Trade moves Tigers from irrelevant to true contenders
I wasn’t impressed at all with the trade for Edgar Renteria but I REALLY like the trade for the D-Train and Miguel Cabrera. The lineup is going to be sick and should be able to compete with and beat just about anyone - including the BoSox.
The lineup
Grandy - CF
Polly - 2B
Sheff - DH
Maggs - RF
Cabrera - 3B
Guillen - 1B
Renteria - SS
Pudge - C
Jones/Thames - LF
The Tigers were going nowhere and were likely to miss the playoffs prior to this deal. Now they have to be the favorites in the AL Central and can compete with Boston. They’ve traded away two very high-end prospects in Andrew Miller and Cameron Maybin, but neither player really seemed like they were ready to become a regular contributor anytime soon. That’s clearly not the case with Cabrera, who will likely replace Brandon “Babe Ruth” Inge at third, and Dontrelle “D-Train” Willis, who will strengthen the rotation considerably.
I was a little concerned about the number of innings Willis has pitched over the past few seasons but opined that I’d gladly take him over Kenny Rogers if given the choice. Well Dombrowski got both, and with the Tigers’ rotation Willis shouldn’t have to pitch nearly as many innings as he pitched for the Marlins. Detroit signed the Gambler for another season which is nice and all but look at the starting pitchers in 3-4 years.
Verlander
D-Train
Bonderman
Porcello
Robertson or some other 5th starter
The only area where the Tiges look vulnerable is in the bullpen. A healthy Zumaya would give the Tigers excellent odds as a favorite to win the World Series. If they can get the bullpen solidified they have become not only relevant but serious threats as World Series contenders.
You have to give Dave Dombrowski credit for realizing he needed to make a big move to get Detroit closer to Boston’s level in order be taken seriously. This was a great trade and it helps me to now understand the Renteria trade. I thought that competing with Boston would require signing A-Rod, but Cabrera will be a very satisfactory 3rd baseman.
Andrew Miller Cameron Maybin Dontrelle Willis Miguel Cabrera Tigers1 Comment(s)
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[…] This season the big issue is going to be the bullpen. But we knew that back when Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis were brought over in a trade. So we should expect the bullpen to blow saves about as often as Pierre McGuire fluffs Sid Crosby. That’s what this bullpen will do all season long. […]