As for moving a pitcher in a trade. I think the Tigers should move at least one.

We almost have too much talent in one area. After the top 4 we have Sanchez out of Toledo, Miller who I think will benefit greatly from a full spring training with the team, Travis Miner who pitched pretty well mid-season and is serviceable and, lest we forget, Mike Maroth who, if he can use the off-season to capture his previous form.

I agree that you can’t have too much good pitching, but we need 1 or 2 better hitters. Even if it means giving up a starter from the mound.

Who I would trade and who I would go after – I’m not sure yet. However – I trust Dave Dombrowski will figure it out.

Gonzo wouldn’t be a bad addition as a platoon guy, but he declined quite a bit last year, and excepting him to be more than an average hitter as a full time player is probably asking to much. Finding a solid LH bat to platoon with Monroe and Thames (and spell Ordonez as well) isn’t a bad idea, especially if it frees up more money to make a significant upgrade at 1B.

Cat would be an excellent choice as a platoon option with Monroe (assuming we keep him, he’s not worth what he’ll get in aribtration but there might not be any better options) and Thames.

Casey at 4 million per year is still a terrible choice. I guess I don’t get why people like Casey as a baseball player. As a person, sure here aren’t many baseball players that are more likeable. But Casey is slow, has no power, and didn’t even really hit for average last year. And he’s 32 and injury prone. Other than a few months of familiarity, what is the benefit of keeping him?

I just saw billfer’s most recent post. I guess that last paragraph probably belogns there.

I really want to know the deal with Thames. Leyland gave him the cold sholder during the series, is there something there that we dont know?. Could he be a goner?.

I like Monroe and would love him if he were 25-30 more points in his average to get him to 300. His fielding has vastly improved and he is a great team guy and a professional when it comes to the game, approach and media.

With respect to Don Slaught, I for one can not say oneway or another if he is the man to have. I can say that between all of the new coaches and players added last year we won 90+ games, won the pennent, and I had one heck of a year watching and going to games with my nine year old. If they do that again (only win the WS) Neifi could be batting coach jk, for all I care

My thoughts on who will be gone: Neifi, Thames, Santiago, Minor or Grilli, Casey. Gomez back to Minors. If they can get Jamie Walker for a decent price I would think he stays. They will spend bucks to upgrade these spots. While I love Casey and he did well here, I think we need a long term approach with a healthy body.

Is there any thought to moving Guillen to 1st and having infante play short?, could he get his bat turned around with more playing time. I saw a post about moving Inge to catcher, I say no way they guy is a near gold glove and one the way to hitting .286 next year. The cost to upgrade that position significantly and leave Inge on the bench could be better spent else where.

Kind if a bummer not having a Tiger game to hang with at night.

Steve

I am in favor of keeping as much of the talent currently in the system as possible. If anything, I think minor tweaking is needed, along with a look toward the future.

I also agree with the notion that we have to stick with what got us to where we are…young quality pitching. Trading Bonderman is nuts. He is one pitch away from being dominate. I would prefer trading Maroth for a young left side infielder (who can maybe bat leadoff one day) or a young catcher. We may have to wait to spring training for this though.

Casey would be a good option at 1B, but not at 8 million. Hopefully, he will take less and a 2-yr contract to stay. We should not give up on Shelton. He is only 26 and the stats he put up in the minors is no fluke. The guy can flat out hit.

Why don’t the Tigers look at signing Frank Catalanotto? He is the same age as Maggs, 32. He is left handed and can play LF or RF. He is basically being pushed out of the starting OF in TOR with Rios, Johnson, and Wells. He can be had for cheap ($2.7 mil in ’06). In the last 3 years his stats are .299/.366/.433. His walks and strikeouts for last year were 52/37 (just what the Tigers need). He is not as good against LH pitchers so we could platoon Thames or Maggs in the OF against RH. This would let Maggs DH most of the time. (Which I think we all can agree would be good.) Finally, he could bat lead off with Polanco 2nd. This would let Granderson bat 3rd which is more natural for him. This maintains Leyland L/R/L/R that he loves with the lineup. He would be a good stopgap until Maybin is ready in late ’08.

Signing Casey, Walker, and Catalanotto would fill some holes and not break the bank. We would still have a really potent offense. Then we can trade some excess young pitchers for young position players that we are lacking or make a monster trade

You articulated your points well. I think we’ve come full-circle on this ‘Bonds issue’. Bottom-line is Dombrowski wouldn’t make this move anyway and I agree – too many distractions with the HR record. I also agree that ‘pine-tar-use’ and ‘steroid-use’ aren’t even in the same ballpark.

I’m just excited that I get to see my Tigers play down here at Turner Field next summer!