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Read the latest baseball satire from the warped minds of
The Dugout.

Visions of October Glory in Motown

AOL

Posted: 2008-03-16 08:37:11

Filed Under: MLB

Photo Gallery

Nick Laham, Getty Images

Four Storylines
To Watch in 2008

1 of 4

1. New Stud in Town: The Tigers mortgaged much of their farm to land slugger Miguel Cabrera and give themselves one of the best lineups in recent memory. Will it translate to postseason success?

Projected Lineup

Curtis Granderson, CF
Placido Polanco, 2B
Magglio Ordonez, RF
Miguel Cabrera, 3B
Gary Sheffield, DH
Carlos Guillen, 1B
Edgar Renteria, SS
Ivan Rodriguez, C
Jacque Jones, LF

Projected Rotation

Justin Verlander, R
Kenny Rogers, L
Jeremy Bonderman, R
Nate Robertson, L
Dontrelle Willis, L

Top Bullpen Arms

Todd Jones, CL
Fernando Rodney, SU
Jason Grilli, SU

Word of Justice

Only the Yankees scored more runs than the Tigers last season, and into an already deep lineup steps Cabrera, a 24-year-old four-time All-Star coming off a 34-home run, 119-RBI season. He's a significant upgrade over Brandon Inge (.236, 14 homers, 71 RBI).

Pitching is the only question mark, and it could be a large one. The middle relief is nothing special, and the rotation has significant questions. RHP Jeremy Bonderman and LHP Kenny Rogers both tired in the second half of last season, and Willis has had back-to-back disappointing seasons.

The Tigers went to the World Series in 2006 with a rotation led by Justin Verlander, Nate Robertson, Rogers and Bonderman. Verlander and Bonderman are still only 25, and the Tigers believe they'll anchor the rotation for a long time. As for Willis, his velocity and effectiveness have declined since his 22-10 season in 2005.

The Tigers aren't as good as the Red Sox or Yankees, at least at the beginning of the season. But they're good enough to be playing in October.

-- Richard Justice

Numbers Game

125 - Combined RBI by Detroit's corner infielders last year. Out are Sean Casey and Brandon Inge, in are former shortstop Carlos Guillen and Miguel Cabrera. The Venezuelans combined to drive in 221 runs last year. That's a big reason people are talking about the Tigers sporting a historic offense this year.

63 - Starts made by Tigers pitchers last year who are no longer with the team. Detroit is counting on Jeremy Bonderman and Kenny Rogers to be more durable this year, so that should help, and Jair Jurrjens and Andrew Miller are probably the only hurlers they will really miss, but the back of Detroit's rotation is pretty soft.

.363 - Magglio Ordonez's batting average last season, 51 points higher than his career average. Ordonez finished second in the MVP voting last year thanks in part to that average, but he'll be hard pressed to repeat that this year.

-- Andrew Johnson

Fantasy Spin

Every single player in the Tigers' batting lineup should be owned in fantasy leagues. Yes, even Jacque Jones has some upside. There's only a few lineups in the majors that you can say that about. It all starts at the top with Curtis Granderson, who is coming off a monster season (23 HR, 122 runs and 26 steals). Granderson has cut down on his strikeouts and refined his approach. There's no reason he shouldn't repeat that campaign. Placido Polanco will be a detriment in two categories, but he's nice fit if you have a middle infield spot to fill. While you shouldn't bank on Ordonez to repeat a .363 average with 139 RBI, the power is definitely back and he'll be almost a top-10 outfielder this season.

Cabrera is the mighty cleanup slugger this season whose stock seems to be rising with each passing day. Many are forecasting 40 HR for the first-round pick, but you shouldn't overvalue his contribution; it's safer to expect last year's HR total at Comerica with additional RBI and runs. Sheffield is an underrated fantasy commodity but comes attached to a warning label. While he did put up a 20-20 season last year with over 100 runs, he also was hobbled for much of 2007's second half -- only two homers and eight RBI in the final two months. Enjoy his stats early, then dish him off fast. Now that Carlos Guillen has come through with back-to-back stellar seasons. At age 32, he'll qualify at both shortstop and first base and remains a five-category threat. Ivan Rodriguez and Edgar Renteria don't offer much pop, but are still solid players worthy of your bench.

