***Detroit Tigers thread: 1st pick yet again, this is not fun*** (2 Viewers)

[Doctor Detroit]

Except for the Nick 25 part, that might actually happen.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

anthony fenech ‏@anthonyfenech 17m17 minutes ago

Aníbal Sanchez’s day: 6 1/3 IP, 5 H, 4 R (4 ER), 1 BB, 10 K. 84 pitches.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Lakeland, Fla. —

Shane Greene, Ian Krol, and Robbie Ray hint at why you can't assess a long-term trade in a single season.

Tigers devotees who spent 2014 simmering over the Doug Fister trade might want to wait ahead of any final verdict. This, in fact, was a recommendation from the day Detroit shipped Fister to the Nationals for what amounted to two left-handed pitchers, Robbie Ray and Ian Krol.

Reason one: Ray was traded to the Diamondbacks in December in a three-way deal that brought Greene to the Tigers. Greene had shown last season with the Yankees he had a bandolier full of nasty pitches. The Tigers during spring camp have seen the same stuff, which was evident again Saturday when he gave up three hits in five innings and struck out six in what ended as a 4-3 victory over the Cardinals.

Reason two: Krol has the team's best left-handed bullpen arm. He pitched an inning Saturday, struck out two, and didn't allow a hit. He probably will make the club and has a chance at age 23 to be a top-shelf reliever.

Reason three: Ray was targeted by the Diamondbacks after their scouts had come around to Detroit's earlier view of a left-handed starter who, like Krol, is only 23. Ray now is throwing a mid-90s fastball, with a strikeout slider, and a change-up that has him on the cusp of cracking Arizona's rotation.

Reason four: Fister is showing signs of descent. He is 31 and scouts have seen a significant drop in velocity during his Grapefruit League starts. You can snort at spring training games, of course, but Fister has allowed 18 hits in 12-2/3 innings.

No one is implying Fister is done. But this was never going to be a trade that in 2014 would make any team but the Nationals look good. Farther down the road, it was a swap that figured to be more in balance, more understandable than it was destined to be at the outset.

Early in 2015, it already is taking on different perspective. And in subsequent months and seasons it should make sense unimaginable to last year's irate Tigers crowd.

Fister is also a FA at the end of this year while the Tigers control Greene and Krol for six and five more seasons respectively.

 

[Da Guru]

Lakeland, Fla. —

Shane Greene, Ian Krol, and Robbie Ray hint at why you can't assess a long-term trade in a single season.

Tigers devotees who spent 2014 simmering over the Doug Fister trade might want to wait ahead of any final verdict. This, in fact, was a recommendation from the day Detroit shipped Fister to the Nationals for what amounted to two left-handed pitchers, Robbie Ray and Ian Krol.

Reason one: Ray was traded to the Diamondbacks in December in a three-way deal that brought Greene to the Tigers. Greene had shown last season with the Yankees he had a bandolier full of nasty pitches. The Tigers during spring camp have seen the same stuff, which was evident again Saturday when he gave up three hits in five innings and struck out six in what ended as a 4-3 victory over the Cardinals.

Reason two: Krol has the team's best left-handed bullpen arm. He pitched an inning Saturday, struck out two, and didn't allow a hit. He probably will make the club and has a chance at age 23 to be a top-shelf reliever.

Reason three: Ray was targeted by the Diamondbacks after their scouts had come around to Detroit's earlier view of a left-handed starter who, like Krol, is only 23. Ray now is throwing a mid-90s fastball, with a strikeout slider, and a change-up that has him on the cusp of cracking Arizona's rotation.

Reason four: Fister is showing signs of descent. He is 31 and scouts have seen a significant drop in velocity during his Grapefruit League starts. You can snort at spring training games, of course, but Fister has allowed 18 hits in 12-2/3 innings.

