What Prince Fielder signing with the Tigers means for the White Sox
by U-God on Jan 24, 2012 4:32 PM CST
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Well this certainly isn't good. In case you haven't heard yet (shame on you for being a bad fan or a responsible adult), Prince Fielder agreed to a 9 year/$214MM contract with the Detroit Tigers today. Remember a week ago when Victor Martinez tearing his ACL slightly opened a window? Consider that window slammed shut, locked, boarded up, and bars installed over the frame. Detroit now has the two best hitters in the division. While anything can happen during the season, it's pretty safe to say that if the Tigers weren't already the odds on favorite to win the Central, they damn well are now. So what does the biggest contract in the 18 year history of the division mean for everyone else?
Tigers: Detroit finished behind only the Red Sox, the Yankees, and the Rangers in scoring in the American League last season. Prince Fielder is a better hitter than Victor Martinez. Their offense for 2012 is likely improved. As many have been pointing out though, what happens in 2013? Martinez will still have two years left on his contract and won't be able to play very many innings behind the plate as a 34 year old recovering from knee surgery. The team will have three expensive hitters that will all be on the wrong side of 30 vying for two spots. Reportedly, Cabrera will be attempting to play third base again. He hasn't done so regularly since 2007 and wasn't good at it back then.
The Tigers aren't quite in the same rarefied payroll air as the New Yorks and Bostons of the world, but until Mike Ilitch dies they will remain on that second tier and ahead of the White Sox. Until we know the yearly breakdown of the salary in this contract. we can't pass full judgment. It averages at just under $24MM a season though. Using that as a baseline, Detroit's payroll is already around $87MM for 2013. Doug Fister, Alex Avila, Rick Porcello and Austin Jackson all become arbitration eligible that year. Will the last few years be worth it? That depends on how much they can accomplish at the start. If Cabrera and Fielder age poorly or get injured, things could go south very quickly
Twins: For Minnesota, it means Joe Mauer is no longer the highest paid athlete batting around the Great Lakes. In worse news, it means that their string of dominance may have finally reached its end. Last season tied 1995 or the worst record the Twins have put up since baseball went to six divisions. The Twins are the cautionary that Tigers fans should be looking at closely. Giving Fielder 9 years and $214MM could replace Joe Mauer's 8/$184MM as the biggest risk in the area. Everyone knew Mauer wouldn't catch the entire length of the contract, but injuries may have already forced him to DHing or playing corner infield, greatly decreasing his worth. Combined with the horrible luck of Justin Morneau's lingering concussions issue tie up $37MM between two now-injury prone players and you have a baseball team praying its farm system can save them a few years down the road. Don't expect the Twins to be relevant for the next two seasons.
Indians: I have given up on trying to predict what will happen in Cleveland. Every year I guess wrong. They can compete for second place this season, which is always nice for the fans. Things get very interesting in 2013 though. Without factoring in arbitration numbers, the Indians only have $3.75MM committed to their 2013 team payroll. Next winter may not have the sexiest crop of free agents, but players like Joey Votto hit the market the following winter. This is good news for an organization with plenty of talent in the lower minors. The Indians should bide their time the next two seasons and come out swinging in 2014.
Royals: Kansas City fans can't be thrilled about this signing. While this probably isn't the year they make their long-hyped return to glory anyway, Fielder pretty much makes that a certainty. The Royals will be in the middle of the pack this season and have more than enough talent in the minors to graduate players or ship them out for veterans they need to fill gaps. The Royals may have the best chance of knocking off the Tigers in 2013. Should be pretty fun living in their territory that season.
White Sox: Sorry it took me so long to get to our team. I just wanted to be thorough. Things look pretty grim. We have the worst farm system in baseball. Unless they both turn it around, we have three more years of misery to slog through with Adam Dunn and Alex Rios weighing down Reinsdorf's signing hand. Our outside chance of sneaking into the playoffs all but disappeared today. The upper and lower class of the division have been seemingly cemented in for the upcoming future. Where are we? Stuck in limbo. Until 2014 and the payroll relief starts kicking in, we won't be singing any big free agents (not that we ever really do anyways). Their is no savior on the farm. How much longer will we hold onto Gavin Floyd now that it seems we won't be competing again for the length of his agreeable contract? Looks like we'll just have to appreciate the game.
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Why?
Ilitch has shown that money doesn’t matter to him. Why wouldn’t he go out and spend some more?
To my knowledge, certain things were not known.
-James Murdoch
by 2ndHalfAdjustments on Jan 24, 2012 5:06 PM CST up reply actions
They're already around $130MM.
"Many people need desperately to receive this message: 'I feel and think much as you do, care about many of the things you care about, although most people do not care about them. You are not alone.'"
that's only 4th most in baseball, right?
Always room for improvement!
by Shoeless In SC on Jan 24, 2012 5:27 PM CST up reply actions
How do I blame Ozzie for this?