Detroit has five potential worthy fantasy starters on the mound. Only Verlander and Bonderman come without risk. Verlander will typically be around the 10th starter taken off the board, and you could easily make a case that he deserves top-five billing. He improved his strikeouts greatly and improved in other rate stats on way to an 18-win season, and he's only getting better. Bonderman has been billed as the breakout candidate for three years in a row now. He'll surely improve on last year's 5.01 ERA, but if he doesn't make the leap now at age 25, we may never see it. Willis and Robertson can both come through with surprising seasons. I don't see much of their value changing this season, though. Watching Todd Jones will make you cringe sometimes, but he'll wind up with close to 40 saves when he's through, good enough to be a cheap closer.

-- Tom Herrera

AOL's MLB Team Previews

Feb. 25: Athletics (76-86)
Feb. 26: Rangers (75-87)
Feb. 27: Mariners (88-74)
Feb. 28: Angels (94-68)
Feb. 29: Pirates (68-94)
March 1: Astros (73-89)
March 2: Reds (72-90)
March 3: Brewers (83-79)
March 4: Cardinals (78-84)
March 5: Cubs (85-77)
March 6: Marlins (71-91)
March 7: Nationals (73-89)
March 8: Braves (84-78)
March 9: Phillies (89-73)
March 10: Mets (88-74)

(Record in 2007)

March 11: Royals (69-93)
March 12: Twins (79-83)
March 13: White Sox (72-90)
March 14: Indians (96-66)
March 15: Tigers (88-74)
March 16: Giants (71-91)
March 17: Rockies (90-73)
March 18: Padres (89-74)
March 19: Diamondbacks (90-72)
March 20: Dodgers (82-80)
March 21: Rays (66-96)
March 22: Blue Jays (83-79)
March 23: Orioles (69-93)
March 24: Yankees (94-68)
March 25: Red Sox (96-66)

Latest MLB Photos

Hugging her son Brady, in Brandon, Miss., Sunday, Aug. 10, 2008, A'Leece Kemp says the expenses and difficulties of juggling a home life, school, games and practice for her son Brady Kemp, a member of the select baseball traveling team of 8-year-olds called "The Hot Shots," and the high school life of daughter, Gabby Bulger, a school band member, may extract their toll from the parents, but they do so gladly. Husband and father Larry Kemp is the baseball team's coach and equipment manager. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Rain makes catching a bouncing grounder hard to handle for Brady Kemp, 8, at Shiloh Park in Brandon, Miss., Sunday, Aug. 10, 2008. Kemp is a member of a select traveling baseball team. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File)

Brady Kemp, 8, drops into position to field a low throw, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2008, during a workout at Shiloh Park in Brandon, Miss. The Kemp family can all attest to both the honor and expense of having a son, like Brady on a select baseball travel team. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Eight-year-old Brady Kemp throws a baseball to his fathery, Larry Kemp, during a short workout at Shiloh Park in Brandon, Miss., Sunday, Aug. 10, 2008. A member of a select baseball travel ball team, Brady and his family have traveled extensively to get him and his teammates to tournaments. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Ducking in a dugout to escape the rain at Shiloh Park in Brandon, Miss., Sunday, Aug. 10, 2008, Larry Kemp, father, left standing, A'Leece Kemp, mother, right standing, Gabby Bulger, sister, seating right, can all attest to both the honor and expense of having a son, like Brady Kemp, 8, left, on a select traveling baseball team. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

USA baseball general manager Bob Watson, left, and manager Davey Johnson watch from behind the batting cage during the team's practice session at Wukesong baseball complex at the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Tuesday, Aug. 12 2008. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 11: Jimmy Rollins #11 of the Philadelphia Phillies looks on after a double by James Loney of the Los Angeles Dodgers (not in picture) in the bottom of the eighth inning during their MLB game at Dodger Stadium on August 11, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers defeated the Phillies 8-6. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)

Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 11: Manny Ramirez #99 of the Los Angeles Dodgers runs to third base on a double by James Loney (not in photo) in the eighth inning during their MLB game at Dodger Stadium on August 11, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers defeated the Phillies 8-6. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)

Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 11: Matt Kemp #27 of the Los Angeles Dodgers collides into Chase Utley #26 of the Philadelphia Phillies at second base as Utley finishes his throw to first base to converts the double play at the bottom of the seventh inning during their MLB game at Dodger Stadium on August 11, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers defeated the Phillies 8-6. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)

Getty Images

Los Angeles Dodgers' James Loney hits a two-run single in the third inning during an MLB baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Monday, Aug. 11, 2008, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Gus Ruelas)

2008-03-15 19:49:37

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mtownsend8 12:59:33 PM Mar 31 2008

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Can Mike Il' buy the lions, and do the dang ol' thang with them too? It seems that Bill don't have the passion as his Dad, I could be wrong. Or can Mike give a few pointers to Bill ( William C. Ford).

masonjax2 08:39:33 AM Mar 31 2008

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Boy, you men love your sports....I wish I understood the game maybe I would have something good to post here........lol.......I'm glad you all love the sport. Have a great day!

mousecat1229 08:31:24 AM Mar 31 2008

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Tigers are an amazing team. We've got Maggs, Cabrera, Granderson, Verlander.. this team has some awesome players. If I was the Indians, Yankees, Red Sox, or any other contending team, I would be VERY worried.

GO TIGERS

mark81961 08:29:02 AM Mar 31 2008

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Tigers will go as far as the pitching will stack up....bats not the issue, will the starters get past the sixth inning and ease the uneven bullpen, which was the biggest problem last year...Bondo can't keep getting hammered in the first inning, Rogers has to stay healthy, more consistency from Robertson, can Willis prove himself in a different setting after a rocky spring training? Bullpen gets overworked, they finish second again. Starters stay intact and pitch consistently, watch out AL Central and American League, this is anniversary 40 of the '68 team....they can be better and stronger than that team was...GO TIGERS!!!!

mbillmaguire 10:24:58 PM Mar 18 2008

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The bullpen is a huuuuuge question mark for these Tigers. The same thing that happenned to the Mets could happen in Detroit. You have a few reliable relievers and lots of dead wood. The reliable starters get too tired and crap out at the end of the year because they are worn out from overuse and no amount of runs scored is enough.

mbillmaguire 10:16:30 PM Mar 18 2008

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Tigers did not mortgage thier future. Cabrerra and Willis are both very young and maybe their best years may be ahead of them. Cabrerra needs to put down the doughnuts and it's all mental with Willis.

ralphgmiami 11:14:39 AM Mar 17 2008

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I hear Josh Beckett has back pain. Did it come from heavy lifting in getting food to eat for Big Papi, Colon, and Schilling? Colon can probably wipe out a Domino's Pizza place in an hour.

cardplayer69 02:41:08 AM Mar 17 2008

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yankees will be the surprise team in the al, surpassing the tigers and red sox.

dorispete1 09:37:50 PM Mar 16 2008

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the tagers will have a record season at the gate with that all star line up.mo-town is in for a lot of fun and good baseball but the indians will make them see RedRats and yankees will see sell out crowds at tager town.

ralphgmiami 07:26:00 PM Mar 16 2008

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It's a bad omen that Tigers reliever Todd Jones looks like Colonel Sanders. Miguel Cabrera will want to raid Kentucky Fried Chicken every day of the year. Speaking of which a couple of Red Sox fans have posted on here. With Big Poppy eater of Pork Choppys, Curt Schilling, Bartolo Colon on the dugout bench, let's hope they don't break the bench and injure anyone. I'm homophobic as Red Sox names are just too weird as they have Clay Buchholz, Colon and Man-Ram(Manny Ramirez). I hear Buchholz is dating a Penthouse model but another Yankee fan saw naked pictures of her and says she has a big poophole. I've been watching too much Family Guy. By the way, GO YANKEES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!-Miami, FL, loves the Yankees from South New York where Yankee fans outnumber Marlins fans three to one.

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