No one is implying Fister is done. But this was never going to be a trade that in 2014 would make any team but the Nationals look good. Farther down the road, it was a swap that figured to be more in balance, more understandable than it was destined to be at the outset.

Early in 2015, it already is taking on different perspective. And in subsequent months and seasons it should make sense unimaginable to last year's irate Tigers crowd.

Fister is also a FA at the end of this year while the Tigers control Greene and Krol for six and five more seasons respectively.

Good point and I did not like the Fister trade for the present time. Also wish they had control of Smyly for 4 more seasons at a reasonable $$$ than Price for one.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Lakeland, Fla. —

Shane Greene, Ian Krol, and Robbie Ray hint at why you can't assess a long-term trade in a single season.

Tigers devotees who spent 2014 simmering over the Doug Fister trade might want to wait ahead of any final verdict. This, in fact, was a recommendation from the day Detroit shipped Fister to the Nationals for what amounted to two left-handed pitchers, Robbie Ray and Ian Krol.

Reason one: Ray was traded to the Diamondbacks in December in a three-way deal that brought Greene to the Tigers. Greene had shown last season with the Yankees he had a bandolier full of nasty pitches. The Tigers during spring camp have seen the same stuff, which was evident again Saturday when he gave up three hits in five innings and struck out six in what ended as a 4-3 victory over the Cardinals.

Reason two: Krol has the team's best left-handed bullpen arm. He pitched an inning Saturday, struck out two, and didn't allow a hit. He probably will make the club and has a chance at age 23 to be a top-shelf reliever.

Reason three: Ray was targeted by the Diamondbacks after their scouts had come around to Detroit's earlier view of a left-handed starter who, like Krol, is only 23. Ray now is throwing a mid-90s fastball, with a strikeout slider, and a change-up that has him on the cusp of cracking Arizona's rotation.

Reason four: Fister is showing signs of descent. He is 31 and scouts have seen a significant drop in velocity during his Grapefruit League starts. You can snort at spring training games, of course, but Fister has allowed 18 hits in 12-2/3 innings.

No one is implying Fister is done. But this was never going to be a trade that in 2014 would make any team but the Nationals look good. Farther down the road, it was a swap that figured to be more in balance, more understandable than it was destined to be at the outset.

Early in 2015, it already is taking on different perspective. And in subsequent months and seasons it should make sense unimaginable to last year's irate Tigers crowd.

Fister is also a FA at the end of this year while the Tigers control Greene and Krol for six and five more seasons respectively.

Good point and I did not like the Fister trade for the present time. Also wish they had control of Smyly for 4 more seasons at a reasonable $$$ than Price for one.

Agreed but that was a trade that was going to be really hard to pass up. Tigers were trying to win a championship last year and Price gave them the best chance.

Was reading an interesting article on Price (fangraphs or BP I think) that spoke about the great SP FA pool this offseason. The article thinks the Tigers will actually have much more leverage with Price than they did with Max.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

I like Price, a lefty in that park who is also a workhorse (something a team with a sketchy bullpen can always use).

 

[Bojang0301]

Collins sent down. Toledo will have a nice little outfield with Collins, Fields and Moya. I think all three of them could fill a bench role in the bigs at this point.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Collins sent down. Toledo will have a nice little outfield with Collins, Fields and Moya. I think all three of them could fill a bench role in the bigs at this point.

Holaday also sent to Toledo. Good to have depth, something this team will need when the inevitable injuries strike.

 

[Da Guru]

Lakeland, Fla. —

Shane Greene, Ian Krol, and Robbie Ray hint at why you can't assess a long-term trade in a single season.

Tigers devotees who spent 2014 simmering over the Doug Fister trade might want to wait ahead of any final verdict. This, in fact, was a recommendation from the day Detroit shipped Fister to the Nationals for what amounted to two left-handed pitchers, Robbie Ray and Ian Krol.