It was then I realized vegans can’t be trusted
by Scotty Ballgame on Jan 24, 2012 4:52 PM CST via mobile reply actions 3 recs
I wanted to put something in their about reports of his demise being greatly exaggerated.
Decided against it.
"Many people need desperately to receive this message: 'I feel and think much as you do, care about many of the things you care about, although most people do not care about them. You are not alone.'"
"there" indicates a place
their show’s possession. they’re is a contraction of they are.
I’m being a dick. I’ll just go ahead and say it.
But good grammer is important to me.
sideways smiley face
by TasteeFreeze on Jan 24, 2012 6:06 PM CST up reply actions
So how do you feel about grammar?
by South Side Expat on Jan 24, 2012 6:10 PM CST up reply actions 8 recs
my wife gets jealous of grammar
sideways smiley face
by TasteeFreeze on Jan 24, 2012 6:12 PM CST up reply actions
I'm working my way backwards
sideways smiley face
by TasteeFreeze on Jan 24, 2012 6:14 PM CST up reply actions
So...
You didn’t actually post about grammar and blatantly misuse an apostrophe in said post, did you? Apostrophes (sort of like their) show possession (or a contraction). They don’t belong where you used it.
I’m just saying.
by BurlyBuehrle on Jan 25, 2012 1:50 AM CST up reply actions 3 recs
I waiting for larry to grant me master access to change all posts here like he promised
so I can correct it.
Thank you for pointing that out.
sideways smiley face
by TasteeFreeze on Jan 25, 2012 11:45 AM CST up reply actions
WU has a several, and that hasn't stopped him.
by mechanical turk on Jan 24, 2012 5:24 PM CST up reply actions 3 recs
Are you Italian>
The “has a several” sounds like my relatives. Missing a hyphen, and then you’re good.
We're all here because we're not all there.
Italian from Purdue...
WU I’m pretty sure you’re my long lost uncle.
by ScottyPods Ver2.0 on Jan 24, 2012 11:01 PM CST up reply actions
Or at least was at one time married to one of your aunts.
Some people get so rich they lose all respect for humanity. That's how rich I want to be.
by MarketMaker on Jan 24, 2012 11:04 PM CST up reply actions
Ohhh you're the guy!
…Hasn’t my dad’s friend Vinnie knocked you off yet?
by ScottyPods Ver2.0 on Jan 24, 2012 11:07 PM CST up reply actions
Is the Indians 2013 number really 3.75 or 37.5?
Just wondering if it’s a typo or do they only have like one player under contract for next season.
Cot's is currently down, but that figure is $3.75 per B-R.
Remember, that is without arbitration numbers put in or major league minimum contracts or options. Still, that is an insanely low number. They’ll be battling the Pirates and the Padres for the lowest payroll in baseball.
"Many people need desperately to receive this message: 'I feel and think much as you do, care about many of the things you care about, although most people do not care about them. You are not alone.'"
Can't wait to eat hot dogs this summer
It came from afar and traveled sedately on, a shrug of eternity
Cespedes this year
brandon phillips next year… i’m grasping at straws.
Kenwo4life=ratings. Just call me Mr. USA Today.
Really.... Cespedes might be the only young interesting player out there
Phillips will be 32 years old… I pass. Cespedes is the guy to go. We must sign him….emphasis in must. Other than that, as U-God pointed out, the free market looks pretty lame next year with only Votto to look forward in 2014.
For 2012 season: ALEX RIOS is my new TONY PENA.
by JofpGallagher on Jan 24, 2012 5:47 PM CST up reply actions
I haven't looked hard enough at 2014 to declare Votto the only prize.
Just the main one.
"Many people need desperately to receive this message: 'I feel and think much as you do, care about many of the things you care about, although most people do not care about them. You are not alone.'"
Ellsbury also hits the market.
Nelson Cruz, Chase Utley, Hunter Pence, Martin Prado, Jair Jurrjens (the Martian Manhunter), Ryan Zimmerman, Josh Johnson. If these players aren’t extended, 2014 can be a very exciting winter all around.
"Many people need desperately to receive this message: 'I feel and think much as you do, care about many of the things you care about, although most people do not care about them. You are not alone.'"
Ohhh... Thanks for the research
Yep…. it might be an interesting winter after all. I still think Cespedes might come cheaper and is younger than must of those in that list. I’ll take him.
For 2012 season: ALEX RIOS is my new TONY PENA.
by JofpGallagher on Jan 24, 2012 5:55 PM CST up reply actions
I'd rather take Zimmerman, Ellsbury, or Votto.
They’re all known entities at least.
"Many people need desperately to receive this message: 'I feel and think much as you do, care about many of the things you care about, although most people do not care about them. You are not alone.'"
by U-God on Jan 24, 2012 5:57 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
well zimmerman will probably get 100 mil... ellsbury and votto might get 200 mil.
so i don’t think we’ll get any of them.
Kenwo4life=ratings. Just call me Mr. USA Today.
I doubt we'd get any of them either.
