get another shot. Maybe I have rose colored glasses on but I don't recall him being a bad manager; just a guy with little to no talent to work with and no experience. He has more experience now and the Tigers have talent and money to get more.

RandyTiger · 10-22-2013, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Watts

I'm really really worried that the Tigers are going to hire Dusty Baker. I think this would be a huge mistake. Of all those suggested so far, this is the guy I don't want. Manny Acta is a close second. I hope they find someone that is great at developing young talent, not someone with the reputation of destroying it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CONN CHRIS

I wouldn't mind seeing Trammell get another shot. Maybe I have rose colored glasses on but I don't recall him being a bad manager; just a guy with little to no talent to work with and no experience. He has more experience now and the Tigers have talent and money to get more.

Dombrowski is not stupid, and he's going to pick a manager who is not a fit for the Tigers, and he's not going to put a rookie in the job.

Lynn Henning of the Detroit News gives a run-down of the likely candidates, something very much worth reading, and even speculates that Tony LaRussa, if he can be coaxed out of retirement for one year, would be a very good fit for the Cats.

Henning makes a lot of sense - including getting LaRussa if he can be pried away from the gilded cage of administration.

There really isn't much good managerial timber out there for the having these days. It's a pity Francona or Maddon aren't available.

cephasjames · 10-22-2013, 12:48 PM

This is, imo, an interesting read on potential managers: New Detroit Tigers manager: Dusty Baker, Eric Wedge, even Lloyd McClendon may be in mix | Detroit Free Press | freep.com

The list in the article:
Lloyd McClendon
Dusty Baker
Eric Wedge
Torey Lovullo
Brad Ausmus
Kirk Gibson (though unlikely as he's signed through 2014)

RandyTiger · 10-22-2013, 12:50 PM

CJ, are we time-sharing brains here?

cephasjames · 10-22-2013, 01:16 PM

Here's an article that looks at roster decisions in the off-season: Tigers have roster decisions to make in the off season - Bless You Boys

RandyTiger · 10-23-2013, 05:57 AM

Finally got the time to post the 40-man roster, with Free-Agent and Arbitration-Eligible tags [Thanks to CJ for the data on FA/AE peeps].

RandyTiger · 10-23-2013, 07:34 AM

This begins a look-by-look of each Tiger on the 40-man roster, providing an in-depth look into his statistics and how they helped (or hurt) the team in 2013.

-----------------------

The first person up on the list is Al Alburquerque.

Overall: Al-Al, as he's nicknamed, provided inconsistent bullpen support throughout the year. While at times he was steady as a rock, striking out batters left and right with his high-octane fastball and wicked slider, on other days, he couldn't find the dish with a radio telescope. The phrase, "yo' pays your money and take yo' chances", came to mind whenever he was summoned to the mound.

His wildness early on resulted in a demotion to Toledo (AAA) on May 16th, and after 10 games there, he was recalled to the club on June 21st when Jose Valverde was designated for assignment.

Season numbers: He was 4-3, had 10 Holds, and sported an 4.59 ERA and an 1.49 WHIP. In 49 innings over 53 appearances, he struck out 70 and walked 34. Out of 40 runners inherited, he allowed 14 to score.

He also earned the shameful distinction of having tying for 8th in the AL with 9 wild pitches, the most of any Tigers pitcher.

His WAR value comes out to 0.2.

Season numbers breakdown: Let's see what his numbers translate to, shall we?

Strikeouts per 9 innings: 12.86. Whoa.
Walks per 9 innings: 6.2. (!) ICK!
Strikeout/walk ratio: 2.06. Erm... not good, obviously.

Batting average against: .213. Excellent, as illustrated by his 7.2 hits/9 innings line.
OBP against: .341. Those walks killed him.
OPS against: .671. Pretty darn good, but could have been much better.
Groundball/Flyball ratio: 46/68, 0.68.