Reason one: Ray was traded to the Diamondbacks in December in a three-way deal that brought Greene to the Tigers. Greene had shown last season with the Yankees he had a bandolier full of nasty pitches. The Tigers during spring camp have seen the same stuff, which was evident again Saturday when he gave up three hits in five innings and struck out six in what ended as a 4-3 victory over the Cardinals.

Reason two: Krol has the team's best left-handed bullpen arm. He pitched an inning Saturday, struck out two, and didn't allow a hit. He probably will make the club and has a chance at age 23 to be a top-shelf reliever.

Reason three: Ray was targeted by the Diamondbacks after their scouts had come around to Detroit's earlier view of a left-handed starter who, like Krol, is only 23. Ray now is throwing a mid-90s fastball, with a strikeout slider, and a change-up that has him on the cusp of cracking Arizona's rotation.

Reason four: Fister is showing signs of descent. He is 31 and scouts have seen a significant drop in velocity during his Grapefruit League starts. You can snort at spring training games, of course, but Fister has allowed 18 hits in 12-2/3 innings.

No one is implying Fister is done. But this was never going to be a trade that in 2014 would make any team but the Nationals look good. Farther down the road, it was a swap that figured to be more in balance, more understandable than it was destined to be at the outset.

Early in 2015, it already is taking on different perspective. And in subsequent months and seasons it should make sense unimaginable to last year's irate Tigers crowd.

Fister is also a FA at the end of this year while the Tigers control Greene and Krol for six and five more seasons respectively.

Good point and I did not like the Fister trade for the present time. Also wish they had control of Smyly for 4 more seasons at a reasonable $$$ than Price for one.

Agreed but that was a trade that was going to be really hard to pass up. Tigers were trying to win a championship last year and Price gave them the best chance.

Was reading an interesting article on Price (fangraphs or BP I think) that spoke about the great SP FA pool this offseason. The article thinks the Tigers will actually have much more leverage with Price than they did with Max.

Of course the way Smyly finished in Tampa swayed my views. After the trade he was pitching like an ace of the staff.

 

[jon_mx]

I still/will miss having Smyly, Fister. Max and even Porcello on the staff.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

6 (six) days and counting.

 

[Da Gildz]

For any Detroit homers...

With Verlander likely starting on the DL, who's getting that 3rd start? Simon or Greene?

Plus matchup vs MINN

thx

 

[whoknew]

Not only Verlander, but now Rondon has shoulder soreness. That is not good.

Not a very good start to the season.

ETA: Jason Beck @beckjason

Justin Verlander will start the season on 15-day DL. So will Bruce Rondon.

 

[whoknew]

For any Detroit homers...

With Verlander likely starting on the DL, who's getting that 3rd start? Simon or Greene?

Plus matchup vs MINN

thx

Jason Beck @beckjason

Tigers rotation will be Price, Sanchez, Greene for opening series vs. Twins. Greene moves up 2 games, Simon still slated for April 10 at CLE

 

[Limp Ditka]

78 wins

 

[Leroy Hoard]

78 wins

That might be enough.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

For any Detroit homers...

With Verlander likely starting on the DL, who's getting that 3rd start? Simon or Greene?

Plus matchup vs MINN

thx

Jason Beck @beckjason

Tigers rotation will be Price, Sanchez, Greene for opening series vs. Twins. Greene moves up 2 games, Simon still slated for April 10 at CLE

Glad to see Greene get the 3rd start instead of Simon.

 

[Da Gildz]

For any Detroit homers...

With Verlander likely starting on the DL, who's getting that 3rd start? Simon or Greene?

Plus matchup vs MINN

thx

Jason Beck @beckjason

Tigers rotation will be Price, Sanchez, Greene for opening series vs. Twins. Greene moves up 2 games, Simon still slated for April 10 at CLE

Glad to see Greene get the 3rd start instead of Simon.

Agreed, may think about starting Greene in that spot...

 

[RnR]

For any Detroit homers...

