2009 Detroit Tigers

[DiamondDave]

Well.. a few changes, and HOPEFULLY the long awaited needed progression of some key players

Key new additions:
3.5 star 3B Mike Lowell
3.0 star lefty CL (about to be setup man) Dennys Reyes

Key Losses:
None

Base lineup
(bats) (Name) (pos) (stars) (ratings) (info)

1) L - Curtis Granderson - LF - 3.0 - 8-10-6-6-5 - 9 steals, EBH machine
2) L - Brad Wilkerson - RF - 3.0 - 7-9-8-9-4 - gold glover and good 2hole producer
3) R - Mike Lowell - 3B - 3.5 - 7-10-9-6-6 - good defense and talent to deliver
4) R - Maglio Ordonez - CF - 3.0 - 8-8-9-5-6 - moves to cleanup until Shelton progresses
5) R - Chris Shelton - DH - 2.5 - 8-8-9-7-5 - Need that 10 power to come around
6) L - Jeff Larish - 1B - 1.5 - 7-5-9-6-4 - Also needs that 10 power to come around, platoon with Sweeney
7) R - Ryan Raburn - 2B - 2.5 - 8-7-7-6-5 - needs power progression and to start performing to ratings
8) S - Carlos Guillen - SS - 2.5 - 8-8-6-7-7 - holding place until young SS's are ready
9) S - Neil Walker - C - 5.0p - 6-6-7-4-5 - needs to get to his 7 contact and 8 power

Bench:
S - Mike Rabelo - C - 2.0 - 8-6-3-6-6 - gotta love an 8 contact backup C
R - Placido Polanco - 2B/3B - 2.0 - 8-7-4-4-10 - demoted to utility IF after Lowell signing
R - Omar Infante - 2B/SS/3B/LF - 1.0 - 7-7-6-5-8 - typical utility guy
R - Mike Sweeney - 1B/DH - 4.0 - 8-8-7-7-8 - 1B against lefties and insurance policy at DH
R - Brent Clevlen - LF/RF/CF - 3.5p - 7-7-8-5-5 - Youngster who can't quite crack the lineup... YET

Rotation:
(Arm) (Name) (Stars) (Ratings) (END) (Info)

1) L - Andrew Miller - 5.0p - 9-7-9 9END - 10-10-10 talent, still only 23
2) R - Jeremy Bonderman - 2.5 - 10-8-7 9END - former #1 who never has quite performed to ratings
3) R - Justin Verlander - 2.5 - 9-8-8 8END - another young underachiever who needs to step up
4) L - Nate Robertson - 2.5 - 7-8-8 8END - lefty who has performed well, holding spot until mega spects are ready
5) R - Jordan Tata - 2.0 - 6-9-8 7END - fill-in starter until mega spects are ready, soon to be bullpen bound

Bullpen:
(Slot) (Arm) (Name) (Stars) (Ratings) (END) (Info)

Mopup - L - Joe Kennedy - 2.5 - 7-7-8 8END - Lefty mopup and emergency starter
Mopup - R - Fernando Rodney - 2.5 - 9-7-7 1END - former setup man
Middle - L - Hitoki Iwase - 2.5 - 5-9-9 3END - typical MR
Setup - R - Adam Peterson - 3.5 - 9-7-9 3END - good performing setup guy, late bloomer
Setup - L - Dennys Reyes - 3.0 - 9-7-7 5END - recent signing for lefty setup, former closer
Closer - R - Joel Zumaya - 3.0 - 10-7-7 4END - 100MPH fastball

Spects on the verge:
These guys just waiting for an injury or a trade to get their shot

CF Cameron Maybin - 5.0p - 8-7-6-3-5 out of 8-8-10-6-5 - 9 steals, leadoff guy with power for the future
SP Rick Porcello - 5.0p - 10-3-7 out of 10-10-10 - only 20 and progressing nicely at AAA
SP Jair Jurrens - 5.0p - 6-6-7 out of 10-10-10 - 23 at AAA, needs progression
3B Wilkin Ramirez - 4.0p - 6-7-7-5-5 out of 6-7-9-5-5 - contact against lefties already at 7, 9 steals, just no room for him, possible trade bait
SP Luke Putkonen - 5.0p - 8-4-5 out of 10-8-6 - possible future 5th starter or trade bait
SS - Danny Worth - 4.0p - 6-7-2-4-5 out of 8-9-5-6-8 - possible backup IF but more probable trade bait


Outlook for this team is good as it is, but with progression this team could be one of the best.... runs should come in bunches with the talent in the lineup.... if pitching performs to ratings, we should win more than last year... if the 10-10-10 SP spects progress enough to make it to the majors, look out

[mntwinsfan]

Dave,

Not a bad club. I still feel that you have me to beat for the AL Central crown. I will post a team thread of my Twins and if you want lets post who is better and why. My club is loaded with really no major moves. I did not sign Reyes and you have him now. We should have a battle for the crown. I want my third pennant in a row!

Twins gm

[DiamondDave]

You have steals.. I have power and a HUGE amount of potential to fill out

You best hope that my ratings don't get up to player potential