-----------------------

Home: 2-1, 2.86 ERA, 1.52 WHIP; .186 Batting Average against, with 2 HR allowed.
Away: 2-2, 6.97 ERA, 1.45 WHIP; .247 BAA, with 3 HR allowed.

-----------------------

Versus LHB: .228 BAA, .333 OBP, .662 OPS.
Versus RHB: .202 BAA, .346 OBP, .683 OPS.

-----------------------

Now for something a little alarming:

Pitches 1-15, .207 BAA, .327 OBP, .640 OPS.
Pitches 16+: .500 BAA, .667 OBP, 1.1917 OPS.

Well, he isn't gonna make a good starter, eh?

-----------------------

Now for something interesting:

Before All-Star break: 1-2, 5.18 ERA, 1.89 WHIP; .250 BAA, with 3 HR's allowed.
After All-Star break: 3-1, 4.01 ERA, 1.10 WHIP; .172 BAA with 2 HR's allowed.

Clearly, he was terrific in the 2nd half of the season.

-----------------------

Combined Post-season stats: in 7 appearances covering 4.2 innings, he was 0-1, with 2 Holds, 3.86 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, and had 9 strikeouts and 3 walks.

Other than a couple of games, he was reliable.

-----------------------

He is what he is, a prototypical power-pitcher with control issues, and could have easily been one of the better relief pitchers in the league if he had mastered his issues. At 27 years of age, he has a little room to improve, but not much.

TribeFanInNC · 10-23-2013, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RandyTiger

He is what he is, a prototypical power-pitcher with control issues, and could have easily been one of the better relief pitchers in the league if he had mastered his issues. At 27 years of age, he has a little room to improve, but not much.

Again, I don't watch him everyday, so I can't speak of his movement, etc... But he seems the classic "If he'd dial it down a bit, he'd probably have more success." You don't need to throw 98 to get guys out. You need to throw strikes where you want them to go. If he drop the K/9 to 9 and the BB/9 to 3.5, he'd probably have better results (unless he throws really straight or has no offspeed, etc..).

I think guys can learn this, however, and improve, even at 27. I use Bartolo Colon as an example. Early in his career, he tried to throw 98mph 4-seamer every pitch. He eventually learned a 2-seamer with good movement at 92mph. Once he controlled that, he improved immensely as a pitcher. That's his bread-and-butter even today. (I know, the stem cells helped too...)

************
BTW, I think this is really cool Randy. I enjoy it reading them, even as a non-Detroit fan.

RandyTiger · 10-23-2013, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TribeFanInNC

Again, I don't watch him everyday, so I can't speak of his movement, etc... But he seems the classic "If he'd dial it down a bit, he'd probably have more success." You don't need to throw 98 to get guys out. You need to throw strikes where you want them to go. If he drop the K/9 to 9 and the BB/9 to 3.5, he'd probably have better results (unless he throws really straight or has no offspeed, etc..).

I think guys can learn this, however, and improve, even at 27. I use Bartolo Colon as an example. Early in his career, he tried to throw 98mph 4-seamer every pitch. He eventually learned a 2-seamer with good movement at 92mph. Once he controlled that, he improved immensely as a pitcher. That's his bread-and-butter even today. (I know, the stem cells helped too...)

************
BTW, I think this is really cool Randy. I enjoy it reading them, even as a non-Detroit fan.

I agree completely with you, Tribe - and thanks for the compliment.

Colon is a very good example of a guy who learned to stop throwing and start pitching smart, and he's all the better for it. Granted, the stuff he put into his system probably helped, but you still need to make the mental adjustment.

Hopefully, Jones (Tigers pitching coach) will have some influence on him, but with a staff full of fireballers, will Alburquerque listen?

He better if he wants to be an elite relief pitcher with a big contract, otherwise, he'll just be a middle-of-the-road journeyman going from team to team with a league-minimum type contract.