With Verlander likely starting on the DL, who's getting that 3rd start? Simon or Greene?

Plus matchup vs MINN

thx

Jason Beck @beckjason

Tigers rotation will be Price, Sanchez, Greene for opening series vs. Twins. Greene moves up 2 games, Simon still slated for April 10 at CLE

Glad to see Greene get the 3rd start instead of Simon.

Agreed, may think about starting Greene in that spot...

Keep us posted!

 

[Da Gildz]

For any Detroit homers...

With Verlander likely starting on the DL, who's getting that 3rd start? Simon or Greene?

Plus matchup vs MINN

thx

Jason Beck @beckjason

Tigers rotation will be Price, Sanchez, Greene for opening series vs. Twins. Greene moves up 2 games, Simon still slated for April 10 at CLE

Glad to see Greene get the 3rd start instead of Simon.

Agreed, may think about starting Greene in that spot...

Keep us posted!

 

[Doctor Detroit]

One thing I'm looking forward to this year is actually having a good defensive team. Upgrades in all three OF positions, at SS, and I'm thinking Big Nick will be a little better this year also. I think people who are predicting this team's demise are overlooking what a huge upgrade Cespedes is in LF, Gose in CF and Iglesias at SS and the team no longer having Torii Hunter out there in RF.

 

[Da Gildz]

One thing I'm looking forward to this year is actually having a good defensive team. Upgrades in all three OF positions, at SS, and I'm thinking Big Nick will be a little better this year also. I think people who are predicting this team's demise are overlooking what a huge upgrade Cespedes is in LF, Gose in CF and Iglesias at SS and the team no longer having Torii Hunter out there in RF.

I don't think anyone is questioning the offense/defense. Its your pitching that looks to be atrocious. Losing Scherzer/Porcello, replacing them with Greene/Simon, with a washed up Verlander, and Nathan still closing out games...You will see your fair share of 9-8 losses which were actually 8-7 games before Nathan came in for the 9th.



I'm assuming they send off Price at the ASB also, wont want to pay him..

 

[Doctor Detroit]

One thing I'm looking forward to this year is actually having a good defensive team. Upgrades in all three OF positions, at SS, and I'm thinking Big Nick will be a little better this year also. I think people who are predicting this team's demise are overlooking what a huge upgrade Cespedes is in LF, Gose in CF and Iglesias at SS and the team no longer having Torii Hunter out there in RF.

I don't think anyone is questioning the offense/defense. Its your pitching that looks to be atrocious. Losing Scherzer/Porcello, replacing them with Greene/Simon, with a washed up Verlander, and Nathan still closing out games...You will see your fair share of 9-8 losses which were actually 8-7 games before Nathan came in for the 9th

Has anyone told you that you're a moron today? If not, let me be the first.

 

[Da Gildz]

One thing I'm looking forward to this year is actually having a good defensive team. Upgrades in all three OF positions, at SS, and I'm thinking Big Nick will be a little better this year also. I think people who are predicting this team's demise are overlooking what a huge upgrade Cespedes is in LF, Gose in CF and Iglesias at SS and the team no longer having Torii Hunter out there in RF.

I don't think anyone is questioning the offense/defense. Its your pitching that looks to be atrocious. Losing Scherzer/Porcello, replacing them with Greene/Simon, with a washed up Verlander, and Nathan still closing out games...You will see your fair share of 9-8 losses which were actually 8-7 games before Nathan came in for the 9th

Has anyone told you that you're a moron today? If not, let me be the first.

Why? Are you trying to dispute the fact your pitching has gone into the proverbial chitter?

Think its fairly obvious, so if the answer is yes, you're the moron actually.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

One thing I'm looking forward to this year is actually having a good defensive team. Upgrades in all three OF positions, at SS, and I'm thinking Big Nick will be a little better this year also. I think people who are predicting this team's demise are overlooking what a huge upgrade Cespedes is in LF, Gose in CF and Iglesias at SS and the team no longer having Torii Hunter out there in RF.

