Detroit Tigers 2013-14 Off-season thread

[RandyTiger]

Chris, that stuff on the Connecticut Tigers... oi. I know it's short-season A ball, but even then, those numbers... stink. The best of the hitters was Ficociello, and that's not saying much (.264, .711 OPS, 15 doubles, 3 homers, 30 RBI in 59 games). Ugh. You're right, Ben Verlander is gonna be washed out if he doesn't improve. Maybe he should try pitching instead.

On the pitching front, you're right, Sitz does look promising. I'd suggest Edwards, Maciel, and Reininger are pitchers to keep an eye on as well, based upon their numbers.

Didn't know Mike Rabelo was the manager there! So that's what happened to him...

[RandyTiger]

Tigers 6, Braves 5. [Boxscore]

Summary: Tigers win first Grapefruit league game thanks to small-ball and speed.

Pitching: It's spring training, what do you expect? None of the staff was particularly sharp, giving up at least a hit or a run. The big thing was that no-one got blown out and everyone did their job. Can't ask for much more than that.

The best of the bunch was 26-year-old lefty Blaine Hardy, an NRI, who pitched for the Tigers last year in Erie and Toledo. He tossed 2 innings, striking out 1 while giving up an unearned run to notch the win. From his stats last year, looks like he might be a call-up at some point this season if need be, assuming he performs well at Toledo during the season.

Luis Marte notched the save, giving up 1 hit in 2/3 of inning before the game was called with 2 outs in the 9th because of rain. It's Florida, what do you expect?

Offense: The Cats came up with 8 singles and 4 walks, stranding 5 during the game... and get this, they stole 4 bases. Yes, it's spring training, but 4? When was the last time the Cats ever had that during regular season, let alone ST? Wow.

The biggest performers are listed below, in order of batting:

Perez, 1-2, 2 RBI.
R. Davis, 1-2, 2 runs scored, 2 SB.
Martinez, 2-3, 1 SB, 2 RBI. (So Ausmus has the slow guy stealing too. Is Victor the next Vince Coleman? (Not that I'm complaining, mind...))
Fields, 1-2, 1 run scored, 1 SB.
E. Carrerra, 1-1, 1 run scored.
The donkelly and E. Suarez both had SF RBI's, but nothing else.

Defense: Errors: Perez, Murrian, Holaday, Lennerton.

Notes: Avila did not play for the 2nd straight game; wondering if he's still having back issues. Eduardo Sanchez (NRI) suffered an elbow injury, he'll be examined Thursday.

Next game: Thursday, Feb. 27th: Braves @ Tigers, 1:05 Eastern. Starter: Porcello.

Broadcast: None.

[RandyTiger]

Today's lineup:

SS Iglesias
LF Dirks
1B Cabrera
RF Hunter
C Avila
CF Jackson
DH F. Martinez
2B Worth
3B Perez

SP: Porcello

Scheduled to pitch today as well:

Below, Krol, Chamberlain, Nathan, Putkonen and Rondon.

[David Watts]

Detroit News Headline: Ex Tiger Denny McLain drops 156 pounds: 'I'm seeing things now I forgot I had'

Too bad one of those things he is seing isn't a concience.

[RandyTiger]

Tigers 5, Braves 2. [Boxscore]

Summary: Tigers bee-sting their way past Braves.

Pitching: The pitching corps today was dominant, holding the visiting team to 4 hits and a walk while striking out 10.

Porcello worked 2 innings. In the 1st, with 2 outs, he issed a walk and RBI triple before ending the inning, and then striking out the side in the 2nd. He was tossing 91-94 MPH fastballs along with curves and changes.

Below worked the third and gave up a solo tater to Heyward that nearly cleared the RF batting cage.

Chamberlain came on for the 4th and gave up a lead-off single, and then held the line, getting a strikeout along the way.

Krol tossed a perfect 5th, collecting a whiff to notch the win.

Nathan took over in the 6th and garnered two punch-outs in a perfect inning.

Putkonen then worked the 7th and 8th, giving up a double to Salcedo in the 7th and collecting 3 strikeouts in total.

Rondon finished off the game with a high-octane (95-97) perfect inning to claim his first save of ST.

All in all, a very good outing from the group.