RandyTiger · 10-23-2013, 08:31 PM

Came across something a bit interesting about the coaching job opportunity that many have overlooked:

Dombrowski is only looking for candidates who do not currently have a job managing, which means that people like Kirk Gibson, et al, are not going to be interviewed. [Source: Jason Beck's Blog]

La Russa has also denied interest in the job.

At this point, whomever Dombrowski selects is sure to be criticized before he starts his job, and the debate will go on all winter about the new hire.

As far as I'm concerned, as long as the new guy gets gets this team moving into the WS (and wins it, something Leyland never accomplished here), I don't care if he has horns, a forked tail, speaks Klingon, and nerve-pinches Umpires when he gets pissed. (Hmm... that last would be a talent in great demand amongst managers, eh?)

Or has a mouth that makes a sailor's jaw drop.

Or throws chairs across the room.

Or takes a poke or two at someone who ticks him off.

Or acts like he's on tranquilizers or worse.

As long as he gets the Cats to win it all.

And that's that.

David Watts · 10-25-2013, 03:11 PM

Tigers have 2 guys in the running for Gold Gloves. Doug Fister and Andy Dirks. Yup, Andy Dirks. This once again makes me ask the all important question....Why in the Hell did Don Kelly play so much during the post season? Why? Leyland's car must be spotless and his lawn pristine.

cephasjames · 10-26-2013, 01:57 PM

LA Dodgers' Tim Wallach interviews for Detroit Tigers manager job | tigers.com: News

Tim Wallach actually sounds like a decent possibility.

RandyTiger · 10-28-2013, 01:36 AM

This continues our series of looking at each Tiger on the 40-man roster, providing an in-depth look into his statistics and how they helped (or hurt) the team in 2013.

-----------------------

The first person up on the list is Jose Alvarez.

Overall: The 24-year-old left-hander made his MLB debut on June 9th after a solid Spring Training, and during the season, shuttled back and forth between Toledo (AAA) and Detroit enough to earn frequent flyer miles.

Out of the 14 games he pitched in at the MLB level, 6 were starts, and he proved his versatility over the course of the season. It's safe to say his stuff didn't "WOW" hitters, and he was, at best, an adequate fill-in. He might make a 5th starter on a last-place team, but that's about it.

Season numbers:

Overall, he was 1-5, with an 5.82 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP. In 38.2 innings of work, he had 31 strikeouts and issued 16 walks, one which was intentional. He inherited 5 runners as a reliever, none scored.

His WAR value comes out to -0.1.

Season numbers breakdown: Let's take a look at his numbers, both as a starter and reliever.

Overall:

Strikeouts per 9 innings: 7.2. Serviceable.
Walks per 9 innings: 3.7. Adequate
Strikeout/walk ratio: 1.94. So he's not Scherzer or Verlander.

Batting average against: .280. Not all that great, as 9.8 hits per 9 innings show.
OBP against: .353. Ew.
OPS against: .866. Ick.
Groundball/Flyball ratio: 52/71, 0.73.

As a starter:

Strikeouts per 9 innings: 8.0. Solid.
Walks per 9 innings: 3.9. Adequate.
Strikeout/walk ratio: 2.08. Could be better.

Batting average against: .259. Good.
OBP against: .341. Walks didn't help any.
OPS against: .832. Very much lower-end average.

Reliever:

Strikeouts per 9 innings: 5.1. Not very effective.
Walks per 9 innings: 3.4. Not all that great in a relief role.
Strikeout/walk ratio: 1.50. Not suited to relief.

Batting average against: .333. He shouldn't be working as a reliever.
OBP against: .383. See comment above.
OPS against: .954. See comment above.

Obviously, not suited for relieving. At this point in his career, suited only as an emergency starter.

-----------------------

Home: 1-3, 5.86 ERA, 1.45 WHIP; .286 Batting Average against, with 6 HR allowed.
Away: 0-2, 5.73 ERA, 1.64 WHIP; .263 BAA, with 1 HR allowed.

-----------------------

Versus LHB: .265 BAA, .321 OBP, .851 OPS.
Versus RHB: .287 BAA, .368 OBP, .872 OPS.

