Tigers Offseason

Its amazing to think that just 6 months ago the Tigers were the World Series favorite and yet they ended the year under .500, and in last place in the American League Central. So, was last year a fluke, or do the Tigers have serious offseason needs that have to be addressed in order for them to reach the playoffs yet again?

I am going to go through the three main departments of the Tigers team (starters, bullpen, and position players) and analyze the options and likely moves by the Tigers this off-season. In addition I will state what I think the Tigers need in order to make a serious run at the playoffs next year.

Today, Starting Pitching:

Well, amazingly, we actually kind of have a surplus of right handed pitching.
Justin Verlander
Jeremy Bonderman
Armando Galarraga
Zach Miner
Freddy Garcia (possible)

As for left handed pitchers we really only have Dontrelle Willis and Nate Robertson, neither of which are good options.

The free agent market has lots of great options as well. Some of the better options include A.J. Burnett, Jon Garland, Derek Lowe, Ryan Dempster, Ben Sheets, CC Sabathia. However, all of these free agent pitchers are going to demand big money; something that Mr. Illitch may not be so excited about shelling out after this year's debacle. Also, not to mention, only one of those pitchers is left handed and he will demand around $20 million.

So what do you do? There is no denying Galarraga was great all season long and deserves to be a starter. Bonderman was our most steady pitcher before an early injury. Verlander is a likely candidate for a bounce back season, given his talent and ability to throw 3 above average pitches. Neither Verlander nor Bonderman are great tradable options because both have a very low value after bad season and injuries. I think they both stay and should be solid in 2009.

Nate Robertson and Dontrelle Willis are the left handed options. I have to believe that both of these players will be on the opening day roster. Both of them have terrible contracts and nobody will take them.

But what do you do with Zach Miner and Freddy Garcia? Garcia is a free agent and probably will not be resigned, and Miner is not a great trading piece. In addition, Miner has been terrible as a reliever so that seems like a bad option.

Here is my suggestion. Sign Andy Petitte.

Think about it, this is a perfect move. The Yankees will be looking to sign big name pitchers like Sabathia, Lowe and Garland. I say, let them have those players. While they try and hammer out 15-20 million dollar contracts, sign Petitte for a reasonable contract in the 7-10 million range. He replaces Kenny Rogers as the lefty and veteran on the team. He will then take Robertson's place in the rotation. Hopefully, Petitte can serve a third function as well: mentor Dontrelle Willis. Because I do not know who the new pitching coach will be, I have to assume he will not fix Willis overnight. Petitte can possibly help Willis in some way and if Willis fails, Nate Robertson becomes the backup plan, serving as long relief or lefty specialist until the Willis situation resolves itself.

Our rotation becomes:
1. Bonderman
2. Petitte
3. Verlander
4. Willis
5. Galarraga

As for Miner, there is no good option. Its hard to suggest this, but you have to test the trade waters with Galarraga. Obviously, you first test the waters with Miner, but I am guessing that trading Miner won't get you anything but mid-range prospects that will be unhelpful for the upcoming year.

But what can Galarraga really get you? Maybe a decent short stop, but probably not. Again, it is likely he will only get you a prospect or two. Therefore, you have to put Miner back in the bullpen and just hope that the new bullpen coach can work out his psychological issues when he isn't the starting pitcher.

So after all that, here is what I think. It is absolutely imperative to improve the existing status of left handed pitching. I think Sabathia is unrealistic, but Petitte isn't. He might cost a little bit more than Kenny Rogers' contract of last year, but I think it is worth it. A 7-10 million dollar contract looks increasingly appealing after a look at how terrible our existing left handed pitching status is.

I also believe that Illitch could be easily talked into an investment like Andy Petitte. He is a proven commodity and someone who could potentially help Willis out, as well as eat innings. Seems like a can't miss move.

After that relatively average signing, the Tigers starting pitching should be a lot better. It should also be remembered that he Tigers will be signing a new Pitching coach. Given how absolutely terrible Chuck Hernandez was, the new pitching coach should mean better results and hopefully bounce-back years for Willis, Verlander and Bonderman. Assuming that, the Tigers could have a very solid starting pitching core.

The Tigers will live and die by this group. Their performance will decide whether the Tigers are contenders or replicas of the pathetic 2008 season.