Detroit Tigers Information
The 2010 Detroit Tigers made some significant moves to the team in the offseason and one to the coaching staff. After 1B coach Andy Van Slyke left the team, the franchise signed Tom Brookens as their new first base coach.
The players who left the team were RHP Brandon Lyon, CF Curtis Granderson, RHP Edwin Jackson, 2B Placido Polanco, C Dusty Ryan, RHP Freddy Dolsi, C Matt Treanor, RHP Fernando Rodney, DH Aubrey Huff, OF/DH Marcus Thames, RHP Casey Fien and LHP Jarrod Washburn.
Coming on board are RHP Max Scherzer, LHP Daniel Schlereth, LHP Phil Coke, OF Austin Jackson, LHP Phil Dumatrait, RHP Jose Valverde, LHP Brad Thomas and OF Johnny Damon.
The projected pitching rotation looks to be RHP Justin Verlander, RHP Rick Porcello, RHP Max Scherzer, RHP Jeremy Bonderman and RHP Armando Galarraga with a Bullpen shaping up to be RHP Jose Valverde (closer), RHP Zach Miner, LHP Phil Coke, LHP Bobby Seay, RHP Joel Zumaya, LHP Fu-Te Ni and RHP Ryan Perry.
The projected hitting looks to be CF Austin Jackson, LF Johnny Damon, RF Magglio Ordonez, 1B Miguel Cabrera, DH Carlos Guillen, 3B Brandon Inge, 2B Scott Sizemore, C Gerald Laird, SS Adam Everett and Ramon Santiago. The reserves are C Robinzon Diaz, UT Ryan Raburn, INF Ramon Santiago and OF Clete Thomas.
In previous seasons, it seemed like the Tigers represented Detroit, almost like the automobile industry in their home city. They were only beat by the Yankees in game and pennant victories. However, at the start of the 2007 season, the Tigers have had to deal with some injuries to their pitching staff - most notably Kenny Rogers, who suffered a blood clot to his pitching arm. They still bounced back though, with Justin Verlander pitching a no hitter against the Brewers in June, the first in Comerica Park history. Do the Tigers have what it takes to replace cars in the Rock City? Maybe! This July the Tigers set an attendance record for Comerica Park, selling 2,712,393 tickets for the 2007 season!
Detroit is a town built on dedication and hard work, and their baseball team, the Tigers, is a true representation of the people in the city. The Tigers have won four championships over the years, but 2003 was one of the worst seasons in franchise history, and quite possibly the worst season in the history of baseball. The Detroit Tigers almost broke the all-time record for losses in a season with 119, so why should expectations be any higher this season? Another years worth of experience is one key factor in the maturity of this group.
The Tigers are led by Alan Trammell for the second year. Although Trammell might not have the managerial experience of others, he did play in the majors for 20 years, so his knowledge of the game can’t be questioned. The Tigers moved into the spacious confines of Comerica Park in 2000, and it took some getting used to by all involved. There isn’t a free homer anywhere in sight at Comerica, with the shortest possible distance being 330 feet. Anything down the left field line has to be at least 345 feet to clear the fences. There also aren’t any upper-deck level seats, so every seat gives the fan a good view of the field.
In recent memory, there have been few 20-game losers in a season, but last year, the Tigers almost had four in one year. They’ll return three to this year’s rotation with the strong belief that these pitchers can accomplish what Trammell expects of them. Mike Maroth, a 21-game loser last year, will lead the staff once again. Jeremy Bonderman, Nate Cornejo, Jason Johnson, and Nate Robertson will round out the rotation. A solid committee of middle relievers will try to get newcomer Ugueth Urbina as many save opportunities as possible. Urbina comes from Florida with a World Series ring from last season, and he’ll look to guide the young staff through the summer.
Last year, the Tigers ranked near the bottom of the league in payroll, and that statistic enabled them to go out in the off-season and acquire all-star catcher Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez. Rodriguez had spent the majority of his career as a cornerstone in Texas, and was also a member of the championship Marlins team in 2003. It will also be his responsibility to teach the young pitchers what he has picked up throughout his career. Rodriguez fully expects this team to not only be competitive in the early season, but to possibly contend for a playoff spot in August and September, quite lofty expectations for a team known for its collective futility only a few months ago. Pudge will be joined in the lineup by young first baseman Carlos Pena, shortstop Carlos Guillen, and speedster Alex Sanchez. Sanchez stole 44 bases last year in limited playing time, and if he ever gets a chance to play a full season, he’s quite capable of putting up 70-80 steals or more. It will be his job to get on base for the power in the lineup.