Finally - a pitcher
As you might have seen, Justin Verlander received all 22 first-place votes among the writers participating in Tiger of the Year balloting.
What I found unusual is that he's just the second pitcher to win the award since Jack Morris in 1986.
I won't give it away, but would have been able to name the only other Tigers pitcher who's won the award since then?
Gold glove - who won, but who didn't
Placido Polanco wins it again after Dustin Pedroia won it last year. He'll make someone a good secondbaseman next season.
But are you more surprised about who didn't win a Gold Glove on the Tigers (such as Brandon Inge, Curtis Granderson)than who did?
Tigers lose a great fan
Am saddened to hear that my friend Pat Lowe died on Saturday in Kalamazoo.
Pat had long since retired from coaching the baseball team at Coldwater High School, but was still an icon of the sport in that area of Michigan. The baseball field at Coldwater High is named for him.
I got to know Pat at spring training in Lakeland, and can honestly say I've never known anyone who loved the game more than he did, particularly the Tigers. He attended every spring home game for nearly 30 years, sitting a few rows behind the Tigers' dugout at Marchant Stadium.
He was 82 when he died, but still a boy at heart when it came to baseball. The Tigers have lost a loyal fan, but amateur baseball in Michigan has lost a giant.
Tigers - good or bad move?
Hiring Tom Brookens was an. . . excellent decision.
I imagine it was immensely difficult for Gene Roof (roving outfield instructor) to hear he wasn't the man, but this came down more to personality than the ability to instruct.
Brookens has a great way of keeping those around him loose. He has a self-deprecating sense of humor, has always been liked by teammates and the players who've played for him, but is no nonsense all the same.
No, he's not been an outfield coach per se, but the plusses of his personality outweigh the fact he's not been specifically trained for what he'll be doing.
He'll do just fine.
Putz as closer?
Just wondering. . .
If the Mets decline the option on his contract for 2010, as they're going to do, how do you all feel about the possibility of bringing J.J. Putz in - as a low-cost risk, of course - to close in 2010?
Yes, he was hurt this year, and yes he needs to bounce back, but when he's been good in the past, he's been very good.
And as a Trenton native and former University of Michigan pitcher, there's that connection, too. Pertinent only because he'd probably like to play for the Tigers.
But if the Tigers don't bring back Rodney, which they might not be able to afford to do (certainly not for four years), they'll have to scrounge around for bargains - or "value signings" as they're called now.
Thumbs up or down on a Putz experiment?
White Sox-Royals trade
Did you see the New York Daily News report today that the Sox are about to trade Grosse Pointe's Chris Getz (and Josh Fields) to KC for Mark Teahen, who will replace free agent Jermaine Dye in right?
Who gets the better of this deal?
Based on how much they've said they like him, I'm surprised the Sox would trade Getz. And I'm always surprised when teams trade within a division.
How long for Inge?
Just got off the phone with trainer Kevin Rand and he reiterated that Brandon Inge will be off his feet for the next six weeks because of his surgery on both knees.
Post-op plans dictate that Inge will be non-weight bearing for that length of time.
I can't think of another athlete - for that matter, I can't think of anyone - who'd be more uncomfortable than Inge with that kind of situation. Wheelchair, crutches, straight-legged casts? As active as Inge is, it will all drive him crazy.
Especially with two young sons running around the house.
This will be a huge test for Inge. He'll push the envelope, he'll no doubt try to accelerate his rehab. He'll do everything he can to get back on his feet sooner than predicted. That's just his nature - and that's OK, as long as he doesn't do anything to set himself back.
No doubt he'll be ready for spring training. February isn't just around the corner. But between now and then, it won't be easy for Inge.
A video game winter, I imagine.
Tigers to win division?
Yes, that was my prediction in March -- Tigers to win 88 games and the Central by a game. But who cares about that now?
I have another prediction, and this time it doesn't involve the Tigers: The Yankess will win the World Series in six games.
I just hope the umpires and November weather don't prove to be a distraction.
One more thing: No, I'm not even sure the Tigers will be able to keep Adam Everett. They'll try, and he'll be willing to return, but other teams will be looking for a bargain shortstop as well.
Juan Pierre for Carlos Guillen?
There's some speculation Dodgers outfielder Juan Pierre is the player the Tigers are targeting to acquire this winter.
Good player, Juan Pierre. Leadoff speed.
No chance, though.
Not with $18.5 million remaining on his contract through 2011.
Unless, of course, the Dodgers would take in return a costlier player such as Carlos Guillen - which is highly unlikely.
Would you do that deal, though? Pierre for Guillen?
The simple truth is that the Tigers are not in position to add an expensive player, such as Pierre, to their payroll. Especially when all outfield spots already are spoken for.
He'd be an interesting addition at the top of the lineup, enabling the Tigers to move Curtis Granderson to sixth on a full time basis, but there's no economic reality to the speculation.
If the Tigers have $10 million to spend on a player for next year (Pierre will make $10 million in 2010 and $8.5 million in 2011), they'd probably apply it to the bullpen - more specifically to keeping Brandon Lyon.
Remember, even with nearly $120 million already committed for next year, the Tigers don't have an established closer or setup man if Fernando Rodney and Lyon leave as free agents.
This kind of discussion is exactly why this winter will be challenging for the Tigers, however. There will be veteran players, such as Pierre, who'll be available. And about some of them, we'll probably say they would help.
But I'd be stunned if the Tigers add any $10 million players this winter, without being able to lop one off.
And it won't be easy to lop one off.
Walking A-Rod with the bases empty was. . .
Pick (at least) one
A) incredibly smart
B) daring but dumb
C) something Leyland would have been criticized for even if it worked
D) no opinion because the Tigers aren't in it and I'm still blaming everyone
E) none of the above (although daring but dumb comes close)
F) doesn't matter because the Yankees are going to win it anyway.
Z) fell asleep because of how late the games go and don't know what happened.