"Many people need desperately to receive this message: 'I feel and think much as you do, care about many of the things you care about, although most people do not care about them. You are not alone.'"
Gives Cleveland a hell of a lot of options.
"Many people need desperately to receive this message: 'I feel and think much as you do, care about many of the things you care about, although most people do not care about them. You are not alone.'"
I wouldn't say I will be unhappy with any of those....
For 2012 season: ALEX RIOS is my new TONY PENA.
by JofpGallagher on Jan 24, 2012 6:00 PM CST up reply actions
These three also have different body types and aren't DHs.
"Many people need desperately to receive this message: 'I feel and think much as you do, care about many of the things you care about, although most people do not care about them. You are not alone.'"
Yeah, I know.
It was half-facetious. And I also wouldn’t mind someone else in the near future somehow having a worse season than AD.
The lords of dawn are men such as Mr. Lucy.
well the moment of reckoning is coming...
he just gained residency. free agency will follow soon.
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/01/cespedes-gains-residency-in-dominican-republic.html
Kenwo4life=ratings. Just call me Mr. USA Today.
Pretty sure Zimmerman will sign a DC extension.
But that’s a better market than I’d thought.
To my knowledge, certain things were not known.
-James Murdoch
by 2ndHalfAdjustments on Jan 24, 2012 5:56 PM CST up reply actions
hamilton is out there. not that i want him but i'm sure a lot of teams would.
Kenwo4life=ratings. Just call me Mr. USA Today.
I did notice Hamilton...
arrr….I am on the fence on him. He will be also 32…and extremely injure prone. I love the guy, but I pass.
For 2012 season: ALEX RIOS is my new TONY PENA.
by JofpGallagher on Jan 24, 2012 5:50 PM CST up reply actions
Its going to be interesting to see how Prince ages
But we are looking pretty damn screwed over the next few years. It seems fitting that we basically have to hope for a monumental collapse ala the White Sox of last year in order to have an ice cubes chance in hell to compete
One thing I'll about the Tigers
is that there will be regression from a lot of players. Avila and Peralta will almost certainly regress at the plate. Cabrera might, too. Prince was awesome last year, but only seems to be a superstar every other year (he slugged under .500 in ‘10). Verlander won’t have nearly as much luck on balls in play. Fister won’t pitch like an ace again. And with that infield defense (1B Prince, 2B Raburn, 3B Cabrera, SS Peralta) plus a full year of Delmon and Boesch in the corners, they are going to give up a LOT more runs. Still the best team in the division, but I doubt this is a 95-win team.
This. Is why they play the games.
"People of privilege will always risk their complete destruction rather than surrender any material part of their advantage."
John Kenneth Galbraith
Are you talking about just 2012?
I doubt Cabrera would play much at 3rd this year. Maybe in 2013, although I think the Tigers would try to trade Martinez if he’s healthy enough.
a VERY AVERAGE Sox Machine refugee
Top of my head, I'd say 88.
So fast he could hit a ball up the middle and it would hit him in the ass sliding into second.
by colintj on Jan 24, 2012 5:53 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Ilitch probably doesn't care as long as they win the WS before he dies.
To my knowledge, certain things were not known.
-James Murdoch
by 2ndHalfAdjustments on Jan 24, 2012 5:59 PM CST up reply actions
Ilitch can always pay people to tip over a few cars
and start a garbage can on fire, if that’s what he’s really looking for.
sideways smiley face
by TasteeFreeze on Jan 24, 2012 6:08 PM CST up reply actions
wouldn't be surprised
though at some point they’re out of money.
So fast he could hit a ball up the middle and it would hit him in the ass sliding into second.
really?
man, i should really CMF
So fast he could hit a ball up the middle and it would hit him in the ass sliding into second.
that's half of 2 wins right there.
they’re basically 1 full SD away from the Sox at this point, so there’s got to be some diminishing returns too much past 90. i guess they have to fend off the Indians and Royals. 3 teams at 81 wins true talent means there’s like a coinflip chance that one of them breaks 87 i think, but only about 1/20 chance one breaks 93. if the Tigers push out to 92, they’re pretty close to guaranteed.
So fast he could hit a ball up the middle and it would hit him in the ass sliding into second.
"Pretty much guaranteed."
That UM education really shines.
We're all here because we're not all there.
i'm not sure you're sure what quotations are for.
So fast he could hit a ball up the middle and it would hit him in the ass sliding into second.
by colintj on Jan 25, 2012 9:05 AM CST up reply actions 4 recs
what would you have me learn?
i was doing some napkin math for the sake of figuring out what the Tigers were likely to do. you gave me what, “that’s why they play the games” ? take my meaning reasonably and you won’t feel the need to tell me things i already know. or did Adam Dunn not hit 40 home runs last year?
So fast he could hit a ball up the middle and it would hit him in the ass sliding into second.
by colintj on Jan 25, 2012 2:49 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
but please, go on.
i’m unfamiliar with the concept of the low probability event.
