Random offseason link

Jason,
Are you going to continue to cover the Tigers in 2007? I know sometimes the different writers move around to different clubs. I hope you will be as I have enjoyed reading the various articles throughout the year. What do you think of the Harold Reynolds situation at ESPN since you were talking about broadcasters? Do you think he could ever be an analyst or broadcaster again?

I haven't heard Jeff Brantley at all this season. I guess I tune into the wrong channel at the wrong time. I've listened to him in the past, though, seemed pretty sharp. Kevin Kennedy at Fox seems pretty good for taking it down a notch and talking sense. Anyone agree?

Did you all see the page for the Ford Frick award? I think it's a fine idea to have fans vote, but couldn't it be limited to one vote per customer? Why does MLB do this ballot box stuffing routine?

If this is an El Nino winter, it stands to reason that October would be awful, followed by a warmer than normal winter but with more weather events. Actually, the second half of October, in any year, is probably the worst for trying to play baseball because it's the transition time. November would be colder, but more settled. So let's add add four more wild card teams and wrap it up in mid-November. :-)

Jeff,

So far as I know, I'm staying here. As for Reynolds, I think he'll broadcast again somewhere, but I think he's going to have to sit out for a while and let everything die down. Suing his former employer probably doesn't help make him marketable, though.

I still prefer developing players over acquiring them. Picking up Tejada, Soriano, Lee, or any combination of these players will cost a lot. I would hate to see any of the young arms go. How far away is Maybin from playing in the majors? If he is as good or better than people are saying, why not bring him up soon. Kaline was successful. (Iknow, it's not fair to use him as an example) I sometimes think players are "groomed"/developed in the miners too long. Then they end up playing shortened major league careers.

I know standing pat is not always a good option, but I think there are players on the roster capable of getting better. Give Shelton another shot. Sign Casey and see what he can do playing a whole season for the Tigers. Are the Tigers going to give up on Inge? Why not give him one more shot at 3rd? Picking up Tejada and moving Guillen to 1st would negate both Casey and Shelton. Tigers could use more speed. But signing Soriano does not help the defense as Rich has mentioned. Putting him at second base also pushes Polanco over to 3rd base. Half the infield is now out of position. I hope Tiger management doesn't get too "creative" and inpulsive and end up acting like Yankee management.

A good example of trying too hard to improve would be the White Sox trading Howard for Thome. Did they improve?

I'll be watching closely any transactions this winter, and hoping for as few as possible.Having said that, if the Tigers could pick up an impact player, either with power or speed, I would be for it, as long as the player truly wanted to play for the Tigers.

I'm a Red Sox fan who earlier congratulated the Tigers on this blog on not choking, and on not being intimidated by the Yankees or anyone else, as they made their way to the '06 World Series. But I must say, in the Series, they did choke. There was so much choking going on that I had an urge to call the EMS. That was some of the worst Major League baseball I've ever seen, let alone World Series baseball. To be outplayed by a better opponent and lose is one thing, to stink the joint up is another. Nice job of representing the American League in the Fall Classic, guys, where it's supposed to be Baseball's Finest on display. Very disappointing. What an awful World Series.

Hi Jason:

Thanks for the chance to give an opinion - enjoyed your work this year....

I cannot understand talk of needing a 1B, to the extent of "buying" a free agent. This is not a hard position to fill overall.

They NEED a better fielding right fielder and a lead off hitter. 1st move has to be to try to trade for Carl Crawford and DH Ordonez. Otherwise play Ordonez at 1B and insert a defensive talented guy out there that can motor. If he's a "placeholder" for Maybin for a year, no problem. Can you see Granderson, Maybin and Crawford out there in '08?

Sign Lugo and Guillen can play 1st; sign him anyway as a backup and add Huff too.

Yes, I admit I've been at the Trop a time or two.... I think they would bite at a starter, Miner or the equivalent and Monroe. Do you agree it's possible from what you know?)

Carl Crawford would be a really nice pickup. Size, speed, youth, potential.
You are exactly roght about the defensive limitations we have in RF now. I must say there is no way you can play Ordonez at 1B though. He is no more likely to sacrifice his body there than he is in right. He does not have the hunger for excellence that a guy like Guillen has. He is better suited for DH and on someone else's club--perhaps in trade for Crawford?

Another position the club needs is a closer. Jones will not be as "good" next year as he was this year. The term good is very debatable IMO as I didn't feel he was the dominant hammer that a winning team needs.

Ledezma, Grilli, Jones, Colon and Miner should be trade bait. I think Rodney has a lot of potential. To me , walker is expendable. He is defined as a situational lefty and I can remember all too wel the amount of times he has been called upon to get the tough lefty and failed the task. High price to pay for an aging one-dimensional "situational" relief pitcher.

Great news about Dombrowski and his entire staff. What a difference from how the Lions do business, hey? And who will ever forget Dave yelling "Get out!" at Maggs' homerun? A frozen moment, for sure.

There will be much discussion and speculation over offseason moves, but I'm leaning towards there being less change than more. Dan, while I kind of agree about Jones, I doubt we pick up yet another closer while waiting for Zumaya to develop. It will probably be Jones until that time arrives. That time will arrive when Zoom can throw strikes more consistently. I think he can do that by taking a little something off at times. A 97-mph fastball with location is plenty good enough, while saving the 101-mph high heater for blowing certain hitters away.

I also think we attempt to re-sign Casey (sorry if I'm repeating myself), and failing that, then look at some of these other options. I'd like to emphasize that a thirdbaseman like Inge can excel with a good glove on the other side of the diamond. Putting veteran outfielders at firstbase is not an option, IMO.

My opinion on Rodney was that he's reached his potential. If he hasn't yet, that's wonderful. I also think we could get tremendous value for Ledezma. He's had a good year, he's young and a lefthanded starter. Who wouldn't want him? Matter of fact, I'm not so sure we shouldn't just keep him. Anyone who's familiar with my past comments on Wilfredo would faint if they heard that.

Press.......I AM shocked at your comments about Ledezma. Where did that come from?....lol.

He is what he is.......average. Just the kind of pitcher that some clubs will over pay for. Pakcage him and Miner, and you could get a very, very nice ball player. Yeah, someone like Crawford.

For those that want to see Maggs go away, let us not forget. Despite his lack of prolific numbers, 25 homer, 100 rbi guys are hard to find. Yeah, he should have done more, but I find him very valuable, particularly if we could bat him fifth or sixth.

Would Lugo make a nice addition? Bat him lead-off, and allow Guillen to play first? Things that make ya go: Hmmmmmmm.

I REALLY like an outfield of Crawford, Granderson, Maybin. Productive, fast, and air-tight.

At this point, anything DD does while keeping the core pitching intact is welcome. Just, PLEASE, do not let go of Bonderman, Verlander, Robertson, or Zumaya. Or Miller, for that matter.

Exciting times ahead, for a Tiger fan.