Remembering Carl Pavano
While the fan debate continues about what to expect from Magglio Ordonez down the stretch, here’s a moment to remember what that free-agent money two years ago could’ve gotten the Tigers. Yes, Carl Pavano is back in the news, this time for not telling Yankees officials he had been in an auto accident that, as it turned out, resulted in broken ribs. A few days ago, it was looking possible Pavano could pitch Thursday against the team that ardently but unsuccessfully wooed him. Now, the Tigers won’t see him, and I’m sure more than a few Yankees wish they never had.
As much as Detroiters like to thank their lucky stars that Juan Gonzalez never signed the contract extension the Tigers offered him six years ago, one can make a pretty good argument that the Pavano deal ranks up there, too. Maybe some of this stuff would’ve never happened in Detroit. Maybe he would’ve thrived without the pressure of performing (or not performing) in New York. But add Pavano and take away Rogers, and who knows what this team would look like right now.
Jason Beck
Good point, Jason. There are a number of players the Tigers flirted with over the past couple years. One that comes to mind is Troy Glaus. Granted, he hasn’t fallen flat on his face, or even close to it, but he wouldn’t have helped us much over here. And we would have never discovered super gloveman Brandon Inge.
With pitchers, it just seems like it’s better to groom your own, Kenny Rogers being one big exception.
Jason, a timely reminder to us all to count our blessings. Pavano, once so coveted in Detroit can now add bruised ribs to his injury laundry list of the last 2 years which includes shoulder,elbow,back and a strained muscle in the glutius region. I think the Yankees are going to look hard at the Aaron Boone clause in his contract and see if there is a way out.
I’ll be surprised if we play tonight, its been raiming most of the day here in New York.
Jason, while it IS a beautiful thing that the Tigers passed on Pavano(and maybe a little lucky??), I’m not sure what httat has to do with Maggs.
Are you saying, we should be grateful that Maggs didn’t turn out as bad as Pavano? If we use that logic, couldn’t we compare him to Thome, another high priced FA that pretty much turned out okay??(I know, he’s hurt right now, but it’ll take Maggs another month to catch up to him). I am sure there are plenty of better examples.
I agree, though, it’s good we didn’t sign Pavano.
However, I am wondering about Maggs, and his approach. Does he listen to the hitting coach? Is he out of shape?(not saying he is a malingerer, it would be because of his injuries). His lack of production(and particularly power)has lasted long enough to consider that something is seriously wrong, or he is overrated. Which is it?
The good news is, it seems practically the entire team(with the exception of Monroe)has been slumping in the second half, and our lead is still good.
If these bats wake up, if only for a week and a half, we’ll put this race to bed.
So much interesting stuff yesyerday; the day off seems to have put Tiger fans in a reflective and contemplative mood.Instructive to hear the power stats from ’84 but I have to admit they did not assuage my fears about the lack of pop in our bats. This may just be neurotic on my part. But 84 got me thinking about some recent topics on this site.
I didn’t look it up so I could be wrong but as I remember that magical summer — yeah I was also in bed with a transister radio and earphones hanging on Earnies every word — Sparky would change the batting lineup at will and sometimes with tremendous caprice. We must have had 25 permutations of 9 that summer. Sparky would play the hot hand or go by his gut. I felt so bad for Brookens when he came of the DL and my third choice for 3rd base got the start in October. But if I remember correctly Marty Castillo popped a homer in the series.
I really doubt that Sparky would the team leader in home runs and slugging sit on the bench when we are averaging 3 runs a game. He has been jerked around all year and is still averaging an Hr every 12.5 at-bats. He seems a real team player and how can you not root for this 29 yr old who is still looking for his place at the table? He appears to have a nose for the big hit and heres a statistic I can’t believe I took the time to figure out: the Tigers are 17-4 when Thames homers.
What is the temporal definition or deliniation of a slump? 2 weeks? A month? Whatever it is I’m afaid that Ordonez is not having one. On May 9th Ordonez hit his 10th Hr of the season. A nice start. Since that date, in 359 at-bats he has hit 7 HR or one every 51 at-bats. Since July 1st it becomes a home run every 94.5 at-bats. Its also not like his benn hitting tons of doubles or knocking in lots of runs. His slugging percentage since July 1st is .349. That would be an unbelievable number for a second baseman but a guy hitting cleanup…
Dombroski, despite Perez, has done a marvelous job my this ballclub but the Ordonez deal not only stinks, its gonna smell a whole lot worse 3 years from now. The lineup issue is going to have to come up– so why not now? We’re going to have to regard the vast majority of that 75mil as a charitable contribution to the Troy Percival foundation. Unfortunately for Ilytch, its not tax deductible.
Jason, as a new comer to the site let me just thank you both for your insights but also for the wonderful forum you’ve created and the fine cast of characters that has gathered around you.
Marty, I loved your post from yesterday about the Tiger Series wins meaning so much more because they weren’t bought and sold in New York big market fashion. I couldn’t agree more. The minute I heard Dombroski was looking for a second baseman I was angry because not only did Omar deserve his chance — and he is as you say a real tiger — but also because of the principal of the thing. All right we had an injury, lets pull up our bootstraps, get together and do it. You make me feel guilty for wanting Soriano so bad. You almost make me want to apologize. The prospect of my favorite player on my favorite team was just too much for my addled brain to handle.But if every other team is adding hitters in the off-season and we don’t, can’t we have just one…
I love our underdog, working class team. I also don’t have “a tiger” as the commercial goes — my favorite tiger is Rodney and Granderson and Zumaya and Monroe…maybe thats what they mean about balance in the lineup — but if I did it would have to be Brandon Inge. After all these years and all those calls for his head in the press he is playing an unbelievably sparkling 3rd base. And as I’ve said before I think on the verge onf bursting out with the bat. Like Granderson he is a player of not overwhelming gifts but tremendous drive, hustle and guts — and they both play it very old school, stockings pulled up the knee. My father, who would yell at me from the stands in little league if from socks fell more than an inch, would certainly approve.