The warm temperatures of the past two weeks did little to prepare me for the 23 degree rude awakening I received this morning. However, it did remind me that (when it comes to the weather) March is a fickle month. There’s no way around it.
I had hoped that the change of seasons was permanent, and with Opening Day just nine days away maybe spring had perched upon the Motor City. There is still every reason to believe that it has. Unfortunately, there is still every reason to believe that it has not. The not knowing part is the fun part of a Michigan spring.
Regardless, we will still revel in the official/unofficial rite of seasonal passage. Opening Day!
With around a week of spring training yet to go, let’s take a quick look at how the Detroit Tigers are beginning to shape up.
I must admit I was pessimistic about Detroit’s chances in 2010. The Tigers let Placido Polanco go, had traded Curtis Granderson and Edwin Jackson, and seemed more concerned with rebuilding than winning. That was in January.
Amid encouraging reports from Lakeland, I am more optimistic about this season.
By all accounts, center fielder Austin Jackson is impressive. He has a .358 batting average, and according to Jim Leyland — has a good eye for working a pitch count.
Having been given the “green light” a number of times this spring, he is a speedy base runner. Expect him to be a stealing threat anytime he lands on base.
In nearly 100 innings Jackson is perfect in the field – making 40 put-outs in 40 chances. He is eager to show that he can handle the daunting outer reaches of Comerica Park.
Someone somewhere dubbed Austin Jackson “Granderson 2.0.” — seems as though that may be fitting.
Despite a batting average of only .225, starting second baseman, Scott Sizemore is a promising fielder. Unfazed by the size of the shoes he is filling, his fielding percentage this spring has been perfect. He has turned eight double plays, 25 assists, and 20 put-outs. I just hope his ankle holds out.
A rehabilitated Miguel Cabrera (.320), along with Magglio Ordonez (.350) and Brandon Inge (.346), seem in good form.
Gerald Laird is showing some punch at the plate. Adam Everette is not. I picked up both players in my fantasy league, so you can see I am not too concerned about either in the regular season.
The defensive positions are all but set. That is something that can’t be said of the Detroit Tigers starting rotation.
It was reported by Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated that Jeremy Bonderman is a lock as the fourth starter.
Jeremy Bonderman won the No. 4 spot in the Tigers’ rotation. It appears that Nate Robertson may have a slight edge over Dontrelle Willis for the No. 5 job, with the loser going to the bullpen. So at least Willis has made the team. (Sports Illustrated)
During today’s televised game on ESPN, Jim Leyland seemed to still be making up his mind.
Whichever way the rotation winds up (yes, pun intended), this pitching staff will be competitive.
I am going to hold off releasing my predictions for 2010 until the day before the start of the season.
Once the line-up, defensive positions, and pitching rotation/staff are determined, we will have a better feel for what to expect from this Tiger’s team.
Right now, I have to say that it looks pretty good.
(Photo credits; Comerica Park, DeeTownTigers.)
Hey Skip,
Great post. It was so cold yesterday and cold this morning also. There are some big decisions that have yet been decided.
I have said this so many times and I will say it a couple more times before the first pitch of Opening Day. Magglio Ordonez has to be as productive as he was in the last half of last year, if the Tigers want to have a shot. I don’t care how well the pitchers pitch but we have to have runs scored by Maggs bat this year. Honestly, I hate pointing fingers but the Tigers WOULD have gone to the playoffs if Magglio hit all year.
Brady-
- I’m thinking about starting a blog on WordPress. Is there any advantages to WordPress that MLBlogs doesn’t have?
Thanks-
Thanks, Brady! There were a number of reasons that the Tigers ended up where they did in 2009. Certainly it would have helped if Maggs had been better at the plate in the first half of the season. But don’t forget that everyone fell short. Remember the games that Edwin Jackson started? He got zero run support. They will be better this year. Regarding your question about the blog – WordPress allows for more creativity in theme selections and in setting up your page. I like working with it. My first blog was with MLBlogs. They are easy to work with, and I enjoy the association it has with MLB. I keep both updated.