Garner, Smith fired

[GiveHyzduashot]

http://espn.go.com/mlb/news/2002/0408/1364856.html

[Trots]

I didn't read the article, but I heard both press conferences (Dombrowksi's and the Garner/Smith combo) and the truth is the people here hate Smith with a passion (think Boston and Duquette, but maybe worse. If that's possible.) and lost faith in Garner.

With the 0-6 start, plus a decade of terrible baseball, the only way to get some seats sold this year was to make some changes. Many, many baseball fans are completely apathetic about the Tigers even many old diehards. The casual fans just don't exist any longer. Another aimless season would cost this team a substantial amount of revenue and add to the club's PR nightmare.

In light of their displeasure, the vast majority of fans here are rejoicing over this decision even though they know the Tigers will still not be very good this year or, probably, next. Most want to see the prospects play out the year. My fear is that none of the prospects is going to develop into a legitimate All-Star caliber talent. This teams needs a couple of homegrown superstars and I'm not sure they are on the horizon.

In the end, both Smith and Garner should have known that their careers in Detroit were coming to an end when DD arrived. My question now is which players stay and which go?

[PissedPrincess]

On a positive. Dombrowski will improve things. Just like the Sox and DD, good things are coming on the horizon. Shake-ups always cause something good to happen.

LET'S GO TIGERS!

[Trots]

I do trust that Dombrowski will turn things around, pp. I'm just a little leery of our prospects. No one seems to be a Nomar, Manny type, which is what this franchise desperately needs. If one or two of them prove me wrong, then the Tigers will improve sooner than later. If not, it could take three-five more years.

I'll be curious to see if guys like Macias, Paquette and Halter find themselves on the bench more. I think it might be safe to assume that Torres will be in CF for quite a while and Infante may be coming up shortly. Both have speed, a major asset at Comerica Park, and are considered ready for the big leagues defensively. Cornejo should get a regular turn in the rotation, while Lima becomes the fifth starter. It's time to find out if he is ready or not.

I also wouldn't be surprised at all to see Young or Halter moved to third until/if Palmer is ready to play there. Paquette's not the answer.

We start getting some answers tomorrow versus Chicago.

[GiveHyzduashot]

This is akin to the Bonifay situation in Pittsburgh last year. 9 years of terrible, lousy baseball and a bad farm system. The manager was fired but not the GM.

With the Tigers opening Comerica last year, changes did have to be made. It's essential to a franchise they have 5-6 years of good attendance in a new ballpark just so they make money.

Dombroswki will get the ship righted, Brian. He has a good background and knows what he's doing.

It's kind of unfair though to say there's not a Manny or Nomar esque player. Those players are once in a blue moon.

[Cyberlibrarian]

Paquette was decent on the Cardinals. He was so-so with the Mets, but seemed to come into his own with the Cards. I guess he regressed with the Tigers. Too bad.

I hope this move is a good thing for the team. I want them to get back some semblance of their former glory.

[Baseball Guru]

Good Luck Trots and Tiger fans....
Hopefully this will be a move in the right direction for this organization....

[Trots]

Josh, I'm not limiting my comparison to Nomar or Manny. Toss in any number of all-star caliber players (Helton, Guerrero, Magglio Ordonez, Hudson, Freddy Garcia, Aramis Ramirez, etc...). The problem with Smith's farm system to date is that it hasn't produced a true star. Higginson is probably the best player on the team and he pre-dates Smith's arrival.

Guys like Weaver haven't developed as far as once thought. Players like Encarnacion never came close to reaching their potential. Recent #1 draft choices like Wheatland and Baugh are both having arm problems.

The Tigers farm system is certainly much better than when Smith got hired, but at some point you have to produce some homegrown stars. Especially considering their spot in the draft over the last decade. While Ilitch's refusal to shell out big money to first round choices has greatly hindered the process, the minor league system still has to produce better quality MLB players. Until that happens more regularly, the Tigers may be in trouble.

Julie, Paquette isn't terrible, he's just a utility player on a team almost completely comprised of utility players (Macias, Halter, etc...). The Tigers simply cannot afford his limited ability in the lineup everyday.

The Tigs are losing, again, tonight. The White Sox are up 4-0.