Offense: The Cats were like a bunch of bees: little power, but collectively swarming the Braves with small-ball attacks, collecting 13 hits (11 singles and 2 doubles) and 4 walks. They stranded 12. Here's how they did in order:

Iglesias: 1-2 with a walk and run scored.
Travis, 1-2 with a run scored.
Cabrera, groundout RBI in the first to score Iglesias.
Lennerton, 2-2, RBI single in the 8th, and a run scored.
Hunter, 1-3, RBI single in the 5th.
Avila, 2-2.
Jackson, 2-3 with an RBI in the 5th.
Martinez, 1-4, caught stealing.
Worth, 1-3, a double, and a run scored.
Perez, 1-3.
Suarez, 1-1, an RBI double in the 8th, along with a run scored.

Defense: No miscues or DP.

Next game: Friday, Feb. 28th: split squad games.

1. Tigers @ Phillies, 1:05 Eastern. Starter: Jose Alvarez.

TV: MLBN (delay); MLB.TV (online).

2. Yankees @ Tigers, 1:05 Eastern. Starter: Scherzer.

Radio: WXYT 1270 (Det).

[RandyTiger]

Injury update:

The Tigers are reporting the results of Eduardo Sanchez's MRI showed he has suffered an olecranon stress fracture of his right elbow. He will be out an extended period.

Sanchez was injured in Wednesday's ST game against the Braves.

[Source on MRI result: TigersPR Twitter feed]

(Note: the injury is similar to the one Joel Zumaya had in June 2010 (non-displaced fracture of the olecranon). He never really managed to come back from that injury and subsequent surgeries to repair it.

After becoming a free agent in 2012, he signed with the Twins in February of that year, and experienced elbow pain throwing batting practice. He underwent Tommy John surgery in an attempt to repair his elbow, but he never recovered from the surgery enough to pitch again and retired in February of this year.)

For further information on what an olecranon fracture is: [Wikipedia page]

[RandyTiger]

Injury news:

SS Jose Iglesias was scratched from today's game at the Phillies for shin-related pain. Given that he's suffered from shin splints throughout his career, it's probably that. He'll be out a week for treatment. Hernan Perez will replace him in the lineup, since Lombardozzi is starting SS for the Yankees game.

Lombardozzi doesn't really have a whole lot of experience with the SS position; throughout his career; he's appeared at 2B/3B/OF and is pretty much a donkelly type player - fields well enough, skimpy bat, average speed. If he can handle the job, he'll do in a pinch. If not, Hernan Perez will get the call.

[RandyTiger]

One of the best things about ST is taking a look at some of the prospects the Cats have, but it sure can be difficult to keep track of them. Fortunately for our sanity, Lynn Henning of the Detroit News has a "Top 50 Tigers Prospects" list for us to look at.

I'm pretty excited about some of the guys on the list, in particular, one of the rarities of the Tigers farm system: a genuine middle-infield prospect, Hernan Perez.

It's definitely worth the read, guys - if only to know who's who!

@Chris: P Zac Reininger is 31st on the list; since he's still at Connecticut the last I knew, you might want to make a trip or two to the ballpark this season to take a look at him. If P Kevin Ziomek is still there as well (#25 on the list), might want to check him out too.

[CONN CHRIS]

Thanks Randy, I hope that I can get over there this summer.

He also lists Buck Farmer at #40 who I saw last summer and wasn't all that impressed with. My scouting skills may be in question :-) - I won't quit my day job.

[RandyTiger]

Originally Posted by CONN CHRIS

Thanks Randy, I hope that I can get over there this summer.

He also lists Buck Farmer at #40 who I saw last summer and wasn't all that impressed with. My scouting skills may be in question :-) - I won't quit my day job.

I wasn't all that impressed with Farmer's stats either, they're borderline for a prospect, really, so I don't think your scouting skills are in doubt. A 3.08 ERA at short-season A? Erm... not what I'd like to see. Ideally, a good pitching prospect would have a sub-3.00 ERA and under a 1.20 WHIP in the lower levels as far as I'm concerned.

I'm a little jealous of these beat reporters and scouts, they get to see prospects in person while us poor peons get stuck reading about it. Pity neither of us live near one of the farm teams or we'd have a fun time watching these guys - and reporting on them.

Being a scout has to be a dream job at times.

[RandyTiger]

According to MLB Beat writer Jason Beck on Twitter (@beckjason):

Verlander threw 55 pitch live BP session this morning. Threw well, had better command according to pitching coach Jeff Jones.

Excellent, should be ready for opening week.