-----------------------

He pitched nearly the same number of innings before and after the All-Star break (19.2 first half / 19 second half) :

Before ASB: 1-2, 5.03 ERA, 1.42 WHIP; .273 BAA, with 5 HR's allowed.
Post ASB: 0-3, 6.63 ERA, 1.58 WHIP; .288 BAA with 2 HR's allowed.

Looks to me opponents hit him better the more they see of him.

-----------------------

Combined Post-season stats: He played a miniscule role, pitching just 3 innings in 1 appearance against Oakland. He struck out 3 and walked 1, while giving up no hits in a stellar performance.

-----------------------

He clearly need some more time to develop, hopefully with an improved out pitch. I don't think we can expect to see him as a regular starter with the Tigers for a few years yet.

David Watts · 10-28-2013, 10:16 AM

Found this to be kind of interesting. I guess neither Lamont or Brookens will be interviewed for the managers position. McClendon will be the only current coach to be interviewed. DD decided that this was best to avoid hard feelings amongst the staff if one was chosen over the other(s). Of course, I would think one being interviewed and the others passed over, could cause friction as well. Personally, I feel this is a pretty good sign that McClendon won't be getting the job.

cephasjames · 10-28-2013, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Watts

Found this to be kind of interesting. I guess neither Lamont or Brookens will be interviewed for the managers position. McClendon will be the only current coach to be interviewed. DD decided that this was best to avoid hard feelings amongst the staff if one was chosen over the other(s). Of course, I would think one being interviewed and the others passed over, could cause friction as well. Personally, I feel this is a pretty good sign that McClendon won't be getting the job.

I think Lamont is past his prime for managing and Brookens isn't there yet. McClendon was really the only is really the viable option of the three. I'm not sure he's going to get it though. Of the two interviewed I would bet that Tim Wallach would get picked over McClendon because McClendon is too much in the vein of Jim 'can't-win-the-Series' Leyland.

Jim repeatedly said something along the lines of' "It's the players' job to pump themselves up to win." While this is basically true, I think that's the reason Detroit didn't win the Series under Jim. Lloyd, I think, would follow Jim in these footsteps. I think (based mostly on some incomplete thought that forgot to type in that now I can't remember

) Wallach could be that extra bit of energy and leader to take the boys to the next level.

cephasjames · 10-29-2013, 05:39 AM

Detroit Tigers' Miguel Cabrera to undergo surgery on groin this week | tigers.com: News

Quote:

DETROIT -- Miguel Cabrera will require surgery to repair a severe groin strain that bothered him down the stretch this season and into the playoffs. The Tigers confirmed the appointment with hernia specialist Dr. William Meyers for this week.

The timetable for recovery is expected to give Cabrera enough time to work out this offseason and be ready for Spring Training next February.

So, basically, a good thing.

cephasjames · 10-29-2013, 05:42 AM

Managerial candidate #3: Brad Ausmus.

Quote:

Ausmus has neither managed nor coached in the big leagues during the three seasons since his 18-year playing career ended...

Ausmus' only managerial experience at the pro level was for Israel's team in the qualifying round of this year's World Baseball Classic. But his career behind the plate, including three seasons in Detroit, and his Dartmouth education are seen as a foundation. Those who know Ausmus from his playing and post-playing days rave about his interpersonal skills...

The consideration of Ausmus, who will turn 45 in April, contradicts Dombrowski's remarks last week about previous managerial experience being a plus, but others have suggested an experienced bench coach could help Ausmus make up for that deficiency.

I remember him as a player. He's a smart cookie. He's one of those catchers who seemed to notice everything going on on the field.

RandyTiger · 10-29-2013, 10:55 AM

If he had even a year or two in the minors as a coach, he might be a good catch as a manager. Playing is so much different than managing with all the personnel issues involved. It's a hard, hard job.

As it is, I doubt he'll be hired for the Bigs. They might want to offer him a job somewhere in the minors for some seasoning.

