I always tell folks that the essence of intelligence is to predict the UNPREDICTABLE or UNEXPECTED.

If someone predicted the Nationals to be in first place on July 4 (and it happens) they deserve kudos.

If someone predicted the Tigers to be below .500 today in the weak AL Central they deserve credit.

Steven Pearlstein in the Washington Post predicted, in December 2007, the September 2008 meltdown. He was right as to the meltdown and had the credit swaps, sub-prime mortgages, etc. etc. nailed.

That said:

Are the Tigers, who are starting to get healthy, about ready to turn it around OR does their lineup have too many holes?


I'll predict the Tigers are about to turn it around.

Your predictions?

I believe in the next 7 -10 days the Tigs should essentially be at full strength with the obvious exception of V-Mart who won't be back until September or next year.

skeptical!

too many guys having bad years
defense is porous, worst defense in baseball, the big leagues anyway
leave too many men on base , can't bunt, can't advance runers - no small ball capabilities, minor league system has been depleted of talent

starting pitching has been poor for the most part - what's with Sherzer, Porcello????

Bullpen needs to be more oonsistent

what else??
Steve is the eternal optimist
Leyland?
Poor Mike Ilich - he has spent a lot of money wth poor results to date

STEVE, TAKE UP DANCING FOR AWHILE, I'LL SEND YOU SOME TUNES. NEED TO FORGET ABOUT THE TIGS FOR AWHILE.
''ROLLING DOWN THE RIVER"

(06-10-2012 08:34 AM)Dennis Hoopster Wrote:  skeptical!

too many guys having bad years
defense is porous, worst defense in baseball, the big leagues anyway
leave too many men on base , can't bunt, can't advance runers - no small ball capabilities, minor league system has been depleted of talent

starting pitching has been poor for the most part - what's with Sherzer, Porcello????

Bullpen needs to be more oonsistent

what else??
Steve is the eternal optimist
Leyland?
Poor Mike Ilich - he has spent a lot of money wth poor results to date

Dennis,

Can you find the Tigers a second base man???

Not many available! Just brought up a kid from Lakeland, a long shot!

They had one in Polonco but didn't want to pay him. Thought the jobe woul;d go to Sizemore but after about a half dozen candidates later, they are still looking.

(06-10-2012 08:34 AM)Dennis Hoopster Wrote:  skeptical!

too many guys having bad years
defense is porous, worst defense in baseball, the big leagues anyway
leave too many men on base , can't bunt, can't advance runers - no small ball capabilities, minor league system has been depleted of talent

starting pitching has been poor for the most part - what's with Sherzer, Porcello????

Bullpen needs to be more oonsistent

what else??
Steve is the eternal optimist
Leyland?
Poor Mike Ilich - he has spent a lot of money wth poor results to date

Tigers have won 3 of their last 4 games AND ValVerde has saved the 3 wins. Very interesting!

Steve is indeed hopeful that the worst is past and sunny days are here again...

Take two of three against the Cubs and this team would be on a roll.

Let Tiger fans and the opposition take note.

I'm not worried about the Tigers (and certainly not hoops recruiting...).

Anyone can find a trade candidate at 2nd base for the Tigs? That is the worst hole on the team. :(

Steve, keep on dancing, I sent you all the good tunes.

P.S. Start concentrating on the EMU Hoops Team Camp and Murphy and Co's recruiting

Tigs still have a long way to go

On paper, you'd have to say that they should be able to turn things around and easily win the Central.

The eye test tells me something totally different. They are woefully deficient defensively, are terrible baserunners, and for whatever reason, cannot deliver the clutch hit--I have NEVER seen so many solo homers (and stranded baserunners) in my life!

Pitchingwise, Scherzer is unpredictable, Porcello is not very good, Smyly is not quite there, and Fister is a question mark moving forward. Our closer is totally unreliable and Leyland's decisions usually backfire. I would be shocked if the Tigers turned things around, they just do not play sound baseball.

Kelly Johnson is on a one year contract with the Blue Jays. In another 30-45 days, the jays might consider moving him if we picked up a sizable amount or traded them someone decent.

At the very least, he's a free agent left handed bat after this year. Drawback is his average defense.

Or, Altuve from the astros would be a nice addition as well.

Here is an article on Tiger injuries...

http://www.blessyouboys.com/2012/6/11/30...is-lengthy

(06-11-2012 07:54 PM)EA3 Wrote:  Kelly Johnson is on a one year contract with the Blue Jays. In another 30-45 days, the jays might consider moving him if we picked up a sizable amount or traded them someone decent.

At the very least, he's a free agent left handed bat after this year. Drawback is his average defense.

Interesting choice.

and his 'average defense' might be an improvement. Lol.

The Astro 2B is also interesting. I believe he shares the same home town as...
our 3rd baseman, Cabrera.

(06-12-2012 09:29 AM)emu steve Wrote:  

(06-11-2012 07:54 PM)EA3 Wrote:  Kelly Johnson is on a one year contract with the Blue Jays. In another 30-45 days, the jays might consider moving him if we picked up a sizable amount or traded them someone decent.

At the very least, he's a free agent left handed bat after this year. Drawback is his average defense.

Interesting choice.

and his 'average defense' might be an improvement. Lol.

The Astro 2B is also interesting. I believe he shares the same home town as...
our 3rd baseman, Cabrera.

We could probably get Seattle to eat a huge portion of Chone Figgins' contract as well.

He's played absolutely horrible since signing his contract, but he was pretty solid for the Angels from 2005-2009.

He wouldn't be my first choice, but if Seattle wants to dump him and is willing to pay a significant amount of his remaining 14-16 million left on his contract thru 2013...he might be worth a look.

He played 161 games at 2b in 2010. Was shifted to 3B and OF in 2011 and 2012.

Another name: Darwin Barney from the Cubs

They will be looking to move just about anyone.

(06-12-2012 09:29 AM)emu steve Wrote:  

(06-11-2012 07:54 PM)EA3 Wrote:  Kelly Johnson is on a one year contract with the Blue Jays. In another 30-45 days, the jays might consider moving him if we picked up a sizable amount or traded them someone decent.

At the very least, he's a free agent left handed bat after this year. Drawback is his average defense.

Interesting choice.

and his 'average defense' might be an improvement. Lol.

The Astro 2B is also interesting. I believe he shares the same home town as...
our 3rd baseman, Cabrera.

LOL, and guess who is one of Altuve's backups at 2B in Houston?

EMU's own Brian Bixler! (they also have another 2B on their active roster named Downs)

In short, Houston would be selling high with Altuve...they might just pull the trigger if they are convinced it will be two or three years until they can compete.

Last two names...Ryan Roberts or Aaron Hill from Arizona.

Diamondbacks are 8 games back of the Dodgers in the NL West and a 3.5 games out of the Wild Card.

How about Rya Rayburn from Toledo, he is currently hitting .167 down there. LOL

(06-12-2012 11:18 AM)Dennis Hoopster Wrote:  How about Rya Rayburn from Toledo, he is currently hitting .167 down there. LOL

LOL. I bet the A's would make Inge available too!

Altuve is 22 and playing very well right now. Why would Houston want to trade a young, cheap guy like that? Especially when he is producing? I'd love to have him, but I just can't see it happening.

Kelly Johnson would be an upgrade at 2nd. If we could get him for some no-name single A player, then I'd do it in a heartbeat. I saw EA3 mentioned Darwin Barney...I'd take him as well. The Cubs look to be in "fire sale" mode, so that move seems very realistic.

Whatever the case, a move needs to be made. Our 2nd basemen have been abysmal.