Of course, Ausmus is still being cagey about who the Opening Day guy will be. My guess? Max Scherzer.

(Unless, of course, he decides to throw everyone for a loop and name The donkelly...)

[RandyTiger]

Split-squad games today. Unfortunately, ESPN was a bit too lazy to provide any boxscores, so I had to hunt around for any available information. Sorry, guys. :\

Phillies 10, Tigers 6. Castenellos drove in 4 runs with a pair of doubles and P Valdez gave up a 3-run HR.

Yankees 7, Tigers 4. Scherzer struck out 2, issued no walks, and gave up one hit - a HR by McCann.

The Tigers' new aggressiveness on the basepaths didn't exactly go as planned:

- Rajai Davis doubled in the 1st, and then promptly got picked off second.

- Miggy decided to be a bit silly and tried to go from first to third on a walk, hoping to catch the Yanks off guard. Didn't work.

- Hunter was cut down at the plate trying to score from second on Miggy's single in the third.

- Steven Moya was thrown out trying to stretch a single into a double. Get used to this, guys - we'll be seeing this all year. Makes for a nice change; I'd rather see that than just plodding from station to station.

Next game: Astros @ Tigers, 1:05 Eastern. Starter: TBA.

Houston radio: KBME 790
Detroit Radio: 97.1 The Ticket.

[RandyTiger]

Contract news:

The following Tigers have agreed to contracts:

Jose Alvarez
Bryan Holaday
Ian Krol
Steve Lombardozzi
Francisco Martinez
Melvin Mercedes
Bruce Rondon
Hernan Perez

With these signings, everyone on the 40-man roster is under contract for 2014.

[RandyTiger]

A look ahead for the next 7 days:

Sunday, March 2nd: Tigers @ Braves (SS), 1:05 Eastern.
- Detroit Radio: 97.1 The Ticket

Monday, March 3rd: Cardinals @ Tigers, 1:05 Eastern.
- Detroit Radio: WXYT 1270

Tuesday, March 4th: Pirates @ Tigers, 1:05 Eastern.
- Detroit Radio: WXYT 1270
- Pittsburgh Radio: KDKA-FM 93.7

Wednesday, March 5th: Tigers @ Astros, 1:05 Eastern
- Detroit Radio: WXYT 1270
- Houston TV: CSN; Radio: KBME 790

Thursday, March 6th: Phillies (SS) @ Tigers, 1:05 Eastern.
- No broadcasts.

Friday, March 7th: Tigers @ Yankees, 7:05 Eastern.
- No broadcasts.

Saturday, March 8th: Mets @ Tigers, 1:05 Eastern.
- Detroit Radio: 97.1 The Ticket

[RandyTiger]

Tigers 5, Astros 1. [No boxscore. *grumble*]

Here's the highlights:

Kyle Lobstein was the first Tiger pitcher to go 3 innings this spring, and he finished with 4K's, 1 BB, no hits.

Alburquerque had trouble finding the strike zone in his inning of work as his first 6 pitches missed the plate. The good news is that they stayed in the ballpark instead of sailing off into nearby Lake Parker. . Anyway, he finished off as follows: K, Foulout, K. Sounds like he's ready for regular season, that's his usual pattern, eh?

Rondon finished off the game by throwing 95-96 MPH Fastballs, mixing it up with some nice sliders.

On the hitting side, the Tigers scored all 5 of their runs in the 4th. Here's the order of scoring:

Miggy single, V. Martinez single, Avila BB.

Jackson bases-loaded single, Tigers 1-0.

The donkelly, 2-run double to RF. Tigers 3-0.

Castenellos, SF. Tigers 4-0.

Perez, SF. Tigers 5-0.

One Twitter comment indicated that Daniel Fields, one of the prospects, has been fitting in exceptionally well with his play in the OF. Since the guy can handle all 3 spots, there's a chance he might be called up at some point this season as an injury substitution.

Injury note: LHP Casey Crosby, once an SP prospect, but lately turned RP prospect, hasn't pitched this spring yet. He's been dealing with some arm issues, and a recent MRI indicated there was no structural damage, just inflammation in his triceps. He recently started long-tossing (120 feet) and is scheduled for a bullpen session on Sunday. If all goes well, he'll face hitters in batting practice before seeing some game action.