So fast he could hit a ball up the middle and it would hit him in the ass sliding into second.
or as any relatively low probability event given certain error bars
typical of quick estimates. ffs.
So fast he could hit a ball up the middle and it would hit him in the ass sliding into second.
i do enjoy the "don't you remember that one time when that really unlikely thing happened" comments.
Still the best team in the division, but I doubt this is a 95-win team.
Remember they have to play 18 (?) games with difficult teams such as the Twins, the Royals, The Sox and the Indians….none of which is very powerful overall. That’s about 50% of their totals. They could perfectly reach 95 wins.
For 2012 season: ALEX RIOS is my new TONY PENA.
by JofpGallagher on Jan 24, 2012 6:09 PM CST up reply actions
I hope they don't anyways...
But they seem to be arming a team to win the division by a wide margin..
For 2012 season: ALEX RIOS is my new TONY PENA.
by JofpGallagher on Jan 24, 2012 6:16 PM CST up reply actions
Well, as U-G said in his last sentence...
"People of privilege will always risk their complete destruction rather than surrender any material part of their advantage."
John Kenneth Galbraith
Yeah, why not? Sit back, relax, and strap it on.
Oh. That was Colin.
"People of privilege will always risk their complete destruction rather than surrender any material part of their advantage."
John Kenneth Galbraith
by Chiburb on Jan 24, 2012 5:38 PM CST up reply actions 2 recs
if ted williams and the frickin mick came out of the corn and replaced rios and dunn
there would still be a lotta drink this year. but then, i may have a problem.
by obnoxious american on Jan 24, 2012 6:44 PM CST up reply actions
Of course there'd be lotta drink with the Mick around
by Yinka Double Dare on Jan 24, 2012 7:25 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
the mick. what a guy.
i met him twice. 35 bucks at the card show in harvey (the place that they used to have card shows is now club 0 the nudie bar). my dad was starstruck. mick, moose skowron and hank bauer were talking about getting drunk later.
Kenwo4life=ratings. Just call me Mr. USA Today.
Time to look to Kenny for guidance
Kenny Rogers, that is.
by Shoeless In SC on Jan 24, 2012 5:31 PM CST reply actions 3 recs
Quick question for you analyzers out there:
How many runs better than Martinez is Fielder? IOW, is this an additional 2 game hole to the Tigers or of a magnitude so large as to be insurmountable?
"People of privilege will always risk their complete destruction rather than surrender any material part of their advantage."
John Kenneth Galbraith
One more: have any projections of Fielder removed him from a hitter's park and into a spacious one?
"People of privilege will always risk their complete destruction rather than surrender any material part of their advantage."
John Kenneth Galbraith
Drew Sharp was on ESPN radio and said that actually Comerica is a good park for left handed pull hitters.
To my knowledge, certain things were not known.
-James Murdoch
by 2ndHalfAdjustments on Jan 24, 2012 5:37 PM CST up reply actions
Does Drew Sharp know as much as Cowley?
(thx for the link)
"People of privilege will always risk their complete destruction rather than surrender any material part of their advantage."
John Kenneth Galbraith
I haven't read his stuff, so I don't know if he's got Coweley's jerk tendencies,
but every time I have heard him interviewed on the Score and the like, he’s seemed informative and a fair critic.
To my knowledge, certain things were not known.
-James Murdoch
by 2ndHalfAdjustments on Jan 24, 2012 5:42 PM CST up reply actions
no second 'e,' my bad
To my knowledge, certain things were not known.
-James Murdoch
by 2ndHalfAdjustments on Jan 24, 2012 5:44 PM CST up reply actions
Drew Sharp is the Cowley of Detroit media
complete disingenuous prick.
So fast he could hit a ball up the middle and it would hit him in the ass sliding into second.
by colintj on Jan 24, 2012 5:56 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
More like their Jay Mariotti
by Yinka Double Dare on Jan 24, 2012 7:30 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
yeah i suppose Cowley has some attachment to reality/sources
So fast he could hit a ball up the middle and it would hit him in the ass sliding into second.
Tigers fan here
I have no idea who Coweley is, but Drew Sharp is, to put it conservatively, awful. He is quite effective at combining his lack of intelligence with an uncanny ability to irritate the crap out of everyone. The inane crap that he spews is a stain on sports media.
But he is right that Comerica is a good park for left-handed pull hitters. Right-Center is 365 ft, right field is 330 ft, and there are some angles out there that can turn doubles into triples (or in Fielder’s case, long singles into doubles). Comerica Park punishes right-handed pull hitters a lot more. And it is a curse on anyone who hits a deep fly to center.
There's quite a bit at play here.
Gotta look at who’s now going to be catching, which one will play 1B and which one will DH.
I’m gonna say between 2 and 3.5 wins.
by Shoeless In SC on Jan 24, 2012 5:40 PM CST up reply actions
That's in line with what Cameron says below.
"People of privilege will always risk their complete destruction rather than surrender any material part of their advantage."
