Luvofthegame
09-04-2006, 01:53 PM
By Lynn Henning
Detroit News.com
9/4/06
A part from any off-season trades, barring any lingering or unexpected injuries, the Tigers will head for spring training next February with their rotation all but set.
Justin Verlander, Jeremy Bonderman, Kenny Rogers, Nate Robertson and Mike Maroth are as sure today as any next-year rotation can be in September of the previous season.
The front office, however, will have a different set of circumstances to ponder between now and the beginning of camp at Lakeland, Fla. The reality is another potential rotation could emerge at Lakeland with no shot at cracking Detroit's Opening Day roster.
It is why Tigers fans can brace themselves for a trade or two -- big ones, most likely -- between the end of Detroit's renaissance season and a 2007 that will require the addition of at least one heavy-duty bat, no matter what happens to the Tigers and their playoff hopes.
Zach Miner Wilfredo Ledezma Humberto Sanchez Eulogio De La Cruz Andrew Miller Chad Durbin Jair Jurrjens
The Tigers are fulfilling an early and enduring objective of general manager Dave Dombrowski, who believes the fastest way for a franchise to become competitive and remain in contention for the long term is through pitching.
Extra dividend
Another dividend from building with pitching, Dombrowski believes, is surplus pitching is a club's best friend when it comes to obtaining position-player and hitting strength a team requires.
The Tigers are in the process of developing a pitching glut. The trick is to hang onto those pitchers a franchise deems essential for the future, while spinning off valuable arms that can bring the best possible return on a trade.
"At last, we've got some depth," Dombrowski said Saturday. "It could lead to some potential trades this winter. Pitching is the hardest thing to find in the game. It's fundamental to any team in contention. Part of its value, as well, is that you can acquire offensive players more easily than you can generally acquire pitching."
Caution will be shown
The Tigers have featured the best pitching in all of baseball. Although their rotation is largely intact and on board for 2007 -- Maroth, who has missed the past three months because of elbow surgery, could return later in September -- the Tigers will be careful about their inventory.
Hoarding pitchers in Detroit and throughout its farm system could mean potentially squandering resources better used to acquire more hitting and position-player depth. By the same token, over-assessing their pitchers could leave the Tigers vulnerable to injury, to bad performances, or to oncoming free agency.
All of those considerations must be worked out during the off-season. One thing is certain: The Tigers will be hunting hard for another big bat or two for their order. The great likelihood is such a hitter or hitters will come via trade.
Whom do the Tigers deem to be untouchable? Whom can they expect to trade to help fill lineup holes, one of which is almost certain to be first base, where power and run-production are basic requirements?
Two names are almost certain to be off-limits as far as the Tigers are concerned: Verlander and Miller. Each has too much raw talent and upside to consider awarding to another team unless the return package is overwhelming.
Bonderman would have been considered in the same breath at the start of this season. He may yet be considered untouchable by the Tigers. But he will become a free agent at the end of 2008. He has also shown some fourth-year inconsistency that might be troubling to the Tigers, typified by last week's loss at New York in less-than-inspiring fashion.
Trade bait?
Bonderman would, theoretically, be the kind of pitcher who could draw a heavy return. Conceivably, the Tigers could land a power first baseman, as well as an infield position prospect or two -- the kind of players they need in a minor league system where pitchers outnumber by a good margin the hitters being developed.
Nate Robertson, a left-hander who has pitched with exceedingly poor support, would rank as similarly attractive to teams aware of his prowess and the fact his team rarely scores excess runs.
The Tigers are somewhat limited in making multiple big deals because of the uncertainty ahead. Rogers is two months from 42 and will be a free agent at the end of 2007. Filling his shoes will require a sturdy, ready-to-pitch starter who can throw 200 innings.
Possible replacements
Sanchez or De La Cruz could be the answers there. Each is a young (Sanchez is 23, De La Cruz is 22) power-pitching right-hander of the Verlander-Bonderman mold. They are examples of those Dombrowski strives to make as centerpieces of his stable.
Miner, Durbin, Ledezma, and Jurrjens (pronounced: Juhr-juns) throw lesser fastballs but have big league repertoires and classify as mid- to back-of-the-order starters that all teams covet as they try to round out rotations.
It is likely, as well, the Tigers would discuss long relievers who can start, such as Roman Colon or Jason Grilli. As for their resident 100-mph thrower, Joel Zumaya, he is likely to be considered in the Verlander-Miller realm -- other clubs needn't inquire -- unless an interested team would care to meet Detroit's exorbitant price.
In a few short weeks, the Tigers will be open for business. Shoppers are invited to stop by. Serious shoppers, that is. Detroit will be of a mind to deal. But know the asking price will be steep.
