The battle for Polk County is on
The Tigers haven't released their spring training schedule yet, but the Indians have, which gives us a peek at when the AL Central's two main combatants and spring neighbors will be meeting. They'll have a home-and-home set March 1 at Lakeland and March 2 at Winter Haven, then single games March 11 at Winter Haven and March 23 at Lakeland. None of those days are split-squad matchups for the Indians, though we don't know yet for the Tigers.
This will be the last spring training in which Detroit and Cleveland face one another. The Indians are moving to Goodyear, Arizona after this spring, leaving the Tigers and other teams who train along the I-4 corridor with some more travel to do starting in 2009. Hope you all enjoy Disney World.
I wonder whether the success of the cactus league in wooing grapefruit league teams to Arizona is going to affect the long-term viability of spring training in Florida. It seems like things will have to change some, at least.
I gather that the extensive travel required is one of the big reasons why teams are making the switch. Maybe Florida will start consolidating into a smaller area of the state or something. I was surprised to see that the grapefruit league still holds the edge (18 teams to 12), but if I understand correctly the teams that are already planning on moving in the next couple of years will tip the balance to the cactus league...
matt
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I see the Twins are starting to load up. They are going to end up getting a boat load for Santana too. They are starting to make me a bit nervous. More the Twins in 08 than the Indians, which are still young and persist on not spending any money. I think the Cleveland fans will be disapointed in 08. They had a heck of a run, like our 2006 Tigers. I think they will finish 3rd in 08 with the Twins a close 2nd to the Tigers 1st place finish.
On a good note. I see Rick Porcello was ranked #14 on the Top 50 Prospects. They are down to naming the last 10 which should come tomorrow I would think. I am interested to see where Maybin ends up. I would guess in the top 5.
Go Tigers!
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I'm sure the Twins will have a much improved starting lineup when all is said and done. I'm not sold on the pitching staff, though. Garza was a disappointment this past season, so I see why they traded him. It's bad news for Monroe, as he slips further down the depth chart. Maybe they'll trade him, too (or someone else).
I don't think Bonser/Baker/Slowey is going to be striking fear into the league. If Liriano comes back healthy and they get Hughes or Kennedy (or whoever) for Santana, they'll have a potential pitching staff. Getting rid of Nathan, too? I don't know. I think they'll have a tough row to hoe. I understand why they're doing it, but it will take a year or two for the pitching to come around (just in time for the new stadium, I guess).
matt
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Not so sure about the Twins. They are absolutely reinventing their starting rotation.
Silva will be gone as is Garza. Santana likely. Bonser has been offerred up. Sounds like turmoil to me.
I hope the Tigers don't settle for a lesser light like Hawkins. Egads. Dotel should be the lower limit on quality and they really should have gone after Cordero.
We need a relief pitcher and one that can throw the hitters a chair. We do not have a guy who can shut the light out and Jones is not going to get as many guys out as he did last year.
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