The Detroit Tigers continue a bad stretch of baseball. But it goes further than just this bad week. A minor rant and three things the Tigers must address immediately when the season is over.
In my last piece, I tried to be optimistic when it comes to the Detroit Tigers playing the White Sox. But, deep down inside, I knew it had to be a lot of luck if Detroit was going to take the series in Chicago this weekend.
Casey Mize showed off his ace potential on Friday and provided Detroit a possible view of things to come before Jose Cisnero served up a three-run shot that gave Chicago the 4-3 lead and the eventual win.
But yesterday was a disaster. Chicago threw out Reynaldo Lopez, a starter who had got off to a rough start, fresh from a call up from their 60-man camp. Never mind his ERA this season, Detroit showed no type of threat whatsoever against him, just producing 3 hits. As a collective, Detroit against the White Sox’s bullpen this series: 7.1 innings, 3 hits. 0 runs
We all know how good Chicago is. They got to Michael Fulmer quickly yesterday, scoring 3 runs off him in the first inning and the bullpen could not hold anything down after that. After five innings, the Tigers were down 12-0. I mean, it’s bad enough that if you are in Big Ten country, you do not have your favorite team to distract you from what was going on (The Detroit Lions will be doing that for the Metro Detroit area today) but the game dragged on. Oh, and there’s these two stats that pop out from yesterday.
As excited as we are about the future with the prospects in the system and expect them to come up and make the Tigers better and no doubt, a few will make this team better as soon as next year but if we are being realistic, this team is looking at 2022 or 2023 to have a team like the White Sox. You may call me cynical, sure, that’s fine.
I like what Jeimer Candelario and Victor Reyes have become and the potential of Willi Castro but Candelario is playing 1st base because of Cron’s injury and of a lack of depth in the system. Willi Castro’s defense is not an upgrade to what Niko Goodrum at shortstop. Between him, Sergio Alcantara, and Paredes, you are looking for a temporary fix at 3rd until Spencer Torkelson is ready. (We all think he should play 1st, but Detroit says third base)
This could be an audition to plan out for 2021 but while we are on the subject of 2021, there are three things Detroit should do the day the season ends.
Address Jake Rogers
Chris and I talked to the Michigan & Trumbull podcast about Jake Rogers and his future with the team. The Area 51 vibe about what is going on in Toledo is strange. If Dingler is going to be your long term catcher, that’s fine but as soon as this season is over, either trade him or make him part of your future. They brought in Hasse and he has been on the taxi squad but not Rogers? The whole saga has been strange.
No more starting rotation band-aids
Detroit should avoid the one-year deals with pitchers. Has not worked with Matt Moore, Tyson Ross, and now Ivan Nova. With Matt Manning and Alex Faedo out for the season with forearm issues and the rotation struggles that been amplified with Matt Boyd and Michael Fulmer, Detroit should look at a pitcher that not seen better days.
Look for an upgrade to go along with Mize and Skubal. Expect us to do a deep dive of free agents available once the season ends. But if they have to trade a prospect to make that happen, do so. Franklin Perez may join the rotation in 2021 but it is anyone’s guess on when. A question also comes up with Rony Garcia. Does he go back to New York or do you have to go back to being a starter?
Settle the second base situation
If Detroit decides not to sign Jonathan Schoop long term, then Detroit should figure out what to do right away. Easy to say, sure. But the Tigers have made no indication who will be there in 2021 and if it’s not Schoop, then who? Alcantara, Lugo, and both Harold and Willi have seen time at 2nd base this season.
These are three things that have to be addressed ASAP. I enjoyed the Tigers in the playoff hunt and the individual performances by some of the Tigers’ regulars but it has been made absolutely clear by Chicago that we have ways to go.