The Detroit Tiger Weblog

Month: February 2003

  • Lou visits camp, confident in Trammell

    “I introduced him to the players, and later on in the meeting used him in one of the examples of hitting strategy,” Trammell said. “Some of our players will be asked — or forced, I guess would be a better term — in certain situations to take a pitch.
    “Lou was a good guy to talk about this. When he was a leadoff hitter, he learned how to take pitches and forced himself to learn to hit behind in the count.”

  • Randy Smith sounds off

    “The owner threw the plan out the window,” Smith said. “An owner’s ability to stay patient and stick to his convictions, to me, is the most crucial thing in an organization. The plan can be constantly evolving. But if it is constantly changing in different directions, the organization has no chance to be successful.”

  • Meet Gary Knotts

  • Meet Gene Kingsale

  • A profile of David Espinosa

    While 224 strikeouts in two pro seasons suggests a free-swinger, his 117 walks in that same span do not. His 62 walks last year split almost evenly between home and road. Moreover, his .357 on-base percentage was a far cry from his .245 average.

  • Palmer feels strong and healthy In Palmer’s mind, there’s no question now that he’s healthy. The Tigers medical staff considers him healthy enough that he begins spring training with absolutely no restrictions on his activity. For the first time since the spring of 2000, he won’t be on his own program but will take part in all the drills with his teammates.

    Sometimes I wonder if sportswriters actually go to spring training each year, or if they just keep publishing the same pieces. Tomorrow, we’ll have an extensive look at the Tigers new attitude. All kidding aside, the Tigers need to get Dean Palmer back and healthy. He’s the only somewhat legitimate power threat in their lineup.

  • Kingsale in center of outfield battle

    Newcomer Gene Kingsale joins holdovers Hiram Bocachica, George Lombard and Andres Torres on the list of candidates to open the season in center.
    Manager Alan Trammell said each will have an equal chance.
    “Best spring wins,” Trammell said.

  • 2003’s Top 50 Prospects – Baseball Primer
    The only Tiger to make the list was Jeremy Bonderman at #39. This is similar to Baseball Prospectus’ rankings of the Top 40 and Bonderman was an honorable mention. Before Tiger fans get discouraged though, 9 teams had nobody on the list. Before Tiger fans feel too relieved, the Twins and Indians each have 4 players on the list.

  • Chris Karhl: Transaction Analysis

    The happier deal by far was the swap with the Marlins. Mark Redman is that strangest of pitchers, the perennially frustrating low-ceiling fourth starter. He could be a nifty fourth starter for a full season, or he could be Mark Redman again, but either way, the Tigers are better off for having added a trio of talented arms from the Fish.