10-22-2013, 11:05 AM	#23
CONN CHRIS Global Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 28,853	I wouldn't mind seeing Trammell get another shot. Maybe I have rose colored glasses on but I don't recall him being a bad manager; just a guy with little to no talent to work with and no experience. He has more experience now and the Tigers have talent and money to get more. __________________ Check Out My Cards!

10-22-2013, 12:48 PM	#25
cephasjames Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 8,736	This is, imo, an interesting read on potential managers: New Detroit Tigers manager: Dusty Baker, Eric Wedge, even Lloyd McClendon may be in mix \| Detroit Free Press \| freep.com The list in the article: Lloyd McClendon Dusty Baker Eric Wedge Torey Lovullo Brad Ausmus Kirk Gibson (though unlikely as he's signed through 2014) __________________ 5000+ Generic Logos Free for the Taking FREE: Uniforms and logos for 500+ teams spanning 1871-present Great Lakes League: 10 Conferences, 100 Teams Pre-OOTP 23 Custom Cap & Jersey Template v3.0 by Deft and NoPepper (with layers from other various artists) that I use: Caps, Jerseys Last edited by cephasjames; 10-22-2013 at 12:49 PM.

10-22-2013, 01:16 PM	#27
cephasjames Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 8,736	Here's an article that looks at roster decisions in the off-season: Tigers have roster decisions to make in the off season - Bless You Boys __________________ 5000+ Generic Logos Free for the Taking FREE: Uniforms and logos for 500+ teams spanning 1871-present Great Lakes League: 10 Conferences, 100 Teams Pre-OOTP 23 Custom Cap & Jersey Template v3.0 by Deft and NoPepper (with layers from other various artists) that I use: Caps, Jerseys

10-23-2013, 07:34 AM	#29
RandyTiger Hall Of Famer Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 2,510	A look at Al Alburquerque This begins a look-by-look of each Tiger on the 40-man roster, providing an in-depth look into his statistics and how they helped (or hurt) the team in 2013. ----------------------- The first person up on the list is Al Alburquerque. Overall: Al-Al, as he's nicknamed, provided inconsistent bullpen support throughout the year. While at times he was steady as a rock, striking out batters left and right with his high-octane fastball and wicked slider, on other days, he couldn't find the dish with a radio telescope. The phrase, "yo' pays your money and take yo' chances", came to mind whenever he was summoned to the mound. His wildness early on resulted in a demotion to Toledo (AAA) on May 16th, and after 10 games there, he was recalled to the club on June 21st when Jose Valverde was designated for assignment. Season numbers: He was 4-3, had 10 Holds, and sported an 4.59 ERA and an 1.49 WHIP. In 49 innings over 53 appearances, he struck out 70 and walked 34. Out of 40 runners inherited, he allowed 14 to score. He also earned the shameful distinction of having tying for 8th in the AL with 9 wild pitches, the most of any Tigers pitcher. His WAR value comes out to 0.2. Season numbers breakdown: Let's see what his numbers translate to, shall we? Strikeouts per 9 innings: 12.86. Whoa. Walks per 9 innings: 6.2. (!) ICK! Strikeout/walk ratio: 2.06. Erm... not good, obviously. Batting average against: .213. Excellent, as illustrated by his 7.2 hits/9 innings line. OBP against: .341. Those walks killed him. OPS against: .671. Pretty darn good, but could have been much better. Groundball/Flyball ratio: 46/68, 0.68. ----------------------- Home: 2-1, 2.86 ERA, 1.52 WHIP; .186 Batting Average against, with 2 HR allowed. Away: 2-2, 6.97 ERA, 1.45 WHIP; .247 BAA, with 3 HR allowed. ----------------------- Versus LHB: .228 BAA, .333 OBP, .662 OPS. Versus RHB: .202 BAA, .346 OBP, .683 OPS. ----------------------- Now for something a little alarming: Pitches 1-15, .207 BAA, .327 OBP, .640 OPS. Pitches 16+: .500 BAA, .667 OBP, 1.1917 OPS. Well, he isn't gonna make a good starter, eh? ----------------------- Now for something interesting: Before All-Star break: 1-2, 5.18 ERA, 1.89 WHIP; .250 BAA, with 3 HR's allowed. After All-Star break: 3-1, 4.01 ERA, 1.10 WHIP; .172 BAA with 2 HR's allowed. Clearly, he was terrific in the 2nd half of the season. ----------------------- Combined Post-season stats: in 7 appearances covering 4.2 innings, he was 0-1, with 2 Holds, 3.86 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, and had 9 strikeouts and 3 walks. Other than a couple of games, he was reliable. ----------------------- He is what he is, a prototypical power-pitcher with control issues, and could have easily been one of the better relief pitchers in the league if he had mastered his issues. At 27 years of age, he has a little room to improve, but not much.