John Kenneth Galbraith
Roughly...
You’re right. VMart probably would have been a 3 WAR player. Fielder will be a 5-6 WAR player.
by BurlyBuehrle on Jan 25, 2012 2:01 AM CST up reply actions
any thought on a new face?
"michael gilhaney is an example of a man that is nearly banjaxed from the principal of the atomic theory. would it astonish you to hear that he is nearly half a bicycle?" ~~ sergeant pluck
by BuehrleMan on Jan 25, 2012 8:35 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
i think half that is closer.
So fast he could hit a ball up the middle and it would hit him in the ass sliding into second.
for Martinez, i mean.
So fast he could hit a ball up the middle and it would hit him in the ass sliding into second.
we're fucked. still.
Some people get so rich they lose all respect for humanity. That's how rich I want to be.
We're not fucked....we were!! we just continue to be.
For 2012 season: ALEX RIOS is my new TONY PENA.
by JofpGallagher on Jan 24, 2012 5:52 PM CST up reply actions
My mistake?
Some people get so rich they lose all respect for humanity. That's how rich I want to be.
I was joking....
no mistakes nor nothing to analyses….just a jocosity act….i guess
For 2012 season: ALEX RIOS is my new TONY PENA.
by JofpGallagher on Jan 25, 2012 6:01 AM CST up reply actions
Illitch said he would be willing to give up some of the Wings Stanley Cups
for one Tigers World Series? Wow.
JR said the same thing about the Bulls titles and the WS.
To my knowledge, certain things were not known.
-James Murdoch
by 2ndHalfAdjustments on Jan 24, 2012 5:55 PM CST up reply actions
Hasn't Reinsord said essentially the same thing about the Sox and the Bulls?
"Many people need desperately to receive this message: 'I feel and think much as you do, care about many of the things you care about, although most people do not care about them. You are not alone.'"
Yes, but its still a very interesting statement
Detroit still very much is a Wings town and they are unquestionably the biggest show in town.
maybe... but they can pack the tigers park if they think they're going to win.
Kenwo4life=ratings. Just call me Mr. USA Today.
Most teams not called the Rays can
I am sure Pistons games were packed when they were good and we know the Lions drew this year.
For the record: I am not stating his comments are any different than JRs or anyone elses.
Detroit is a huge city for hockey, compared to the rest of the country.
But no, the Wings are not the biggest show in town.
They are ranked as the most popular NHL team and one of the best sports orgs overall
Detroit refers to itself as “hockeytown”… tell me, what team is more popular in Detroit then the Red Wings? Don’t tell me the Tigers, maybe last year, but overall I don’t see it. The Red Wings have been one of the most consistent winners in sports. And I am a Hawks fan admitting this.
Sure, but the Wings are consistent winners.
So I don’t see how you can punish the Tigers and Lions for drawing big interest in their most recent seasons just because they had good years. The Wings wouldn’t draw well if they sucked either.
I agree that they’re easily the most popular hockey team in the NHL, but the NHL is the 4th most popular league in this country.
Trying to take the bias of how good the teams are, I’d say in order: Lions, Tigers, Wings, Pistons. Which probably looks like most cities, except NBA would be third (maybe 2nd some places) and NHL would be last.
But that’s just one Detroiter’s opinion of the situation. Personally, my preference is Tigers, Lions, Wings, Pistons, although Lions and Wings are close.
How am I punishing them? its the reality of the situation
All I said was that the Wings are the most popular team in Detroit. Everyone I have met from Michigan loves the Wings. I wouldn’t be surprised if they were the most popular professional sports team in all of Michigan.
And yes, the NHL is the 4th most popular league. However, the more north you go, the more popular it gets. I am sure you know this. The NHL is full of a bunch of teams that nobody gives a shit about, just like basketball.
The Wings have lots of lifelong fans and that is because they are good. Its not like Chicago where at least half of the Hawks fans are bandwagon jumpers.
Consider me a recent bandwagon Blackhawk fan
But, when I hitch on to a wagon I stay hitched. Consider that Dollar Bill Wirtz did everything in his power to prevent most of his viewing public from ever, you know, watch the team. I think that’s where the apathy came from. No one knew they were out there. The second that Rocky got the team on tv, I was hooked. It certainly didn’t hurt that they also won the Cup and are awesome with a lot of exciting young players.
Well, boys, it's a round ball and a round bat and you got to hit the ball square. ~Joe Schultz, 1969
Popularity
I’m a Detroit fan too, and I wouldn’t say that the Wings are the most popular professional sports team in Michigan. While the Wings do have a large following, to be sure, there is still a sizable contingent of people in Michigan who just don’t get into hockey like they get into the other three major sports. As such, Wings fans are generally more likely to follow the Tigers or Lions than Tigers and Lions fans are to follow the Wings. There is still a substantial overlap between all three fanbases, to be sure, but the proportions favor the Tigers and Lions.
