[情報] Sporting News 2009 Tigers preview
Detroit Tigers preview
After watching the Tigers fall apart last season, manager Jim Leyland believes
he can put them back together in 2009 -- even though the club made few
offseason changes. Detroit has enough offense, but its pitching and defense
need work.
THREE QUESTIONS
1. Will the defense be improved?
Third baseman Brandon Inge thinks so. "Our defense last year was a little
laid-back," Inge said. "I've talked to other ballclubs and they kind of
reinforced that idea. They thought if they hit the ball, they had a pretty good
chance of it falling in." Three changes should help: Carlos Guillen, hardly a
Gold Glove candidate in the infield, has moved to left field. "You put a
shortstop in the outfield, and even if his range is considered slow in the
infield, that's not the case in the outfield," Inge said. Inge smiled when
asked about moving from catcher to third base, his natural position. "I'll
cover as much ground as I can," he said. "I feel very good about where I am."
Shortstop Adam Everett, acquired in the offseason, is considered one of the
game's slickest fielders.
2. What about the pitching?
The bullpen should be healthier. Oft-injured setup men Fernando Rodney and Joel
Zumaya already have thrown in Grapefruit League games. The rotation, however,
is full of questions. Ace Justin Verlander experienced struggled in 2008, going
from a 3.66 ERA in '07 to 4.84. "He's learned from it and is doing well,"
Leyland said. Armando Galarraga is a solid No. 2 after a breakout rookie
season. The rest of the rotation is unsettled. Jeremy Bonderman, limited to 12
starts last season, has experienced shoulder discomfort in spring training. The
fight for the fifth spot includes two lefties whose careers have taken turns
for the worse. Dontrelle Willis, demoted to the minors last year, hasn't looked
good early in spring training. Nate Robertson has struggled the past two
seasons. Their scuffles have created an opportunity for prospect Ricky
Porcello, 20. The Tigers would rather not rush him but ... "I guarantee you
we'll have a meeting that will have a lot of interesting discussion about
that," Leyland said.
3. How much does Gary Sheffield have left?
Sheffield is confident he will reach the 500-homer milestone this season. "I
know I can get one," he said, smiling. Sheffield maintains his worst season
(.225 average, .726 OPS) since 1991 was not because of age (he turned 40 in
November) but because of injuries. He played with a sore shoulder, bad hand and
left oblique strain last year. "I was healthy going into this offseason so I
was able to get in my workouts," Sheffield said. "I feel like five years ago
when I felt like I was going to dominate. I feel like I can do anything on a
baseball field that I've done before. I can still play the outfield. I know I
have a lot of baseball left."
PROJECTED LINEUP
1. CF Curtis Granderson.
Detroit wants more steals (26 steals in '07; 12 in '08).
2. 2B Placido Polanco.
One of baseball's best No. 2 hitters.
3. RF Magglio Ordonez.
Average dropped 46 points to .317 last year.
4. 1B Miguel Cabrera.
A.L. home run champ (37) is one of MLB's top offensive forces.
5. LF Carlos Guillen.
More errors (14) at third base than homers (10) in '08.
6. DH Gary Sheffield.
Don't count him out, if he's healthy.
7. 3B Brandon Inge.
Hit only .205 average last season.
8. C Gerald Laird.
He's no Pudge offensively, but might be better defensively.
9. SS Adam Everett.
Has had a sub-.300 OBP four consecutive seasons.
PROJECTED ROTATION
1. RHP Justin Verlander.
One of MLB's biggest disappointments last season (11-17).
2. RHP Armando Galarraga.
Duplicating his rookie season (13-7, 3.73 ERA) would be welcome.
3. RHP Jeremy Bonderman.
Shoulder issues a concern after missing much of last season.
4. RHP Edwin Jackson.
Deemed expendable by Rays, but needed in Detroit.
5. LHP Dontrelle Willis.
Competition ongoing, but Tigers would love to see him win this spot.
PROJECTED CLOSER
RHP Brandon Lyon.
Posted 8.46 ERA after break with Arizona last season.
GRADES
Offense: B. Detroit finished second in the A.L. in homers and in the top four
in runs, batting average and slugging. But if Inge doesn't bounce back, the
bottom third of the order can't be counted on for much. The Tigers need to run
more, after finishing last in the A.L. with 63 steals.
Pitching: C. The staff features a former rookie of the year (Verlander), a
former All-Star (Willis) and a once-dominant setup duo (Zumaya and Fernando).
They all struggled in 2008, and there's no guarantee they will turn things
around in '09.
Bench: B. Marcus Thames hit 25 homers in 316 at-bats last season, making him
one of the game's most productive fourth outfielders/backup designated hitters.
Free-agent pickup Matt Treanor is a solid backup catcher. The club is content
with the versatility of its other main reserves: Mike Hessman, Ramon Santiago
and Ryan Raburn.
Manager: B. Jim Leyland took the Tigers from fourth place to the World Series
in his first season in Detroit in 2006. Detroit was a huge disappointment last
season, going 74-88 and finishing last. Leyland is in the last year of his
contract, and if the Tigers start cold, he will find himself on the hot seat.
Sporting News prediction: Everett improves the defense, and Verlander is too
good to have another season like 2008. Put them with a potent offense, and
Detroit will surpass its win total from last season. But in baseball's deepest
division, they could finish .500 and still end up last.
--
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