I don't think anyone is questioning the offense/defense. Its your pitching that looks to be atrocious. Losing Scherzer/Porcello, replacing them with Greene/Simon, with a washed up Verlander, and Nathan still closing out games...You will see your fair share of 9-8 losses which were actually 8-7 games before Nathan came in for the 9th

Has anyone told you that you're a moron today?

the answer is yes

I'm not surprised.

 

[Da Gildz]

One thing I'm looking forward to this year is actually having a good defensive team. Upgrades in all three OF positions, at SS, and I'm thinking Big Nick will be a little better this year also. I think people who are predicting this team's demise are overlooking what a huge upgrade Cespedes is in LF, Gose in CF and Iglesias at SS and the team no longer having Torii Hunter out there in RF.

I don't think anyone is questioning the offense/defense. Its your pitching that looks to be atrocious. Losing Scherzer/Porcello, replacing them with Greene/Simon, with a washed up Verlander, and Nathan still closing out games...You will see your fair share of 9-8 losses which were actually 8-7 games before Nathan came in for the 9th

Has anyone told you that you're a moron today?

the answer is yes

I'm not very creative.

 

[Dan Lambskin]

Mike Illitch is 85 years old...OF COURSE HE'LL WANT TO DEAL HIS BEST PITCHER AT THE DEADLINE

 

[tri-man 47]

One thing I'm looking forward to this year is actually having a good defensive team. Upgrades in all three OF positions, at SS, and I'm thinking Big Nick will be a little better this year also. I think people who are predicting this team's demise are overlooking what a huge upgrade Cespedes is in LF, Gose in CF and Iglesias at SS and the team no longer having Torii Hunter out there in RF.

Better defense, and better speed on the bases. We're spoiled by having been able to go 5-deep with quality SP ...this year, we start to get some questions at #3/#4 (JV better than last year? Greene strong in one of these slots?). But our SP still stacks up very well with most anyone else in the league.

 

[jon_mx]

One thing I'm looking forward to this year is actually having a good defensive team. Upgrades in all three OF positions, at SS, and I'm thinking Big Nick will be a little better this year also. I think people who are predicting this team's demise are overlooking what a huge upgrade Cespedes is in LF, Gose in CF and Iglesias at SS and the team no longer having Torii Hunter out there in RF.

Better defense, and better speed on the bases. We're spoiled by having been able to go 5-deep with quality SP ...this year, we start to get some questions at #3/#4 (JV better than last year? Greene strong in one of these slots?). But our SP still stacks up very well with most anyone else in the league.

We have been spoiled. Should have gotten one WS over the last three years with those starters. Unfortunately, a crappy bullpen negated our biggest advantage. Over the hill closers are not the answer.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

1. Rajai Davis, CF

2. Ian Kinsler, 2B

3. Miguel Cabrera, 1B

4. Victor Martinez, DH

5. J.D. Martinez, RF

6. Yoenis Cespedes, LF

7. Nick Castellanos, 3B

8. Alex Avila, C

9. Jose Iglesias, SS

Starting pitcher: David Price

 

[Annyong]

Is Rajai and Gose a full blown platoon?

 

[MAC_32]

Is Rajai and Gose a full blown platoon?

Rajai is leading off vs. lefties, but righties is anyone's guess. Certainly possible Rajai is getting this start vs. a rhp because it's opening day and Gose gets them going forward, but based off what Ausmus has said throughout Spring Training I don't think he even knows what he wants at the top of the order vs. righties. He just hopes the question is answered for him by the end of the month.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Got my Tigers socks on!

 

[Northern Voice]

Is Rajai and Gose a full blown platoon?

Rajai is leading off vs. lefties, but righties is anyone's guess. Certainly possible Rajai is getting this start vs. a rhp because it's opening day and Gose gets them going forward, but based off what Ausmus has said throughout Spring Training I don't think he even knows what he wants at the top of the order vs. righties. He just hopes the question is answered for him by the end of the month.

