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Q&A: The 2009 Tigers
Written by Kevin Antcliff
Friday, 03 April 2009 18:58
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 There are a lot of talented, knowledgeable, and educated bloggers out there. Some "know their stuff," and some "KNOW their stuff."
MCS is lucky enough to know a guy who resides in the latter category.
BlessYouBoys.com is one of the leading Detroit Tigers blogs on the web - and there are a lot of good ones. Ian Casselberry, the guy who makes BYB tick, is a long-time Tigers fan, and a talented sportswriter. He has been the publisher of several popular and successful blogs over the last few years, and he was also a columnist for the original MCS. And to top it all off, he's been sought out by numerous radio stations for his input regarding the men with the Old English D. With all apologies to Ron Burgandy, Ian is kind of a big deal.
Put it all together, and you've got the formula for a fast-growing, much-referred-to site for Tigers information.
Ian was kind enough to take some time to answer some of my questions about the upcoming season, which you can see after the jump.
MCS: Alright. The team ate $14 million to release Sheffield. Why did they do it, and how does it help them this year?
BYB: I think Sheffield was released because the Tigers felt like they could get more from the skills of two to three other players than Sheff would give them on his own. Jim Leyland always seemed to prefer to use that DH role to give some guys a rest in the field or bring in an extra bat that might help on a certain night, and he couldn't do that while Sheff rigidly took up that spot.
Plus, Leyland wants to send a message that players aren't guaranteed a job just because they make a big salary. And that wouldn't carry any weight if Sheff continued to play when he wasn't producing.
MCS: Word Association: Starting Pitching.
BYB: Promising. Of course, there's the hope and anticipation that comes with Rick Porcello making the team. Is this the emergence of a young star or are the Tigers pushing him along too fast out of desperation and necessity?
Justin Verlander should also bounce back from a bad year. Is he more of the guy he was in 2006 and 2007, or was 2008 an indicator that he might be slipping? Will Edwin Jackson build on last season and live up to expectations? Can Jeremy Bonderman recover and give the Tigers a solid #2 or #3 starter? Is Armando Galarraga for real? Lots of questions, I realize, but if the answer is "yes" to each of those, it could be a fun season.
MCS: Relief Pitching.
BYB: Precarious. The hope was that Brandon Lyon or Fernando Rodney would seize that closer's job, but by the end of the spring, both looked shaky and Leyland won't commit to either of them. He says he'll go with the hot hand, but when has that ever really worked?
The encouraging thing is that Leyland understands that his best reliever doesn't necessarily have to be used in the ninth inning. And he can use Ryan Perry the way he used Joel Zumaya in '06, bringing him in for a key situation when a strikeout is needed. Juan Rincon should also be better than any middle reliever the Tigers had last year. Help is also available in the minors, if needed.
MCS: Who will be the biggest surprise to see on the final roster?
BYB: At this point, I would be very, very surprised to see Gary Sheffield on the final roster. I don't think that guy's coming back. Call it a hunch, but the Tigers seem to have made their minds up on this one.
MCS: Seems like a lot of the experts are saying mid-80's for a win total this year. What's your take?
BYB: Through most of the offseason, I thought the Tigers were good for 88 wins. But that was with most things going right, such as Dontrelle Willis and Nate Robertson turning it around, and Jeremy Bonderman and Joel Zumaya being healthy. Maybe Porcello and Perry make up for that somewhat, along with an improved defense. But right now, I'll knock that win total down to around 84, and look for the Tigers to fight for second place in the AL Central.
MCS: If you're Dave Dombrowski, and you can pull off one move to make the team better, what would it be?
BYB: I would definitely try to get another starting pitcher. Even if all of the questions in the starting rotation are answered affirmatively, the Tigers could use one more guy to back up Verlander or to pick up the slack when Porcello tires out. I don't think they have the juice in their minor league system to get a #1 guy like Aaron Harang from the Reds, unfortunately. But if Ben Sheets shows he's healthy in June, and the Tigers are in the race, maybe they suck it up and see if they can sign him.
MCS: Finally, tell us all something we need to know about the 2009 Tigers.
BYB: We will learn to appreciate just how important defense is for a winning baseball team. Last year's Tigers had so many problems, but the poor defense on the left side of the infield just killed them - especially early in the season. Not only were too many hits leaking through, but the pitching staff didn't have any faith in guys being to make a play, and that definitely got in their heads.
Obviously, a diving stab by Brandon Inge down the third base line is impressive. But it's getting to a ball ranging far to one's right or left, a play that's harder than just routine, that Inge and Adam Everett should be able to make this year. And that will make a huge difference for the Tigers.
Get more from Ian at BlessYouBoys.com, one of the "Links We Love."
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