#12 - Detroit Tigers - Holding, Folding, or Just Making Cosmetic Changes?

Let's face it - if the Tigers aren't your favorite team, they became your second favorite team last year. This time last year, the team with 12 straight losing seasons (including a Pauly Shore-esque 43-119 campaign in 2003) was expected to improve, but not significantly. The team's biggest acquisition was manager Jim Leyland, who upon taking the job pretty much admitted that he knew nothing about the team or the American League. Fast forward to October, when the 95-win Tigers dispatched the Yankees and the A's in the playoffs, and the Tigers are suddenly hosting Game 1 of the World Series. The blunt, nicotine-soaked manager was once again the toast of baseball, and everybody loved them some Tiger!

Of course, the Tigers were upset in the World Series by the Cardinals (thanks in part due to their pitchers' fielding, which became as erratic as Eminem around Triumph the Insult Comic Dog). Still, the Tigers had much to be proud of in 2006, and their goals in 2007 are higher than the tear ducts on the face of Kenny Rogers (the one on the right, in case you had any doubt) after his most recent face lift. Complicating their task is the daunting task of playing in the toughest division in baseball, the AL Central. The Tigers are pretty much the same team as last year, with the addition of one surly slugger (more on that below). Asking everything to fall into place again may be too muck to ask. Here's what to expect from the Tigers in 2007:

Biggest reason for hope: The core of the AL champs returns in tact, with the addition of Gary Sheffield and his probable 100 RBIs. Their solid rotation is still healthy, with Jeremy Bonderman and Justin Verlander capable of reaching All-Star status. Joel "Guitar Hero" Zumaya and Francisco Rodney will still fool batters with their wicked stuff. There's a lot to like here.

Biggest potential nightmare: The starters don't hold up, particularly Verlander, who faded mightily in his first full season (5.86 ERA in August and September). 41 year-old Kenny Rogers could lose that extra 5 MPH on his fastball and his nasty streak that he magically gained in one week in last year's playoffs (hmmm... additional arm strength and a rapid effect on emotional functioning - what could cause such a thing? Not that I'm accusing, but...). Despite Zumaya being Detroit's best bullpen options, Jim Leyland inexplicably sticks with Todd Jones as his closer. This stubbornness could have long-lasting effects down the road. If you saw the following stats for two players, who would you want to be your closer?

84 IP, 56 H, 42 BB, 97K, 1.94 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, throws 102 MPH
64 IP, 70 H, 11BB, 28K, 3.94 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, throws faster than the maximum speed of certain Segways

I'll give you a hint - the first guy is not the old homophobic mustached guy. Make the switch to #1, Mr. Leyland.

Player to watch: Sheffield. Before an injury-plagued 2006 in Gotham, Sheffield had driven in over 100 runs in six of the past seven seasons. He now brings his potent bat to Detroit, where he is reunited with Leyland, his favorite manager. Anyone who has seen Sheffield swing knows the terror that his bat brings - he has the most violent swing in baseball, and seems to hit the ball harder than anyone. He needs only 45 homers in his career to get to 500. Hard as it is to believe, he's a probable Hall of Famer. Yet, the Tigers are his seventh team, and there's a reason for that. He has left the majority of his previous employers on not-so-pleasant terms, and despite his claims that he's a leader, he is anything but. The more accurate term is melanoma. Now, for the first time in his career, Sheffield will be a full-time DH, with less time in the field and more time to "think." Detroit, be prepared to be diced by the Sheff.

Why do we still have to watch this player?: Neifi Perez. It's OK to keep a no-hit, good glove backup infielder on your team if there are no other options. However, the Tigers have four quality middle infielders in Carlos Guillen, Placido Polanco, Omar Infante, and Ramon Santiago. So why to the Tigers keep Perez? It can't be his lifetime .298 OBP in over 5,000 major league at bats. All I can say is that he must either be a really great practical joker, or he has Mark Foley-esque compromising pictures of Leyland.

Telling Statistic: In 2004, the Tigers were 13th in the American League in ERA. In 2005, they moved up to 8th. Last year, they were 1st. I think I see why they improved (I try not to miss the blatantly obvious).

Interesting fact signifying nothing: The Tigers haven't retired Ty Cobb's number, but there's a good explanation for it - he didn't have a number. Cobb retired in 1921, and numbers weren't put on uniforms until 1929. However, in honor of Cobb, no Tigers player shall have more than 2 consecutive letter "K's" on any portion of their uniform.

Projected record & finish: 86-76, 3rd place, AL Central

Prediction that won’t come true but should: Kenny Rogers sings the national anthem at Comerica Park, but before he can finish he is knocked unconscious by a 109 MPH fastball thrown from the parking lot by the "naturally excited" Kenny Rogers.