Next game: Sunday, March 2nd: Tigers @ Braves (SS), 1:05 Eastern.
- Detroit Radio: 97.1 The Ticket

[RandyTiger]

Tigers 0, Braves 0. (10) [no boxscore]

Summary: Pitchers rule the ballpark.

Pitching: Pitchers are usually ahead of the hitters in ST, and this day proved that little nugget. Collectively, the staff gave up 6 hits. Here's how they did:

Sanchez: 2 IP, 1 Hit, 1 K.
Robbie Ray: 2 IP.
Joe Nathan: 1 IP.
Joba Chamberlain: 1 IP.
Blaine Hardy: 2 IP.
Luke Putkonen: 1 IP.
Jose Valdez: 1 IP.

Offense: The Cats managed 6 hits. There's very little data on who did what. The only guy I can peg a hit to is Devon Travis, who had a 2-out single in the 10th, stole 2B, then went to 3B when the ball got away from the SS. Unfortunately, he was stranded when James McCann whiffed to end the game.

Interesting note: Doesn't mean anything, but the Cats haven't had any HR in the 6 ST games they've played.

Next Game: Monday, March 3rd, Cardinals @ Tigers, 1:05 Eastern.
- Detroit Radio: WXYT 1270

[RandyTiger]

For those interested, Justin Verlander will be making his first start of ST on Thursday against a Phillies split squad. Let's hope everything goes well for him!

[RandyTiger]

Tigers 8, Cardinals 5. [Boxscore]

Summary: Bats overcome poor showing by lefty pitchers.

Pitching: Best thing about pitching in ST is that it really doesn't matter much in the whole scheme of things; the bad part about pitching in ST is that it can foretell some issues down the road, or in one pitcher's case, showing that some habits never change.

Let's start off with Drew Smyly. Jhonny Peralta, ex-Tiger, hit two solo-shots off his former teammate, but that's where the damage ended. Smyly went 3 innings for the win, giving up just the two runs on 3 hits and collecting 2 strikeouts.

Ed Reed came in for the 4th and tossed a perfect frame, whiffing two Cards.

Al Alburquerque took the mound for the 5th, and he was utterly unimpressive - giving up a hit and a walk in his inning of work. Control was a factor, as usual. At least he struck out 1.

Phil Coke tossed the 6th - and unfortunately, his habit of being easy to hit continued as the Cards rocked him for 3 runs on 6 hits. At least he punched-out 1, but if the Cats carry him on their roster this season, expect this kind of performance.

Jose Ortega commanded the 7th - a perfect frame, with 2 strikeouts.

Luis Marte threw the 8th - another perfect frame.

And last, but not least, Melvin Mercedes finished off the game for his first save of ST, giving up a hit and whiffing 1.

Offense: The Boys exploded for 11 hits and 5 walks, scoring a nice 8 runs. Several Tigers did well, and they even hit their first HR of ST! Took 'em 6 games, but... at least it's a tater!

Here's who did what:

Kinsler, walk, SB, and run scored.
Devon Travis, 1-2. (This guy has quietly impressed in ST. Future Tiger.)
Miggy, 2-2, a walk, and 2 runs scored.
V. Martinez, 2-3, a double, RBI and run scored.
L. Exposito (minor leaguer), 1-1, and caught stealing 2nd.
Avila, walk and run scored.
Jackson, 2-3, a double, 3 RBI and a run scored. (Ausmus should just keep him in that spot. He hits better there than when he's leading off, at least in ST.)
Castenellos, 2-3, HR, 2 runs scored, 2 RBI.

Defense: Errors: Rajai Davis. Double plays: 1. (No information.)

Next game: Tuesday, March 4th, Pirates @ Tigers, 1:05 Eastern.
- Detroit Radio: WXYT 1270
- Pittsburgh Radio: KDKA-FM 93.7

[CONN CHRIS]

Well, at least Phil Coke is in mid-season form already.

Did you read the comments from Kinsler Randy? Yikes, not exactly a clubhouse leader.

[David Watts]

Originally Posted by CONN CHRIS

Well, at least Phil Coke is in mid-season form already.

Did you read the comments from Kinsler Randy? Yikes, not exactly a clubhouse leader.

Sure hope that trade wasn't a I'll give you our headache for your headache. I do think the Rangers screwed up when they pushed Ryan out the door and from some of the things I've read, it does sound like it was Daniels that wanted him gone. Randy Galloway wrote some pretty strong editorials about that whole mess.