10-26-2013, 01:57 PM	#34
cephasjames Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 8,736	LA Dodgers' Tim Wallach interviews for Detroit Tigers manager job \| tigers.com: News Tim Wallach actually sounds like a decent possibility. __________________ 5000+ Generic Logos Free for the Taking FREE: Uniforms and logos for 500+ teams spanning 1871-present Great Lakes League: 10 Conferences, 100 Teams Pre-OOTP 23 Custom Cap & Jersey Template v3.0 by Deft and NoPepper (with layers from other various artists) that I use: Caps, Jerseys

10-22-2013, 10:35 AM	#22
David Watts Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Looking for a place called Leehofooks Posts: 9,622 Infractions: 0/1 (1)	I'm really really worried that the Tigers are going to hire Dusty Baker. I think this would be a huge mistake. Of all those suggested so far, this is the guy I don't want. Manny Acta is a close second. I hope they find someone that is great at developing young talent, not someone with the reputation of destroying it.

10-22-2013, 12:50 PM	#26
RandyTiger Hall Of Famer Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 2,510	CJ, are we time-sharing brains here?

10-23-2013, 05:57 AM	#28
RandyTiger Hall Of Famer Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 2,510	Finally got the time to post the 40-man roster, with Free-Agent and Arbitration-Eligible tags [Thanks to CJ for the data on FA/AE peeps].

10-23-2013, 08:31 PM	#32
RandyTiger Hall Of Famer Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 2,510	Came across something a bit interesting about the coaching job opportunity that many have overlooked: Dombrowski is only looking for candidates who do not currently have a job managing, which means that people like Kirk Gibson, et al, are not going to be interviewed. [Source: Jason Beck's Blog] La Russa has also denied interest in the job. At this point, whomever Dombrowski selects is sure to be criticized before he starts his job, and the debate will go on all winter about the new hire. As far as I'm concerned, as long as the new guy gets gets this team moving into the WS (and wins it, something Leyland never accomplished here), I don't care if he has horns, a forked tail, speaks Klingon, and nerve-pinches Umpires when he gets pissed. (Hmm... that last would be a talent in great demand amongst managers, eh?) Or has a mouth that makes a sailor's jaw drop. Or throws chairs across the room. Or takes a poke or two at someone who ticks him off. Or acts like he's on tranquilizers or worse. As long as he gets the Cats to win it all. And that's that.

10-25-2013, 03:11 PM	#33
David Watts Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Looking for a place called Leehofooks Posts: 9,622 Infractions: 0/1 (1)	Tigers have 2 guys in the running for Gold Gloves. Doug Fister and Andy Dirks. Yup, Andy Dirks. This once again makes me ask the all important question....Why in the Hell did Don Kelly play so much during the post season? Why? Leyland's car must be spotless and his lawn pristine.