There are some things I should note here. First of all, support for the Pistons definitely trails support for the Red Wings. This is, in my opinion, due to several issues. Firstly, the Pistons (and the NBA in general) are not well run and do not do a good job cultivating a fanbase. Secondly, the Pistons, far more than the other professional leagues has to compete with local college teams. And thirdly, the Pistons are not located in the city of Detroit. Being at the Palace does them no favors.
The other thing that I will note is that Wings fans are generally more enthusiastic than Tigers or Lions fans. That is because the Wings have been the best organization in the NHL over the past couple decades and when a team is perpetually good, its fanbase can credibly believe that a championship is a possibility every season. With the reemergence of the Tigers and Lions as something other than a laughingstock, the enthusiasm gap is waning, but it definitely still exists. Lions fans in particular have this issue, seeing as until this season, watching the Lions was a perpetually painful experience.
Incidentally, at present I would say that the Tigers, by a narrow margin, are the biggest show in Detroit, followed closely by the Lions, followed closely by the Wings. The Piston are a distant last. And, in the interest of disclosure, I follow the Tigers and Wings with about equal fervor, followed by the Lions, and I don’t really care about the Pistons, because if I’m going to follow a basketball team, it’ll be Michigan.
The Detroit Shox
are offended you left them off the list. You may turn in your Detroit fandom card as you leave. (You can thank me later)
Well, boys, it's a round ball and a round bat and you got to hit the ball square. ~Joe Schultz, 1969
being a sox fan
I’m pretty sure Obama will lead off his State of the Union address tonight with an executive order nullifying the move. Or someone better hold Bud hostage on Friday night until he agrees the signing breaks the collective bargaining agreement. Otherwise its going to be a long 3 years.
"Good teams win games. Bad teams have meetings."
by BobbySouthSide on Jan 24, 2012 5:59 PM CST via iPhone app reply actions 4 recs
the worst tv night of the year. the state of the union. just a bunch of the same bullshit he said last year.
Kenwo4life=ratings. Just call me Mr. USA Today.
you still using the rabbit ears Ken?
There are other channels. Storage Wars, starring WU!
"Good teams win games. Bad teams have meetings."
by BobbySouthSide on Jan 24, 2012 6:06 PM CST via iPhone app up reply actions
lol that is what i put on.
which one is WU? barry weiss? i don’t think so. maybe dave hester.
Kenwo4life=ratings. Just call me Mr. USA Today.
I have to go with Weiss
A schister, not all there in the head, thinks he is a ladies man, fake tan.
"Good teams win games. Bad teams have meetings."
by BobbySouthSide on Jan 24, 2012 8:01 PM CST via iPhone app up reply actions
Yeah, President Bartlet gave much better SOTU.
To my knowledge, certain things were not known.
-James Murdoch
by 2ndHalfAdjustments on Jan 24, 2012 6:08 PM CST up reply actions
True but it's all about the rebuttal.
Pizza man’s time to shine!
by Ozzie Montana on Jan 24, 2012 6:15 PM CST up reply actions
Mitch Daniels is doing the GOP rebuttal
Cain is doing the stupid Tea Party one. Cannot be hard to be any worse than Bachmann’s last year, all he has to do is look at the camera and not grope anybody.
lol no but thats what i was thinking when i described it.
Kenwo4life=ratings. Just call me Mr. USA Today.
We won't have better politicians until we have better candidates
Really! Running for office is easier than ever. You can raise money over the internet…campaign through social media.
Run for office. Town council, State Rep, Congress, whatever. I’d vote for you!
I’m a massive politics geek…so I love nights like tonight.
What?! I ain't no Professor Pickles!
thats cool. i've been following the republican debates a little bit.
i just hate the state of the union because it cancels all of my programs. (not that i have any programs i guess anymore…but i used to get steamed when it canceled nypd blue). lol
Kenwo4life=ratings. Just call me Mr. USA Today.
lol. i liked that show from jimmy smitts on. even ricky schroder wasn't so terrible although zack was a clear upgrade from him
Kenwo4life=ratings. Just call me Mr. USA Today.
I like Fielder. I kinda sorta hope he does well with the Tigers.
Plus we’ll get to see him nine times a year. And later on, if the Sox are contenders, Detroit has an immovable contract on their hands. Twins, too. Not bad, if we weren’t exactly contenders for the next few years anyway. Of course I wish he could have stayed in Milwaukee, but, hey, thin silver lining.
The lords of dawn are men such as Mr. Lucy.
Heh, "immovable" indeed.
But I agree with the sentiment. We all knew the Sox had basically no shot for the next year or two. In my rose-colored view, this contract, while increasing their chances of advancing deep into the playoffs in the short term, is probably a hindrance to the Tigers’ long-term success.
"The Sox have a better home record than the Twins, but...we're not at home right now." -DJ
Less than Ventura gets asked about Ryan.
