Offical 2011 Detroit Tigers Chat Thread

[gladdyontherise]

Spring training right around the corner, we need these to start popping up

Very optimistic for the season, team looks like its shaping up real nicely

Projected rotation

1) Verlander
2) Scherzer
3) Porcello
4) Coke
5) Penny

real good rotation overall

Projected lineup

1) CF Austin Jackson
2) 2B Carlos Guillen
3) C Victor Martinez
4) 1B Miguel Cabrera
5) RF Magglio Ordonez
6) SS JA-Honny Peralta
7) 3B Brandon Inge
8) LF Ryan Raburn/Brennan Boesch/Casper Wells
9) DH Ryan Raburn/Brennan Boesch/Casper Wells

Team looks real good if they stay healthy..thats a big if though.

[BBonds25]

I'm excited for this season's team. Hopefully Coke can transition back into a starter with no real issues. Sounds like Raburn will finally get a full time gig in the OF. Who do you think will take over 2B when Guillen gets hurt, Sizemore or Rhymes? And do you think Boesch will make the necessary adjustments needed to overcome his second half ™™™™-fest, or is he the second coming of Chris Shelton? I think it is the latter, but I hope I'm wrong.

The pen looks solid this year too.

[gladdyontherise]

I'm excited for this season's team. Hopefully Coke can transition back into a starter with no real issues. Sounds like Raburn will finally get a full time gig in the OF. Who do you think will take over 2B when Guillen gets hurt, Sizemore or Rhymes? And do you think Boesch will make the necessary adjustments needed to overcome his second half ™™™™-fest, or is he the second coming of Chris Shelton? I think it is the latter, but I hope I'm wrong.

The pen looks solid this year too.

I honestly think they'll have a 3 way fight for left field, hopefully..I like Wells better than Raburn personally..and the other two will platoon at DH with VMart. I hope Boesch figures something out, but it seems like Detroit has no plans for him, I haven't heard anything about him all season.

I think Sizemore will start when Guillen gets hurt, but I think Rhymes is a better fit for the team since you can hit and run with him, and he'll bunt people over with no issues.

Bullpen does look solid, Zumaya, Benoit, Valverde will be lethal as long as Zumaya doesn't hurt himself (which will happen :()

[BBonds25]

I know Sizemore was supposed to be the 2b of the future, and he still could be. But Rhymes did alright last year. And we all know that Guillen will get hurt.

I've read a few fantasy baseball magazines that said Raburn projects to hit @ .280 w/ 25-30 HR. Hard to buy into that though. But they could do worse. Don Kelly could be a full timer.

And if they keep Zumaya in bubble wrap, and only open him when he needs to pitch, he may make it through the season. But, knowing him, he'll get rosin in his eye and be blind for 3 months.

[gladdyontherise]

I know Sizemore was supposed to be the 2b of the future, and he still could be. But Rhymes did alright last year. And we all know that Guillen will get hurt.

I've read a few fantasy baseball magazines that said Raburn projects to hit @ .280 w/ 25-30 HR. Hard to buy into that though. But they could do worse. Don Kelly could be a full timer.

And if they keep Zumaya in bubble wrap, and only open him when he needs to pitch, he may make it through the season. But, knowing him, he'll get rosin in his eye and be blind for 3 months.

Yea i'm sure Carlos will get hurt, if he doesn't, he'd be a great #2 hitter I think. He'd give some good pop, switch hitter and I think he is willing to do hit and run, and sometimes bunt if needed.

Agree on Sizemore, he looked MUCH better in September than at the begining of the season, some contribute that to him not being 100% at the end of the season, others contribute it to there being less pressure with them out of the divisional race.

I just can't see Raburn doing that, it'd be nice, but its been evident that he produces in the 2nd half, and doesn't do much in the first half. I shudder at thinking about Don Kelly starting fulltime, being he isn't a great defender and is a poor hitter, i'd much rather see Wells or Boesch get the nod over Kelly, however we all know Leyland loves Kelly.

I'll give Zumaya some 'credit' the elbow injury last year was as fluke as an injury as you can get (well guitar hero is #1 on the list, but the elbow injury is #2) This team's biggest worries just seems to be injuries..they NEED to stay healthy for the most part. I also wouldn't be suprised if Brad Penny is just awful or someone gets hurt, Jacob Turner might get the callup.

[BBonds25]

I don't see them sitting Penny. He's the grizzled vet that can provide some leadership to the young staff. I think its more realistic that Coke struggles, gets moved the the pen, and Turner takes his spot.

I still can't believe Leyland's man crush on Kelly. Didn't he pinch hit him for Miggy last season?

[gladdyontherise]

I think he had him run for him in the bottom of the 9th with a tiescore..but what happened was Kelly came up to bat in the 11th or 12th with a guy on 2nd instead of Miggy. Leyland makes me just shake my head with some of the things he does

[BBonds25]

I think he had him run for him in the bottom of the 9th with a tiescore..but what happened was Kelly came up to bat in the 11th or 12th with a guy on 2nd instead of Miggy. Leyland makes me just shake my head with some of the things he does

same here. Maybe they should let him smoke in the dug out again. He seemed to be a little smarter when he could light up.

[gladdyontherise]

I know its spring training and managers are suppose to 'build up' their guys..but Leyland usually isn't so pumped up and almost bragging about how good some guys have looked..

I think this team is ready to do big things..

[gladdyontherise]

Season starts in 2 weeks! Question for Tigers fans:

Who do you think the final players on the active roster will be? This Andy Dirks guy is hitting REALLY well this Spring .483 average and has the most ABs of any Tiger. Boesch is hitting .333 as well

Will this leave Casper Wells as the odd man out in the outfield? I know Spring Training doesn't hold much stock, but Dirks may be playing himself onto the team