Many Detroit Tiger fans have written off the 2007 & 2008 seasons as bitter disappointments, given the amount of talent they've acquired. They've been hoping for a better 2009, and so far they've gotten it, for the most part.
However, some of the key components have either been injured or unable to perform well. Instead, kids from the farm system have stepped up and been noticed.
Take starting pitcher Rick Porcello, for instance. In his last few starts, he's been dominant, especially considering the club will be watching his pitch counts all year. Justin Verlander has evidentally put 2008 behind him as, once again, he looks like the dominator of old. If he doesn't win AL Pitcher of the Month, there's an injustice in baseball. Young Ryan Perry, walks aside, has taken over the seventh inning role and done well.
Offensively, the Tigers finally got a Braves trade right, as Josh Anderson has done well in limited playing time, and given the club sorely-needed speed. Clete Thomas came from Triple-A and had an immediate impact. And Miguel Cabrera has proven he's a hit machine time and again.
All this has resulted in a first place spot in the AL Central. But why may that not be the case for too long?
It's been implied by management that, as well as these kids have done, they have to make way for veterans coming off the DL soon. Magglio Ordonez, though not on the DL, is a case in point. He's always looked fragile in the outfield, so he would be more valued at DH, but he's off to a very slow start. There's simply no room for a $14 million singles hitter who, at age 34, could be losing it.
Then there's Carlos Guillen, whose career has seen better days. The uptempo focus of the club coincides with Guillen's stay on the DL. How can the Tigers expect him to cover ground in left field (with a huge power alley), when he looked feeble at third base, clueless at first base, and overmatched defensively at shortstop? There's no room for a DH-type that has driven in a total of five runs this year.
Starter Jeremy Bonderman is due to return soon after nearly a year off due to major surgery. How far do you trust his stuff after he's been on the shelf much of the past two years? Put him in the rotation, and endurance (plus those well-known bad 1st innings) will tax the bullpen. Put him in relief, and he'll balk. Put him in anywhere, with just a 2-pitch repertoire, and you're asking for trouble. Do you sacrifice the future for an unsure present?
In these three cases, money talks, if you look at their contracts. The Tigers, unfortunately, are where they were in 2000-2002; too many big contracts, and not enough suitors to take them on to get payroll flexibility. Remember how long it took them to shed Damion Easley's contract, and how long it took to rid themselves of Bobby Higginson's attitude? So much money is geared toward the injured & unproven. Their motivation to come back may just be the money. Will that be the Tigers' only motivation in playing them, because they're financially bound to?
It honestly would be a shame. Kids are hungry for action and a chance to prove themselves. That's one of the key factors that has helped the Tigers rise to first. Stirring the pot the other way may be a hindrance to an ultimate goal of the post-season.
With the Tigers, it's win or else. And I would hate to see what the "else" consists of, from the management down to the fans.