"Rhubarb, if you wouldn’t mind, ram your taint into your monitor as hard as you can." - joewho112
fun stuff
I remember when this happened and every one was shitting their pants how mighty the tigers will be. It took what, 4 years to get to playoffs? There are just so many unknowns. I guess it is off-season and there are no other news to get excited about, but as far “we are fucked” reactions are concerned, common guys, relax, it will be OK.
Taking a walk in a donkey park listening to the wind of change
At the time it was thought that Detroit gave up quiet a lot
Taking a walk in a donkey park listening to the wind of change
Who dis?
We're all here because we're not all there.
by winningugly on Jan 25, 2012 10:56 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
im sure no one in our starting rotation scares them either.
Kenwo4life=ratings. Just call me Mr. USA Today.
just wait til the prince digs in against peavy this year and sends one to the fan deck.
i might just order up a prince jersey right now.
Kenwo4life=ratings. Just call me Mr. USA Today.
While this is all true...
they have steady arms behind him. I still like Scherzer, though he might not end up being as good as I thought he would. I’m not a fan of how they handled Porcello, but he gets a ton of grounders and he’ll keep them in a lot of games. I think Fister is a lot closer to what he was in Seattle than what he was in Detroit, but again, he’ll keep them in a lot of games. And like larry said, I expect them to add, possibly another starter.
Running the bases? As long as they don’t run themselves into a ton of outs, I don’t think that’s something that will kill them.
Could you bring your ratings to Bless You Boys?
It came from afar and traveled sedately on, a shrug of eternity
Scherzer, Fister and Porcillo are pretty good
It came from afar and traveled sedately on, a shrug of eternity
Well, this sucks
But if this leads to a massive contract for an aging player preventing the Tigers from crafting a well-rounded team down the road, I won’t mind.
We play on the "bad" side of town, we were supposedly cursed, and we wear black. Let's play.
this afternoon it was innocence and gravy boats
how quickly life can change
White Sox 2012: Helplessly rebuilding?
by greenlight on Jan 24, 2012 6:59 PM CST reply actions 1 recs
This really hurts for 2012, '13, and '14.
But come 2015 or ‘16, I’m going to get to laugh at the Tigers for a long time. It’s an investment. For all of us.
"That baseball is the smartest thing out on that field." —Hawk Harrelson
if they win a world series or 2 it won't really matter
Where the white women at?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGQ-ISsDm8M
by parkernutws05 on Jan 24, 2012 7:02 PM CST up reply actions
Why do you assume the back end of the contract will be so bad?
Fielder will only be 36 in the last year of his contract. Konerko will be older in the last year of his contract. Fielder will be 31 and 32 in 2015 and 2016. Not exactly over the hill.
You're right but Fielder is very athletic depite his size.
He has only missed 13 games in his first 6 full seasons. And has only missed one game in his last 3 seasons. You guys might be right but I don’t see him breaking down when he’s 31 or 32. Of course, I didn’t see Dunn’s season coming either.
it's not injury that is the concern, per se. it's skill decline.
to put it simplistically, big guys have less lateral movement to lose. probably more susceptible to (earlier) declines in bat speed. which may be what we saw last season with dunn. lose bat speed, flyballs don’t go as far as they did. which is problematic for home run hitters.
i call bs. i'm in my early 30s and am a fat bastard
and i was RAKING the other day at the cages. lol
Kenwo4life=ratings. Just call me Mr. USA Today.
Maybe Dunnitis.
My serenity is inversely proportional to my expectations.
LET’S GO HAWKS!!!!!
by ballyb on Jan 24, 2012 7:03 PM CST reply actions 1 recs
If this spurs Jerry & Kenny to deal vets over the next couple of months...
…then kudos to the Tigers.
Depending on return, I'm not opposed to trading Gavin.
"Many people need desperately to receive this message: 'I feel and think much as you do, care about many of the things you care about, although most people do not care about them. You are not alone.'"
Wonder what they could realistically get for him.
I remember, I think it was Goldstein saying that if they had gotten Deck McGuire straight up for him he would have been surprised.
I love this site.
Really. This is entertaining as hell.
We're all here because we're not all there.
by winningugly on Jan 24, 2012 7:44 PM CST reply actions 1 recs
Question for Tdogg...
I believe it was you (apologize if it wasn’t and I know there were others) who was pretty vocal about trying to win the division this year and opposed to rebuilding. My question is, does this change your viewpoint on that at all? Would you be more receptive to rebuilding now? At the deadline (assuming the Sox are out of it)? Just wondering.
fuck it anyways.
the cardinals somehow managed to win last year despite them being awful. blind hope is all we have until rios and peavy are gone.
i'm talking about next offseason.
still have dunn thereafter. if he still sucks, then major work will need to be done.
I think Rios still has another year left....
unless you like me, advocate the DFA’ing Rios mercy act. I have a bottle of wine specially for that moment.
For 2012 season: ALEX RIOS is my new TONY PENA.
by JofpGallagher on Jan 25, 2012 6:06 AM CST up reply actions
Rios is signed for three more years
through 2014. Same as Dunn.