Watching them both the last few years in Toronto, Davis is so much better offensively, obviously Gose better defensively. Gose likely best used as late inning pinch runner/defensive replacement, he'll kill Detroit if they bat him leadoff.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Is Rajai and Gose a full blown platoon?

Rajai is leading off vs. lefties, but righties is anyone's guess. Certainly possible Rajai is getting this start vs. a rhp because it's opening day and Gose gets them going forward, but based off what Ausmus has said throughout Spring Training I don't think he even knows what he wants at the top of the order vs. righties. He just hopes the question is answered for him by the end of the month.

Watching them both the last few years in Toronto, Davis is so much better offensively, obviously Gose better defensively. Gose likely best used as late inning pinch runner/defensive replacement, he'll kill Detroit if they bat him leadoff.

They are going to split time early on, I would guess about right down the middle. Davis is going to bat a lot vs RHP because a true platoon would have him on the bench too much. I bet Gose plays almost every game though in some fashion.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Ian Kinsler, first hit of 2015!

 

[Northern Voice]

Is Rajai and Gose a full blown platoon?

Rajai is leading off vs. lefties, but righties is anyone's guess. Certainly possible Rajai is getting this start vs. a rhp because it's opening day and Gose gets them going forward, but based off what Ausmus has said throughout Spring Training I don't think he even knows what he wants at the top of the order vs. righties. He just hopes the question is answered for him by the end of the month.

Watching them both the last few years in Toronto, Davis is so much better offensively, obviously Gose better defensively. Gose likely best used as late inning pinch runner/defensive replacement, he'll kill Detroit if they bat him leadoff.

They are going to split time early on, I would guess about right down the middle. Davis is going to bat a lot vs RHP because a true platoon would have him on the bench too much. I bet Gose plays almost every game though in some fashion.

Gose can help in a lot of ways, I just saw him leading off a few times in spring training, and I think that would be a big mistake.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

JD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Doctor Detroit]

ALEX!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Cespedes 1st AB=double

Cespedes 1st play in the field=robs a homer

 

[tri-man 47]

Cespedes 1st AB=double

Cespedes 1st play in the field=robs a homer

Nice! I'm only able to follow on-line while at work, so didn't know about the latter.

Bottom of 7: I'd have liked to see Kinsler bunt Iglesius and Raj over. That forces them to pitch to Miggy with one out and two on, or walk him and pitch to VMart with the bases loaded. But I'm still liking this first game!

 

[Doctor Detroit]

####

 

[jon_mx]

Boos for Ausmus. Tiger fans are tough.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Boos for Ausmus. Tiger fans are tough.

They weren't booing Ausmus.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Winnah!

 

[jon_mx]

Boos for Ausmus. Tiger fans are tough.

They weren't booing Ausmus.

They were booing the possibility of pulling price for Nathan.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Boos for Ausmus. Tiger fans are tough.

They weren't booing Ausmus.

They were booing the possibility of pulling price for Nathan.

Sure, then they gave Price a standing O.

Nathan needs about 20 clean innings for him not to be given the business.

 

[jon_mx]

Good win for the Tigers. Defense was big. JD still has it. Price was great.

 

[jon_mx]

Boos for Ausmus. Tiger fans are tough.

They weren't booing Ausmus.

They were booing the possibility of pulling price for Nathan.

Sure, then they gave Price a standing O.Nathan needs about 20 clean innings for him not to be given the business.

I hope he can pull that off

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Boos for Ausmus. Tiger fans are tough.

They weren't booing Ausmus.

They were booing the possibility of pulling price for Nathan.

Sure, then they gave Price a standing O.Nathan needs about 20 clean innings for him not to be given the business.

I hope he can pull that off

I'm not rooting against him, but he stinks until he proves otherwise.