10-28-2013, 01:36 AM	#35
RandyTiger Hall Of Famer Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 2,510	Jose Alvarez This continues our series of looking at each Tiger on the 40-man roster, providing an in-depth look into his statistics and how they helped (or hurt) the team in 2013. ----------------------- The first person up on the list is Jose Alvarez. Overall: The 24-year-old left-hander made his MLB debut on June 9th after a solid Spring Training, and during the season, shuttled back and forth between Toledo (AAA) and Detroit enough to earn frequent flyer miles. Out of the 14 games he pitched in at the MLB level, 6 were starts, and he proved his versatility over the course of the season. It's safe to say his stuff didn't "WOW" hitters, and he was, at best, an adequate fill-in. He might make a 5th starter on a last-place team, but that's about it. Season numbers: Overall, he was 1-5, with an 5.82 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP. In 38.2 innings of work, he had 31 strikeouts and issued 16 walks, one which was intentional. He inherited 5 runners as a reliever, none scored. His WAR value comes out to -0.1. Season numbers breakdown: Let's take a look at his numbers, both as a starter and reliever. Overall: Strikeouts per 9 innings: 7.2. Serviceable. Walks per 9 innings: 3.7. Adequate Strikeout/walk ratio: 1.94. So he's not Scherzer or Verlander. Batting average against: .280. Not all that great, as 9.8 hits per 9 innings show. OBP against: .353. Ew. OPS against: .866. Ick. Groundball/Flyball ratio: 52/71, 0.73. As a starter: Strikeouts per 9 innings: 8.0. Solid. Walks per 9 innings: 3.9. Adequate. Strikeout/walk ratio: 2.08. Could be better. Batting average against: .259. Good. OBP against: .341. Walks didn't help any. OPS against: .832. Very much lower-end average. Reliever: Strikeouts per 9 innings: 5.1. Not very effective. Walks per 9 innings: 3.4. Not all that great in a relief role. Strikeout/walk ratio: 1.50. Not suited to relief. Batting average against: .333. He shouldn't be working as a reliever. OBP against: .383. See comment above. OPS against: .954. See comment above. Obviously, not suited for relieving. At this point in his career, suited only as an emergency starter. ----------------------- Home: 1-3, 5.86 ERA, 1.45 WHIP; .286 Batting Average against, with 6 HR allowed. Away: 0-2, 5.73 ERA, 1.64 WHIP; .263 BAA, with 1 HR allowed. ----------------------- Versus LHB: .265 BAA, .321 OBP, .851 OPS. Versus RHB: .287 BAA, .368 OBP, .872 OPS. ----------------------- He pitched nearly the same number of innings before and after the All-Star break (19.2 first half / 19 second half) : Before ASB: 1-2, 5.03 ERA, 1.42 WHIP; .273 BAA, with 5 HR's allowed. Post ASB: 0-3, 6.63 ERA, 1.58 WHIP; .288 BAA with 2 HR's allowed. Looks to me opponents hit him better the more they see of him. ----------------------- Combined Post-season stats: He played a miniscule role, pitching just 3 innings in 1 appearance against Oakland. He struck out 3 and walked 1, while giving up no hits in a stellar performance. ----------------------- He clearly need some more time to develop, hopefully with an improved out pitch. I don't think we can expect to see him as a regular starter with the Tigers for a few years yet.

10-28-2013, 10:16 AM	#36
David Watts Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Looking for a place called Leehofooks Posts: 9,622 Infractions: 0/1 (1)	Found this to be kind of interesting. I guess neither Lamont or Brookens will be interviewed for the managers position. McClendon will be the only current coach to be interviewed. DD decided that this was best to avoid hard feelings amongst the staff if one was chosen over the other(s). Of course, I would think one being interviewed and the others passed over, could cause friction as well. Personally, I feel this is a pretty good sign that McClendon won't be getting the job.

10-29-2013, 10:55 AM	#40
RandyTiger Hall Of Famer Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 2,510	If he had even a year or two in the minors as a coach, he might be a good catch as a manager. Playing is so much different than managing with all the personnel issues involved. It's a hard, hard job. As it is, I doubt he'll be hired for the Bigs. They might want to offer him a job somewhere in the minors for some seasoning.