Three more years
If that bottle of wine is white I recomend you drink it now
I don't drink white wine...hate it
as a matter of fact, the only alcoholic beverage I like that comes from a fridge is beer.
For 2012 season: ALEX RIOS is my new TONY PENA.
by JofpGallagher on Jan 25, 2012 11:16 AM CST up reply actions
So you're still in favor of going for it now.
What about at the deadline if they are out of it? Next offseason if this season turns ugly? And yes I realize I’m getting ahead of myself, just wondering if you’d ride out the whole three years of Dunn and Rios without getting anything in return for a guy like Floyd before he hits the open market.
this was exactly what the Italian cruise captain was thinking before those rocks popped out from nowhere
“what do we do with Floyd? Hmmm if only that pig Dunn could provide something, we might have a ….”. Captain… rocks!! “phuck! Where’s my lifeboat???!”
"Good teams win games. Bad teams have meetings."
by BobbySouthSide on Jan 24, 2012 8:43 PM CST via iPhone app up reply actions
Right, no reason to not give it a shot
Dunn was a very good baseball player and very consistent till last year, I think there is a chance he returns to form. Peavy should be okay this year.
We will probably get better returns around the trade-deadline anyways.
Apparently he's still fat, despite the report of a lost 30 lbs.
Fucking Dunn.
To my knowledge, certain things were not known.
-James Murdoch
by 2ndHalfAdjustments on Jan 25, 2012 1:07 PM CST up reply actions
I really don't expect him to look different weight size
I remember Jones lost 20 pounds and still had 3 chins
NAOPOS
maybe it's just me, but this sounds quite odd:
although he has worked out more because his new home is closer to a facility
"michael gilhaney is an example of a man that is nearly banjaxed from the principal of the atomic theory. would it astonish you to hear that he is nearly half a bicycle?" ~~ sergeant pluck
What was he supposed to do? Drive far just for work?
Some people get so rich they lose all respect for humanity. That's how rich I want to be.
Konerko has in-home facilities.
They’re still further away than Dunn’s old home.
by mechanical turk on Jan 24, 2012 10:11 PM CST up reply actions
BREAKING NEWS FROM GONZALES!!!!
All the best to Donny Lucy in his new endeavors. Agent said he has retired from baseball. Will go far in life.
by retired, he means he as.c0en
by Shoeless In SC on Jan 24, 2012 10:01 PM CST up reply actions 5 recs
fucking cat walking across my keyboard
I was saying… by retired, he means he ascended into heaven?
by Shoeless In SC on Jan 24, 2012 10:02 PM CST up reply actions 3 recs
He trailed off at the end, but your cat is actually a pretty impressive typist.
Some people get so rich they lose all respect for humanity. That's how rich I want to be.
by MarketMaker on Jan 24, 2012 10:41 PM CST up reply actions 10 recs
One day I went to print something and saw that he had changed my printer's name
to something like zzzzzzzzzzzzzcccccccccccccccccdddddddddzzzzzzzzzdzzzzzzzz
by Shoeless In SC on Jan 24, 2012 10:49 PM CST up reply actions
Your cat types better than Guillen
For 2012 season: ALEX RIOS is my new TONY PENA.
by JofpGallagher on Jan 25, 2012 6:08 AM CST up reply actions 2 recs
As punishment for this oversight, he'll make the river run avocado green.
I don’t know when this will happen, but I say we march in his honor when it does.
by mechanical turk on Jan 24, 2012 10:10 PM CST up reply actions
On MLB Trade Rumors
The tigers weren’t even mentioned as suitors. I thought the tigers said that they weren’t going to do anything rash? Oh well, maybe Miguel will be back at 3rd and the only thing bad about the corner infield position will be the defense.
I wouldn't call it bullshit
its mostly just links from people discussing the rumors. I mean he wasn’t even mentioned once with the Tigers.
A rumor by definition is something said without confirmation or certainty as to facts.
You know, bullshit.
"Many people need desperately to receive this message: 'I feel and think much as you do, care about many of the things you care about, although most people do not care about them. You are not alone.'"
Yes
but I still think its pretty boggling that they were not mentioned once. A lot of the people on trade rumors are insiders, so they sometimes have the scoop that normal people wouldn’t. I think when they are talking to gm’s, they might get more info. But yet again, the person could be bullshitting the insider.
perhaps there were no rumors because the tigers had no interest until VMart went down and Boras contacted them
just a bullshit thought
NAOPOS
by blackoutsox on Jan 24, 2012 11:17 PM CST up reply actions
Dombrowski
also keeps a pretty tight lid on things.
by BurlyBuehrle on Jan 25, 2012 2:04 AM CST up reply actions
Its funny to hear a Sox fan making this arguement
Do you know that this is often said about our team when we make trades/signings?
Maybe Prince will turn into the next Adam Dunn.
There seems to be a curse on left handed hitters who join the AL Central on big contracts.
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