Detroit News.com
9/4/06
A part from any off-season trades, barring any lingering or unexpected injuries, the Tigers will head for spring training next February with their rotation all but set.
Justin Verlander, Jeremy Bonderman, Kenny Rogers, Nate Robertson and Mike Maroth are as sure today as any next-year rotation can be in September of the previous season.
The front office, however, will have a different set of circumstances to ponder between now and the beginning of camp at Lakeland, Fla. The reality is another potential rotation could emerge at Lakeland with no shot at cracking Detroit's Opening Day roster.
It is why Tigers fans can brace themselves for a trade or two -- big ones, most likely -- between the end of Detroit's renaissance season and a 2007 that will require the addition of at least one heavy-duty bat, no matter what happens to the Tigers and their playoff hopes.
Zach Miner Wilfredo Ledezma Humberto Sanchez Eulogio De La Cruz Andrew Miller Chad Durbin Jair Jurrjens
The Tigers are fulfilling an early and enduring objective of general manager Dave Dombrowski, who believes the fastest way for a franchise to become competitive and remain in contention for the long term is through pitching.
Extra dividend
Another dividend from building with pitching, Dombrowski believes, is surplus pitching is a club's best friend when it comes to obtaining position-player and hitting strength a team requires.
The Tigers are in the process of developing a pitching glut. The trick is to hang onto those pitchers a franchise deems essential for the future, while spinning off valuable arms that can bring the best possible return on a trade.
"At last, we've got some depth," Dombrowski said Saturday. "It could lead to some potential trades this winter. Pitching is the hardest thing to find in the game. It's fundamental to any team in contention. Part of its value, as well, is that you can acquire offensive players more easily than you can generally acquire pitching."
Caution will be shown
The Tigers have featured the best pitching in all of baseball. Although their rotation is largely intact and on board for 2007 -- Maroth, who has missed the past three months because of elbow surgery, could return later in September -- the Tigers will be careful about their inventory.
Hoarding pitchers in Detroit and throughout its farm system could mean potentially squandering resources better used to acquire more hitting and position-player depth. By the same token, over-assessing their pitchers could leave the Tigers vulnerable to injury, to bad performances, or to oncoming free agency.
All of those considerations must be worked out during the off-season. One thing is certain: The Tigers will be hunting hard for another big bat or two for their order. The great likelihood is such a hitter or hitters will come via trade.
Whom do the Tigers deem to be untouchable? Whom can they expect to trade to help fill lineup holes, one of which is almost certain to be first base, where power and run-production are basic requirements?
Two names are almost certain to be off-limits as far as the Tigers are concerned: Verlander and Miller. Each has too much raw talent and upside to consider awarding to another team unless the return package is overwhelming.
Bonderman would have been considered in the same breath at the start of this season. He may yet be considered untouchable by the Tigers. But he will become a free agent at the end of 2008. He has also shown some fourth-year inconsistency that might be troubling to the Tigers, typified by last week's loss at New York in less-than-inspiring fashion.
Trade bait?
Bonderman would, theoretically, be the kind of pitcher who could draw a heavy return. Conceivably, the Tigers could land a power first baseman, as well as an infield position prospect or two -- the kind of players they need in a minor league system where pitchers outnumber by a good margin the hitters being developed.
Nate Robertson, a left-hander who has pitched with exceedingly poor support, would rank as similarly attractive to teams aware of his prowess and the fact his team rarely scores excess runs.
The Tigers are somewhat limited in making multiple big deals because of the uncertainty ahead. Rogers is two months from 42 and will be a free agent at the end of 2007. Filling his shoes will require a sturdy, ready-to-pitch starter who can throw 200 innings.
Possible replacements
Sanchez or De La Cruz could be the answers there. Each is a young (Sanchez is 23, De La Cruz is 22) power-pitching right-hander of the Verlander-Bonderman mold. They are examples of those Dombrowski strives to make as centerpieces of his stable.
Miner, Durbin, Ledezma, and Jurrjens (pronounced: Juhr-juns) throw lesser fastballs but have big league repertoires and classify as mid- to back-of-the-order starters that all teams covet as they try to round out rotations.
It is likely, as well, the Tigers would discuss long relievers who can start, such as Roman Colon or Jason Grilli. As for their resident 100-mph thrower, Joel Zumaya, he is likely to be considered in the Verlander-Miller realm -- other clubs needn't inquire -- unless an interested team would care to meet Detroit's exorbitant price.
In a few short weeks, the Tigers will be open for business. Shoppers are invited to stop by. Serious shoppers, that is. Detroit will be of a mind to deal. But know the asking price will be steep.